A brief note on the name of Phoenix Park

The Irish is fionnuisce, which Ó Dónaill & Ua Maoileoin’s dictionary defines as “uisce locha nó abhann”, water of a lake or river. Uisce is water, and fionn (white, fair) in this context means clear. Fíoruisce is spring water (fíor means true, in this context pure).

Uisce beatha, of course is whiskey, which is more commonly called fuisce, which is a gaelicisation of the English, which itself is from the Gaelic uisge. Macbain’s 1911 etymological dictionary of Gaelic notes that “Stokes suggests the possibility of uisge being for *uskio-, and allied to Eng. wash.” Rounds.

“Tiers, tiers and tiers. Rounds.” (Finnegans Wake page 590) Tears when they are copious are uisce cinn, head water.

Tears in general are deora. An exile is deoraí. Exile is deoraíocht. Nice connection, although Macbain, citing Stokes again, says the latter may come from “un-countried”, something like dí-bhrughacht, whereas deor (the singular form) is related to Greek dákru (i.e., δάκρυ) and Latin lacrima (dacrima in early form) and thus cognate with the English.

Ag caint ar gaoil

Ó Caisleáin Óir le Séamus Ó Grianna (1924):

« ‘A mháthair mhór’, arsa Séimí, i ndiaidh a theach chun an bhaile, ‘an bhfuil gaol ar bith againne do bhunadh Mháirtín?’

« ‘Is fada amach é’, ar sise. ‘Fan go bhfeice mé. Seáinín Mór agus Conall Ó Fríl clann an deirféar is a dearthár; Micheál Sheáinín agus Tarlach Chonaill an dá ó; d’athair agus Máirtín an dá fhionnó; tusa agus Babaí [iníon Mháirtín], dearfaidh mé, an dá dhubhó. … Tá fréamh eile ghaoil nó dhó ag Séimí anseo do chlann Mháirtín. Tá mise agus Síle Chuirristín — go ndéana Sé a mhaith ar na mairbh — clann an bheirt dearthár; fear an tí seo agus Máirtín an dá ó; Séimí agus clann Mháirtín an dá fhionnó. … Tá tuilleadh ann. Gaol mhuintír na Brád. Bríd Chéillín agus Nualaitín an clann is ó; Peigí Tharlaigh Dhuibh agus Croíán ó is fionnó; bean an tí seo agus bean Mháirtín fionnó agus dubhó; Séimí anseo agus clann Mháirtín dubhó agus glún taobh amuigh de sin.’ »

(Seáinín Mór and Conall Ó Fríl are the children of a brother and a sister [1st cousins], their sons Micheál Sheáinín and Tarlach Chonail are 2nd cousins [dá ó], their sons, your father and Máirtín, are 3rd cousins [dá fhionnó], and you and Babaí are 4th cousins [dá dhubhó]. … Síle Chuirristín and I are the children of brothers [1st cousins], the man of this house and Máirtín 2nd cousins [dá ó], Séimí and the children of Máirtín 3rd cousins [dá fhionnó]. … The Bráds: Bríd Chéillín and Nualaitín are child and grandchild, Peigí Tharlaigh Dhuibh agus Croíán grandchild and greatgrandchild, the woman of this house and Máirtín’s wife greatgrandchild and greatgreatgrandchild; Séimí and the children of Máirtín greatgreatgrandchildren and further out.)

(The first relation is established through the fathers (who are 2nd cousins), the second through the fathers’ mothers (who are 1st cousins), and the third through the children’s mothers (who are 3rd cousins once removed.)

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“Cousin” in Irish is col ceathar. Col refers to impediment to marriage (the reason Séamí is asking how related he is to Babaí), and ceathair refers to 4, that is, 4 degrees of separation: self, parent, grandparent, parent’s sibling, cousin. Col cúigar (5) is 1st cousin once removed, col seisar (6) is 2nd cousin, col  seachtar (7) is 2nd cousin once removed, col ochtar (8) is 3rd cousin, col naonúr (9) is 3rd cousin once removed.

Similarly, the degree of relation can be expressed as, for example, Tá siad a dó is a dó, They are cousins; Tá siad a dó is a trí, They are cousins once removed.

Also: Is iad an treas glúin iad, They are second cousins (of the 3rd generation). This derives from the simple use of glúin for generation of descent, for example, an dara glúin ó Micheál Sheáinín, the 2nd generation after Micheál Sheáinín. (Glúin also means “knee”.)

In the above passage, yet another way of describing relations is used, based on ó (originally úa), meaning “grandson” or “grandchild”, as in surnames, for example, Ó Grianna, as mac means “son”, which is also used in surnames. (For women’s surnames, Ó and Mac are replaced with Ní and Níc, respectively. Second cousins, both grandchildren of the same grandparents, are an dá ó. Fionnó is “great-grandchild”, and 3rd cousins are an dá fhionnó. (Iarmhó is another word for great-grandchild.) And dubhó is “great-great-grandchild” and 4th cousins are an dá dhubhó.

Dinneen actually quotes the above passage extensively in the dictionary entry for ó. He provides some other examples of usage as well: Táimíd i n-ó le chéile, we are cousins; Táimíd i n-ó amháin, we are first cousins; Táimíd ar (or idir) dá ó, we are second cousins; Táimíd i dá ionn-ó le chéile, we are third cousins; Tá siad i dá dhubh-ó, they are fourth cousins.

A third cousin may also be referred to as dhá ó and a fourth cousin as trí ó.

An etymological question is the origin of fionnó and dubhó, which appear to mean white cousin and black cousin. Fionnó was originally ionn-ó (as in the example provided by Dinneen), suggesting legitimacy, that is, marriage is possible. Perhaps as ionn became fionn, so dú became dubh. Dú-ó would suggest what is natural, that is, marriage idir dá dhubhó is proper, fitting.

From Caisleáin Óir: « ‘Ta sibh saor ar cháin’, arsa Donnchadh Mór, ‘ó rachas sibh taobh amach de na fionnóí.’ » (You are free from censure since you have gone past 3rd cousins.)

“Mar a chaith mé laethanta saoire an tsamhraidh”

Bíonn an t-úrscéal Diosco Dé le Séamas Mac Annaidh (Coiscéim, 2006) ag spaisteoireacht thart faoi samhradh mar teagasc Béarla i gcampa Tuirceach an bliain 1999. Tá sé mar bheadh cuntas taistil nó cuimhní cinn seachas úrscéal ann. Cúpla uair tá leaideanna go mbeidh eachtra mór ag forbairt, ach leanann an scéal go dtí eachtranna eile sa champa, i rith na turais, teannas agus comhcheilg idir na múinteoirí Gaeilge, na pearsantachtaí ar na múintoirí uile (Béarla agus Tuirceach) agus ar na daltaí nua gach coicís, an dúshlán ar an ceannais an an champa a choinnigh gabháil i gceart is go sabháilte.

Is as Doire atá an scéalaí agus a chailín Astrálach, agus tá siad ag filleadh (.i. pilleadh) chun an champa cá bualadh iad le chéile an bhliain roimhe. Tar éis naoi mí i nDoire, tá siad araon ag dúil le am ar cósta na mara Mharmara a chaitheamh.

Ni féidir a inis níos mó faoin scéal gan nochtadh an cúis go bhfuil sé seo cén úrscéal maith, mar ar deireadh is úrscéal an-tochtmhar é. Go cáiréiseach, fíonn an Annach an léitheoir isteach le scéal an scéalaí féin.

Tochmharc (wooing)

Dinneen (Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, 1927):

Tochmharc, a wooing or courtship, wooing, attention; a romance; from to-com-arc.

Tochra, bride-price, marriage-gift, wooing.

Marc, a mark or sign ...; a limit, what is aimed at; a fixed date or time, a turn ...
Marc, a horse.

Margadh, a bargain, esp. a good bargain, a contract or agreement ...; buying or selling, a market.

MacBain (Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, 1911):

tochmharc, (obsolete) a wooing, so Irish, Old Irish tochmarc: *to-com-arc; see for root iomchorc.

iomchorc, regards, salutation, petition, also Gaelic, Irish iomchomharc, Old Irish imchomarc, interrogatio, salutatio: *imm-com-arc-, from arc, ask,

tochar, tochradh, dowry; cf. Old Irish tochur, placing, from cuire, put. The idea is “something assigned to one.”

eDIL (Electronic Dictionary of the [Medieval] Irish Langauge):

imchomarc. verbal noun of imm-comairc. (a) the act of enquiring about; question, enquiry, interrogation. (b) enquiry (concerning health), greeting, salutation. (c) asking (a request); a petition, boon ...

tochra. verbal noun of do-cren. payment made by bridegroom to bride or bride's father.

do-cren. verb: purchases.

Dinneen:

Cómhárach, a contract.
Im-, iom-, about, around, circum-, amphi-; as intensive, very; in Old Irish it had the effect of a reflexive.

Tochur, putting placing, deliver. See tochar.

Tochar, a journey, meeting or conflict, a crowd.

Tacar, act of collecting, glearning, providing; ... a contrivance, art or pretence

O’Reilly (An Irish-English Dictionary, 1864):

Tochmhaire, a marriage treaty, espousal.

Tochradh, a gift, present reward, portion, dowry, jointure, wealth.

Conclusion:

Tochmharc seems to be a shortened contraction of tochra-cómhárach, a bride-price contract.

Ag Stopadh sa Choill Oíche Shneacht

Ag Stopadh sa Choill Oíche Shneacht Aistriúchán le Cathal Ó Manacháin ar ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ le Robert Frost Is eol dom an choill seo agus cé leis í, Ach is sa bhaile a bhíonn sé ag cur faoi. Ní fheicfidh sé muid ag stopadh dúinn Le hamharc ar a choill ag bánú di. Is saoithiúil le mo chapaillín, Sinn stopadh gan áitreabh in aice linn, Idir an choill agus an t-oighearloch An oíche is dorcha den bhliain. Tosaíonn an clog ar a chuing a chlingíneach, Ag fiafraí díom cá bhfuil an teach, Ach seachas fannghaoth agus sneachta ag séideadh, Ní chluintear fuaim ó aon neach. Is breá liom an choill seo sa dúgheimhreadh, Ach tá gealltanais agam le comhlíonadh, Is na mílte le taisteal roimh chodladh, Is na mílte le taisteal roimh chodladh.

An Chircín Rua

Is é an leagan seo leabhar cláir a léigh muid go minic le L— nuair a bhí sé ina lapadán.

An Chircín Rua
Scríofa le Byron Barton (1997, Harper Festival)
Aistrithe le Oiric Mac Róis Fá Bhláth (2021)

Bhí ceathrar cara ann aon uair amháin: muc, lacha, cat, agus circín rua. Tá triúr éanán ag an chircín rua.

Lá amháin bhí an chircín rua ag piocadh sa talún, agus bhfuair sí roinnt síolta.

Chuaigh sí go dtí a triúr cara agus d’fhiafraigh leo: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom na síolta seo a chur?

Ní mise, a scréach an mhuc.
Ní mise, a vách an lacha.
Ní mise, a meamh an cat.

Más ea, cuirfidh mise féin na síolta, a deir an chircín rua. Agus chuir sí.

Agus gheamhraigh na síolta agus d’fhás a bheith gasa móra cruithneachta.

Ansin d’fhiafraigh an chircín rua lena triúr cara: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom na gasa seo a bhaint?

Ní mise, a meamh an cat.
Ní mise, a scréach an mhuc.
Ní mise, a vách an lacha.

Más ea, bainfeadh mise féin an cruithneacht, a deir an chircín rua. Agus bhain sí.

Ansin d’fhiafraigh an chircín rua lena triúr cara: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom an cruithneachta seo a cháith?

Ní mise, a scréach an mhuc.
Ní mise, a vách an lacha.
Ní mise, a meamh an cat.

Más ea, cáithfeadh mise féin an cruithneacht, a deir an chircín rua. Agus cháith sí.

Ansin d’fhiafraigh an chircín rua lena triúr cara: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom na gráin seo a mheilt i bplúr?

Ní mise, a scréach an mhuc.
Ní mise, a vách an lacha.
Ní mise, a meamh an cat.

Más ea, mealfaidh mise féin an cruithneacht i bplúr, a deir an chircín rua. Agus mheal sí.

Ansin d’fhiafraigh an chircín rua lena triúr cara: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom an plúr seo a dhéanamh in arán?

Ní mise, a meamh an cat.
Ní mise, a scréach an mhuc.
Ní mise, a vách an lacha.

Más ea, déanfaidh mise féin an plúr in arán, a deir sí. Agus rinne.

Ansin scairt an chircín rua lena cairde: Cé an cuidiú a thabharfas dom an arán seo a ithe?

Tabharfaidh mise, vhách an lacha.
Tabharfaidh mise, mheamh an cat.
Tabharfaidh mise, scréach an mhuc.

Ára, ní thabharfaidh, dúirt an chircín rua leo.

Iosfaidh muidne féin an t-arán.

Nótaí ó thaobh “An Dochtúir Áthas” le Liam Mac Cóil

Cá bhfuil an áthas a bheith faighte? An ionann úd an áthas agus an fíor? An fíor agus an réaltach? An bhfuil an áthas faighte san réaltach amuigh sa domhain nó san réaltach intinn? Nó áit éigin eile? Gén faoi galar?

Tá neart ceisteanna ann, leoga an ceist an bhfuil an scéalaí féin tinn i ndáiríre. Is amhail go bhfuil na seisiúin atá sé ag insint agus a machnaimh tar éis gach ceann – tá siad cosúil le scaoileadh an leabhar féin, cosúil leis an bhealach a bheith an léitheoir féin ag déanamh roimh.

Is é an phárnóia a éirionn príomhthéma san scéal, mar tósaíonn a creidimh an athriseoir go bhfuil seisean an fadhb leis féin. Nó b’fhéidir stiúrann an Dochtúir Áthas rudaí an phárnóia a chur leis. Is éisean é an t-athriseoir ach cé hé an t-údar?

Agus i gcoinne an phárnóia – nó b’fhéidir de thoisc leis – déanann an t-athriseoir saidéar faoin Áthas féin, faoin bpróiseas, na seisiúin, agus phearsanta agus rún an doctúir.

Agus ó sin, faoin síocanailís féin. Is arís, is é an phróiseas den léitheoir féin é – ag léamh mar is atá a shaol féin i gceist.

(Bhí An Dochtúir Áthas foilsithe le Leabhar Breac ag 1994 agus 2004.)

(Ar ndóigh, is é áthas é an focal Gaeilge don freud as Gearmáinis.)

Tuarisc leabair bhig: Fatwa, le Proinsias Mac A’ Bhaird

Roinn Olaf Errwigge an tuarisc seo ar Facebook leis an grúpa Gaeilge Amháin. Léigh mé an leabhar le gairid agus aontaím leis faoi. Fiú nuair go bhfuil an gníomh lán le teannas, bhí go minic a raibh mé ag gáire amach, agus ar an iomlán is leabhar tuisceanach agus daonna é. Chomh maith, déanann an t-údar spraoi le “Google Translate”, fiú leis an teideal ar an leabhar diamhaslach atá i gceist.

Go hiontach an úrscéal Fatwa le Proinsias Mac A’ Bhaird (Coiscéim, 2019). Leannainn an leabhar an ábhar den úrscéal dá chuid, Tairngreacht, a raibh foilsithe an bhliain roimh, is é sin antoisceachas creidimh. I dTairngreacht, bhí cumann rúnta dílse don chreadimh a smaoinigh siad a raibh an fíorchreadamh Críostaí mar Colm Cille, agus rún atá acu an pápa agus a chairdinéal san Róimh a chur ina gcríochnaithe. I bhFatwa, ar ndóigh, is éadulaingt iad na Moslamach ar maslaí lena bhFáidh Mahamad.

Cé mar scéinséir a raibh Tairngreacht go hiomlán, is scéinséir i gcuideanna é Fatwa, ach is aoir é fosta, aoir ar chreadeamh, ar litríocht Ghaeilge chomhaimseartha agus na hirisí liteartha, ar an nGaeltacht féin, agus ar stócaigh ag fás go fóill agus a dtreoir á aimsiú. Ach is scéal tuisceanach é, é báúil le laige an duine agus na streachailte leis an slí bheatha a fháil. Ceann de na ceachtanna ná ní hea an jiohád an chlaímh dóigh maith girseacha a chur in aithne nó go teacht amuigh mar duine aerach. Tá giota tragóid ann leis na stócaigh sin.

Ach tá go minic atá an scéal greannmhar ar fad, fiú nuair atá sé lán le teannas agus le contúirt. Is é an príomhdhióc nach léite ag duine ar bith an scéal fá Mahamad a raibh scríofa i nGaeilge – ní idir na daoine maslaithe ná na daoine ar son an saoirse léirithe.

Chomh maith, mar i dTairngreacht le caibidlí don faoistin Colm Cille a raibh faighte i dtochailt seandálaíochta, tá sleachta as “Ridire an Fhásaigh” i bhFatwa. Sin é an teideal ar an úrscéal maslach i gceist, an scéal fán iarraidh na treibheanna Araibis ina n-aointaigh faoi dhia amháin. Ar bhealach, is ionnan an scéal seo agus an scéal fán stócach a shlí a bheith ag aimsiú.

FÁSACH: waste, desert; deserted place; luxuriant growth

Fás, -áis, pl.id. m., act of growing, increasing, becoming; springing or resulting from (ó, de); growth, cinrease; a plant, a rod; a growth; an dara f., second- or after-growth; f. (na h-) aon oidhche, mushroom, al. the name of an ancient monument near Dundalk; ní’l aon fh. fé, it (he) is not growing well; d’éirigh an f. leis, he has grown considerably; tá f. gach uile shóirt ann, everything grows there; tá sé ag f. geal, fuar, ⁊c., it is grwoing white, cold, etc.; dims. fásán, -óg. See fáis.

Fáis, a., gs. of fás, growing; flasraidhe f., growing vegetables, greens.

Fás, a., empty, void, vain; go follamh, f., quite empty; in compds. fás-buille, a missed stroke; fás-bholg, an empty bag; fás-chogaint, empty chewing; fás-bhruchtghail, empty belching.

Fás, -áis, m., a void, a waste, a vacuum.

Fásach, -aigh, pl. -aighe, m., a precedent.

Fásach, -aighe, a., desolate, desert, overgrown with grass.

Fásach, -aigh, pl. id., -aighe, and -atha, m., a desert, a wilderness, a prairie, a wast; paster land, a field, luxuriant grass, pasture ungrazed for a long time; the grass headland of an unploughed field; a deserted place or house. f. coille, a grove; tá f. ag na buaibh ’san pháirc sin, the cows have prairie pasture in that field; ní féar atá ann acht f., that is not ordiinary grass but something more luxuriant; ag tabhairt an fhásaigh, lit. growing grass, i.e., dead and buried; bhí an gnó ’na fh. air, he got into business difficulties; beidh an teach so ’na fh. ort, you will not be allowed to enter this house; dearg-fh., sheer wilderness; flaitheas na naomh ar Shéamas ’na dhearg-fh., may heaven be completely closed against James (McD.). See fásaigh.

Fásachadh, -chta, m., desolation, act of depopulating.

Fásaidheacht, -a, f., act of devastating or turning into a desert.

Fásaigh, gs. of fásach, a., wild, overgrown with vegetation, ruined; teampall f., a deserted church yeard; biolar f., wild cress.

Fásaim, vl. fás, v. intr. I grow, increase; I am born, sprung from (ó); I rise, as a river from its source; I come constantly, as an income or a periodical allowance; tá an t-airgead ag fás chuige, he has a constant income; ar fhás eadrainn, those of our stock, those who grew up with us; there is a mod. tr. use.

—Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, 1927, by Patrick Dinneen

Bealach na Spáinneach le Liam Mac Cóil

Is grástúil é an leabhar seo, an triú cheann sraithe. Agus grástúil atá a laoch óg, Lúcás Ó Bhriain, pionsóir den scoth, léannta, fiosrach, machnamhach, múinte, agus saonta. Giota beag mar Parsifal mar laoch. Tá sé gafa istigh plota mór casta, spiaireachta agus polaitíochta, agus creidimh i gceist freisin – bhíothas siocháin ar bun in Eoraip sa bhliain 1612, ach tá gabháil níos crua ar bun in Éirinn faoin rí nua Sasanach. Le linn a thurais ó Ghaillimh go dtí an Róimh, tá níos lú ina thuiscint an níos mó ina fhios air.

Tar éis a éalamh Sasana le báid go dtí na tIsilthíortha ag an deireadh dara leabhar, dúisíonn Lúcás ag tús an cheann seo i bhFrainc, baile beag cois fharraige san Bhríotáin. Bhí stoirm ar muir agus bhualadh a chloigean le crann scóide (.i. búm) an bháid. Tar éis an oiread sin gníobh i Sasana, bhí sé anois ina scíth, an t-aoi amháin in óstán leis an bhean tí agus a hiníon déagach aisteach, ag fanacht a neart a fhilleadh.

Ansin bád eile go hOstainn agus eachtraí nua ina hiarraidh a bhealach a dhéanamh go Róimh an litir diamhair a sheachadadh cuig an lámh Aoidh Mhór Uí Néill. Go fírinneach tá an cuid is mó den eachtraí i dtaobh an turas fada seachas an tóir Sasanach chun Lúcás a dunmháradh agus an litir a gabhail as: tríd na tíortha éagsula, na cathreacha mhúrtha, na bailte ar an mbóthar, agus na daoine go hairithe.

Is é bealach na Spáinneach an bóthar mileata idir Milano agus Bruiséil. Ó Lobháin taistealaíonn Lúcás le buíon de triúr shiúr agus triúr saighdiúir agus a ngiollaí mar tionlacán, Éirinneach siúd uile. Tá na saighdiúirí i seirbhís Uí Néill, agus bhí aithne ag an ceannaire ar an athair Lúcáis. (Faoin am seo, tá a bfhios ag roinnt na hÉireannaigh i ndeoraíocht i Lobháin ar an litir agus cé hé Lúcás féin.)

Ní gá a rá, baineann Lúcás Róimh amach agus criochnaíonn sé an scéal i seomra i mbarr páláis fad a bheith an t-amhránaí cáiliúil Girolamo ag canadh amhráin John Dowland i gcóisir i mbun.

“Dúradh liom gur litir thábhachtach í agus go gcaithfinn í a leagan isteach i lámha Uí Néill agus ina lámha seisean amháin. Rinne mé sin.” Thóg sé 1,262 leathanach (agus cló níos lú ná an cinn eile sa sé chéad leathanach an triú leabhar seo), gach uile acu suimiúil, beoga, tochtmhar go minic le gliondar agus iontas nó cumha agus brón, go hálainn i gcónaí.

[Bhí an leabhar foilsithe ag Leabhar Breac]
[An chéad leabhar sa tsraith: An Litir]
[An dara leabhar sa tsraith: I dTír Strainséartha]

Rí na Sióg

Rí na Sióg Aistriúchán le Eoin Mc Evoy ar ‘Der Erlkönig’  le Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Cé seo ar an gcapall chomh deireanach san oíche? An t-athair is a mhac ag rás tríd an ngaoth. Tá an gasúr go daingean go socair lena ucht Coinníonn sé teolaí lena chroí é go docht. A mhaicín, cad chuige a bhfolaíonn tú d’aghaidh? A Dheaide, nach bhfeiceann tú an tsióg ar an gclaí? An Rí atá ann lena ruball is a choróin! A mhaicín, a thaisce, níl ann ach bréid cheo. Nach dtiocfaidh tú liom, a bhuachaillín lách? Go dté muid ag súgradh le chéile go lá Tá bláthanna áille thíos cois na trá Is éadaí mar ór i seomraí mo mháthar. A Dheaide, a Dheaide, nach gcloiseann tú chugainn Glór Rí na Sióg ’ mo mhealladh go ciúin? Fan socair, bí socair, ná bac leis, a chroí, Níl ann ach na duilleoga á mbreith ag an ngaoth. A pháiste chaoin dhil, nach dtiocfá anois? Tabharfaidh m’iníonacha an-aire duit Déanfaidh siad rince na sí ag an ráth Cealgfar a chodladh thú le suantraí bhreá. A Dheaide, a Dheaide, nach bhfeiceann tú thall Iníonacha an Rí i ndorchacht na gcrann! A mhaicín, a thaisce, sea, feicim go glé Seansaileacha liatha is iad geal faoin ré. Meallann do chló mé, a bhuachaill, a shearc, Is murar teacht ded’ dheoin é, imreoidh mé forneart! A Dheaide, a Dheaide, anois braithim a lámh! Tá Rí na Sióg dom ghortú, dom chrá! Tagann scéin ar an athair is géaráionn ar a phráinn Le gach cnead óna ghasúr ina lámha go fann, Isteach leis sa chlós go fuascrach garbh, Thíos ina bhaclainn bhí an gasúr marbh.

I dTír Strainséartha le Liam Mac Cóil

Tar éis seachtain ar muir idir Gallaimh is Briostó, caitheann Lúcás trí lá (dhá oíche) i Sasana, ag déanamh trí éalu drámatúil, dhá cheann acu leis an gcuidiú cailín. Tagann Lúcás póg ar leiceann an chéad cheann, agus tagann an dara cailín póg ar leiceann Lúcáis.

Nuair a baineann Lúcás Briostó amach, foghlaimíonn sé go bhfuil “pursuiveant” ann sa tóir air. Agus ansin, tá sé soiléir go bhfuil an tSionnach ann freisin, duine ó thuaisceart na hÉireann a tugadh rabhadh do Lúcas faoi.

Tá go leor eachtraí ar siúl, ar ndóigh, agus polaitíocht, agus iomad daoine suimiúla, ach tá diamhair ann chomh maith, níos mó is níos mó mar théann Lúcás níos faide isteach an tír.

[Bhí an leabhar foilsithe ag Leabhar Breac]
[An chéad leabhar sa tsraith: An Litir]
[An triú leabhar sa tsraith: Bealach na Spáinneach]

Tuarisc Leabhair Big: An Litir le Liam Mac Cóil

Tá an leabhar ar siúl i gcathair na Gaillimhe sa bhliain 1612. Is scoláire coláiste é Lúcás Ó Briain ach d’ainneoin gur scoláire maith é is fearr leis a bheith ina phíonsóir.

Maidin amháin, tagann a uncáil go dtí an coláiste agus tógann sé Lúcás amach cuart a thabhairt ar sagart lán rún. Caithfidh an sagart a sheol litir go dtí Aodh Mór Ó Néill sa Róimh, tionscadal rún ar fad.

D’éalaigh na hiarlaí as Éirinn cúig bliana roimhe sin mar thóg na Sasanaigh go leor dá n-údarás agus dá dtalamh uathu. Anois, bhí na Sasanaigh ag iarraidh a goidte an talamh ón daoine eile. Is é an súil ag an sagart a cur an eolas sin don Ó Néill agus go bheadh sé teacht ar ais go luath (le harm Spáinnise b’fhéidir, nó Fraincise).

Glacann Lúcás an jab. Bhí a thuismitheoira maraithe sa troid leis na Sasanaigh nuair a bhí sé níos óige. Beidh sé mar scoláire ag dul go Róimh staidéar a dhéanamh ar sagartacht. Tá go leor eachtraí agus amhras ann tríd an lá. Tá a uncail dúnmhairaithe. Tugann a mhúinteor píonsóireach claíomh agus tugann a iníon bonn a croch timpeall a muineál agus póg dó.

Tá beag iomlán an leabhar ar siúl i rith lá amháin. Tá sé an-suimúil leis an bheatha den gcathair stairiúil, na heachtraí móra, an machnamh, na daoine éagsúla, agus ar ndóigh, na babhtaí píonsóireacha. Go hiontach ar fad atá an scéal.

Agus tá seanléarscáil den gcathair ann san leabhar ar féidtear a leanúint an gníobh air.

Anois, tá dhá leabhar eile ann mar sraith.

[Bhí an leabhar foilsithe ag Leabhar Breac]
[An dara leabhar sa tsraith: I dTír Strainséartha]
[An triú leabhar sa tsraith: Bealach na Spáinneach]

Saoilim, Smaoinim, Measaim, Machtnuigim, Samhluighim, Braithim, Meabhruighim

Saoilim, vls., -leachtain, -leadh, -ltin, -lsin, ⁊c., v. tr., I expect, endeavour, think to, deem, suppose, think, imagine; ní mar saoiltear bítear, things are not what one expects (prov.); am má saoilid, when they don’t expect; fáth nár saoileadh, an event that was not expected (S. R.); shaoileas riamh nár mhiste, ⁊c. I always thought it was no harm to, etc.; shaoileas go, I thought that, etc.; shaoil siad é mharbhadh, they endeavoured to slay him (Con.); al. sílim. [1977 O’Dónaill: Síl]

Smaoinim, -neadh, -neamh, v. tr., and intr., I think, imagine, reflect, heed; gnly. with ar; do smaoin ar mhór-olc, who conceived great evil; do smaoin ’na mheanmain aige féin, he considered in his mind; nár smaoin bheith fólta, who did not even think of being a laggard. [1977 O’Dónaill: Smaoinigh]

Measaim, vl. meas, v. tr., I measure, calculate, assess (with ar), esteem; judge, consider, dwell upon, think, suppose; mean, intend, want to, determine on; m. do, I expect of; m. gur cóir duit, you should, I think; m. ar, I judge by; m. agam féin, I consider in my own mind; meas anois é, give your estimate (or opinion) now, price it now; péirse beacht má mheas mé díreach, an exact perch if I calculated aright; cad do mheasann tú? what do you say? what is your opinion? what do you mean (by your behaviour, etc.)? do measadh bheith cóir, who was thought to be honest; m. gluaseacht, I propose to depart; cá mheasair dul? where are you trying to go? mheasas a rádh, I meant (or wanted) to say; mheas sé mé bhualadh, he thought to strike me; anois measann tú, now, what do you think (in parenthesis); m. éag dó, I think he will die; an é an fhairrge shnámh do mheasfá dham? would you expect me to swim the ocean? ní mh. an aois sin dó, I don’t consider him that age; cad í an láidreacht do mheasfá dhó? what strength would you say he was? ní mheasfá ortha go, ⁊c., you would never guess from their looks that, etc. [1977 O’Dónaill: Meas]

Machtnuighim, vl. -tnamh and -tnughadh, v. tr. and intr., I wonder, am surprised at; deliberate, reflect, imagine; al. chide; mhachtnuigheas ar dtúis gur fear do bhí ann, I imagined at first it was a man (R. O.); ro mhachtnuigh sin aige féin, he wondered within himself at that; machtnuigh leat féin gach ainnir, ⁊c., consider how every maid, etc. [1977 O’Dónaill: Machnaigh]

Samhluighim, -ughadh, v. tr. and intr., I appear, dream, imagine, expect, think, impute or ascribe to (le), hint at; compare or liken; am like; s. rud le, I compare a thing to, al. suggest regarding a thing; sh. sin leat, I exclude you (from the prophecy, accusation, etc.); bréag níor samhluigheadh leo, no lie was ever imputed to them; cha samhlóchainn leis é, I would not expect it of him; cha samhlann sí feoil nó lionn le n-a broinn in san Cháitin, she has no taste for flesh or ale in Lent (Mon. song); do shamhluigheas go raibh airgead agat, I fancied you had money; ná samhail (-mhluigh) innse, think not to tell; samhluigheadh dam, it appeared to me, meseemed; tánn tú deáthach led’athair atá ’san chré, gura fada beo samhlóchar thú, you resemble your late father, long be you so; al. samhlaim, -ladh (imper. 2s. and pret. 3s., samhail)—compds., iontsamhlaim, I imitate; for-tamhlaim, I surpass. [1977 O’Dónaill: Samhlaigh]

Breathnuighim, -ughad, v. tr. and intr. (with ar), I discern, recognise, examine, judge; conceive, design; I look, appear; I behold, wath; b. ar, a look at; bhí sé ag breathnughadh bheith téagarthach, he looked fairly stout (Inishm.); ag breathnughadh go maith, looking well; b. ubhall le, I award an apple to (S. N.); I resolve; al. breithnighim. [1977 O’Dónaill: Breathnaigh (also look at, watch)]

Braithim, vl. braith, brath, -athadh, v. tr. and intr., I judge, think, imagine; expect; observe, notice; test; feel; perceive; b. feabhas orm féin, I feel myself improved (in health, etc.); do bhraitheas ar a gcainnt go, ⁊c., I gathered from what they said that, etc.; do bhraitheas im aigne, ⁊c., I settled in my mind that; I depend on; ní bheinn ag braith ort, I would not depend on you, i.e., I would seek some other assistance than yours; ag braith ar na cómharsanaibh, depending on the neighbours, having only the neighbours to fall back on; ag braith ar, intending to, expecting to; ag braith ar dhul go Corcaigh, expecting to go to Cork; b. ar, I spy on, reveal, make known; do bhraith sé trí neithe air féin san traothar so, he revealed three things about himself in this work (O’Gadhra); b. uaim, I miss; do bhraitheas go raibh airgead aige, I suspected or fancied he had money; I deceive. [1977 O’Dónaill: Braith (also betray, wait for (with le))]

Meabhruighim, -ughadh, v. tr., intr., I recollect, remember, commit to memory; consider, ponder, plan; notice, perceive, penetrate, realise; remind, suggest, reveal to (with do); make or feel my way (as in the dark); m. mo scéal do chách, I reveal my story to all; m. a-bhaile, I make or feel my way home in the darkness; nach luath do mheabhruigh sé é, at what an early age he (the child) understood the matter; meabhruigh caoin soillse is dealbh na bhflaitheas, quietly consider the brilliance and beauty of heaven (P. F.). [1977 O’Dónaill: Meabhraigh [also meditate])

—Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, 1927, by Patrick Dinneen

Also see: CEAPADH

Ceapadh

Ceap, g. cip and ceapa, pl. id., and cipe, m., a block: a shoemaker’s last; the stock or nave of a wheel, esp. a spinning wheel; fuinnseog an t-adhmad is feárr chum an cheapa, ash is the best wood for the stock (of the wheel); do leigeadh rí a ceann ar ch. an cúirne, she used to lay her head on the stock of the spinning wheel; c. fuinnse, an ash last in shoemaking; c. gabhann, anvil block; c. snoigheagain, a block on which to cut or carve out timber; c. treo, the timber block that is used a a socket for a boat mast (Mayo); glas cir, a rim lock; a leader, a progenitor; the head of a tribe or family, a supreme ruler; a battalion, a body of men in square array; a piece of ground; a small cultivated plot, a nursery bed for plants; c. cabáiste, a nursery bed for cabbage plants; stocks (for a pristoner) (Guy); fig. c. magaidh, a laughing stock; c. céille ná it strae mhargaidh, you might as well be a silly vagrant as a man of deep sense; c. tuisle, a stumbling block; c. scarra, id.

Ceapach, -aighe, -acha, f., a plot of land laid out for tillage, a decayed or denuded wood; a kitchen garden (Con.); a village inhabited by one tribe of relatives (P. O’C); oft. in place-names, as C. Chuinn, Cappoquin, in Waterford; C. na Coire, west of Kenmare.

Ceapadh, -rtha, vl., m., act of seizing, controlling, stoppin; thinking; thought, idea, notion; ní raibh aon ch. agam go, I did not in the least imagine that (Con.); suspicion (ib.); act of forming, training up; iad do ch. ó aois leinbh go diadha, to train them up in virtue from childhood (Donl.); act of lasting, as boots; of composing, of appointing; of dreaming or blocking out stone.

Ceapaim, -adh, v. tr., I stop, catch, seize, control; I think, compose, invent, imagine, resolve, determine on; ceap do shuaimhneas, take your time, al. keep quiet; ná ceap é, do not imagine it; I dress stone; I chip, block out; I form, fashion, train up; c. m’aigne chuige, I make up my mind to it; cheapas im aigne go, I imagined that; I build up, bring about, cause, effect; ceapfaidh an dlighe seo drom ag fearaibh an domhain mar Gholl, this law will cause all men to have backs as strong as Goll; I check, restrain, limit, bound, put in the stocks; ceap na gamhna, keep the calves within bounds (Don.); le n-a cheapadh ó, to restrain him from (N. Con.); I appoint, fix on; ceapadh ’na thaoiseach é, he was appointed leader; do cheapas lá don chruinniughadh, I fixed upon a day for the assembly; I put on a last, as boots.

Ceapaire, g. id., pl. -rí, m., a flat cake; bread and butter; ar chnó ná ar ch. ní dhéanfadh sé an teachtaireacht damh, he would not run my errand for nuts or cake, that is nothing would induce him; c. cneadaighe, a butter cake made for a sick person, esp. for a woman in labour, “groaning cake” (N. Con. folk-tale); c. aráin agus ime, a slice of bread and butter; c. adhmaid, a wooden knob (R.O.); a last-maker.

Ceap-áirithe, a., particular.

Ceapán, -áin, pl. id., m., a stump or pin; a little stock or last; a small plot or field.

Ceapánta, indec. a., stiff, rigid; stubborn, positive; niggardly.

Ceapántacht, -a, f., stiffness; niggardliness.

Ceapóg, -óige, -óga, f., a green plot before a house; any green or bare plot; a quire-song (Contr.); a little stick; c. rámhainne, a worthless or worn-down spade; dim. of ceap; dim. ceapóigín; al. ciopóg, cipeog.

Ceap-órd, m. a sledge-hammer, a hammer for dressing stone.

Ceap-órdacht, -a, f., use of a sledge-hammer; dressing of stone, etc.; gan ch., in a state of crudeness.

Ceap-scaoileadh, m., propagation, descent of a family; development.

Ceap-schoilim, -leadh, v. tr., I propagate; I trace the branches of a family; I develop.

Ceapthach, -thaighe, a., given to planning, conceiving, projecting, framing; inventive.

Ceapuighthe (ceaptha, ceapaithe), p. a., invented, imagined, determined, planned; thought out; intended; selected; appointed; an lá bhí c. aca, the day thay had fixed upon; well-formed; buachaill c., a well-built youth.

—Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, 1927, by Patrick Dinneen

1977 O’Dónaill: Ceap

Six common mistakes in Irish | Sé bhotún choitianta sa Ghaeilge

Five years ago, the online Irish culture journal Nós published a short list of common grammatical mistakes (botúin ghramadúla choitianta). They are interesting examples of the unique structure of Irish. Here they are, with translations.

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MÍCHEART: Bhí sé ag bualadh mé.
CEART: Bhí sé do mo bhualadh.
Ní féidir le forainm (mé, tú, sé, sí srl.) a bheith mar chuspóir ag ainm briathartha.

“He was hitting me.” A pronoun can’t be the object of a verbal noun (present participle).

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MÍCHEART: Theip mé sna scrúdaithe.
CEART: Theip orm sna scrúduithe.
Ní mór an forainm réamhfhoclach ar a úsáid le teip. Agus scrúduithe seachas scrúdaithe an uimhir iolra atá ag scrúdú.

“I failed in the exams.” The verb teip requires the preposition ar. And scrúduithe instead of scrúdaithe is the plural of scrúdú.

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MÍCHEART: Bhí an cheist pléite ag an gcoiste aréir.
CEART: Phléigh an coiste an cheist aréir.
Tá rian an Bhéarla ar struchtúr na habairte seo. Ba cheart foirm chaite an bhriathair pléigh a úsáid seachas an aidiacht bhriathartha.

“The committee discussed the issue last night.” The structure of the incorrect example is that of English (“The issue was discussed by the committee last night”). It would be correct to use the past tense of the verb (pléigh) instead of the verbal adjective (past participle).

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MÍCHEART: Tá sí pósta le beirt pháistí.
CEART: Tá sí pósta agus tá beirt pháistí aici.
Seo tionchar an Bhéarla arís, i.e. married with two children.

“She is married and has two children.” The incorrect example is the effect of English again.

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MÍCHEART: Féachann na fuinneoga tosaigh amach ar an trá.
CEART: Tá an trá le feiceáil ó na fuinneoga tosaigh.
Is fearr gan gníomh a lua le rud éigin neamhbheo.

“The beach is visible from the front windows.” It’s better not to make a nonliving thing active. (The incorrect example translates to “The front windows look out on the beach.”)

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MÍCHEART: Bhí mé ag caint léi roimh na Nollag.
CEART: Bhí mé ag caint léi roimh an Nollaig.
Ní chuirtear ainmfhocail sa tuiseal ginideach i ndiaidh roimh. Tá sé de nós ag daoine é sin a dhéanamh sa chaint ach níl sé caighdeánach.

“I was talking with her before Christmas.” A noun is not put in the genitive case after roimh (“before”). It’s customary for people to do that in speech but it is not standard.

BAIN: extract, release

Bainim, vl. buain, baint, v. tr., I cut, strip, strike, pluck, dig, lift; with as, I take from, diminish, prime, take away, kill overcome; an chéad-ghábhadh do bhaint as, mar órduigh Pádraig, to relieve the first necessity, as Patrick ordained (saying); b. siar as, I cause a set-back to, disable; bainfead tamall as, it will last me for a time; b. as an leabhar é, I read it from the book; b. as ba reathaibh, I make off at high speed; b. chum reatha, id.; b. as, I force from; b. as bullán, I castrate a bull; bainim cainnt as, I get him to talk; baineann sé fáscadh as mo chliabh, it presses my hear (with anguish); b. ceol as, I play (an instrument); b. chum, I set about a thin; with de, I remove, take away from; créad a bhain díot? what has happened to you? what has brought you to this wretched state? b. de dheol, b. den chích, I wean; b. (with obj.) de, I charge, with a suggestion of extortion; bain sé fiche púnt díom, he charged me twenty pounds; ag baint bárr dá chéile, vying or contending with one another; b. ceart de, I manage successfully (a person or thing); b. sásamh de, I call to account, exact satisfaction from; baineadh dem chosaint mé, I was thrown off my guard; b. póg de, I snatch a kiss from; bhain sé lá díom, it took me a day; b. an croiceann de, I flay, I persecute; with le, I touch, I meddle with, I am connecte with; gach n-aon a bhaineann linn, everyone one connected with, or related to, us; ná bain leis, do not meddle with it or him; baineann sé le deallramh go, it seems likely that; ní fheadar cad a bhaineann le feirg, ⁊c., I know nothing at all about anger, etc., I am completely free from anger, etc.; b. amach, I take possession of, I exact, I eke out, I reach, gain, I rescue; b. amach, intr., I fly, get off (N. Con., U.); bhain sé amach, he made off (Or.); céard do bhain duit? what has happened to you? (Aran); b. do, I am related to (N. Con.), corresponding to b. le (M. etc.); b. do, I affect (N. Con.) corresp. to b. le (M. etc.); baineann do, happens to; ar bhain dúinn, all that happened to usl b. ó, I soothe, mollify, subtract; baineadh na cosa uaim, I was taken off my feet; various uses: a dtoirmeasc ó bhuain ann, to prevent them having anything to do with it (e.g., entering the ecclesiastical state) (Donl.); níor baineadh faoi’n inghin acht ag gol, the girl never ceased from weeping (Don.); buain (bain, baint) fá chéile, to take a partner in life (H.); b. anuas, I take down, cut off, unravel, dismantle; ag baint phrátaí, digging out potatoes; b. (buainim) clog, I ring a bell.

—Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, 1927, by Patrick Dinneen

Also see entry at: Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, 1977, by Niall Ó Dónaill, as well as: cuir amach, cuir aníos, cuir anuas, cuir ar, cuir as, cuir chuig, cuir de, cuir do, cuir faoi, cuir le, cuir ó, and cuir siar as.

See also: Cuir & Bain.

Seacht n-óige na coille, an aeir, na mara, an talmhan

Seacht n-óige na coille: faoisceog, fuinnseog, sciachóg, beathóg, rudóg [roideog], fearnóg, daróg (vars. dreasóg, saileog)

Seacht n-óige an aeir: amhlóg, ailleog, luaireog, fuideog [feadóg], truideog [druid], spideog, seabhóg [searróg] (vars. buidheog [buíóg], uiseog [fuiseog], fionnóg [feannóg], tonnóg [tonóg])

Seacht n-óige na mara: madóg, hadóg (cadóg), luthróg [leathóg], leideog, faofóg [faochóg], báirneog, claosóg [crosóg] (vars. gobóg, crainneog [gráinneog])

Seacht n-óige an talmhan: iaróg [eareog], flanóg [flannóg], cnamhóg [crumhóg], luchóg (incomplete)

(Omeath, List of words, chiefly from Omeath, and Mid. Ulster by Rev. Lawrence Murray)

—from entry for “-óg, -eog”, Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla, Patrick Dinneen, 1927

Seven “óg” names of the forest: filbert, ash, whitethorn, bog-myrtle, alder, oak (briar, white willow)
Seven “óg” names of the air: jennet, swallow, sea-gull, plover, starling, robin, gunnel (yellow-hammer, lark, hooded crow, duck)
Seven “óg” names of the sea: lamprey, haddock, flat-fish, plaice, periwinkle, barnacle, starfish (eel, urchin)
Seven “óg” names of the earth: pullet, stoat, maggot, mouse

An Mhaighdean Óg

Dá mbeidh’ áitreabh agam féin No gabháltas a’s réim, Caoirigh breágh’ bána Ar árd-chnoc no sléibh, Sláinte agus méin Agus grádh ceart d’á réir, Bheidhinn-se ’s mo ghrádh geal Go sáimh ann san tsaéghal. Tá maighdean óg ’san tír ’S is réaltan eólais í, Grian bhreágh ar bórd í A’s togha de na mnáibh, A cum fada breágh ’S a cúilín crathach bán ’S gach alt léi ar lúth-chrith Ó búcla go brághaid. Dá mbeidhinn-se ’s mo rún Ar choill ag buain cnó No ar thaoibh lisín aoibhinn ’S gan dídionn orrainn acht ceó, Bheidheadh mo chroidhe-se d’á bhreóghadh Le díogras d’á póig ’S gur b’é grádh ceart do chlaoidh mé ’S do fhíor-sgair mo shnódh. Dá mbéidhinn-se ’s mo ghrádh Ar thaoibh chnuic no báin ’S gan feóirling ann ár bpóca Ná lón chum na slighe, Bheidh’ mo shúil-se le Críost Le ár ndóthaint gan mhoill A’s go dtógfadh mo stór geal An brón so de m’ chroidhe. Dá mbéidhinn-se ’s mo ghrádh Cois taoide no tráigh ’S gan aon neach beó ’nn ár dtimchioll An oidhche fhada, ’s lá, Do bhéidhinn-se ag cómhrádh Le Neilidh an chúil bháin Is liom-sa ’budh h-aoibhinn Bheith ag coímhdeacht mo ghrádh.		If I had a home of my own Or a holding and position, Fine white sheep On a high hill or mountain, Health in body and mind And love in turn, Myself and my bright love Would live there peacefully. There is a young maiden in the land And she is a star of knowledge, A splendid sun at table And a pick among women, Her long lovely form And her waving fair hair And her every joint aquiver with life From buckles to breast. If myself and my sweetheart Were gathering nuts in the wood Or beside a pleasant little rath With only fog our shelter, My heart would be sick With passion for her kiss, Such love would destroy, Would shatter me. If myself and my love were Beside the hill or moor, No farthing in our pocket, No food for the way, My hope in Christ To soon provide And my darling light To take this sorrow from my heart. If myself and my love Were beside the tide or strand With nothing alive around us, The long night and day I would be talking With Nelly of the fair hair, My own pleasure won To be with my love.
—from Abhráin Grádh Chúige Connacht, Douglas Hyde (1893); revised translation by Eric Rosenbloom (2018)

Tune by Eric Rosenbloom:

Dá dTéidhinn-se Siar

Dá dtéidhinn-se siar is aniar ni thiucfainn, Air an g-cnoc do b’áirde is air a sheasfainn, ’S í an chraobh chúmhartha is túisge bhainfinn ’Gus ’s é mo ghrádh féin ar luaithe leanfainn. Tá mo chroidhe chomh dubh le áirne, Ná le gual dubh dhoighfidhe i g-ceartaidh, Le bonn bróige air hállaidhibh bána, ’S tá lionndubh mór os cionn mo gháire. Tá mo chroidhe-se brúighte briste, Mar leac-oidhre air uachtar uisge, Mar bheidh’ cnuasach cnó léist a mbriste, Ná maighdean óg léis a pósta. Tá mo ghhrádh-s’ air dhath na sméara, ’S air dhath na súgh-craobh, lá breágh gréine, Air dhath na bhfraochóg budh duibhe an tsléibhe, ’Gus is minic bhí ceann dubh air chollainn glégil. Is mithid damh-s’ an baile seó fhágbháil, Is geur an chloch ’gus is fuar an láib ann, Is ann a fuaireas guth gan éadáil, Agus focal trom ó lucht an bhiodáin. Fuagraim an grádh, is mairg do thug é Do mhac na mná úd, ariamh nár thuig é, Mo chroidhe ann mo lár gur fhágbhuidh sé dubh é, ’S ni fheicim air an tsráid ná i n-áit air bith é.		If I could go west, I’d not return— On the highest hill I’d stand, The first fragrant branch I’d pick, My love I’d quickly follow. My heart is as black as sloe, As black coal burned in a forge, As bootsoles dirtying white floors, A deep melancholy above my smile. My heart indeed is bruised and broken, Like an ice-sheet on water, Like gathered nuts are after cracking, As a young maid after marrying. My love the color of blackberries, The color of raspberries a fine sunny day, The color of black mountain heath-berries— There’s often a black head on a pure body. I should leave this town, Where the stone is hard and the mud cold, Where song no longer avails, But heavy words from the chattering mob. I warn of love, and woe to who gave it To yon woman’s son, who never understood, My heart in my stomach, where he left it black, And I don’t see him on the street or anywhere at all.
—from Abhráin Grádh Chúige Connacht, Douglas Hyde (1893); revised translation by Eric Rosenbloom (2018) —can be sung to the tune of “Scarborough Fair”