Mo Sceal Fein

MUSKERRY CRITICAL EDITIONS
Vol. 2
MO SCAL FIN
An tAthair Peadar Ua Laoghaire

Cannach, S.P.
do scrbh
An tAthair Pdraic Ua Dmhnaill, D.D.,

Tiarna Easpag Rtha Bhoth
do scrbh a cheannphort
Clr na gCaibideal
Preface.................................................................................................................................................. 1
Ramhr Gaelainne.............................................................................................................................11
Preface to the 1915 edition.................................................................................................................12
I: Mo Shnsear.................................................................................................................................... 14
II: Lios Caragin.................................................................................................................................17
III: Rgair..........................................................................................................................................20
IV: Clampar Dl..................................................................................................................................23
V: Dh Arm Aigne.............................................................................................................................. 26
VI: An Gorta.......................................................................................................................................28
VII: Scoil Charraig an Ime................................................................................................................. 33
VIII: Tr Liathrid Dbha..................................................................................................................36
IX: Scoil Magh Chromtha agus Coliste Cholmin...........................................................................39
X: Sil na gCnuc................................................................................................................................ 43
XI: An Mhangarta...............................................................................................................................46
XII: Ar Mhullach na Mangartan.........................................................................................................50
XIII: Mgh Nuat.................................................................................................................................54
XIV: Baol ar an nGaelainn................................................................................................................. 56
XV: Gn Sagairt; agus Teacht na bhFnn.........................................................................................59
XVI: A Dhia, Saor ire!..................................................................................................................63
XVII: I gCll Sheanaigh agus i gCll ird..........................................................................................65
XVIII: Samas Frin, an Foghla...................................................................................................... 69
XIX: An Staonadh n lachn...........................................................................................................72
XX: r Scoil i Rth Chormaic........................................................................................................... 77
XXI: I Magh Chromtha...................................................................................................................... 80
XXII: An Scoil sa Rth.......................................................................................................................82
XXIII: An Land League......................................................................................................................83
XXIV: Athr ar an Saol......................................................................................................................86
XXV: agir agus Doltas agus Smachtdlithe....................................................................................89
XXVI: Barry the Rake.................................................................................................................... 91
XXVII: Tinentaithe agus Tiarna......................................................................................................95
XXVIII: Madam Anne....................................................................................................................99
XXIX: Baile Mhistala.....................................................................................................................101
XXX: Dhn ar Aill go Caislen Liathin................................................................................. 105
XXXI: Obair Chosanta na Gaelainne...............................................................................................106
XXXII: Onir don Obair.................................................................................................................. 108
Nta................................................................................................................................................. 109
Index of Persons............................................................................................................................... 118
Index of Places................................................................................................................................. 124
Foclirn........................................................................................................................................... 129
Proverbs and sayings........................................................................................................................ 172
Preface
Preface
In the early twentieth century, autobiographies by native speakers of Irish in the Gaeltacht became a
noted literary genre, and a focus of study by learners of Irish. Yet one would hesitate to enumerate
Peadar Ua Laoghaires Mo Sgal Fin, published in 1915, among the Gaeltacht biographies. This
work hardly seems to be an autobiography; it has much more of the character of a political
commentary, giving much more detail on issues such as the nineteenth-century Land War and the
Gaelic Revival than on the life of Ua Laoghaire himself. While the politics of land and language are
discussed against a chronological framework of Ua Laoghaires life, there are many lacunae in Ua
Laoghaires life that this work does not fill out.
Ua Laoghaires mother is mentioned briefly, but not much more is said about her other than that she
brought him up with good English and good Irish from the cradle. Almost nothing is said about Ua
Laoghaires father. We dont read a word about any brothers or sisters Ua Laoghaire may have had
(although the 1911 census shows a 70-year-old parish priest, Peter OLeary, sharing a house in
Castlelyons with his 72-year-old sister, Mary; as Ua Laoghaire was born in 1839, it seems Peadar
Ua Laoghaires age was incorrectly recorded in the census, and, if Mary was two years his senior,
that she was the unnamed child whose birth was recorded in 1837). Of the many editors of Ua
Laoghaires works (including Gearid Nuallin, Norma Borthwick, Eleanor Knott, Thomas F.
ORahilly, Feardorcha Conaill, Shn Cuv, Risterd Plimeann, Dmhnall Mathghamhna),
only Osborn Bergin gets a brief mention here. More details on Ua Laoghaires relationships with
each of these would be required for a proper biography. It may be that as one of the earliest of the
Gaeltacht natives who wrote an autobiography in Irish, Ua Laoghaire did not wish to open a
window on more private biographical details, or failed to realise that Irish learners would seek such
information.
Some of the genealogical detail given in the first chapter is of questionable accuracy. Ua Laoghaire
attempts to weave his life, and the lives of his forebears, into the historical narrative of the
Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, and claims that during the time of the Cromwellian wars his
great-great-great-grandfather, Diarmuid Ua Laoghaire, was forced to abandon the castle at
Carrignacura and relocate to Carrignamadry, which is how the Ua Laoghaire family came to be in
Muskerry in the first place. Yet five generations do not appear to be sufficient to fill the time
between that Diarmuid g Ua Laoghaire and Peadar Ua Laoghaire himself. It may be that the
genealogy was somewhat telescoped in family traditions handed down and that two or three
generations are missing from the family tree.
A first-hand account of 19th-century Ireland
Where this work does come into its own is in the depiction of life in the nineteenth century. As most
native speakers of Irish in the nineteenth century were illiterate, most accounts of Ireland in this
period are by English-speaking Irishmen (or by outsiders, including Englishmen). Mo Sgal Fin
allows the voices of the rural, Irish-speaking areas to be heard. We read how the Irish peasantry
were limited in the main to potatoes and milk, while Anglo-Irish landlords took the bulk of the farm
produce, and how the peasants were regularly reduced to eating nothing but cabbage in July, while
waiting for maturation of the potato crop. As a young boy, Ua Laoghaire witnessed the Irish
Famine, and gives a brief account of neighbours who died in the Famine period, many of them
monoglot speakers of Irish.
The hard life experienced by large numbers of Irish people in rural areas in the nineteenth century
forms the background to Ua Laoghaires political views. The fundamental injustice of the
expropriation of Irish land impoverished the Irish people, and facilitated the deathtoll during the
1
Preface
Famine, and consequently Ua Laoghaire emerged in later life as a strong supporter of the Irish
tenants in their struggle against the landlords, a struggle that ultimately resulted in land reform. As a
priest, his views had to be set against the background of church teaching, and he gives clearer
support to rent strikes and mass meetings to achieve land reform objectives than to violent
revolution per se, but he condemns the informers who frustrated the objectives of revolutionary
societies and speaks in glowing terms of Fenians such as Diarmuid Donnabhin Rossa. It is not
hard to infer from the text of this work that Ua Laoghaire did in fact support violent revolution, but,
as a priest, had to be circumspect about expressing such views.
The negative attitude of many in the Roman Catholic hierarchy to secret societies and revolutionary
nationalism seemed to have troubled Ua Laoghaire, who insists here that it was a calumny against
the church to claim that it opposed the Gaelic peasantry in their struggle with the British or Anglo-
Irish authorities. Clearly, however, many clergymen did oppose what they saw as rabble-rousing,
and, as Ua Laoghaire recounts here, he found himself in hot water as a curate when his parish priest
opposed his nationalistic activities. For Ua Laoghaire, the Roman Catholic church was much more
than a religious body; it was a national institution that ought to back the Irish people in their
struggles. He appears to brim with pride, therefore, as he recounts the large number of priests,
himself included, present at the Mitchelstown Massacre in 1887. Finally, here were priests siding
with the peopleand the Plan of Campaign rent strikes and unilateral rent reductions pressed on the
landlords had a much greater chance of success if priests mounted the platform at public meetings
and encouraged all present to join in the campaign. Ua Laoghaires support for the temperance
movement is another illustration of the way in which he viewed the role of clergymen as social
organisers, encouraging socioeconomic uplift in their communities.
The fate of the Irish language
The Irish language is bound up with these political issues because the language survived longer in
the rural communities that bore the brunt of the Irish Famine and that were engaged in the struggle
with the landlords. The economic prospects of the Gaeltacht people appeared to many to be
connected with their abandonment of Irish and their taking up of the English language dominant in
the towns. Yet before he went to Maynooth College to train to be a priest, Ua Laoghaire had not
considered that the Irish language was in danger, although he recounts how, even then, in the 1850s,
native speakers of Irish tortured themselves by trying to learn the Catechism in English, a language
they couldnt understand properly. Once in Maynooth, he encountered large numbers of seminary
students who didnt speak Irish at all. In Chapter 14 here, Ua Laoghaire makes clear the importance
for him of the Irish language in terms of Irelands national identity:
Ba bheag n gurbh fherr liom imeacht go dt dthaigh igin iasachta, agus mo shaol do
chaitheamh agus do chrochn ann, n bheith in irinn agus ire ag iompil na dthaigh
iasachta. Dar liom norbh ire in aon chor nuair a bheadh s gan aon fhocal Gaelainne d
labhairt inti.
No explanation is given here as to how Ua Laoghaire came to be literate in Irish in the first place; it
is likely that he learned to read and write Irish in Maynooth. The church itself was ambivalent about
the Irish language. Following his ordination, Ua Laoghaire spent years serving as a priest in areas
where the Irish language had become moribund: the church hierarchy did not consider that as a
native speaker of Irish his skills ought rather to be devoted to ministry in Irish-speaking areas.
Ua Laoghaires first published letter in Irish was printed in The Irishman of 1878, in which he gave
some advice to the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language on the importance of the Irish
language in schools. He claims his advice was dismissed. Subsequently, when he tried to teach Irish
to children in the parishes in which he served, he found that the books produced by the Irish
2
Preface
language movement often failed to set out the grammatical rules of the Irish language correctly. One
textbook he used glossed over lenition entirely. Mo Sgal Fin thus shows that the teaching of the
Irish language fell under the control of an establishment of non-native speakers very early on.
Interestingly, some advocated such an abolition of lenition in the recent review of the Official
Standard for the Irish language.
Cainnt na ndaoine
Ua Laoghaire chose not to go into detail in Mo Sgal Fin on the many disputes he entered into
with prominent figures in the Irish language movement. However, he spent the last 20 years of his
life, in particular, advocating the use of cainnt na ndaoine, the language as it was still spoken in the
Gaeltacht, and showed in his works how the spoken language of the Gaeltacht could be used to
form a literary register of the language. In doing so, he crossed those who supported a return to the
Classical Modern Irish last written by people such as Geoffrey Keating in the early 1600s. Ua
Laoghaires literary output won him fame in early twentieth-century Ireland in a way that cemented
the position of the real Gaeltacht dialects in the revival of the language, a position they retained
until the introduction of a concocted Caighden Oifigiil in the 1950s, sounding the death-knell for
cainnt na ndaoine.
An example of the difficulties Ua Laoghaire ran into with the self-appointed experts on the Irish
language is his criticism of Dr Michael Sheehan, native of Waterford city and professor of Greek at
Maynooth (and subsequently Archbishop of Sydney in Australia). Sheehans reputation for Irish
learning came from his Seana-Chaint na nDise and Cn coilleadh craobhaighe, published in 1906
and 1907 respectively. The latter work was subtitled the Irish of the People, suggesting at first
glance that he agreed with Ua Laoghaire on the importance of cainnt na ndaoine. Yet as Ua
Laoghaire wrote in a letter in the Freemans Journal dated March 16th 1915, Sheehan did not
accept the Irish he heard from the people of Waterford and censored what he viewed as anglicised
phrases from their Irish and argued that phrases such as chuaigh de, it fails, it runs short, were
gibberish. Sheehan did not understand the construction and confused it with do chuaigh de
dhanamh, it was beyond his power to do it. In his letter, Ua Laoghaire gives copious examples
of these two idioms and explains their usage, and criticises the role of people like Sheehan in the
following terms:
Father OGrowney was a learner who treated the language with respect; who worked for it,
and served it, and died for it. When he had gone to America, learners with a taste for
domineering tried to lord it over the language and to make it serve them. They blighted the
language movement. They necessarily introduced confusion into the administration of any
educational system that had the misfortune of their presence or assistance.
In the preface to Dr Sheehans latest little book there is a very good example of this
inversion of order. Dr Sheehan takes four ordinary Irish sentences and holds them up as
examples of obscure and unintelligible construction, and explains and accounts for them
incorrectly.
...
People who never heard a word of Irish spoken go and learn a little Irish, and then, the
moment they think they understand a little of the language, they proceed to explain all about
it to those who have been speaking it all their lives. They would not dare to do that with
regard to French, or with regard to any other language which was foreign to them. It is a sad
thing to see the Irish language at the mercy of such people. [Dr. Sheehans Gabha na
Coille, The Freemans Journal, March 17th, 1915, page 7.]
3
Preface
In a letter to Risterd Plimeann dated October 12th 1917, Ua Laoghaire added this:
As regards Waterford Irish I did not condemn it. On the contrary. I have always admired
it. I condemned compulsory rubbish and compulsory vileness. Waterford Irish is not
rubbish, but Dr. Sheehans Irish is rubbish.
I dont intend to answer that attack. In fact it is not my habit to strike a second blow. My
principle is buail an gadhar agus eirig [sic] as = strike the dog and have done with the
matter. [Underlining as given in the original manuscript.]
A subsequent letter to Plimeann dated October 22nd 1917 continues:
That is a nice short sweet word of yours in the Leader, and it is perfectly true. I have always
liked Waterford Irish. It has a ringing nasal music which I admire. But I hate the invented
rubbish.
It seems therefore extremely unlikely that Ua Laoghaire would have approved of the retirement of
cainnt na ndaoine in the 1950s, or of the Standardised Irish that is taught and written today, replete
with inaccurate grammatical rules, thousands of concocted words never used by any native speaker
and the adoption of English phonology tout court. The publication of a dictionary (Foclir Pca)
advancing artificial pronunciations for Irish words would doubtless have astounded him.
Clearly, the drawing up of an artificial Standardised Irish reflects difficulties associated with the
division of the Irish language into dialects. Ua Laoghaires approach was to recommend his own
Irish, or the Irish of West Muskerry, as a standard for learning in the Galltacht. He explains in
Chapter 5 that when he was young he never heard forms like t m, bh m and bh siad, only
hearing tim, bhos and bhodar. Cork Irish is in most, but not all, respects more conservative than
the other dialects, and so the Irish Ua Laoghaire wrote represented the thrust of the Irish used in the
pre-Famine period in Munster, which was then the most populous province in terms of the number
of native speakers of Irish (and indeed his Irish is closer to literary forms used in writing in Ulster
and Connacht in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries than the spoken dialects of the
remaining Gaeltacht areas in those provinces). While learners today are told that bhodar, chm and
gheibhim are dialectal wordsmere provincialismsthis is not in fact the case, as such forms were
once found all over Ireland and were, until comparatively recently (immediately before the
introduction of the Official Standard), regarded as standard usage.
Ua Laoghaires legacy
The introduction of an artificial standard had the immediate effect of driving all Irish literature
published prior to the early 1950s out of print. The main achievement of the Gaelic Revivalthe
publication of thousands of works in Irish at a time when the last strong native speakers were still
aroundwas therefore brought to naught at a stroke by the creation of Official Standard Irish.
Until 1987, when Liam Mac Mathna brought out an edition of Sadna reasonably close in
language to the original text, albeit one not faithful to Ua Laoghaires Irish in every respect, all of
Ua Laoghaires works were out of print. To date, no other works by Ua Laoghaire have been
brought back into print in editions reasonably faithful to the original Munster Irish, an astonishing
fact given the centrality of Ua Laoghaires work to the Gaelic Revival.
It may be worth summarising Ua Laoghaires work following the publication of Mo Sgal Fin. Ua
Laoghaire intended his translation of the Bible to form a key part of his legacy to the Irish nation. In
1915, the year in which Mo Sgal Fin came out, Ua Laoghaires translation of the Gospels was
also published. Between 1915 and 1917, he completed his manuscript translation of the entire Bible,
with Gnomhartha na n-Aspol being published after his death in 1921. The remainder of his
4
Preface
translation of the New Testament and the whole of his translation of the Old Testament remains
unpublished. Following his work on the Bible itself, Ua Laoghaire embarked on a life of Christ in
Irish, Crost Mac D, but only managed to complete three volumes of it before he died in 1920.
How important this final work was to him is clear from his letter to Plimeann on February 6th
1918:
T drnn eile de Bheatha Chrost agam chur ag triall ort.
D mbadh an leabhar san crochnuighthe agam is beag n gur chuma lioma cathin a
glaodhf chun sibhail orm.
Amazingly, for some reason, Ua Laoghaire believed as he was dying that his efforts in writing a life
of Christ would be valued by the Irish nation. Sadly, this is not the case. The work was never
completed before death overtook the Canon. Three volumes were published in 1924 and 1925, but
never republished, owing to the fact that they were written in cainnt na ndaoine and not in the
Official Standard. The volumes are now hard to come by. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that
the committees of learners who appointed themselves in charge of the language and its so-called
Official Standard have trashed Peadar Ua Laoghaires legacy and have, in many cases, been paid a
salary by the Irish state for doing so. As Ua Laoghaire wrote, it is a sad thing to see the Irish
language at the mercy of such people.
This edition
It is intended that this edition of Mo Sgal Fin (edited here as Mo Scal Fin with an sc-) form part
of a series of books bringing some of Ua Laoghaires works back into print in Cork Irish, each
accompanied by detailed notes and a comprehensive foclirn. A full explanation of the editorial
approach is given in the preface to Volume 1 of the series, Ua Laoghaires historical novel Niamh.
The spellings introduced in the middle of the twentieth century are used here insofar as they are
appropriate for Cork Irish. However, dialectal forms are all retained. Long vowels are indicated.
Typographical errors in the original text are corrected here. As the intention is that a standardised
approach to the editing of Ua Laoghaires works be used, attention has been paid to the spellings
used elsewhere by Ua Laoghaire. For example, as the spellings cimed and coimed are both found
in his books, it is likely he had the slender c found among other speakers of Muskerry Irish and so
this spelling is used here. Similarly, druidim is edited as dridim here, as it can be shown that Ua
Laoghaire wrote dridim elsewhere. By contrast, taispeint is retained with a broad t despite the fact
that the t is slender in Muskerry Irish, as this word and cognates of it are always found with a broad
t in Ua Laoghaires writings. We might presume Ua Laoghaire said tispeint, but the spelling
taispeint seems close enough to retain in the absence of direct evidence of Ua Laoghaires
pronunciation. Leigim and seachas are edited here as leogaim and seochas, because the classical
spellings of such words are quite different from the pronunciations used in the dialect.
The spelling out of epenthetic vowels, such as ainim for ainm, is not employed here, although an
attempt is made to note epenthetic vowels in the appended Foclirn. The use of ui in spellings such
as cuirpeach (cuirptheach stood in the original text) for the Standardised coirpeach is accepted as
the ui clarifies the pronunciation of the vowel. However, Ua Laoghaires approach was inconsistent
in this respect, and ui is not inserted in words in which it was not found in the original text.
The original text, as edited by the Englishwoman Norma Borthwick, contains autonomous forms
such as tuigtear, tuigfear and tabharfa. The spelling of such forms varied across Ua Laoghaires
works, but he told Gearid Nuallin, I have never heard, e.g., buailfear. What I have heard is
buailfar, with the l slender and the f as broad as it is in lfar. But I have always heard buailtear. I
dare say some people have heard buailtar. If they have, then they ought to write buailtar, and then
5
Preface
we should know that they have heard it (Beatha Dhuine a Thoil, pp137-138). The preponderance
of evidence from the spellings used in Ua Laoghaires works taken as a whole is that he had
tuigtear, tuigfar, tabharf and tugt, and consequently the spelling of autonomous forms has been
adjusted accordingly in this edition. The autonomous forms of the verb cuirim are generally spelled
curtar, curfar, curf and curt in Ua Laoghaires works, and curfar, curf and curt were all found in
the original text. The second-person singular of all verbs is edited uniformly with a broad -f in the
conditional tense here (e.g. bheif, as it stands in some of Ua Laoghaires works).
I n-a was found eight times in the original with ten instances of i n and 322 of n-a: these have
been uniformally edited as in (before a vowel) and na (in other circumstances) in this edition, as,
for example, in aonar and na haonar, in line with the pronunciation. The 12 instances of i n-r
and the four instances of i nbhr have been edited here as nr and nr respectively. The extensive
Foclirn should be consulted where any non-Standard spellings are encountered.
In the Foclirn, an attempt has been made to comment on unexpected pronunciations, and to this
end Shn Cuvs Leitiri Shmpl or Simplified Spelling edition of Mo Scal Fin, Mo shgil fn:
Cuid a hn, has been thoroughly consulted, although the phonetic transcriptions in Mo shgil fn
cannot be relied upon in every respect. It seems a Simplified Spelling edition of only the first 14
and a half chapters was ever completed, although it may be that a thorough search of early
twentieth-century journals might turn up chapter-by-chapter serialisations of the rest. Some
discussion of the relationship between Ua Laoghaires Irish and that of other strong native speakers
of West Muskerry Irish, such as Amhlaoibh Loingsigh, can be found in the Foclirn. Words that
differ from the lexical choices prescribed in Standardised Irish are also indicated in the Foclirn.
The Caighden Oifigiil, strictly speaking, refers only to a single document laying down
grammatical norms, but not specifying lexical choices. Yet lexical choices are made in Foclir
Gaeilge-Barla, which generally lists dialectal words, if at all, only to crossreference them to the
dictionarys preferred terminology. For example, geallint is listed therein, but crossreferenced to
gealladh and gealltanas, with the implication being that those are the correct forms, and
teorannach is listed only as a variant at the end of the entry for teorantach. Consequently, much of
the vocabulary found in Mo Sgal Fin will not be used, and will rarely be encountered, by learners
of Irish. It can, therefore, be argued that there is a standardised vocabulary that is taught in Ireland
today and this broader definition of Standardised Irish is what is referred to in the Foclirn as
Gaelainn Chaighdenaithe (GCh). An attempt has been made in the Index of Placenames to explain
the meaning of Irish placenames, given that most placenames have transparent meanings in Irish in
a way that is not the case with English placenames.
Thanks are in order to Aonghus hAlmhin; Darran McManus, who fished out many of the
Simplified Spelling editions of Ua Laoghaires works and scanned many images of Ua Laoghaires
correspondence held in the National Library of Ireland; and Eils N Mhearra at the Royal Irish
Academy, who provided copies of the RIAs digital transcriptions of many of Ua Laoghaires works,
which considerably facilitated searches of PULs Irish while preparing the Foclirn. Many
hundreds of queries on Cork Irish have been fielded by Dr Sen Ua Silleabhin at the University
College Cork. As the leading member of the Coiste Litrochta Mhscra, Dr Ua Silleabhin has
handled the final editing of this volume and its preparation for publication.
Abbreviations
AL: Amhlaoibh Loingsigh.
CFBB: Cnsach Focal Bhaile Bhirne.
DIL: Dictionary of the Irish Language.
FGB: Foclir Gaeilge-Barla.
6
Preface
GCD: Gaeilge Chorca Dhuibhne.

GCh: Gaelainn Chaighdenaithe (the general form of Irish taught in Ireland today, defined more
widely than the Caighden Oifigiil as such).
IWM: The Irish of West Muskerry.
LS: An Letiri Shmpl (Simplified Spelling).
NIWU: Notes on Irish Words and Usages.
PSD: Foclir Gaedhilge agus Barla; Patrick S. Dinneen.
PUL: Peadar Ua Laoghaire.
WM: West Muskerry.
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Preface
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Laeri, Peaduir. sop a hinig go Hring, Dublin: Irish Book Company, 1911.
Laeri, Peaduir. Mo shgil fn: Cuid a hn, Bleclieh: Brn agus Nln, 1915.
Laeri, Peaduir. Shina, Bleclieh: Muntir na Leour Gluingi, 1914.
Lunse, Amhlaoibh. Seanachas Amhlaoibh Lunse, Dublin: Comhairle Bhaloideas ireann,
1980.
Nuallin, Gearid. Beatha Dhuine a Thoil, Baile tha Cliath: Oifig an tSolthair, 1950.
S, Diarmuid. Cloich, Cruaich and Similar Forms in Munster Dialects, igse, Vol XXXVII,
2010, pp123-133.
S, Diarmuid. Gaeilge Chorca Dhuibhne, Dublin: Institiid Teangeolaochta ireann, 2000.
Tuathaigh, Gearid, Laoire, Liam Lillis, and Ua Silleabhin, Sen (eds). Pobal na
Gaeltachta: A scal agus a dhn, Indreabhn: Cl Iar-Chonnachta, 2000.
OConnell, Mrs. Morgan John. Charles Bianconi: a Biography (1786-1875), London: Chapman and
Hall, 1878; available online at www.archive.org.
OFarrelly, Agnes (ed). Leabhar an Athar Eoghan: the OGrowney Memorial Volume, Dublin: M.
H. Gill, 1904; available online at www.archive.org.
OFlanagan, Theophilus. Deirdri, or the Lamentable Fate of the sons of Usnach, in Transactions
of the Gaelic Society of Dublin: Volume 1, Dublin: John Barlow, 1808; available online at
www.archive.org.
OLeary, Peter and Borthwick, Norma. Foclir do Shadna, Baile tha Cliath: Irish Book
Company, 1909.
OLeary, Peter. Dr. Sheehans Gabha na Coille, in The Freemans Journal, Dublin, March 17th
1915.
OLeary, Peter. Papers on Irish Idiom, Dublin: Browne and Nolan, 1929.
ONolan, Gerald. A Key to the Exercises in Studies in Modern Irish (Part I), Dublin: Educational
Co. of Ireland, 1920; available online at www.archive.org.
ONolan, Gerald. Studies in Modern Irish: Part I, Dublin: Educational Co. of Ireland, 1919;
available online at www.archive.org.
ONolan, Gerald. The New Era Grammar of Modern Irish, Dublin, Cork: Education Co. of Ireland,
1934; available online at www.archive.org.
OReilly, Bernard. John Mac Hale, Archbishop of Tuam, his life, times and correspondence, New
York and Cincinnati: F. Pustet & Co, in two volumes, 1890; available online at www.archive.org.
Owen-Madden, Daniel. Revelations of Ireland in the past generation, Dublin: James McGlashan,
Plimeann, Risterd. Letter dated November 29th, 1917, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
comprising correspondence of An tAthair Peadar Ua Laoghaire of Castlelyons (Caislen Ua
Liathin), Co. Cork, with An tAthair Risterd Plimeann (Fr Richard Fleming), Shn Cuv
Papers, National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
Purton, Walter J. The Dove of Mothar-I-Roy, in Miscellany presented to Kuno Meyer by some of
his friends and pupils on the occasion of his appointment to the chair of Celtic philology in the
University of Berlin, Halle: Max Niemeyer, 1912; available online at www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Diarmuid. An Bhruinneall Bhn, Baile tha Cliath: Oifig Dolta Foillseachin
Rialtais, 1934.
Ua Laoghaire, Diarmuid. Cogar mogar, Baile tha Cliath :Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge, The Irish
book company, 1909; available online at www.archive.org.
8
Preface
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar (ed) and Ua Cathain, Uilliam. An Teagasg Crosdaidhe, Baile tha Cliath:
Brn agus Nlin, 1920; available online at www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. de an Ghandail (a poem by Mchel Ua Tuama edited with a translation
by Ua Laoghaire), in St. Patricks, November 9th 1901, pp572-573.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. The Irish Language, in The Irishman, May 4th, 1878.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Ag Sideadh agus ag Ithe, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nuallin, 1917;
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Aithris ar Chrost, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge, 1914.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. An Chorinn Mhuire, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge &
Brn agus Nuallin, 1917.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. An Cleasaidhe, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nuallain, 1913.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. An Craos-Deamhan, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge, 1905;
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. r nDithin Araon, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nualln, 1919; available
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Cath Ruis na R for Binn, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nuallin, 1922;
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Cmhairle r Leasa, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1923; available
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Crost Mac D, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, in three volumes,
1923-1925.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Don Cocht, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1922; available online
at www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Elas ar ireamh, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1902; available
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Gnomhartha na n-Aspol, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1921;
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Guaire, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge, in two volumes,
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Irish numerals and how to use them, Dublin: Browne and Nolan, 1922.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated August 10th 1916, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,278
Liathin), Co. Cork, with An tSir Mirghrad Mhuire, Clochar na Trcaire, An Teampall Mr,
Co. Tipperary, Shn Cuv Papers, National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated February 27th, 1918, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated February 6th, 1914, manuscript collection 12 O 21/76
comprising correspondence of Peter OLeary of Castlelyons, Co. Cork, with Eleanor Knott,
Eleanor Knott Collection, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated February 6th, 1918, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated March 10th, 1918, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
9
Preface

Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated October 12th, 1917, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Letter dated October 22nd, 1917, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1)
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Undated letter, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,277 (1) comprising
correspondence of An tAthair Peadar Ua Laoghaire of Castlelyons (Caislen Ua Liathin), Co.
Cork, with An tAthair Risterd Plimeann (Fr Richard Fleming), Shn Cuv Papers, National
Library of Ireland, Dublin.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Lcin, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1924; available online at
www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Lughaidh Mac Con, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge, 1914.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Mion-chaint, Cuid a II, Dublin: The Irish Book Company, 1902.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Mion-chaint, Cuid a III, Dublin: The Irish Book Company, 1903.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Na Cheithre Soisgil, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nuallin, 1915;
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Niamh, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1910; available online at
www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Notes on Irish Words and Usages, Dublin: Browne and Nolan, 1926.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Sadna, Baile tha Cliath: The Irish Book Company, 1904; available online
at www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Seanmin is Tr Fichid, Baile tha Cliath: Muinntir na Leabhar Gaedhilge,
in two volumes, 1909; available online at www.archive.org.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Sgalaidheacht na Macabach, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, in
two volumes, 1926.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Sgalaidheachta as an mBobla Naomhtha, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus
Nlin, in seven volumes, 1922-1925.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Sgothbhualadh, Baile tha Cliath: Brn agus Nlin, 1904; available
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Sliabh na mBan bhFionn, Baile tha Cliath: Muintir na Leabhar Gaedhilge,
1914.
Ua Laoghaire, Peadar. Undated letter, Gaelic manuscript collection G 1,276 comprising
correspondence of An tAthair Peadar Ua Laoghaire of Castlelyons (Caislen Ua Liathin), Co.
Cork, with Shn Cuv, Shn Cuv Papers, National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
Ua Silleabhin, Sen. Comhfhreagras idir an Athair Peadair agus an tAimhirgneach, in Celtica,
Vol 24, 2003.
Ua Silleabhin, Sen. Gaeilge na Mumhan, in McCone, Kim (ed) et al, Stair na Gaeilge, Maigh
Nuad: Roinn na Sean-Ghaeilge, Coliste Phdraig, 1994.
10
Ramhr Gaelainne
Ramhr Gaelainne
11
Preface to the 1915 edition

There is much to be said in favour of a Preface to an Autobiography coming from someone else
instead of the Author. It may be well, also, to have English as the language of the Preface to a Life
that is published in Irish at the present time. But whatever is held on either of these points, the Life
of Father OLeary, one would desire to see, is an Irish Life by himself.
Another can do sufficient justice to his books and to his work as a priest. Only himself can lay bare
the history of a mind that has enriched Irish literature for all time and been a guiding light to the
Gaelic Revival in the right direction. Only himself can put into words the clear perception he had of
the inwardness of the great public events which have taken place in the Ireland of his day.
In those events he bore a mans part, and, with his mastery of the English language, an
Autobiography from him in English could not fail to glow with warm interest. Yet, Irish, not
English, is the language in which he can find exact expression for the thoughts of his mind and the
feelings of his heart, and give the last touch to the picture he wishes to leave us of himself and his
surroundings. Father OLearys Irish pictures are living ones. He himself is not the only person who
will live in his pages; and his scenic descriptions familiarize us with the whole countryside
wherever he moves.
There are good Irishmen to whom the prospect of an Irish-speaking Ireland does not appeal. To
have Irish spoken all over Ireland, in their view, would be an utter impossibility, or a move
backward, if the thing were possible; and the effort at its accomplishment should therefore be
classed as a waste of precious time, or a foolish enterprise, holding no promise of a return for the
energies expended on it. They admire Irish literature, they encourage Irish scholarship and study,
and they would go some length towards preserving a Gaelic reservation, if that could be done,
where the spoken language of their fathers might remain on the lips of the people, at least without
dying in a hurry.
Now good men do not seal their minds against all argument in things of this kind, and it is a great
service to the spoken language to show in a convincing way the claims it has for general use among
the population. What if the true view be that the English of English-speaking Ireland would be
much better if English-speaking Ireland were Irish-speaking also, that the Irish of the Irish-speaking
area would not suffer if its English were much improved, and that the general use of both languages
in our homes is possible, and, indeed, necessary, if we are to make the most of our minds and
opportunities? If that be not a just conception, the outlook for spoken Irish does not appear to cover
a long distance. But that is the true view I take to be the opinion of Canon OLeary, and certainly he
himself is a living demonstration of this conviction so far as any one man can be.
A child of pure Irish stock, reared in an Irish-speaking home, far from school, but blessed with a
well-educated mother, who spoke Irish and English correctly, and gave her boy the chance of
reading good English books and learning a little French at the fireside, carves his way and becomes
a thorough clergyman, a keen social and educational worker, a Land League priest, and the Father
OLeary of the Gaelic Revival. He was bilingual from the cradle. Not his knowledge of Irish, much
less his knowledge of English, has made him what he is, but his knowledge of both, and his long
acquaintance with the classics of Greece and Rome. Irish is the dominant factor. The rest served as
helps to draw out Irish in dignified literature from a cultivated mind. But he could have been
famous in English also, had he turned to it with Irish as an aid.
12
It takes more than language to make a man, not to say a priest; and the best blood in Ireland runs in
the veins of the children whose fathers, centuries ago, were driven from the plains. One may say,
also, of our young people who grow up in stubborn soil, that the scenes that lie under their eyes
when they climb the mountains are some compensation for the privations that often fall to their lot.
Their greatest want is, or rather was, no books and little schooling. But by what looks like a special
Providence, Father OLeary had books and education from the start, and the difficulty about schools
only brought out the strength and individuality that were in him.
His Life will be a valuable addition to the history of our times. For one thing, we need the view of a
clear Irish mind, from within a farmers home, on the agrarian conditions which led up to the Land
War. Father OLeary can tell of the grinding toil, entailed on the farmers family by high rent, and
of the constant menace there was to peace and happiness from the dread of unscrupulous devices to
raise the rent still higher. That part of the produce that fetched a good price had to be sold to meet
the landlords demands, and only the rougher portion remained for home consumption. Potatoes and
milk were better sustenance for the human system than the imported foods that are now in use. But
when the potato failed there was nothing to take its place. Father OLeary saw the victims of the
great Famine with his own eyes, and he can tell awful tales of the scenes he witnessed in that
appalling disaster. An inhuman land system and bad government were responsible for the shipment
from Ireland of the grain that should have been kept at home to support the population and prevent
one of the most lamentable of national tragedies. It was the same tyranny that drove the people into
secret combination and produced the informer, who transported his victims when he did not bring
them to the scaffold, that provoked the Fenian revolutionary movement, and led up to the open
agitation of the Land League.
A grim tale in parts it must be that Canon OLeary has to narrate. But he may be trusted to illumine
his pages with many a touch of Irish humour, and to gladden the reader with a true description of
noble deeds he has known to be done. The distorted creatures, who are sometimes staged as if they
were types, will not appear on his pages, but genuine men and women of true Irish mould, whom he
knew and as he knew them. He has done what God gave him to do in helping to reverse the doom
on country and language that, like his latest work, begins with Kinsale.
PADRAIC UA DOMHNAILL,
Easpag Rtha Bhoth.
LETTERKENNY,
August 3, 1915.
13
I: Mo Shnsear
I: Mo Shnsear
Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle s chad a d do briseadh cath ar Ghaelaibh * agus ar an d Aodh,
Aodh Nill agus Aodh Rua Dnaill, in aice Chionntsile. Bh naoi mbliana caite an uair sin ag
muntir na hireann ag troid go dian i gcoinnibh a namhad ar son na hireann agus ar son an
chreidimh, agus i gcaitheamh na naoi mblian san do rugadar bua ar na Gallaibh ins gach cath trom
dr buaileadh eatarthu go dt an briseadh sin Chionntsile. Do loit an t-aon bhriseadh amhin sin
bua na naoi mblian, agus bh ire f chosaibh a namhad ars.
Ansan do ghluais an cos-ar-bolg agus an t-irleach, agus an feall i riocht dl, agus an t-itheach i
riocht na frinne; na Gaeil d ruagadh a talamh a snsear nuair n sanfaids a gcreideamh, agus an
talamh thabhairt do ropairbh iasachta anall Shasana agus Albain; go dt gur chuir dine na
hagra fhachaint ar na Gaelaibh ir amach ars agus iarracht eile do dhanamh ar iad fin a
chosaint ar a leithid de lirscrios.
Daichead blian tar is bhriseadh Chionntsile is ea * dirodar amach ars. Nuair a bh an t-ir
amach san d bheart is ea aduairt file igin:
Bliain a daichead beidh aiteann gan sol gan bhlth,

S an bhliain in aice beid* Sasanaigh snte ar lr.
Ba rdhbair go dtagadh an focal san for an uair sin. Thinig Eghan Rua Nill, mac driothr
dAodh Nill, anall go hirinn, agus do cuireadh i gceannas Gael Uladh . Fear stuama, crga,
irimiil, oilte ar chogadh agus ar ghnthabh cogaidh, ab ea , mar ba dhual do bheith. Thinig
mrn de chlann na n-uasal a dbreadh tar is bhriseadh Chionntsile, thnadar anall n Spinn
agus n bhFrainnc agus iteannaibh eile den Irip, agus norbh fhada go raibh slite lonmhara
Gael ins gach cig de chigbh na hireann, agus iad ag seasamh a gcirt. Do leanadar ag
seasamh a gcirt go dt gur dhein Eghan Rua Nill, ag an mBnn mBorb *, gnomh dreach de
shaghas an ghnmh a dhein driothir a athar agus Aodh Rua Dnaill ag Bal an tha Bu deich
mbliana agus daichead roimis sin.
Bh uaisle Gael agus Seana-Ghall cruinnithe an uair sin i gCll Chainnigh agus iad ag danamh
dlithe agus rialta do mhuntir na hireann, agus gan ar chumas mhuntir Shasana aon chur isteach a
dhanamh orthu n aon chosc do chur lena ngn. Ach nuair a rug Eghan Rua Nill an bua
uathsach ag an mBnn mBorb thinig ad ar chuid de sna huaislibh Gaelacha eile. I ndiaidh ar
ndiaidh do mhadaigh agus do leathnaigh an fuath agus an drochaigne acu dho san agus d chile.
Thinig easaontas, leis, sa Chmhairle, i gCll Chainnigh, idir na Gaeil agus na Seana-Ghall. Dhein
an namhaid gach aon dcheall, le feall agus le hitheach agus le cleasaocht, ag sideadh f gach
taobh i gcoinnibh an taoibh eile, ag tabhairt na leathbhfabhar * uathu, na nithe do thgfadh taobh
agus n tgfadh an taobh eile, go dt gur mh an fuath a bh ag uaislibh na Cmhairle agus ag
taoiseachaibh na sl d chile n mar a bh ag aon taobh acu don namhaid. Tar is naoi mblian bh
an gn san Chll Chainnigh titithe as a chile chmh glan agus d mba briseadh eile mar bhriseadh
Chionntsile a bheadh tagaithe orthu. Ansan thinig Cromwell, agus do dhein s sin lirscrios agus
irleach agus cos-ar-bolg, ar Ghaelaibh agus ar an gcreideamh, agus ba neamhn an lirscrios a lean
briseadh Chionntsile seochas .
Tar is bhriseadh Chionntsile, bodh gur ag na Gallaibh a bh an bua, bh ln a gcro deagla acu
roimis na Gaelaibh. Mar gheall ar an eagla san dheineadar sochin le. Nor shochin dirribh an
14
I: Mo Shnsear
tsochin sin, fach. Sochin chun fll agus chun uisce-f-thalamh ab ea . N raibh s i bhfad danta
nuair a thosnaigh an feall. Do leog na Gall orthu go bhfuaradar elas ar ir amach eile bheith
beartaithe ag uaislibh na nGael i gcoinnibh na nGall agus i gcoinnibh r Sacsan *. Coir bhis ab ea an
beart san d bhfadf dheimhni. Chun dheimhni n raibh le danamh ach breith, na nduine
agus na nduine, ar na huaislibh Gaelacha agus iad do bhreith anonn go Lndain agus iad do thriail
thall, agus d dtabharf ciontach iad, an chroch a thabhairt dibh. Do thuig na huaisle Gaelacha an
cleas san. Bh ciall cheannaigh flta acu go daingean um an dtaca san. Bh fhios acu go maith n
raibh aon choir danta acu, n raibh aon ir amach beartaithe acu, n aon chumhneamh acu ar a
leithid; n raibh uathu ach cead suaimhnis agus socrachta tar is a naoi mbliana cogaidh. Ach bh
fhios acu, leis, nuair a curt dl Shasana i bhfeidhm ar dhuine, nr chosaint don duine sin macntacht
n neamhchiontacht, go mr mr, m ba dhuine go raibh talamh n tiarnas n saibhreas aige le
cailliint.
Do thuig uaisle na nGael an n sin go maith an uair sin, agus do theitheadar a hirinn sara bhfadf
an cleas Gallda san a dhimirt orthu, iad do thriail agus iad do dhaoradh agus iad do chrochadh.
Nuair a bhodar imithe bh thas ar an r agus ar na Gallaibh. Norbh fherr le rud a dheineadar *
uaisle na nGael n teitheadh lena n-anam. Bh talamh bre fada fairseag Chig Uladh fgtha na
ndiaidh acu, chmh maith dreach agus bheadh s fgtha na ndiaidh acu d bhfanaids agus go
gcrochf iad. Sin a raibh n namhaid. Do thg an namhaid an talamh agus do roinneadar eatarthu .
Dimigh na huaisle Gaelacha dob aoirde an uair sin a Cig Uladh. Bh uaisle mra na Mmhan
imithe roimis sin. Nor fhg san in irinn, thuaidh n theas, ach na mionuaisle agus na daoine
bochta. Deich mbliana agus daichead na dhiaidh san, nuair a crochnaodh an lirscrios a dhein
Cromwell, do deineadh iarracht mharaitheach ar shliocht Gael go lir, idir uasal agus seal, do
ghlanadh a talamh na hireann amach, le dbirt n le bs. N ghlacfaids an creideamh nua p
mealladh n mar a danf orthu chuige. N ghlacfaids ar ais n ar igin. Cheap an namhaid, d
bhr sin, n raibh le danamh le ach iad do dhsci ar fad. Bh a chiall fin ag an namhaid sa ghn
san. Nuair a dbreadh na huaisle mra a Cig Uladh, dfhan talamh Chig Uladh ag an namhaid.
D bhfadf sliocht Gael go lir do mhar n do dhbirt a hirinn, dfhgfadh san talamh na
hireann go lir ag an namhaid. Is an talamh a bh n namhaid, ar scth creidimh.
An lirscrios a lean briseadh Chionntsile do luigh s go trom ar uaislibh mra na nGael, ach
chuaigh a ln de sna mionuaislibh saor uaidh. Ach nuair a thinig lirscrios Chromwell do luigh s
ar an uile dhuine de shliocht na nGael, idir uasal agus seal. Do leath s ar fuid na dtha go lir,
isteach i ngleanntaibh uaigneacha agus in iteannaibh imiginila, i dtre nr fhad aon it n aon
aicme daoine dul uaidh. Daoine a bh an uair sin na gcna in sna hiteannaibh imiginila san,
agus go raibh a snsear rmpu na gcna iontu ar feadh na gcadta blian agus na bhfichid gln, go
smh agus go suaimhneasach, saor bhuaireamh agus chruatan na gcoga a bh coitianta ar sil
lasmu dhobh, do shrois lirscrios Chromwell iad. Do creachadh agus do scriosadh iad. An mid
nr cuireadh chun bis dobh dob igean dibh teitheadh lena n-anam as na seaniteannaibh
cnaithe sin, be bocht, agus imeacht ar fuid an tsaeil.
Bh an uair sin sa taobh thiar dUbh Laeire, sa Mhmhain, caislen nr rmhr, agus Caislen
Charraig na Cora an ainm a bh air. Bh beirt driothr na gcna sa chaislen san. Diarmaid
Laeire ab ainm do dhuine acu, agus Conchr Laeire ab ainm don duine eile. Do shrois an
lirscrios iad. Bigean dibh imeacht, agus an caislen agus an dthaigh dfhgilt ag coigroch
igin iasachta. Thnadar aneas go Baile Mhirne. Do phs duine acu bean de mhuntir Dhuinnn a
15
I: Mo Shnsear
bh na cna ar na hUlnaibh, agus dfhan s ansan. De rir mar a hnseadh dom dob sin Conchr.
Chuaigh Diarmaid soir go hit ar a dtugt Carraig na Madra, agus chuir s f ann. Tamall na
dhiaidh san do chuaigh duine de shliocht Chonchir thuaidh go Dth Ealla, agus chuaigh s chun
cnaithe ar an Mullach Rua, cheithre mhle ar an dtaobh thuaidh de Shrid an Mhuilinn, in aice
Chuilinn U Chaoimh. Do phs s sin bean ar a dtugt Aoibhln an Rilein. Is d liom gur de
mhuntir Cheallachin gurbh ea . Bh mac acu san agus Conchr ab ainm do, agus fear ana-
chiallmhar, ana-stuama, ab ea . Do phs s bean de mhuntir Ic, inon do Thadhg hIc, Tadhg
mhac Aindriais, a bh na chna thiar ar an Athn, ar bruach Abhann Mire. Neill n Taidhg a tugt
ar an inn. Bh ln t de chlann acu. Siobhn ab ainm do dhuine de sna hinonaibh.
Bh Diarmaid, f mar a hnseadh dom, na chna ar Carraig na Madra. Bh mac aige sin agus
Conchr ab ainm do. Nuair a bh an Conchr san psta agus ag danamh do fin, bh buachaill
aimsire aige, agus Conchr ab ainm don bhuachaill, leis, agus de mhuntir Laeire ab ea , agus d
dheascaibh sin, Conchr Mistir agus Conchr Buachaill a tugt ar an mbeirt. Bh clann ag an
gConchr Mistir sin, ach chmh tiubh agus a thagaids do gheibhids bs. Bh s fin agus a bhean
go hana-bhuartha mar gheall air sin. Do thrla, trth, go raibh sil le duine eile clainne acu. Bh an
t-am ag teacht, ach m bh, do bh an bhuairt agus an t-eagla orthu araon go n-imedh an leanbh san
f mar imigh an chuid eile a thinig roimis. Bh an bhuairt agus an t-eagla ar an mthair chmh
mr san gur bhaol, d mba n beadh aon chis eile chun na dobhla dhanamh, nr bheag an
bhuairt aigne chuige. Roinnt laethanta sara dtinig an t-am chun na clainne theacht, do bhuail
chthu an doras isteach bean n feacaigh inne acu riamh roimis sin *. Dfhiafraigh fear an t dhi
crbh as .
Thnag i bhfad bhaile anso chibh, ar sise, aduaidh Chll Dara.
Ansan dfhach s ar an mnaoi.
N bodh aon bhuairt n aon eagal ort an turas so, ar sise. Mairfidh an t at ag teacht anois,
ach is ar aon choinnll amhin , ar sise. Tugtar ainm chil le cine air, agus mairfidh s.
Nuair a bh an mid sin rite aici dimigh s uathu an doras amach, agus n fheacaigh inne , be n
marbh, san it na dhiaidh san.
Norbh fhada go dtinig an chlann; mac g. Conchr n Diarmaid n Art n Cadach n Fear, na
hainmneacha do bhain leis an gcine; ach do tugadh Barnab ar an mac san, ainm nr hairodh riamh
roimis sin ar inne de mhuntir Laeire. Thinig mac eile na dhiaidh. Do leanadh ar an gcl le cine,
agus do tugadh Peadar mar ainm air. Do mhair an bheirt, agus do dhein fir mhra mhaithe dhobh.
Do phs Barnab agus bh beirt mhac aige. Thug s Diarmaid ar dhuine acu, in ainnein an chil le
cine, agus thug s Peadar ar an mac eile, ainm a dhriothr.
Nuair a bh an bheirt mhac san irithe suas bigean do Bharnab imeacht Charraig na Madra.
Nor fhadas riamh a dhanamh amach cad an chis.
San am gcanna san bh na chna thuaidh ar Gleann Daimh, ag bun Mhullach an Ois, fear narbh
ainm do Diarmaid Tuathaigh. Bh beirt inon aige, Siobhn N Thuathaigh agus Mire N
Thuathaigh. T ar an dtaobh theas de Ghleann Daimh baile gurb ainm* at air n Lios Caragin.
Bh an baile sin na thalamh in irde le lnn Bharnab U Laeire agus a bheirt mhac a bheith ag
imeacht Charraig na Madra. Do thg Diarmaid Tuathaigh an talamh san a bh in irde, agus
16
I: Mo Shnsear
dhein s dh fheirm de, agus thug s an d fheirm d bheirt inon, do Shiobhn agus do Mhire. Bh
meas ana-mhr aige ar bheirt mhac Bharnab U Laeire. Dhein s dh chleamhnas le. Thug s
Siobhn do Dhiarmaid agus thug s Mire do Pheadar, agus chuir s isteach sa d fheirm ar Lios
Caragin iad chun cnaithe. Bh far b agus fiche ins gach feirm dobh, agus bh an d lnin g
lidir, balta ar p tairbhe a bh sa talamh do bhaint as. Nor thalamh maith . Talamh fiain fliuch ab
ea an chuid ba mh dhe. Ach do tgadh dh ln t mhra mhaithe chreidinacha air. Bh ln t de
chlann ag gach lnin acu. Bh chig dhuine dhag n s dhuine dhag clainne ag Peadar agus ag
Mire N Thuathaigh. Diarmaid ab ainm don mhac ba shine a bh ag Peadar.
Nuair a thinig an t-am chuige do trchtadh ar chleamhnas idir an Diarmaid sin agus Siobhn N
Laeire, an inon d Chonchir U Laeire a bh an uair sin na chna thuaidh ar an Mullach Rua, in
aice Chuilinn U Chaoimh. Do tuigeadh gur mhaith an cleamhnas le danamh . Do tuigeadh, leis,
go raibh an gaol ann, agus go mbfhidir nrbh fholir col do riteach sara ndanf an psadh. Do
cmhairodh an gaol, ar an d thaobh, siar go dt an bheirt driothr, Diarmaid g agus Conchr
Laeire, an bheirt d a dbreadh a Caislen Charraig na Cora; agus do fuaradh, n gcmhaireamh, go
raibh an gaol, ar gach taobh, nba shia amach n an cigi glin. Do deineadh an cleamhnas. Do
psadh Diarmaid Rua Laeire, mac do Pheadar Laeire agus do Mhire N Thuathaigh ar Lios
Caragin, le Siobhn N Laeire, inon do Chonchr Laeire agus do Neill N Ic, a bh ar an
Mullach Rua. Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad trochad* a naoi, bh mac ag an mbeirt sin.
Mise an mac san.
II: Lios Caragin

Bh ochtar mac agus ochtar inon ag Peadar Laeire agus ag Mire N Thuathaigh, mo sheanathair
agus mo sheanamhthair. Bh dh fheirm thailimh acu, an fheirm ar Lios Caragin, far b agus
fiche, agus feirm eile thos ar Cll Ghobnatan, far chig cnn dag de bhuaibh. Bh san maith go
ler, ach nor rmhr an saoltas chun s dhuine dhag clainne do thgaint air agus do chur i gcrch
as. D maireadh an t-athair go dt go mbeadh * s suas le deich mbliana agus tr fichid n mar sin,
bfhidir go bhfadfadh s rud igin fnta dhanamh don chlann; ach thinig an bs air, sln mar a
n-nstear , nuair n raibh s ach ocht mbliana agus daichead. D ghiorracht an aimsir a fuair s
chuige, bh an chuid ba mh den chlann inon curtha i gcrch aige sara bhfuair s bs, agus iad
curtha i gcrch go maith aige. N raibh aige le danamh don chlann mhac ach an talamh do roinnt
eatarthu. Dfhg s Lios Caragin le huacht ag ceathrar acu, a leath ag beirt agus an leath eile ag an
mbeirt eile. Fuair duine den cheathrar san bs go luath i ndiaidh an athar. Ansan do dhein an trir a
bh na dhiaidh tr treana den fheirm eatarthu fin, i dtre n raibh ach far seacht mb ag an nduine
acu. Duine den trir san ab ea mathairse.
Darfadh duine nr mhaith an chiall daon fhear g bean do thabhairt leis agus fin do shocr
chun cnaithe ar fheirm bheag den tsrd san, far seacht mb, agus gan ann ach drochthalamh. Gan
amhras nor mhaith an chiall do d mbeadh caoi aige ar a mhalairt de shocr a dhanamh do fin,
ach n raibh. N raibh aon fhachaint suas an uair sin ag inne de mhuntir na hireann ach an
talamh. Bhodar fin agus a snsear, an uair sin agus ar feadh na gcadta blian roimis sin, gerrtha
amach glan aon tsaghas eile sl bheatha ach amhin bheith ag obair ar an dtalamh ag danamh
cosa do mhistrbh; agus do gerrf amach n sl bheatha san, leis, iad, ach nrbh fhidir aon daoine
eile dhfhil a dhfhadfadh oiread cosa dhanamh as an dtalamh agus a dhfhadaids sin a
dhanamh. D aghmais sin, nuair a psadh mathair agus mo mhthair n raibh an scal in aon chor
chmh holc ag feirmeirbh na hireann agus bh s acu tamall na dhiaidh san. Bh prta ag fs
agus bh airgead maith le fil ar m. Dhanfadh an t-m an cos, agus ansan bheadh gach aon toradh
eile d mbainf as an dtalamh, bheadh s ag an bhfeirmeir do fin. Do chothdh na prta agus an
17
II: Lios Caragin
bainne an ln t, agus chuirfeadh strice ln agus an olann a bheadh ar thr cnn de chaoiribh balcais
adaigh orthu.
Is for go mbodh drochmheas an uair sin ar an bprta agus ar an mbraon bainne mar bhia. Ach t so
le r agamsa anois, ag fachaint siar dom ar an aimsir sin agus ar an mbia sin, agus ar na daoine a
tgadh leis an mbia sin. Na fir agus na mn a bh an uair sin in irinn ba threise agus ba dhea-
shlint iad go mr n na fir agus na mn at ann anois. N feict choche an uair sin cailn n
buachaill gan ln bil dfhiaclaibh bretha lidre geala istigh i gceann gach duine acu, agus gach
fiacal acu san chmh cruaidh chmh daingean le carraig cloiche. Cad a chtear anois? N tisce a
dhfhsaid na fiacla i mbalaibh na leanbh n sid ag dre agus ag fechadh iad lithreach, agus ag
imeacht na smsach, agus go gcaitear fiacla bragacha do chur isteach n n fhadfadh an leanbh
bia dhithe in aon chor! Cad a chuireann an dre agus an fechadh ar na fiaclaibh? Cuireann an
drochghoile. Agus cad f nder an drochghoile? Cad f nder ach an bia bheith mfhollin. Agus
an bia mfhollin sin a dheineann an t-irleach san ar na fiaclaibh, ar ndin t fhios ag an saol go
ndeineann s dobhil mhr don cholainn go lir. T fhios ag an saol nch fidir do leanbh, do
gharsn n do chailn bheag, slinte cheart a bheith acu * nuair a bhd na fiacla ag leaghadh ar an
gcuma san amach as an gceann acu. D mbil le an tae agus an bhollg bhn do chaitheamh
uathu, agus cromadh ars ar an bprta agus ar an mbainne do chaitheamh mar bhia agus mar dhigh,
n ar an arn cruithneachtan dithe in inead na bollige bine, bheadh fiacla agus goile agus slinte
acu mar a bhodh ag snsear.
Is d liom gurb cumhne is sia im cheann me bheith ar a baclainn ag mnaoi igin, n cumhin
liom anois crbh . Bh s na seasamh ar aghaidh an dorais isteach, i dtre go raibh radharc agamsa
an doras amach agus anonn ar an mbaile ar a dtugt an Chathairn Dubh, agus ar an gcnuc ar a dtugt
an Doire Liath. Bh, agus t fs, drom fada fiaclach berthnach ar an gcnuc san, agus is cumhin
liom go maith me bheith ag danamh inadh de sna fiaclaibh, agus de sna berthnachaibh a bh
eatarthu, agus dh fhiafra dhom fin cad f nder iad a bheith chmh garbh san i ndrom an chnuic
sin. Is cumhin liom, na dhiaidh san, conas mar a chuireas aithne ar chnuc at lastuaidh den Doire
Liath agus gurbh ainm a tugt air n an Chorra Liath. Tamall na dhiaidh san ars is cumhin liom
go bhfeicinn, soir dheas nr ndoras fin, tigh agus crann mhra na thmpall, agus go ndeirt
liom gurbh sin tigh Shiobhn N Bhuachalla ar Bn an tSeanachnuic, n, Brr an tSeanachnuic, n
fheadar ceocu. Bh mac ag Siobhn N Bhuachalla, agus Conchr Corcartha ab ainm do. Chuireas
aithne air nuair a bhomair araon irithe suas. Fear galnta creidinach ab ea , agus cmharsa
mhaith.
Tar is roinnt aimsire bhos balta ar ghabhil amach sa chls agus ar dhul soir go cinne na
hiothlann, i dtre go mbodh radharc agam, n hamhin anonn ar an gCathairn agus ar an nDoire
Liath agus soir thuaidh ar an gCorra Liath, ach anonn, leis, ar r gcuid tailimh fin go lir. Nor
thalamh fnta . Bh an chuid ba mh dhe fiain, gan saothr riamh. Bh bthar chinne na
hiothlann anonn go dt it ar a dtugt Barra na R, mar a dtinig bithrn eile crosta air. Bh tigh
beag ag an gcrois sin agus Peig na Croise a dtugt ar sheanamhnaoi a bh na cna sa tigh bheag
san. Seanabhean dheas* ghrmhar ab ea . Is minic na dhiaidh san a thugas tamall de l na tigh
beag ag cainnt li. N raibh aon fhocal Barla aici, ach bh Gaelainn ana-bhre ana-bhlasta aici.
Beannacht D lena hanam!
Cinne na R a tugt mar ainm ar an gcinne den ridh a bh ar an dtaobh eile den bhthar thigh
Pheig na Croise. Linne ab ea an ridh sin. Ridh gan punn tairbhe ab ea . N raibh ag fs uirthi ach
fraoch, agus n punn de sin fin a bh ag fs uirthi. Do briseadh isteach na dhiaidh san an cinne
18
II: Lios Caragin
den ridh sin a bh in aice na croise, agus Pircn Chinne na R a tugadh mar ainm ar an bpircn a
deineadh ann.
Tamall beag siar thuaidh Phircn Chinne na R, agus thigh bheag Pheig na Croise, bh tigh
beag eile agus bh mac do Pheig na Croise na chna ann. Bh s psta ag mnaoi de mhuntir
Chrodin. Mire Rua a tugt ar an mnaoi sin. Labhrs ab ainm don fhear, do mhac Pheig na Croise,
Labhrs Duinnn. Bh inon ag an mbeirt sin agus Peig ab ainm di. Peig Labhris a tugt uirthi. N
raibh aon fhocal Barla aici, n ag hathair. Sin an cailn beag a bhodh ag nsint na scal dinn. Is
dhinis an scal san Shadna dhinn. Bhos fin ag isteacht li dh nsint. Bhomair go lir g go
maith an uair sin. Do chimedas an scal im cheann, agus do chuireas sos i leabhar mrn blianta
na dhiaidh san. N d liom go bhfuil aon rian de thigh Pheig na Croise le feiscint ag an gcrois
anois, n aon phioc de rian an t bhig eile ach chmh beag. N fheadar c bhfuil Peig Labhris anois,
n an maireann s in aon chor. T Labhrs fin agus Mire Rua tar is bhis le mrn aimsire, gura
maith an mhaise d n-anam !
Dairos rud a dhein Mire Rua nuair a bh an drochshaol ann, agus bfhidir nr mhiste dhnsint
anso. Ar an ngarra prta is ea mhaireadh gach aon duine bocht an uair sin, agus ar p braon
bainne a gheibheadh s n bhfeirmeir go mbodh sl fir oibre aige uaidh. Thugadh an feirmeir
leathacra tailimh leasaithe don fhear oibre, agus do dholadh an fear oibre cos an t bhig, agus p
rud a bhodh le dol as an leathacra, leis an obair a dheineadh s don fheirmeir. Bhodh an bata
scir acu, agus chimedaids araon an cntas ar an mbata scir. Is amhlaidh a bhodh an bata scir
na dh leath ar a fhaid, agus leath acu ag an bhfear oibre agus an leath eile acu ag an bhfeirmeir.
Nuair a bhodh an cntas acu le cur sos, do thagaids i bhfochair a chile agus a leath fin den bhata
ag gach duine acu. Ansan, cuir i gcs go mbeadh chig l oibre danta ag an bhfear oibre, do
shnfids an d leathbhata suas lena chile, agus do gherrfadh duine acu chig scir le sciain ar an
d leathbhata, scr, n fibre, in aghaidh gach lae oibre dr deineadh. Do gerrf na fibr i dtre go
lufeadh an scian ar an d leathbhata in ineacht, agus go mbeadh gach fibre gerrtha isteach iontu
araon. Ansan do chimedfadh gach inne a leath fin den bhata scir, agus norbh fhidir dinne
acu agir a dhanamh ar an nduine eile, mar norbh fhidir scr do ghearradh amach n scr do
chur isteach gan an d leathbhata do shneadh le chile ars, agus nuair a snf le chile iad do
chaithfeadh na fibr teacht isteach lena chile crunn, f mar a gearradh iad ar dtis.
Sara dtinig an dubh ar na prta bhodh an toradh chmh maith san go mbodh a ndthain mr
bdh, i gcmhair na bliana, ag ln t n beadh rmhr, sa mid prta a bheadh sa leathacra tailimh
leasaithe. D mbeadh ln t mr ann n bheadh acu ach breis tailimh leasaithe do bheith sa gharra
acu. N raibh aon chumhneamh acu ar aon tsaghas eile bdh, agus d mbeadh fin n raibh aon fhil
acu air. Dfhg san i bpnc uathsach iad nuair a thinig an dubh ar na prta.
Ach i dtaobh Mhire Rua. Bh an garra aici fin agus ag Labhrs. Thinig an dubh air. Dairos
fin dh nsint conas mar a chaith s an l ag fachaint ar an ngarra, nuair a bh na gais ag lobhadh
agus ag titim, agus ag gol, agus n feidir s en domhan c bhfaighids aon rud le n-ithe *. N raibh
aon mhaith sa gharra. Nuair a bh p roinnt bdh a bh sa tigh ite acu, do gholl an t-ocras ar
Labhrs bocht. Thinig daitheacha air. N fhadfadh s ir as an leabaidh. Bigean do Mhire
gabhil amach ag solthar, mar adeirt, .i. a diarraidh darca. Dimodh an bhean san amach ar
maidin, agus ar dchalacan, agus thadh s siar go Claeidigh treasna na gcnuc, ceathair n cig de
mhltibh sl. Bh daoine munteartha igin ansan aici. Do tugt galinn bainne dhi. Thugadh s li
abhaile an galinn bainne sin. Chuireadh s ar an dtine go dt go ndeineadh gruth agus meadhg de.
Ansan do thugadh s an gruth do Labhrs agus dladh s fin an meadhg. Do lean an bhean san ag
19
II: Lios Caragin
danamh an ghnmh sin go dt go bhfuair Labhrs bocht bs. N fheadarsa c raibh an bhean uasal
eile do dhanfadh an uair sin . An creideamh lidir a bh istigh na cro, is chuir fhachaint ar
Mhire Rua an gnomh san do dhanamh.
Ach n raibh aon chumhneamh ag inne in irinn ar phrtabh dbha an chad l d a sheasaos-sa
ag cinne na hiothlann ag fachaint anonn ar thigh Pheig na Croise, agus ar Phircn Chinne na
R, agus ar thigh Mhire Rua, agus ar na pirceannaibh beaga eile at uaidh siar, Pirc na dTulchn
agus Pirc na Luachra; agus ar an gCnucn Rua, agus ar an gcaidhsar at danta, anuas trd an
gCnucn Rua agus trd an bportach, ag sruthn a thagann anuas n gCorra Liath. Tid siad go lir
ansd fs dreach mar a bhodar an chad l a dhfhachas-sa anonn orthu chinne na hiothlann.
Tid siad go fuar* agus go fiain agus go bocht, ach m tid fin, is orthu is ferr liom bheith ag
cumhneamh anois nuair a bhonn uain agam ar chumhneamh, mar is orthu agus ar a ndanamh a
bhos ag cumhneamh an chad uair riamh a hnseadh dom gurbh Dia a dhein an domhan.
III: Rgair
Do thinn soir go minic go cinne na hiothlann, ach dob fhada go ndeigheas* thairis sin soir. Bh
blire beag de thalamh gan daingean lastuaidh den iothlainn, agus an Seanamhacha a tugt air. N
raibh aon cheart ag inne seochas a chile chun an tSeanamhacha, mar norbh fhi aon rud . Bh
daoine na gcna i dtigh a bh laistiar dr dtighne. De mhuntir Iarlaithe ab ea iad. Bhodh ganna
mhuntir Iarlaithe ar an Seanamhacha go minic. Bh ar na gannaibh sin ganndal mr bn, scafaire
gligeal ganndail*, agus n raibh an beithoch allta san le fil, san Aifric theas n in sna
hIndiathaibh thoir n in aon phirt eile den domhan, a dhfhadfadh scannradh do chur i gcro aon
duine mar an scannradh do chuireadh an rgaire ganndail sin im chrose an uair sin. Nuair a
thagainn go cinne na hiothlann agus nuair a chnn na ganna ar an Seanamhacha, do rithinn thar n-
ais chmh gar agus do rithfeadh duine len bu n len breac. D mbeadh na ganna i bhfad
suas uaim dfhanfainn tamall, bfhidir, ag fachaint orthu, ach bhodh mo cheann cromtha agam
agus me ar scth na carraige sara bhfeicfeadh an ganndal me. Uaireanta bhodh radharc maith agam
air agus gan aon radharc aige orm. Norbh inadh an scannradh. Nuair a thgadh s a cheann agus
sheasaodh s suas dreach, bhodh s n baoirde go mr n mise. Do thuiginn uaireanta go
bhfeiceadh s me go maith, ach go mbodh an bithinach leogaint air n feiceadh. Bhodh a
cheann cromtha aige agus ag piocadh an fhir ghlais, ach bhodh fhios agamsa go maith gur ag
faire orm a bhodh s, agus ag feitheamh fachaint an raghainn amach ar an Seanamhacha, i dtre
go snfeadh s a mhuinel fada bn agus go rithfeadh s chm chun me dhithe. Do chuas amach
ar an Seanamhacha aon uair amhin nuair a mheasas n raibh s fin n na ganna ann in aon chor.
Bhodar ann i ganfhios dom. Nor thugas aon rud f ndeara go dt go bhfeaca chm , agus a cheann
chun an tailimh aige, agus a mhuinel snte aige. Do bhiceas agus do ritheas. Do rugas na cosa
uaidh, ach bar igin . Diompaigh s thar n-ais agus dairef mle bhaile ag screadaigh agus
ag maomh as an ngaisce a bh danta aige. Do chonac agus dairos go minic shin an screadach
channa agus an maomh canna ag teacht a ganndal nr gh, a ganndal fir, mar gheall ar ghnomh
n raibh aon phioc nba chrga n gnomh an ghanndail d a bh ar an Seanamhacha an uair d.
T pirc ar aghaidh an dorais amach, agus an phirc sin amu a tugt an uair sin uirthi. Bh berna
ar aghaidh an dorais chun dul isteach sa phirc sin. Do bhuailinnse amach, agus soir an bherna san
agus soir tr lr na pirce, uaireanta, nuair a bhodh an ganndal ar an Seanamhacha. Ansan bhodh
radharc agam thuaidh ar an gCnuc mBu, agus ar an gcaol, mar ar maraodh ganndal eile i bhfad
na dhiaidh san*, agus ar Ghleann Daimh, mar a raibh Tadhg na nUbh na chna; agus suas ar
Charraign an Radhairc, agus ar Thirn an Chasrlaigh, agus sos ar Phirc na gCloch, agus ar
Phirc na Coise, agus ar Phirc na hAbhann agus ar Phirc na Gainmhe. Chuireas aithne orthu go
20
III: Rgair
lir i ndiaidh chile. Pircn beaga bochta crua ab ea iad. Drochthalamh ab ea an it go lir. Ach
sara dtinig an dubh ar na prta dfhsaids go maith in aon tsaghas tailimh, agus bia bre follin
flirseach ab ea iad do dhaoinibh n do bhuaibh n do chapaillibh, n daon rud be a dhfhadfadh
bia a dhithe in aon chor. Bheadh bliain anois agus ars, bfhidir, agus thiocfadh meathl ar na
garraithibh, tr thiormacht aimsire, n tr dhrochghaoith igin, n mar gheall ar ghalar igin a
bheadh ar an sol, i dtre go bhfanfadh na prta rmhion, n n beadh aon bhar acu sa talamh.
Thabharfadh san bliain ghannachiseach do dhaoinibh. Bheadh Conchr Mr sa chinne ag
ln*. N fhanadh punn daon tsaghas eile bdh sa tr. P grinne arbhair a saothrat do cait dhol,
n an chuid ba mh dhe, chun an chosa dhanamh. Dheineadh daoine a ndcheall chun oiread de
sna prtabh miona do chimed agus dhanfadh an garra do chur i gcmhair na haithbhliana.
Ansan, bfhidir, do thiocfadh an aimsir go rafar i gcaitheamh na haithbhliana. Dfhsfadh na
garraithe go saibhir, chmh saibhir sin go mbeadh na clasa dnta ins gach aon gharra i gcaitheamh
an tsamhraidh, agus brat trom de bhlthannaibh bna orthu i ndeireadh an tsamhraidh, agus prta
nua le fil iontu oche Lnasa, ln sciathige f gach aon ghas, agus nr ith duine riamh isteach na
bhal bia dob fherr n iad. Ansan n chumhnedh inne an chuid eile den bhliain sin ar July an
chabiste.
Is cis na dtugt July an chabiste ar an m sin, n soNuair a thagadh drochbhliain n bhodh

aon rud le n-ithe ag daoinibh ach an cabiste i gcaitheamh an mh sin, i dtre nuair a thagadh oche
Lnasa agus na prta nua, go mbodh rdthas ar gach inne deireadh bheith le July an
chabiste.
Nuair a bhodh mo chuaird tabhartha agam trd an bpirc a bh ar aghaidh an dorais amach, do
thinn soir sa phirc a bh lastoir di. An Phirc Dhronnach a tugt ar an bpirc sin, mar bh s rd na
lr f mar a bheadh dronn uirthi. Is d liom gur n rdn san at i lr na pirce dronna sin a fuaras
an chad radharc sos ar an bpirc mbu agus ar chnapign pirce at laistos di go dtugt rd
Phdraig uirthi. N fheadar cad na thaobh gur tugadh rd Phdraig uirthi, murab amhlaidh a
mheas duine igin go raibh deallramh igin aici leis an rd Phdraig d at lastuaidh den Bhernain
Dearg i gCntae Luimn. Pn irinn , bh aithne mhaith agamsa ar an rd Phdraig a bh nr
gcuid tailimh fin i bhfad sarar chuireas elas n aithne ar an rd Phdraig eile.
Is d liom, leis, gur im sheasamh ar lr na Pirce Dronna a bhos, im sheasamh ar bharra na

druinne, nuair a leogas mo shil an chad uair riamh ar Dhaingean na Saileach. Siar dheas uaim is
ea chonac an daingean san, agus is a bh ag fachaint go garbh agus go goirgeach agus go
mchothromach. Nor mhiste daingean a thabhairt air. Nor dh le duine go bhfadfadh aon rud be
dul isteach air; agus d dtadh rud isteach i measc na gcarraigreach san n beadh aon bhreith aige ar
theacht amach go de astu, tid siad chmh mchuosach san, chmh hannspianta san. Ach cad na
thaobh gur tugadh Daingean na Saileach air? N raibh oiread agus an meathn ba shuara de shlait
sail n de shlait funseige n daon tsaghas eile slaite le feiscint ar na carraigreachaibh gara glasa
loma at air, n gceann thuaidh de go dt an ceann theas, n na mhullach go dt a bhun. Bodh,
fach, go raibh san mar sin an chad l a fuaras-sa radharc siar air lr na Pirce Dronna, do
hnseadh dom na dhiaidh san n raibh na carraigreacha chmh nochtaithe sin i gcna. Duairt fear
liom a bh tr fichid blian daois nuair a rugadh mise, go raibh Daingean na Saileach cldaithe go
bre le colltibh nuair a bh s fin na gharsn, agus n beadh bac air dul n gceann thuaidh go dt
an ceann theas den chnuc ar ghagaibh crann, gan aon chos leis do chur ar an dtalamh. Do leagadh
an t-adhmad, ach do lean an ainm, Daingean na Saileach, ar an gcnuicn.
Nuair a bhodh gort sa phirc ar aghaidh an dorais amach, n fhadainn dul amach inti n dul trthi
21
III: Rgair
soir, mar bhodh an t-arbhar n baoirde go mr n me fin, agus do raghainn am ann. Ansan, nuair
a bhodh an gort bainte n fhadainn dul soir trd an bpirc, mar bhodh na conln agus na
briogadin sa chonleach, agus do phriocfaids mo chosa. N bhodh brga ar aon leanbh an uair sin,
n ar aon daoine ga. Ar dhaoine a bhodh irithe suas fin n bhodh brg n stoca ach amhin D
Domhnaigh, nuair a bhds ag dul go dt an tAifreann, n an l a bheids ag dul in it igin as baile.
Bhodh a rian air, bhodh cosa crua folline acu gan beann ar fhuacht. Anois n folir brga do chur
ar chosaibh an linbh i bhfad sara bhfadann s sil n cos do chur ar an dtalamh in aon chor. Fgann
san cosa leice ag ln acu, leiceacht cos a leanann dobh i gcaitheamh a saeil. Bfherr an
tseanashl.
Is cumhin liom l irithe, nuair a bhos, is d liom, tr bliana dhaois. Bh gort n conleach sa
phirc a bh ar aghaidh an t amach, i dtre go mbigean dom fanint istigh. Bh bata agam agus
me ag marcaocht an bhata sos agus suas ar fuid an rlir, mar dhea gur chapall an bata. Chonac a
ln daoine iasachta amu sa chls agus iad ag cogarnaigh agus ag cainnt. Thuigeas go raibh duine
mr igin ag teacht agus go rabhadar ag feitheamh leis. Dairnn anois is ars an focal an mistir,
agus Mr. Saunders. F dheireadh do thinig duin uasal mr beathaithe isteach, agus do shuigh s
ar chathaoir i lr an t, agus do lon na daoine iasachta go lir isteach na dhiaidh. Bh mathair ar
dhuine den mhuntir a thinig isteach. Is do chuir an chathaoir i lr an t don duin uasal chun go
sufeadh s uirthi. N raibh focal a hinne. N bhodh scth n eagal orm fin an uair sin roim aon
tsaghas duine, uasal n seal, murarbh ionann is roimis an nganndal d. Sid anonn me agus do
sheasaos ar aghaidh an duin uasail amach.
Good morrow, Mr. Saunders! arsa mise leis, go filteach.
Oh, good morrow, boy! good morrow, boy! ar seisean, agus do rug s ar ghualainn orm agus
tharraig s chuige me go rabhas idir a dh ghlin aige.
Tell me, my boy, ar seisean, did you eat any meat today?
Dont you know, arsa mise, lithreach bonn, that I ate a piece of a goose long ago, when it was
Christmas!
Mheasas go dtitfeadh an t-anam tur te as a raibh lithreach le neart gir. Do ghir an duin uasal
fin, leis, agus do scaoil s uaidh me.
Is cumhin liom an mid sin anois chmh maith, chmh glan, agus d mba inn n seachtain shin
a thitfeadh s amach. Is cumhin liom, leis, go dianmhaith an inadh a thinig orm nuair a chonac
ag cur an anama amach ag gir iad go lir, agus n feaca fin go raibh aon chis ghir sa mid
aduart. Thinig l, tamall na dhiaidh san, agus do thuigeas go hlainn cad a chuir ag gir iad.
Chun an chosa drd orthu go lir is ea thinig an mistir an uair sin. Nuair a chuir s chmsa
an cheist i dtaobh na fela is amhlaidh a bh s ag lorg leathscil. D n-abrainnse gur itheas feil an
mhaidean san, n inn roimis sin, n seachtain roimis sin, do bheadh an leathscal a bh uaidh aige.
Dfhadfadh s a r, Bonn feil le n-ithe agaibhse gach aon tseachtain. Taispenann san go bhfuil
mo chuid tailimhse agaibh rshaor. Caithfidh sibh tuilleadh cosa thabhairt dom. Ach nuair n
raibh ag an leanbh le maomh ach gur ith s smut de gh fad nuair a bh an Nollaig ann, do
baineadh na cosa glan aon leathscal chun cosa drd. Sin an rud a chuir ag gir iad go lir.
Do ghir an duin uasal fin, ach is d liom gurbh gire Shein dite an ghire a dhein s. Do
22
III: Rgair
scaoil s uaidh me tapaidh go maith ar aon chuma. Nor theastaigh a thuilleadh den gh uaidh.
N d liom gur fhad s an cos a dhrd an uair sin. Bh las ag na tinentaithibh ar an dtalamh.
Norbh uiriste an cos a dhrd orthu go dt go dtitfeadh an las. Mar sin fin fach, las m-
mharach ab ea . Las i bpirt ab ea . Thug san ana-bhntiste don mhistir. D bhfgadh duine
de sna tinentaithibh a chos gan dol, dfhadfadh an mistir a chur fhiachaibh ar an gcuid eile
dhol thar a cheann.
Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad a haon, (1801) is ea do deineadh an las. An uair sin
dreach is ea bh aimsir Bhonaparte ag tosn. Norbh fhada go raibh airgead mr le fil ar gach
aon rud a bh ag an bhfeirmeir le dol. Do thuig an mistir an mid sin, agus bh a chro briste mar
gheall ar an las a bheith ann dh chosc ar aon rd cosa. Do chrom s fin agus an t- agent a bh
aige ar an uile shaghas uisce-f-thalamh a dhanamh fachaint an bhfadfaids an las do bhriseadh.
Sid an tseift ar ar shocraodar* chuige sin. Bh ar na tinentaithibh aon duine amhin n bodh a
chos ollamh aige nuair a bhodh s ag glaoch. Do scaoileadh leis ar feadh roinnt blianta go dt go
raibh s mrn i ndiaidh lmha. Ansan do hilodh ar an gcuid eile an cos a bh ar an bhfear san.
Dirigh ana-chlampar dl mar gheall air sin. N dholfadh an chuid eile cos an fhir sin. Nor bheag
le gach inne a chos fin do dhol. Do mheas an mistir go bhfadfadh s an las do bhriseadh mar
gheall air sin. Tar is mrn costais agus mrn clampair do dholadar , agus do thug an dl dhibh
talamh an fhir sin go dt go mbeadh a gcuid fin flta thar n-ais acu as an dtalamh. Tamall na
dhiaidh san dirigh clampar eile den tsaghas channa. N cumhin liom go raibh an it aon l riamh
gan clampar den tsrd san go dt gur thit an las san, tmpall na bliana 1874. Do hrdaodh an cos
ansan i bhfeirmitbh. Ach nor doladh punn riamh den chos rd san. Dfhan an chuid ba mh dhe
gan dol go dt go dtinig an stailc d a cuireadh suas i gcoinnibh cruachosa.
T a gcuid tailimh ceannaithe amach anois, f sna dlithibh nua so, ag clann na ndaoine a thug an
aimsir d go lir ag troid i gcoinnibh na hagra.
IV: Clampar Dl
Is cumhin liom, agus me ana-bheag, bheith im shu sa chinne in aice na tine trthnna gemhridh.
Bh seana-Dhiarmaid Laeire, driothir athar dom athairse, na shu ar chathaoir lasmu dhom ar
an dtaobh gcanna den tine. D chmhartha san fin bh gadhar leis a thinig in ineacht leis, na lu
istigh idir chosaibh na cathaoireach. Thagadh s fin agus an gadhar go minic mar sin chinn, nuair
a bhodh na hocheanta fada ann, agus thugadh s tamall de thosach na hoche ag cainnt agus ag
nsint seanascalta. An oche seo adeirim do thrla dho bheith ag trcht ar an gcad chlampar dl a
dhirigh i measc na dtinentaithe mar gheall ar an las a bheith i bpirt acu. Dirigh an clampar
san i bhfad sara dtnagsa ar an saol. N raibh mathair ach na leanbh nuair irigh s. Bh duine de
sna tinentaithibh na chna ar an dtaobh thuaidh den chnuc, ag bun na faille ar a dtugtar Faill na
bhFiach. Leaba Dhiarmada a tugtar ar an dtaobh san den chnuc, agus Lios Caragin ar an dtaobh
theas, mar a rabhamair fin nr gcna.
Bh an las roinnt blianta ar bith. Bh an t-airgead bre mr d fhil ar gach aon rud, mar gheall ar
chogabh Bhonaparte. Bh an mistir go crite canncrach toisc gan neart a bheith dho an cos
drd. Is rud ar ar shocraigh s fin agus a reachtaire n scaoileadh leis an dtinenta a bh ar
Leaba Dhiarmada agus gan aon leathphinge cosa dileamh air ar feadh i bhfad. Do leogadar orthu
gur le trua dho a dheineadar . N bhodh an cos aige nuair a bhodh s ag glaoch agus an chuid eile
ag dol, agus do leogaids orthu nr mhaith le bheith dian air. Nuair a bh oiread amu aige agus gur
dh le go ndiltdh an chuid eile d dhol tar a cheann do chomineadar an dl ar sil. Do
23
IV: Clampar Dl
chosain an chuid eile an cs. Tar is mrn trioblide agus mrn costais do bhuadar ar an mistir.
Do dholadar an cos thar cheann an fhir a dhfhan siar, ach do tugadh dibh sid na feirme a bh
aige sin go dt go mbeadh a gcuid fin acu thar n-ais aisti. Ansan is ea dirigh an toirmeasc ar fad.
N thabharfadh fear na feirme talamh n airgead dibh. Bigean dibh gabhil tr chrsa eile dl
chun chur a seilbh, agus nuair a bh dars dl acu chun na sealbha, bigean dibh fin dul agus
chur amach, n ghabhil na phrosnach, gan aon chnamh armil na rochta.
Do chruinnigh cuallacht dobh. Bh cuid acu luath lidir g. Bh fear dobh go raibh an-urchar
ciotige aige. Aon rud go gcaithfeadh s cloch leis as an gciotig do bhuailfeadh s . Dnall
Tuathaigh ab ainm do. N raibh aon arm tine acu. Thugadar aghaidh ar an dtigh. Sarar thnadar r-
achomair don tigh thinig an fear a bh uathu amach agus gunna aige. Do stad * cuid acu nuair a
chonacadar an gunna. Daimsigh Dnall Tuathaigh dh chloich, cloch ins gach limh leis. Do
shilaigh s go ridh i dtre an fhir go raibh an gunna aige. Do thg seisean an gunna agus shn s i
dtre Dhnaill . Nor staon Dnall. Do shilaigh s cos ar chois i dtre an ghunna. Theastaigh
Dhnall teacht i ngiorracht faid a urchair fin dfhear an ghunna. Nuair a fuair fear an ghunna ag
teacht r-achomair do , do ghoibh s amas crunn air, agus tharraig s an tricear. Do bhuail an
casr a bhuille, ach do theip tine. Do lean Dnall ag teacht. Do thg an fear eile an gunna ars agus
thug s iarracht eile ar an urchar do chaitheamh. Do theip tine an tarna huair. Do theip tine an tr
huair. F dheireadh bh Dnall chmh hachomair agus theastaigh uaidh bheith. Do chaith s
urchar na ciotige. Do haimsodh fear an ghunna i gclr a adain leis an gcloich dreach sara raibh
uain aige ar a mhar do lu ar an dtricear an ceathr uair *. Do thit s. Do tgadh uaidh an gunna
agus do ceangladh . Nuair a thinig s chuige fin bh s istigh i gcarra trucaileach agus iad san
dh bhreith le go Magh Chromtha na phrosnach.
N raibh de stoc acu le tabhairt le as an it ach cpla seanachaora. Bhodar ag gabhil sos Bthar
na Cathairneach agus an d sheanachaora rmpu amach, agus an gunna na limh ag duine acu.
Bhodar deimhnitheach go raibh an gunna folamh agus gurbh in cis nar theip tine na tr huaire as
a chile. Thuigeadar n raibh n bhfear ach eagla chur orthu; n raibh aon aidhm aige ar inne do
mhar. Dirigh aighneas igin eatarthu. Bh an t-aighneas ag dul i ngire. Do thg an fear go raibh
an gunna na limh aige, do thg s an gunna le sprt, mar dhea chun an aighnis do chosc. Eist do
bhal n lmhfad thu! ar seisean le duine den bheirt a bh ag danamh an aighnis. Bh a mhar ar
an dtricear. Do luigh s ar an dtricear. Le lnn lu ar an dtricear do do bhuail fear eile lmh ar
bhairille an ghunna agus diompaigh s i leataoibh . Do ghluais an t-urchar na ln-neart agus do
thit ceann de sna caoire marbh ar an mbthar!
Bh inadh agus alltacht orthu go lir. N raibh aon choinne acu n go raibh an gunna folamh. Do
chaith an fear go raibh an gunna na limh aige, chaith s fin ar ghealacn a dh ghln * ar an
mbthar ag breith a bhaochais le Dia nrbh an duine a bh marbh aige in inead na
seanachaeireach. Agus b duine bheadh marbh aige * n an Dnall Tuathaigh canna do bh tar
is an phrosnaigh do leagadh tamall beag roimis sin leis an gcloich a chaith s as an gciotig leis.
Airi, a chrochaire, ar siad go lir leis an bprosnach, do mheasais dirribh Dnall Tuathaigh
do lmhach!
Nor labhair an prosnach focal. Diompaodar air agus do gef go maith air mura mbeadh Dnall
Tuathaigh dh chosaint.
Do rugadh sos go Magh Chromtha , agus do cuireadh tr p crsa dl a bh riachtanach . Do
24
IV: Clampar Dl
dhol duine igin de sna tinentaithibh an cos a bh ar an bhfeirm agus do tugadh do an fheirm go
dt go mbeadh a chuid fin thar n-ais aige aisti.
Bhos-sa ag isteacht leis an mid sin scil agus me site istigh sa chinne, agus nor chuaigh aon
fhocal den scal am uaim; agus n raibh oiread agus aon fhocal amhin dr thinig chm gur gh
dhom a dhfhiafra cad an br a bh leis. Thuigeas an chainnt chmh crunn agus do thuig seana-
Dhiarmaid fin .
L igin tmpall na haimsire canna bh beirt fhear ag obair thos i bPirc na gCloch. N cumhin
liom anois ceocu ag cur phrta a bhodar n ag baint phrta. Bhos fin ann, leis. Bhos im
sheasamh ar a n-aghaidh amach ag isteacht le agus iad ag cainnt. Is iad beirt a bh ann n Labhrs
Duinnn agus fear narbh ainm do Mchel Laeire. Firn ana-bheag, ana-dhubh, ab ea , agus
Mchel Dubh a tugt air. P cainnt a bh ar sil acu measaim gurb amhlaidh nr mhaith le mise
bheith ag isteacht chmh gar leis an gcainnt. Chaitheadar uathu an chainnt, agus diompaodar
ormsa.
Sea anois, a Pheadair, arsa Mchel Dubh, ceocu againn is measa leat?
Is measa leis mise, arsa Labhrs.
Thugais ditheach, n measa, arsa Mchel; is measa leis mise, ar seisean.
Deirimse gur brag dhuit sin, arsa Labhrs; is measa leis mise.
Cuirfidh m geall leat, arsa Mchel, gur measa leis mise.
Sea, a Pheadair, arsa Labhrs, ceocu againn is measa leat?
Is measa liom tusa, arsa mise, agus is ferr liom Mchel*.
Do stad an bheirt agus dfhachadar orm. Ansan dfhachadar ar a chile, agus do sceartadar ar
ghir.
Airi, nch garchiseach an biornach ! arsa Labhrs.
Is ait an freagra , arsa Mchel Dubh. Is measa leis tusa agus is ferr leis mise!
Lena lnn sin dfhach Labhrs anonn i dtre a th fin a bh thall ar mhullach na r. Bh girdn
beag cabiste aige thall ar aghaidh an t amach. Bh cpla gabhar aige thall, leis. Do thrla, nuair
fhach s anonn, go raibh an d ghabhar na seasamh in aice chla an ghirdn, lasmu den chla, ach
gur dh le duine dhfhachfadh orthu Phirc na gCloch, go rabhadar laistigh den chla. Cheap
Labhrs bocht gur laistigh a bhodar agus n fgfaids aon bhlire den chabiste gan ithe. Chuir s a
mhar na bhal agus do leog s fead bhre lidir bhnn ar an muntir thall. N raibh aon mhaith dho
ann; nor airigh inne . Do leog s fead eile. Nor thinig inne amach as an dtigh.
, a chreach lidir ! mo ghirdn bre! Beidh s ite! beidh s ite! ar seisean.
Sid anonn agus ag rith. Nuair a shrois s an it thall fuair s gur lasmu den chla a bh na
25
IV: Clampar Dl
gabhair, agus n raibh aon bhlire dobhla danta don ghirdn.
V: Dh Arm Aigne
Ag fachaint siar dom anois ar an saghas Gaelainne a bh d labhairt im thmpall ins gach aon bhall
an uair sin, agus dh cur i gcmparid dom lis an nGaelainn a dhairnn na dhiaidh san in
iteannaibh eile, tann s na lu go daingean ar maigne go raibh s nos ferr agus nos cruinne
agus nos slachtmhaire, agus na theannta san nos treise mar arm aigne, n aon tsaghas Gaelainne
dr airos riamh shin, a balaibh daoine n a leabhraibh. Dh cur i gcmparid dom le
teangthachaibh eile, le Laidean n le Grigis n le Frainncis, f mar a dhfhoghlamaos roinnt dobh
na dhiaidh san, tann s na lu ar maigne, gurbh fherr darm aigne n aon teanga acu. Bfhidir
go raibh an Ghrigis n bfherr n nuair a bh an Ghrigis be agus muntir na Grige dh
labhairt, ach n raibh ar mo chumas-sa an chmparid a dhanamh ach amhin idir mo Ghaelainn
bhe fin agus an Ghrigis a fuaras in sna leabhraibh; agus chmh fada agus chuaigh an
chmparid sin bh an bua ageam Ghaelainn fin. Is dcha go ndarfadh duine a tgadh in it eile,
n i gcig eile, in irinn, an rud canna i dtaobh Gaelainne na cige gur tgadh fin ann. Ach t
roinnt nithe againn chun an scil do bhrath. Sarar fhgas-sa Lios Caragin nor airos riamh amach a
bal duine na habartha so, .i. t m; bh m; bh siad. Dairnn i gcna tim; bhos;
bhodar, &c. Nithe beaga is ea iad san, ach is nithe beaga iad a thagann isteach go mion minic sa
chainnt. Agus is slacht ar an gcainnt an mdh dlite seochas an mdh scortha. Ar an gcuma
gcanna, is neamhshlacht ar an gcainnt an mdh scortha seochas an mdh dlite. D aghmais sin
bonn sa chainnt dhlite neart agus fuinneamh nch fidir a bheith sa chainnt a bhonn ag titim as a
chile.
Lasmu ar fad den deifrocht san at, i slacht agus i neart agus i bhfuinneamh, idir an chainnt go
mbonn a ln den mhdh scortha inti agus an chainnt a ghlacann mar rogha an mdh dlite, bh sa
Ghaelainn a bh im thmpallsa deich mbliana agus tr fichid shin, trithe chun nirt agus chun
fuinnimh agus chun deisbhala agus chun gire rlabhra agus chun solasmhaire, nch fidir liom a
dhfhil anois in aon tsrd cainnte d bhfuil ar sil, i mBarla n i nGaelainn. T brr thabhairt
don mhdh scortha sa Ghaelainn, agus mdh scortha ar fad is ea an Barla. T an Barla titithe as a
chile ar fad.
Mura mbeadh an bhean d a thinig aduaidh agus do thug li an ainm chil le cine d, n bheadh
Peadar mar ainm ormsa. Bfhidir n beinn ann in aon chor. Agus mura mbeadh gur dbreadh
amach i measc na gcnuc seana-Bharnab agus a bheirt mhac, Diarmaid agus Peadar, n bheadh an
Ghaelainn agam, n n bheadh s ar aon tslacht agam, agus n bheinn dh scr anso anois mar atim.
Tim ag danamh mo dhchill ar chur sos im scrbhinn dreach mar a fuair mo chluas dhaoine
mar sheana-Dhiarmaid Laeire agus mar Mhchel Dubh, agus mar Mhire Rua, agus mar a
hinon, .i. Peig.
Ach m bh caoi mhaith agam ar an nGaelainn a bheith agam ar illeacht n gcad nemat nar
thosnaigh cainnt ar theacht dom, bh caoi mhaith agam, leis, ar Bharla bheith agam ar an illeacht
gcanna dreach, n gcad nemat gcanna. Seo mar a thrla san. Bh, mar aduart, athair mo
mhthar, Conchr Laeire, na chna ar an Mullach Rua, cheithre mhle thuaidh Shrid an
Mhuilinn. Bh feirm mhr thailimh aige ann, agus talamh fnta ab ea , murarbh ionann agus
portaithe agus carraigreacha Lios Caragin. Bh far daichead b aige den talamh san, agus bh s
acfuinneach neamhsplech go maith. In aghmais bheith acfuinneach, fear creidinach ab ea go
raibh meas ag uasal agus ag seal air. Bean ana-chreidinach, i measc uasal agus seal, leis, ab ea an
bhean a bh psta aige, Neill N Ic, Neill n Taidhg, inon do Thadhg ach Aindriais a bh thiar ar an
26
V: Dh Arm Aigne
Athn, mar adradh. Bh cigear mac acu agus trir inon. Do cuireadh tabhairt suas maith ar an
gclann, s sin f mar a bh caoi an uair sin ar aon n i bhfuirm tabhairt suas do chur ar chlann in
irinn. Do cuireadh beirt den chlann inon, chmh luath agus bhodar in aois chuige, siar go Cll
irne ar scoil, agus do cuireadh beirt den chlann mhac ar scoil Laidne. Do chuaigh duine den
bheirt mhac san isteach sa choliste na dhiaidh san chun bheith na shagart. Nuair a bh roinnt
blianta caite sa choliste aige do thuig s in aigne n raibh an ghlao flta aige Dhia chun beith na
shagart, agus thinig s abhaile agus chrom s ar scoil Laidne do mhineadh i gCeann Tuirc. Tamall
sarar fhg s an coliste fuair a athair bs. Ansan do thinig an bheirt inon abhaile Chll irne.
Do psadh duine acu, Neill, le fear gurbh ainm do Risterd Laeire, a bh na chna thiar ar Cnuc
an Eireabaill, chig mhle soir thuaidh Chll irne. Chuaigh an inon eile den bheirt soir go
Ceann Tuirc ag triall ar a driothir chun bheith ag tabhairt cnta dho sa scoil. I dteannta na nith eile
a mineadh di i gCll irne do mineadh roinnt igin Frainncise dhi. N dcha gur mineadh an
Fhrainncis di i dtre go dtuigfeadh fear n bhFrainnc , ach do mineadh di chmh maith agus do
fadadh . Nuair a chuaigh s ag triall ar a driothir agus bh s ag cabhr leis sa scoil, is ag
mineadh Barla agus Frainncise a bhodh sise, agus eisean ag mineadh na Laidne agus na
Grigise. Ansan, nuair a bh s cheithre bliana fichead n mar sin, do psadh fin agus mathair
agus thinig s go Lios Caragin.
Thug s li mrn leabhar, leabhair Bharla agus leabhair Frainncise *. Chmh luath agus bhos-sa
balta ar aon mhineadh do ghlacadh do thosnaigh s ar Bharla do mhineadh dhom, agus ansan ar
an bhFrainncis do mhineadh dhom, i dtre go mbnn bodhar go minic dhaoine a thagadh isteach,
n do bhuaileadh umam amu, dh iarraidh orm Frainncis do labhairt dibh.
P saghas an Fhrainncis, bh an Barla go bromhar aici, n bfherr go mr agus nba chruinne,

agus nba chirte, n aon Bharla do mint in sna scoileannaibh. Ach ba chuma dhmhsa cad an
saghas Barla do mint in sna scoileannaibh, mar bh na scoileanna rfhada uaim. An scoil ba
ghiorra dhinn bh s chig mhle mhra uainn. Ba mhaith an bhail ormsa nrbh fhidir dom dul ar
an scoil sin. D mbeadh s nba chngara dhinn, is dcha, n nch inadh, go dtabharfainn mo
laethanta istigh inti; agus d dtugainn, norbh fhidir dom gan an droch-Bharla do dhul i bhfeidhm
ionam. Bigean dom fanint sa bhaile, agus p mineadh a thug mo mhthair dom danamh leis,
go dt gur neartaos. Bhos tr bliana dag sara ndeigheas isteach in aon scoil. Bh a raibh de
leabhraibh Barla sa bhaile againn lite agus aithlite agam um an dtaca san. Chmh luath agus
bh ionam gabhil amach ag aeireacht na mb, bhodh p leabhar ab fherr a thaithneadh liom
bhodh s agam amu cois cla n tuir n sceiche agus me dh l. S rud a thinig as dom n go
raibh mrn de Mhilton agus de Shakespeare agus de Rudeki, (leabhar n feaca riamh shin) de
ghlanmheabhair agam.
M bh Barla maith ageam mhthair agus tabhairt suas maith uirthi, bh an Ghaelainn aici ar
illeacht, leis. N raibh tigh a hathar ach tmpall le ceathr mhle Chuilinn U Chaoimh. Bh
Gaelainn bhre d labhairt an uair sin i gCuilinn U Chaoimh agus ar fuaid Dhth Ealla go lir. N
deirim n go bhfuil Gaelainn mhaith le haireachtaint fs i gCuilinn. Ach t s nch mr caite uathu
ag formhr mhuntir Dhth Ealla. Thugas fin tamall aimsire, bliain is d liom, i nDth Ealla, in
aice Cheann Tuirc, breis agus deich mbliana is daichead shin. Bh aos g na hite an uair sin ag
ir suas agus gan aon fhocal Gaelainne acu, agus donas an scil ar fad, an saghas Barla a bh acu
nor airos riamh roimis sin n riamh shin aon chainnt chmh grnna leis. Nuair a bhnn ag
isteacht le chuirids coitianta i gcumhne dhom an focal adeireadh Diarmaid Mumhneachin:
27
V: Dh Arm Aigne
Na daoine is l ciall in irinn

Daoine gan Bharla gan Ghaelainn.
I gCuilinn U Chaoimh a bhodh Diarmaid na chna, agus is dcha gur thug s f ndeara na daoine
ga ag caitheamh na Gaelainne uathu agus ag labhairt an Bharla ghrnna bhriste.
Bh ana-sheans ormsa pr domhan . Bh idir Bharla agus Gaelainn agam os cionn mo chliabhin.
Mura mbeadh an it nar rugadh agus nar tgadh me, fach, n bheadh an Ghaelainn agam, agus
mura mbeadh an mhthair a tugadh dom n bheadh an Barla agam. Agus fach, mura mbeadh idir
Ghaelainn agus Barla do bheith agam mar atid, n bheadh aon bhreith in aon chor agam ar an
obair a dhanamh at danta agam. P feabhas f leith a bheadh ar an mBarla agam, n thabharfadh
s aon chumas dom ar an nGaelainn do ghlacadh mar arm aigne agus do limhseil mar arm aigne.
Is amhlaidh a bheadh an Barla om chur am sa limhseil sin. P feabhas f leith a bheadh agam
ar an nGaelainn bheadh an cur am canna aicise dhanamh orm i dtaobh an Bharla. Ach do
fuaras greim f leith ar gach arm den d arm aigne, agus elas f leith ar conas gach arm acu do
limhseil; ansan, in inead bheith ag cur a chile am orm, is amhlaidh a bhd siad ag cabhr lena
chile agam.
VI: An Gorta
Chmh luath agus bhonn aon chiall ag teacht do leanbh is gnth daoine bheith ag cur na ceiste
chuige cad an ghairm beatha bheadh aige nuair a bheadh s mr. Is cumhin liom go maith an
cheist sin a bheith dh cur chm fin go formhinic. N cumhin liom go raibh aon fhreagra riamh
agam le tabhairt ar an gceist ach an t-aon fhreagra amhin, .i. gur im shagart a bheinn. Bh an mid
sin socair os cmhair maigne thosach, agus n cumhin liom go raibh a mhalairt riamh os cmhair
maigne, n n cumhin liom cathain a thosnaigh maigne ar bheith dh shocr gur im shagart a
bheinn nuair a bheinn irithe suas.
T fhios agam go maith go mbodh daoine ag danamh magaidh den scal, mar ba lir do gach
inne n raibh in aon ghaobhar don ghustal riachtanach ageam athair chun tabhairt fna leithid
dobair. Bh fhios agam fin, leis, chmh luath agus thinig aon tuiscint dom, n raibh an gustal
aige, agus nor chuir san me bheith daingean im aigne gur im shagart a bheinn, p cuma na
dtiocfadh san chun cnn. Mura mbeadh an dubh a theacht ar na prta agus an drochshaol do theacht
i ndiaidh an duibh, n deirim n go mbeadh s balta ar an mid scolaochta a bheadh riachtanach do
thabhairt dom. Ach diompaigh an drochshaol gach aon rud taobh sos suas. Agus rud ab intach, is
iad na feirmeir mra lidre do thit ar dtis. An fear n raibh aige ach an fheirm bheag, far s n
seacht de bhuaibh, do chimed s a ghreim, agus an fear go raibh an fheirm mhr fhairseag aige do
briseadh go luath nuair a thinig an t-athr saeil. An t n raibh aige ach an beagn nor chaill s
ach an beagn. N raibh an cos mr n na glaeite mra air roimhe sin. Bh taith aige ar
mhaireachtaint gan iomarca rabairne. Nor rdheocair do cbadh chuige beaginn eile, agus na
glaeite beaga dfhreagairt gan iomarca cruatain do chur air fin. Ach an t go raibh an fheirm mhr
aige bh taith ar an mbeatha chostasil aige. Bh s neamhsplech an fhaid a fhreagair an fheirm.
Nuair a thinig an t-athr, do stad toradh na feirme lithreach. Bh an chailliint rmhr, agus bh
an rabairne rmhr agus na glaeite rmhr. Norbh fhidir iad do fhreagairt agus do scuabadar d
bhonnaibh . Is cumhin liom go maith conas mar a dhairnn an scal nua d nsint agus inadh
dhanamh de: ! ar airs? T a leithid seo briste! T a chuid tailimh in irde. T s fin imithe.
Dalaigh s. T a chuid tailimh in irde.
Do hairt go minic, T a chuid tailimh in irde; ach n hairt in aon chor an uair sin, T a chuid
28
VI: An Gorta
tailimh tgtha ag duine eile. N raibh aon fhonn ar inne talamh a thgaint. Na daoine a chailleadh
a gcuid tailimh bhodh an scal go holc acu. N bhodh bia n creidiint acu, agus n bhodh le
danamh acu ach dul a diarraidh darca. N fada a bhds a diarraidh na darca nuair a thagadh
breiteacht orthu agus gheibhids bs. N bhodh an taith acu ar an ocras n ar an gcruatan, agus n
sheasads i bhfad nuair a thagadh an t-ocras agus an cruatan orthu. Go minic, nuair a bhodh an t-
ocras dian orthu, do chaithids ir agus gabhil amach agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar thigh cmharsan
igin a bhodh, bfhidir, chmh dealbh le fin, n geall leis, fachaint an bhfaighids ln bil de
rud igin le n-ithe a bhainfeadh an bhuile ocrais dobh.
Is cumhin liom bheith, l, agus me ocht mbliana dhaois is d liom, im sheasamh ag cinne na
hiothlann. Chonac bean ag gabhil chm anos an cnucn. Bh s coslomrachta. Bh s ag sil ana-
ridh agus bh saothar uirthi mar bheadh ar dhuine a bheadh ag rith. Bh a bal ar leathadh i dtre
go raibh radharc agam ar na fiaclaibh agus ag sideadh. Ach is rud a chuir an inadh ar fad orm
n a cosa. Bh a cosa ataithe i dtre go raibh gach aon chos acu, na glinibh sos, chmh mr
chmh ramhar le galn. Chuaigh an radharc san chmh daingean san in achrann im aigne go bhfuil
s os cmhair mo shl anois chmh glineach agus bh s an l san, bodh go bhfuil tmpall chig
bliana agus tr fichid shin chonac . Bh an bhean san neamhsplech neamhanngarach go maith
go dt go dtinig an dubh ar na prta.
Bhos l eile, n fheadar an roimis sid n na dhiaidh , istigh nr dtigh fin im sheasamh ar lic an
tntein. Thinig buachaill an doras isteach. Chonac an aghaidh a bh air agus an scen a bh na dh
shil, scen ocrais. T an aghaidh sin agus an d shil sin os cmhair maigne anois chmh glan
chmh soilir agus bhodar an l san nuair thugas an t-aon fhachaint amhin sin orthu. Thug
duine igin cannta arin do. Thug s snap ar an arn agus thug s a dhrom linn agus a aghaidh ar an
bhfalla, agus shigh s an t-arn na bhal, agus dhrigh s ar an arn dhithe le hairc i dtre gur
dh leat go dtachtfadh s fin. Nor mheasas an uair sin go raibh aon inadh rmr agam
dhanamh de fin n den airc a bh air chun an arin; ach dfhan an radharc im aigne, agus fanfaidh
an d l s n fhaid a mhairfead*.
Is cumhin liom trthnna igin i gcaitheamh na haimsire sin agus na daoine ag rith isteach s amach
agus iad ag cainnt. Sa ghemhreadh ab ea . Bh an oche tar is titim. Dairos an focal, Thos ag
Carraign an Easaigh is ea dhairos an li! Sin ars ! arsa duine eile, agus do ritheadar go
lir amach. Tamall na dhiaidh san thnadar isteach ars agus seanduine bocht acu eatarthu.
Chuireadar na sheasamh ar an rlr . Is ar igin a bh s balta ar sheasamh. Bhos-sa ar a aghaidh
amach agus radharc agam ar a cheannathaibh. Bh a bhal ar leathadh agus a bheil tarraicthe, sos
agus suas, i dtre go raibh na fiacla, an mid a bh aige dhobh, nochtaithe. Chonac an d
starrfhiacal mhra fhada bhu na bhal agus an scen na dh shil agus an scannradh na ghnis.
Chm anois iad chmh maith agus do chonac an uair sin iad. Cmharsa dob ea . Is amhlaidh a
chomin an t-ocras amach fachaint an bhfadfadh s aon rud le n-ithe dhfhil. Chuaigh an fear
bocht am ar fuaid an phortaigh a bh laistos de Charraign an Easaigh. Nuair a fuair s fin ag
dul am thinig eagal air go dtitfeadh s i bpoll igin agus go mbf . Nor dhein s ach stad agus
cromadh ar liireach. Bas ab ea sin an uair sin ag daoine a bheadh ag dul am. Bh li irithe
chuige, agus do thuig gach inne conas an li san do chur suas, i dtre nuair a hairef an li go
mbeadh fhios ag gach inne a dhairedh cad an br bheadh leis, agus go gcruinnedh na
daoine f dhin an t bheadh ag dul am.
Bh stbla beag ag ceann an t againn. Thinig duine bocht narbh ainm do Pdraig Buachalla
agus do tugadh bheith istigh sa stbla dho fin agus d mhnaoi agus do bheirt leanbh a bh acu.
29
VI: An Gorta
Dfhanadar sa stbla ar feadh roinnt seachtain; bh bothn beag acu fin na dhiaidh san. Sle ab
ainm don t ba shine den bheirt leanbh. Bh buachaill aimsire againn agus Conchr ab ainm do.
Dairos Sle l ag cainnt leis.
A Chon, ar sise.
Teacht, a Shle, arsa Con.
Nl aon chainnt agamsa anois, ar sise.
Airi, cad eile cad t agat*, a Shle? arsa Con.
T Barla, ar sise.
Airi, cad an Barla fhadfsa bheith agat? arsa Con.
Barla Pheadair agus Sheinn Philib, ar sise. Duine bocht a bh i mbothn in aice na hite ab ea
Seinn Philib.
Agus ar ndin is cainnt Barla, a Shle, arsa Con.
Cainnt Barla! ar sise, agus inadh uirthi. Ar ndin, ar sise, d mbea, do tuigf !
Bh mthair Shle l agus mm gairbhil aici sa chorcinn tnleathan go ndeineadh s an cste do

bhcil ann, bcs a tugtar air. Bh s ag sciradh agus ag sciomar an bhcis bhig, istigh ann, leis
an ngairbhal.
, a Mham! arsa Sle, an amhlaidh a chuirfir an gairbhal sa chste?
Is amhlaidh, a Shle, arsan mhthair.
Sid amach Sle. Chonaic s Con.
, a Chon, ar sise, cad a dhanfaimd? cad a dhanfaimd in aon chor?
Cad t anois ort, a Shle? arsa Con.
T, ar sise, gairbhal glas a bheith ageam mhthair chur sa chste dhinn, agus n fheadar en
tsaol conas fhadfaimd an cste dhithe. Brisfar r bhfiacla go lir. T cuid de sna clocha sa
ghairbhal ana-mhr. N fgfar fiacal i gceann inne againn. Ach is cuma do Dhiarmaidn . Nl aon
fhiacal in aon chor aige fs.
Driothir beag g a bh ag Sle ab ea Diarmaidn. Sid isteach Con go bhfeicfeadh s cad a bh ag

mthair Shle dhanamh. Nuair a chonaic s cad an gn a bh den ghairbhal bh sprt acu.
Thinig an gorta, agus bigean do Shle agus d hathair agus d mthair agus do Dhiarmaidn
imeacht sos go Magh Chromtha agus dul isteach i dtigh na mbocht. An tisce na rabhadar istigh
ann do scaradh iad go lir lena chile. Do cuireadh an t-athair i measc na bhfear. Do cuireadh an
30
VI: An Gorta
mhthair i measc na mban. Do cuireadh Sle i measc na gcailn mbeag. Agus do cuireadh
Diarmaidn i measc na leanbh g. Bh an tigh go lir, agus a raibh de dhaoine bochta ann, mchta le
gach aon tsaghas drochbhreiteachta. Na daoine, chmh tiubh agus thagaids isteach nch mr, ag
titim le hagruas, sln mar a n-nstear , agus iad ag fil bhis chmh tiubh agus thagadh an galar
orthu. N bhodh sl d leath sa tigh. N dheinids, an mid n fadadh dul isteach dobh, ach dul
agus iad fin do shneadh ar phort na habhann ar an dtaobh thos den droichead. Do cht ansan iad
gach aon mhaidean tar is na hoche, agus iad snte na sraitheannaibh ann, cuid acu ag corra agus
cuid acu socair go ler, gan aon chor acu chur dobh. Do tagt ar ball agus do tgt an chuid acu n
bodh aon chor acu chur dobh, agus do curt isteach i dtrucailbh iad agus do beirt suas iad go
hit in aice Charraig an Staighre mar a raibh poll mr leathan doimhinn ar oscailt dibh, agus do
curt sos sa pholl san i dteannta chile iad. Do deint an rud canna leis an mid a bhodh marbh
istigh sa tigh dobh tar is na hoche.
N rfhada, tar is dul isteach dibh, agus tar is scarint lena mhthair do, go dtinig an bs ar
Dhiarmaidn. Do caitheadh in irde ar an dtrucail an corp beag agus do rugadh suas go dt an poll
mr , agus do caitheadh isteach ann i dteannta na gcorp eile. Ach ba chuma don leanbh . Bh a
anam thuas i lthair D, in aoibhneas, i bhfad sarar caitheadh a chorp sa pholl. Norbh fhada gur
lean Sle Diarmaidn. Chuaigh a corp g sa pholl, ach chuaigh a hanam suas mar a raibh
Diarmaidn, i lthair D, in aoibhneas na bhflaitheas, mar a raibh sls aici agus cmhluadar naomh
agus aingeal, agus cmhluadar na Maighdine Muire, agus cainnt a bh nos ferr go mr n Barla
Pheadair agus Sheinn Philib.
Bh an t-athair agus an mhthair ag fiafra agus ag ceistichn chmh minic agus dfhadadar i
dtaobh Shle agus Dhiarmaidn. N raibh an bheirt i bhfad tar is bhis nuair airodar . Bh an
Ghaelainn ag na daoine bochta go lir. N raibh s ag na huachtarnaibh, n n raibh s acu ach go
holc. Dfhadadh na daoine bochta elas dfhil ar a chile go minic i ganfhios do sna
huachtarnaibh. Chmh luath agus fuair an t-athair agus an mhthair go raibh an bheirt leanbh tar
is bhis, thinig a leithid sin de bhuairt agus duaigneas orthu n fadfaids fanint san it.
Bhodar deighilte na chile, ach fuaradar caoi ar fhocal igin do chur chun a chile. Shocraodar ar
al as an it. Cit ab ainm don mhnaoi. Do shleamhnaigh Pdraig amach as an dtigh ar dtis. Do
stad s thuas i mbarra Bhthair na Sop ag fanint le Cit. I gcionn tamaill do chonaic s ag teacht ,
ach bh s ag sil ana-ridh. Bh an bhreiteacht uirthi. Chomineadar le suas i dtre Charraig an
Staighre. Thnadar chun na hite na raibh an poll mr. Bh fhios acu go raibh an bheirt leanbh
thos sa pholl san i measc na gcadta corp eile. Do stadadar in aice an phull agus ghoileadar a
ndthain. Thuas ar an nDoire Liath, lastoir den Chathairn, a bh an bothn na rabhadar na gcna
ann sara ndeigheadar isteach i dtigh na mbocht. Dfhgadar an poll mr, agus thugadar aghaidh siar
thuaidh ar an nDoire Liath, mar a raibh an bothn. Bh an it s mhle shl uathu, agus bh an
oche ag teacht, ach chomineadar le. Bh an t-ocras orthu agus bh an bhreiteacht ar Chit.
Bigean dibh sil ana-ridh. Nuair a bh cpla mle den tsl curtha dhobh acu bigean do Chit
stad. N fhadfadh s dul a thuilleadh. Do casadh cmharsain orthu. Do tugadh deoch agus blire
igin bdh chthu, ach n leogfadh scannradh dinne bheith istigh a thabhairt dibh toisc iad a
bheith tagaithe lom dreach n bpoorhouse, agus an drochbhreiteacht a bheith ar an mnaoi. Nor
dhein Pdraig ach an bhean do thgilt chuige ar a mhuin agus comint leis siar thuaidh f dhin
an bhothin.
Bh an fear bocht fin lag go maith. Bheadh s dian air an tsl chur de gan aon ualach a bheith air.
Nuair a bh an t-ualach air bigean do stad go minic agus an t-ualach do leogaint uaidh siar ar chla
an bhthair ar feadh tamaill. Ach p tuirse a bh air do lean s ag cur na sl dhe. Nor scar s leis an
31
VI: An Gorta
ualach. Do shrois s an bothn. Bh an bothn fuar folamh roimis, gan tine gan teas.
Amireach a bh chinn thinig cmharsa igin chun an bhothin. Chuaigh s isteach. Chonaic s
an bheirt istigh agus iad araon marbh, agus dh chois a mhn istigh na bhrollach ag Pdraig, f mar
bheadh s a diarraidh iad do th. Do dheallrdh an scal gur mhothaigh s lagachar an bhis ag
teacht ar Chit agus a cosa fuar, agus gur chuir s na cosa isteach na bhrollach fin chun an
fhuachta do bhaint astu.
Ba mhaith, agus ba dhlis, agus dob uasal an fear ! adarfaidh duine igin bfhidir, agus dob
uasal an gnomh a dhein s!
Is for. Ach deirimse an mid seo leat. Do deineadh na mlte gnomh den tsaghas channa san ar
fuaid na hireann i gcaitheamh na haimsire sin, agus nor dhein inne punn inadh dhobh mar
gheall ar a bhfeabhas de ghnomharthaibh. Dar le gach inne nor dhein Pdraig Buachalla ach an
rud a dhanfadh aon fhear gurbh fhi Crosta thabhairt air.
Bh an firn d narbh ainm do Mchel Laeire na chna i mbothn n raibh i bhfad n mbothn
na bhfuair Pdraig Buachalla agus a bhean bs ann. Mchel Dubh a tugt mar leasainm ar
Mhchel Laeire. Caitln Pruisal ab ainm d mhnaoi. Bh ln t de chlann acu. N raibh oiread
agus aon fhocal amhin Barla acu fin n ag inne den chlann. Thinig an gorta go dian orthu.
Tadhg ab ainm don mhac ba shine a bh acu. Chonaic s a athair agus a mhthair ag dul i laige leis
an ocras, agus an t ab ige den chlann snte marbh i gcinne an bhothin. Drdaigh s tua agus
scian leis, agus sid amach , ar thitim na hoche. Chuaigh s isteach i gcr beithoch le duine de
sna cmharsain, agus mhairbh s ceann de sna buaibh. Bhain s cuid den chroiceann den bhoin. Do
nocht s an mid den fheil a theastaigh uaidh a bhreith leis. Thug s leis an d cheathrin
dheiridh*. Thinig s abhaile. Bh bile mhaith an oche sin acu go lir. Nuair a bh an t-ocras bainte
dhobh do rug Tadhg leis amach an corp a bh sa chinne, agus dhein s poll amu sa ghirdn, agus
chuir s an corp ann.
Nuair a thinig an mhaidean dirigh muntir na b. Do fuaradh an bh marbh amu sa chr, agus an
d cheathrin dheiridh di imithe. Dimigh an fear gur leis go Magh Chromtha agus thug s leis
varntas cuardaigh. Bh tuairim aige cr rugadh an fheil. Thinig s fin agus p oificeach dl a bh
lena chois aige, go bothn Mhchl Duibh. Do fuaradh na cnmha agus cuid den fheil. Do gabhadh
na phrosnach Tadhg agus do rugadh sos go Magh Chromtha , agus do cuireadh isteach sa
phrosn . Nuair a thinig an t-am do trialadh . Do daoradh gan punn rghnis, agus do cuireadh
an loch amach *. Nor airos aon tuairisc riamh shin ar cad dimigh air na dhiaidh san, n ar cad
an chrch a rug .
Dimigh Mchel agus Caitln agus an mid a bh be den chlann dimodar as an mbothn agus
chuadar ag sil rmpu.
Roinnt laethanta tar is iad a bheith imithe bh cmharsa igin ag gabhil thar an mbothn. Chonaic
s gadhar sa ghirdn agus rud igin na bhal aige. Chaith s cloch leis an ngadhar; do chaith an
gadhar uaidh an rud a bh na bhal aige agus do rith s leis fin. Thinig an chmharsa agus ba
bheag n gur thit s le scannradh agus le huaths nuair a fuair s gurbh rud a bh na bhal ag an
ngadhar n lmh duine! Nor dhein Tadhg an poll doimhinn a dhthain sarar chuir s an corp d sos
ann.
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VI: An Gorta
Daimsigh an chmharsa bosca n rud igin d shrd, agus thg s an chuid eile den chorp anos as
an bpoll, agus do rug s leis go dt an roilig ba ghiorra dho an bosca, agus chuir s ann . Norbh
aon inadh an uair sin inne amhin a dhfheiscint ag dul chun roilige agus cmhra i dtrucail aige,
n ar a mhuin d mba n badh an trucail n an capall aige.
Sin mar a bh an scal an uair sin, go grnna agus go fuafar agus go distineach, mrthmpall na
hite nar tgadh mise. Tuigim go raibh an scal ar an gcuma gcanna dreach mrthmpall na
hireann go lir. Agus, donas an scil ar fad, n le toil D, i gceart, a bh an scal ar an gcuma san.
Le toil daoine is ea bh an scal amhlaidh. Do scaoileadh amach a hirinn an bhliain sin oiread
arbhair, n hea, ach a dh oiread, agus chothdh a raibh de dhaoine be in irinn. Bh cuanta na
hireann ln de loingeas, agus na loingeas ln darbhar na hireann, ag imeacht as na cuantaibh,
agus na daoine ar fuaid na hireann ag fil bhis leis an ocras.
Cad na thaobh nr cimedadh an t-arbhar? adarfaidh duine, bfhidir.
Nor cimedadh mar norbh fholir dhol chun an chosa dhanamh, fin agus an t-m agus
an fheil, agus an uile bhlire eile de thoradh an tailimh, ach amhin an prta. Do rug an dubh an
prta leis, agus ansan nor fhan aon bhlire bdh le n-ithe ag na daoine.
Cad na thaobh, adarfaidh duine, bfhidir, nr deineadh dl chun na ndaoine do chosaint ar an

agir sin a chuir fhachaint orthu an t-arbhar do dhol agus gan aon rud le n-ithe do chimed
dibh fin?
Mo thrua do cheann gan chiall! Dl chun na ndaoine do chosaint, arsa tusa. Airi, d dtrchtf an
uair sin le huaislibh Shasana ar dhl chun na ndaoine do chosaint, darfaids gur ar buile bheif.
N chun na ndaoine chosaint a dheineadh muntir Shasana dlithe an uair sin in aon chor. Chun na
ndaoine do bhr sos agus do chreachadh, agus do chur chun bis le gorta agus le gach aon tsaghas
agra is ea dheineadh muntir Shasana dlithe an uair sin. Is ait an scal , ach bh srd seanfhocail
ag muntir Shasana an uair sin. Sid an seanfhocal:
agir ar an mistir is ea ceart do thabhairt don tinenta.
VII: Scoil Charraig an Ime

Nuair a bhos tmpall tr bliana dag daois do cuireadh suas tigh scoile i gCarraig an Ime thoir. Go
dt san is istigh sa bhaile a bhodh an scoil agam fin agus ag an gcuid eile de chlann mathar agus
mo mhthar. Bhms ag obair fan lae ar an bhfeirm bheag, an mid againn a bh balta ar aon rud i
bhfuirm oibre do dhanamh. Nuair a thagadh an oche do lasadh mo mhthair coinneal ar an mbrd,
agus chuireadh s nr su tmpall an bhird sinn, agus thugadh s na leabhair dinn, agus
mhineadh s r gceachtanna dhinn. Bh an mineadh thugadh s dhinn n bfherr go mr n
an mineadh a tugt do sna leanabh a bhodh in sna scoileannaibh. Mar sin fin do ceapt, n nrbh
inadh, gur chir gurbh fherr an mineadh a tugt in sna scoileannaibh.
Do hoscladh scoil Charraig an Ime. Do cuireadh minteir isteach ann drbh ainm Cormac
Luasa. Do cuireadh mise ar scoil ann. Is cumhin liom go maith an chad l chuas isteach ann. N
fheidir Cormac cad an ranng den scoil na gcuirfeadh s me. Bh cuid den elas rmhaith agam,
agus bh tuilleadh dhe n raibh in aon chor agam. Bhos balta ar na leabhair a bh acu do l ar
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illeacht, n bfherr go mr n na buachaill dob fherr a bh aige. Ansan bh ruda eile nr airos
riamh aon teacht thrsu. Is rud a dheineadh s n tamall thos agus tamall thuas a thabhairt dom.
Chuireadh s tamall ag mineadh me agus tamall ag foghlaim. Bh tabhairt suas maith air fin, agus
an ceann go maith aige. Ach bh s ana-theasa.
Sa scoil sin a chonac, an chad uair riamh, rud a chuir inadh mo chro orm, daoine ga ag foghlaim
focal, agus dh l, agus dh labhairt, agus dh nsint cad an br a bhodh le, agus gan aon phioc
d fhios acu cad an br a bhodh leis na foclaibh n leis an mbr! N baol go mbodh rud den tsrd
san sa bhaile againn. N baol go bhfgt aon fhocal gan a bhr thabhairt dinn i dtre go dtuigfims
idir fhocal agus br.
Is cumhin liom conas mar a bhnn, uaireanta, nuair a bhms ag scrd na gceacht agus sinn nr su
ag descannaibh na scoile. Bhnn im shu agus na buachaill eile, cuid acu nba mh agus nba shine
go mr n me, bailithe im thmpall i dtre go mbnn mchta acu, agus me ag freagairt ceisteanna
dhibh, dh nsint dibh cad an br a bhodh leis na foclaibh a bhodh sa cheacht. Inadh orthu san
c bhfuaras-sa an t-elas go lir, agus inadh ormsa conas fhadfadh inne bheith gan an t-elas
san. Do chodh Cormac sinn, ach n leogadh s air go bhfeiceadh. Bhodh fhios aige go mbodh
tairbhe d dhanamh, agus bhodh s ssta.
Norbh aon inadh in aon chor an scal a bheith mar sin idir mise agus na buachaill eile d. Nor
tugadh dibh sin riamh an chaoi a tugadh dmhsa ar an elas a bheith agam ar na foclaibh Barla
d. N airds choche aon fhocal sa bhaile ach Gaelainn, n Barla briste. An Barla a bh in sna
leabhraibh a bh acu ba mhar a chile dhibh n Grigis.
Bh an Ghaelainn go bre againn go lir. Bh s go hlainn ag Cormac fin. Bh an cls a bh ar

aghaidh t na scoile amach bh s ln de charraigreachaibh mra cloch. Chonac beirt fhear ann l
agus iad ag briseadh na gcloch chun iad a bhreith as an it. Bh Cormac ag cainnt leis na fearaibh.
As Gaelainn a bhodar ag cainnt. Bh aon chloch amhin ann agus bh teipithe ar na fearaibh
bhriseadh, bh s chmh cruaidh sin. Bh s tr n ceathair de throithibh ar ramhre ar gach aon tsl,
agus , ba dh leat, chmh cmhchrunn le liathrid coise. Bh na fir ag inichadh uirthi fachaint
a bhfadfaids aon it fhil na scoilfeadh buille maith lidir den rd ach bhualadh ann. Bh ag
teip orthu. Do rug Cormac ar an rd. Fear g lidir cruaidh fuinniil ab ea an uair sin.
Drididh amach uaithi! ar seisean.
Bhain s casadh as an rd, agus bhuail s a bhuille chmh maith agus bh na chuisleannaibh agus
na chorp bhualadh. Bhos ag fachaint air. Ba dh leat gur mh go mr an fuinneamh a bh leis
an rd ag ir den chloich n mar a bh leis ag teacht anuas uirthi. Is d liom gur chrith an t-adhmad
i limh Chormaic i dtre gur chuir s codladh grfn sa limh. Chaith s uaidh an t-rd agus chuir s
an lmh na phca.
Is adroma cleite n , a Chormaic! arsa duine de sna fearaibh.
Bh an sipal in aice na scoile i gCarraig an Ime, agus thims go lir thigh na scoile isteach sa
tsipal nuair a bhodh an Teagasc Crosta le foghlaim againn. N bhodh aon fhocal Barla d
labhairt sa tsipal ach forbheagn. Bhodh dh oiread ag foghlaim Teagaisc Crosta sa tsipal
agus bhodh ag foghlaim linn sa scoil, agus n baol n go dtuigt an uile fhocal den mhineadh a
tugt sa tsipal.
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Is cumhin liom l agus sinn go lir i dteannta chile istigh sa tsipal. Bh sagart ann agus ag
mineadh an Teagaisc Crosta, agus ba rmhaith chuige . Bh an Ghaelainn aige go celmhar.
Thinn fin agus buachaill eile go minic treasna na gcnuc coslomrachta ar maidin D Domhnaigh
chun an tsipil na mbodh s chun Aifrinn do r ann, i dtre go bhfadfaims isteacht leis an
seanmin Ghaelainne thugadh s uaidh, bhodh an tseanmin chmh bre san. Bh s sa tsipal an
l adeirim, agus bh, an chuid ba l dhe, suas le cpla cad duine ag foghlaim ann. Trth igin i
gcaitheamh na haimsire do bhuail chinn an doras isteach garsinn ana-bheag agus sel fllte fn
oscaill aige. Shilaigh s chinn anos go hana-ridh agus an d shil ar an sagart aige. Cheap an
sagart go mbfhidir go raibh scth air n eagla. Do labhair s go ridh agus go cneasta leis.
Sea, a gharsin, arsan sagart, cad t uait?
T duine de sna cailn beaga san, a Athair, arsan garsinn, agus n raibh scth n eagla na
chainnt n na ghlr. Do labhair s chmh dna agus d mbeadh s chmh mr chmh lidir leis an
sagart fin. Do phlascamair go lir ar ghir. Do chuir an sagart fin sceartadh gire as. Nor chuir
san aon chorrabhuais ar an ngarsn.
Agus cad ab il leat den sel san? arsan sagart.
Chun chasadh uirthi, a Athair, arsan garsn.
Ansan is ea bh an sprt againn agus sinn go lir in sna trithbh gir. Lena lnn sin do lim duine
de sna cailnbh amach n gcuid eile, agus do rith s chun an gharsin agus do shnap s uaidh an
sel, agus chaith s aniar uirthi agus sid amach . Dfhach s na diaidh.
Imigh soir go Meall na hErnan, a Pheig, ar seisean, agus abair le go mbeimd ag danamh ime
D Luain agus go mbeidh na spealadir againn D Mirt.
Nuair a bh an mid sin rite aige do bhuail s chinn suas agus sheasaimh s nr measc.
Nor scar cumhne an gharsin sin riamh shin lem aigne. I bhfad na dhiaidh san, nuair a thagadh
an leanbh agus an chainnt suas chm im aigne agus bhnn ag breithni ar an scal, bhnn ag cur an
linbh sin, mar a bh s an uair sin, i gcmparid leis an gcuma na raibh * s tamall na dhiaidh san
m chuaigh s ar scoil Ghallda, agus m fhoghlaim s an saghas Barla a bh in sna scoileanaibh
sin. Bh s an uair sin go neamhscfar agus go seasmhach in aigne, go sil-aibidh agus go hollamh
chun freagra thabhairt nuair a curf ceist chuige. Dfhach s suas idir an d shil ar an sagart nuair
a bh s ag cainnt leis. Bh s dna gan bheith drochmhinte.
N fheaca riamh shin . Ach do chonac daoine dh shrd go minic shin. Agus t fhios agam go
dianmhaith, m thug s roinnt aimsire in aon scoil Ghallda agus m fhoghlaim s an saghas Barla a
bhodh iontu, nrbh fhada gur imigh an tseasmhacht as a shilibh agus as a chro, agus m bh air
teacht isteach i sipal agus sel fn oscaill aige, agus gur chuir sagart igin na ceisteanna d
chuige, gurb amhlaidh a bh s ag smidireacht ghir in inead freagra thabhairt, agus gur ag ltil a
bh s in inead seasamh dreach. In inead bheith dna gan bheith drochmhinte gurb amhlaidh a bh
s drochmhinte gan bheith dna.
Bh beirt n trir ban sa phariste agus cpla gearrchaile le gach mnaoi acu ag foghlaim Teagaisc
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Crosta sa tsipal. N dhanfadh Gaelainn an gn in aon chor do sna mnibh sin. Norbh fholir an
Teagasc Crosta mhineadh as Barla d gclann. Bh ceathrar n cigear, as an d chad, agus iad
ag casadh le Teagasc Crosta dhfhoghlaim as Barla. Do curt mise dh mineadh. Bhos ana-
bheag agus iad san ana-mhr. Is cumhin liom go maith an obair a bhodh agam orthu a diarraidh
br na bhfocal do chur isteach na gceann, agus ag teip orm glan. Ar dtis n fhadaids an focal do
r. Nuair adeirinn le Resurrection do r, n deirids ach Rerusection, n rud igin mar sin.
Ansan nuair a thugainn an br dhibh, do thuiginn n tadh an br isteach in aon chor na n-aigne.
F dheireadh, nuair a thugainn an br dhibh f leith, gan bac leis an bhfocal, do ghlacaids , ach n
fhadadh mo dhcheall an focal agus an br thabhairt in ineacht dibh. Bheadh Resurrection
acu, agus bheadh to rise again from the dead acu, ach n fhadaids choche a thuiscint gurbh aon
n amhin an d n sin. Ansan, nuair adeirinn n raibh sa d n ach an t-aon n amhin, .i. Aisir r
Slnaithera, do lasadh a sile agus do ghirids.
Roinnt blianta na diaidh san bh an scal nba sheacht measa n san fin. Bh formhr na ndaoine
ga ag foghlaim an Teagaisc Crosta as Barla agus gan aon fhocal Gaelainne acu. Ansan n raibh
Resurrection acu, n rising again from the dead, n Aisir r Slnaithera!
N d liom gur deineadh agir aigne riamh ar dhaoinibh ga, in aon phirt den domhan, chmh
mr agus a deineadh ar aos g na hireann nuair a cuireadh orthu an saghas mineadh sin a dhfhg
sa deireadh iad gan Bharla gan Ghaelainn. Nuair a bhos-sa ar scoil i gCarraig an Ime, suas le tr
fichid blian shin, is ea bh an agir sin ag tosn. Mura mbeadh idir Bharla agus Gaelainn a
bheith rdhaingean istigh ionamsa bheadh an scal go holc agam.
D mba n beadh agam ach an Ghaelainn anois, n tabharf aon toradh orm p olc maith a bheadh s
agam. Agus d mba n beadh agam ach an Barla, n fhadfainn aon sid a dhanamh de chun na
Gaelainne do shaothr p olc maith a bheadh s agam.
VIII: Tr Liathrid Dbha

T faid mhaith sa tsl Lios Caragin go Carraig an Ime, agus sl gharbh anacair is ea an tsl. Nuair
a bhodh an aimsir fliuch fuar do chaithinn fanint sa bhaile. Bhodh an aimsir fliuch fuar minic go
ler. Do thuig mathair, beannacht D len anam, go raibh a ln den aimsir ag imeacht gan tairbhe
uaim. Bh scoil i Magh Chromtha an uair sin, agus bh rdchil uirthi fin agus ar an mistir a bh
uirthi. Is d liom go mbfhidir go raibh Cormac Luasa ag cainnt lem athair agus go nduairt s
leis gur mr an trua gan mo sheans a thabhairt dom i scoil Magh Chromtha.
Tmpall na haimsire canna san dirigh clampar dl ars idir thinentaithe an bhaile agus an mistir.
Dfhan duine de sna tinentaithe gan a chos do dhol nuair a bh an cos ag glaoch. An t-agent a bh
os a gcionn Broderick ab ainm do. Cladhaire rgaire ab ea . Do leog s don fhear a bh ag fanint
siar n gcos a dhol fanint siar go dt go raibh cuid mhaith gan dol aige. Do dhein s an mid sin i
dtre go bhfadfadh s teacht orthu go lir leis an ileamh. Bh sil aige go ndiltids don ileamh.
Bh fhios aige go raibh cuid acu agus gurbh ar igin a bhodar balta ar a gcuid fin den chos do
chur le chile agus gan bac don ileamh eile. D ndiltads bheadh an las briste, agus dfhadfadh
s iad go lir do chaitheamh amach, agus rd cosa dhfhil don mhistir, agus breab mhaith a
dhfhil do fin as gach feirm bheag d dtabharfadh s do thinenta nua.
Do chuir na tinentaithe le chile agus do chosnadar an dl. Chuireadar le chile, ach ba dheocair
le cur le chile. Thagaids chun r dtna ag danamh cmhairle, mar b an tigh ba chngara
dhibh go lir . Is cumhin liom go maith l agus iad bailithe istigh sa tigh againn. Thugadar an l
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go lir ag cainnt agus do theip orthu socr ar cad ba cheart dibh a dhanamh.
T s in oche, arsa duine acu. T s chmh maith againn dul abhaile anois agus teacht anso ars
D Cadaoin seo chinn. T aimsir r ndthain fs againn chun labhairt lenr n-atrnae.
Bh Sen Laeire, mac do sheana-Dhiarmaid Laeire, ag isteacht leis an gcainnt sin. Do labhair
s. (N raibh aon fhocal Barla d labhairt sa chmhairle sin.)
Sea! arsa Sen Laeire. T an l go lir caite ansan agaibh ag cainnt agus nl aon rud danta
agaibh. Nl socair agaibh ar cad t le danamh agaibh ach chmh beag agus bh nuair a thnabhair
anso ar maidin. Imeidh sibh abhaile anois. Tiocfaidh sibh anso ars D Cadaoin seo chinn.
Tiocfaidh Sen Luasa anso agus gur cuma n watch gach aon tsil leis. Tiocfaidh Mchel
Laeire anso agus gur fi chig phint gach aon fhocal uaidh. Tiocfaidh Barnaby anso agus gur cuma
n Socrates. Tiocfaidh sibh go lir anso agus cimedfaidh gach inne agaibh a aigne bheag aige
fin, agus n dhanfaidh sibh aon tsocr an l san ach chmh beag agus t danta inniu agaibh.
Sleamhnidh an aimsir uaibh go dt go mbeidh s rdhanach chun labhartha * le haon atrnae.
Ansan beidh Broderick agus Saunders anuas sa bhroiceall oraibh go lir, agus neart dibh a rogha
cor a thabhairt dbh.
Bhodar go lir ag cur an anama amach ag gir nuair a bh deireadh rite aige. Do shocraodar ar
dhul lithreach agus labhairt leis an atrnae, agus an dl chur i bhfeidhm chun iad fin do chosaint.
Do bhuadar ar an mistir sa dl. Do doladh cos an fhir a bh i ndiaidh lmha, agus do tugadh dibh
an fheirm a bh aige go dt go mbeadh a gcuid fin tar n-ais acu aisti.
Nuair a bh an mid sin clampair i leataoibh do shocraigh mathair ar me chur ar scoil sos go
Magh Chromtha, ar feadh tamaill ar aon chuma. Ba rdheocair do dhanamh. Bhos dreach ag
tosn ar bheith balta ar roinnt oibre dhanamh, agus bh g leis an gcnamh aige d shuara .
Ach bh an dil sa lann aige fin riamh, agus theastaigh uaidh roinnt igin de a thabhairt d mhac,
p cuma na dtiocfadh s air.
Bhos i Magh Chromtha go minic roimis sin. Is cumhin liom go rabhas ann tamall maith roimis sin,
agus go rabhas im sheasamh ag ceann an droichid, ag bun Bhthar na Sop. Bhos ag fachaint
anonn ar an gcaislen at thall ag an gceann eile den droichead. Chonac, ar aghaidh an chaislein
amach, ar an dtaobh thoir den tsrid bheag * ar a dtugtar Srid an Chaislein, tigh igin mr agus
falla rda daingeana na thmpall, agus tr slata caola rda na seasamh in irde as, agus mar
bheadh liathridn dubh in irde ar fad ar bharra gach slaite acu. N raibh aon phioc d fhios agam
an uair sin cad an br a bh leis na slataibh sin agus na liathrid beaga in irde orthu. I bhfad na
dhiaidh san is ea do hnseadh dom gur sparra iarainn gurbh ea na slata san, agus gur tr
plaoisceanna gurbh ea na tr liathrid beaga. Bin iad tr cnn na bhfear a crochadh mar gheall ar
Mhleachlainn Dgin. Crthaigh ab ea iad, agus trir driothr ab ea iad, Cormac agus
Ceallachn agus Tadhg*. Do chuir Malachi fhachaint ar Chormac Bob Hutchinson do lmhach.
Ansan do dhearbhaigh s ar Chormac. Ansan bh eagal air go ndanfadh duine igin den bheirt
driothr doltas air fin mar gheall ar an ndearbh, agus is rud a dhein s n dearbh ar an dtrir in
ineacht. Do crochadh an trir in ineacht, agus do cuireadh a dtr cnn ansd in irde ar na
sparrabh caola rda d, agus do fgadh ann iad ar feadh mrn blianta. Do chonacsa ann iad agus
me im sheasamh ag ceann an droichid an l d. Nor rfhada na dhiaidh san gur tgadh anuas na tr
plaoisceanna. Bh nire ar na huaislibh iad fhgaint ann nba shia.
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Do lean an gnomh san, agus gnomhartha eile do dhein s na dhiaidh san, d gcasadh mar asachn
le Malachi agus le gach inne d ghaoltaibh riamh shin. Nor mhaith le hinne aon bhaint a bheith
aige le, bh a leithid sin de ghrin ag an bpoiblocht go lir orthu. Ba mhr an agir sin, fach,
mar daoine galnta macnta ab ea a bhformhr, chmh galnta chmh macnta le haon treabhchas
eile daoine a bh sa dthaigh.
Bh Diarmaid Tuathaigh, athair Mhire N Thuathaigh, athair mo sheanamhtharsa, na chna ar

Gleann Daimh. T sruthn idir an it na raibh s na chna agus feirm eile at laistiar den fheirm
sin. Bh an fheirm thiar le cur. C thiocfadh agus thgfadh an fheirm thiar ach fear narbh ainm
do Dnall Dgin, gaol gairid do Mhalachi. Bh Diarmaid Tuathaigh ar buile, a r go mbeadh
inne den drochaicme sin chmh cngarach do. N fada bh Dnall Dgin laistiar den tsruthn
na chna nuair a bhuail s fin agus Diarmaid Tuathaigh um chile maidin bhre shamhraidh.
Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhiarmaid U Thuathaigh! arsa Dnall.
Thug Diarmaid a chl leis agus bhuail s thairis gan labhairt. Do ghluais an aimsir. Norbh fhada go
dtug Diarmaid f ndeara gur chmharsa ana-mhaith, ana-shochnta, ana-chneasta, Dnall, p gaol a
bh le Malachi aige. Bliain dreach n l a bheannaigh Dnall do Dhiarmaid do bhuail an bheirt um
chile ars.
Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhnaill U Dhgin! arsa Diarmaid.
Thug Dnall a chl leis agus bhuail s thairis, dreach mar a dhein Diarmaid an chad l d. Bliain
eile dreach n l san do bhuail an bheirt um chile an tr huair.
, Dia s Muire s Pdraig duit, a Dhiarmaid U Thuathaigh! arsa Dnall, dreach mar adarfadh
s d mba an nemat san a bheadh Diarmaid tar is beann dho. M thug Diarmaid bliain gan
labhairt thug Dnall bliain gan freagairt. Do ghir an bheirt go sultmhar agus bhodar ana-
mhunteartha lena chile as san amach.
Thinig an t-am chuige, agus an chaoi air, agus do cuireadh sos go Magh Chromtha me go dt an
scoil a bh ag fear drbh ainm Mchel de Bhl. Bh an scoil chmh maith san go dtagadh scolir
chithi n ndthaigh go lir mrthmpall. Is cumhin liom go maith go raibh an meascn meara
canna ar an mistir sin a bh ar Chormac Luasa i gCarraig an Ime, i dtaobh cad an ranng sa
scoil nar cheart me chur. Bh cuid den elas rmhaith agam daon ranng seal, agus gan cuid de
maith a dhthain agam do ranng uachtarach. Ach do socraodh an scal. Is cumhin liom, leis, nuair
a bhms ag scrd na gceacht in sna leabhraibh linn, go mbodh gasra de sna buachaillbh im
thmpall, ag br isteach orm ar gach aon taobh, agus a leabhar ag gach duine acu, agus me dh
nsint dibh conas na focail do r agus cad an br a bhodh le. Nor chir, fach, aon chreidiint a
thabhairt dmhsa mar gheall air sin. An t-elas a tugadh dmhsa sa bhaile ar leabhraibh agus ar
lann an Bharla nor tugadh dibh sin riamh .
I mBthar na Sop, i dtigh fir narbh ainm do Sen S, is ea bhnn ar listn. Bh aithne aige fin
agus ageam athair ar a chile. Fear fial dea-chrooch ab ea . Nor thg s aon leathphinge
dolaochta riamh as mo listn, agus bhos ann tamall maith, cpla bliain n tr. Thinn suas abhaile
go Lios Caragin gach aon tSatharn. T mac don Sen S canna san sa tsrid channa san na
chna anois, agus Sen S is ainm do, agus t s chmh bunsach chmh creidinach dfhear
agus at le fil sa bharntacht.
38
Tar is roinnt aimsire bheith caite agam sa scoil sin Mhchl de Bhl i Magh Chromtha, n cumhin
liom anois i gceart cad mhid aimsire, do labhair Mchel de Bhl lem athair. Bhuaileadar suas
Bthar na Sop le cois a chile agus iad ag cainnt.
Is mr go lir an trua, arsa Mchel, gan caoi thabhairt don gharsn san ar na teangthachaibh a
dhfhoghlaim. Nl a thuilleadh agamsa le mineadh dho, s sin a thuilleadh go mbeadh aon tairbhe
dho ann. Agus an mid at minte agam do, ar seisean, cad an tairbhe dho anois ms thuas sa
bhaile cheapann t chimed?
Dinis mathair do go n-airodh s mise dh r i gcna riamh gurbh fherr liom n a bhfeaca riamh
gur im shagart a bheinn.
Ach cad an mhaith bheith ag trcht air sin, ar seisean, agus gan aon bhreith agamsa ar
chailliint leis chun sagairt a dhanamh de!
N bheadh an chailliint chmh mr in aon chor agus is d leat , arsan fear eile. T scoil
Laidne anso i Magh Chromhtha anois. Dfhadf a chur ar an scoil sin anois agus n bheadh agat le
dol as ach pnt sa rithe. I gcionn cpla bliain n tr, n aithne at curtha agamsa air, do raghainn
in urrs duit air, go mbeadh oiread Laidne agus Grigise foghlamtha aige agus bharfadh isteach i
gColiste Mhaghe Nuat . Ansan n bheadh ort aon leathphinge eile do chailliint leis, agus i
gcionn s n seacht de bhlianaibh, d mb toil D go seasdh a shlinte, bheadh s ag teacht cht
abhaile na shagart. T an chilith ann chun na foghlama agus an irim. M chimedann t sa
bhaile n bheidh punn d bhrr agat. N fhsfaidh s rmhr choche. N bheidh an tagar n an
neart ann ba gh chun sclbhaochta dhanamh ar an bhfeirm, agus d mbeadh fin t do dhthain
cnta agat sa chuid eile den chlann.
B crch an scil gur shocraigh mathair ar me chur ag foghlaim na Laidne.
IX: Scoil Magh Chromtha agus Coliste Cholmin

Bh scoil Laidne ar an dtaobh thall den droichead, i Magh Chromtha, an uair sin, dreach ag bun an
chaislein, ag firn beag drbh ainm Mac Nally. Do raghf thar droichead anonn i dtre an
chaislein, agus nuair a bheif ag an gceann thall den droichead, dreach ag ceann slaite an droichid,
diompf isteach i leith do lmha deise agus do raghf sos cpla ciscim staighre n tr. Ansan do
chf doras ar taghaidh amach. Do bhuailf an doras. Do hosclf dhuit. Do raghf isteach sa halla.
Do hosclf doras eile dhuit ar do limh dheis. Do raghf isteach i semra. Chf ansan istigh
rmhat seisear n mrsheisear garsn na su ag brd agus an mistir ag ceann an bhird, iad san ag
foghlaim agus an mistir dh mineadh. Chf finneg ar aghaidh an dorais isteach. Dfhachf an
fhinneg san amach agus chf, buailte suas le bun na finneige, an abha, an Soln, ag gabhil thar
an bhfinneig soir, agus isteach f shilibh an droichid, go bre ciin leathan ridh.
Istigh sa tsemra san, agus mo ghuala chl leis an bhfinneig sin, is ea do leogas-sa mo shile an
chad uair riamh ar na tr foclaibh beaga mllteacha d, .i. hic, haec, hoc*. Nl ansan agat ach tr
cnn acu, ach t deich gcnn fhichid acu ar fad i ndochlaonadh an aon fhocailn sin amhin. Thinig
taith mhaith agam orthu na dhiaidh san, ach an chad uair riamh a chuireas chun iad dfhoghlaim,
ansd ar aghaidh na finneige d isteach, do bhriseadar mo chro ionam. D n-nst dhom ar dtis
cad an br a bh le do ghebhadh maigne greim igin orthu; ach nor hnseadh. Dob ait an saghas
mineadh . Na focail d ngabhil ar dtis de ghlanmheabhair sara dtugt aon chaoi don
39
bhreithintas ar iad do limhseil in aon chor! Agus gur chir go mbeadh fhios ag inne go
mbeadh aon chiall aige gurb usa go mr rud a ghlacadh de ghlanmheabhair nuair a tuigtear n sara
dtuigtear . Ach go deimhin le frinne is m go mr an fhoghlaim gan tuiscint a deint sa tsemra
bheag d n an fhoghlaim le tuiscint.
Ach n rabhas rfhada sa tsemra nuair a bhos ag gabhil do Chaesar. Is cumhin liom go rabhas l
igin gan dul ar scoil. N cumhin liom anois an chis a chimed gan dul ann me. Bhos istigh i
dtigh Shein U Sh um thrthnna agus me ag gabhil do Chaesar ar mo dhcheall. Thnag go dt
an focal propterea quod. Bh fhios agam gurbh ionann propterea agus because. Agus, arsa
mise liom fin, cad chuige an quod? Bhos i bpnc. N fhadfainn in aon chor a dhanamh amach
cad an gn a bh ag an quod san it sin. C bhuailfeadh chm isteach ach an mistir. Thinig s
fachaint cad a chimed n scoil me an l san. Dnseas do. Bh s ssta. Duairt s go raibh eagal air
gur breite a bhos. Sid chun an leabhair me.
Look here, sir, arsa mise, what is the meaning of this propterea quod?
Oh, ar seisean, propterea quod is because.
But, arsa mise, what is quod?
Oh, ar seisean, that is quite simple. Quod is because; propterea quod is because; agus
dfhach s orm chmh maith lena r, You must be very stupid not to see that simple matter.
Nor chuas nba shia ar an scal leis, n nrbh inadh. Bh propterea because agam. Agus bh quod
because agam. Agus bh propterea quod because agam. Agus mura ssdh san me, cad a shsdh
me?
Chuir an mistir sin i gcumhne dhom scal a dhairos i bhfad roimis sin Shen Laeire, n
bhfear d a duairt le Sen Luasa gur chuma n watch gach aon tsil leis.
Fad, nuair a thinig na Franncaigh isteach i gcuan Bheanntra, bh beirt aeir b in it igin lastoir
de Bheanntra. Diarmaid ab ainm do dhuine acu agus Dnall ab ainm don fhear eile. Bh an d
fheirm ar a rabhadar ag aeireacht terannach d chile. Do bhuaileadh an bheirt um chile go
minic ar dh thaobh chla na terann agus bhds ag seanchaocht. N tisce a bh na Franncaigh
istigh i gcuan Bheanntra n mar a leath an scal go tiubh ar fuaid na dtha san mrthmpall. Do
bhuail an bheirt aeir um chile.
Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhiarmaid.
Dia s Muire s Pdraig dhuit, a Dhnaill.
An bhfuil aon scal nua agat, a Dhiarmaid?
Imbriathar go bhfuil, a Dhnaill, agus nch aon scal fnta ach togha drochscil.
Ach! Dia linn! a Dhiarmaid. Agus cad an saghas scil ?
T go bhfuil invasion ana-mhr go lir ag teacht.*
40
Agus c inis duit, a Dhiarmaid, go raibh s ag teacht?
T s i mbal gach inne.
Ach! go bhfiridh Dia orainn! Cad a dhanfaid na daoine in aon chor?
N fheadar en tsaol cad a dhanfaid siad. Beidh an scal go holc acu is baolach.
Agus cogar, a Dhiarmaid. Cathain at s ag teacht?
Ambasa ach t s buailte leat, a mhic .
Invasion mr! Dia linn is Muire!
Invasion mr go dreach, an t-invasion is m dr thinig ar irinn riamh fs.
Agus cogar, a Dhiarmaid. Mar is el duit, n duine rthuisceanach mise i nithibh den tsrd san.
Cad an saghas ruda, an dtuigeann t me, an t-invasion mr so?
T, a Dhnaill, (an dtuigeann t me?) invasion; s sin le r, invasion. Nl ach mar adarfadh duine
invasion, ansan, t fhios agat.
, t fhios agam, a Dhiarmaid.
Do chuireadh Sen Laeire sceartadh gire as nuair a bhodh an scal san nste aige, agus go
deimhin do chuireadh gach inne a bhodh ag isteacht leis sceartadh gire as. Do mhnigh an
mistir d propterea quod dmhsa ar an gcuma gcanna dreach:
Nl ach mar adarf because ansan, t fhios agat.
T fhios agam, arsa mise, agus dfhgas ansan an scal.
Bh ana-dhil ag an mistir i ngal tobac. An fhaid a bhmsne ag casadh le hic, haec, hoc
dfhoghlaim bhodh an mistir bocht ag l a phopa. Bh an fear bocht go maith chuige. Bhodh s
ag tarrac an phopa agus an deatach ag gluaiseacht ar fuid an tsemra go dt gurbh ar igin
fhadaims a chile dhfheiscint, n irm leabhar do l.
F dheireadh dimigh s as an srid ar fad, agus dfhg s ansan sinn.
Bh scoil eile Laidne i Magh Chromtha an uair channa. Thuas i mBthar Massy a bh an scoil sin,
agus fear drbh ainm Toiralach Goil a bh dh mineadh. Nuair a bh Mac Nally imithe
chuamair go lir suas ag triall ar Goil. Is d liom gur thugas leathbhliain ar an scoil sin.
An uair sin dreach is ea do hoscladh Coliste Cholmin i Mainistir Fhear Maghe. Norbh fhidir
dmhsa, n d ln dem shrd, dul isteach sa choliste sin, mar do chaithfinn deich bpint fhichid sa
mbliain do dhol asam fin ann.
41
Nuair a hoscladh Coliste Cholmin bh cuid de sna sagartaibh ar fuid na dtha ag gearn go
cruaidh ar an agir a dhanfadh an coliste sin ar na buachaillbh go raibh irim aigne acu agus n
raibh an gustal airgid ag n-aithreachaibh. Mar gheall ar an ngearn do dhein an tEaspag, an
tAthair Liam Cathin, socr. Do shocraigh s, aon bhuachaill go mbeadh an irim aigne thar brr
aige agus n beadh an t-airgead aige, go gcaithf ghlacadh saor isteach i gColiste Cholmin. Do
shsaimh an mid sin a ln de sna sagartaibh. Bh cuid acu n raibh ssta. Dradar na n-aigne n
fadfadh an socr san punn tairbhe dhanamh. N raibh aon airgead chun an choliste chimed
suas ach an t-airgead a dholfadh na buachaill astu fin ann. D bhr sin nrbh fhidir ach
forbheagn dobh a ghlacadh isteach saor, p irim aigne bheadh acu. Duairt a ln de sna
sagartaibh gurbh fherr leogaint do gach aon bhuachaill a chuid linn do sholthar na rogha scoil
agus ansan an t-inead i gColiste Mhaghe Nuat a thabhairt don bhuachaill ab fherr. Duairt
tuilleadh acu nr mhaith in aon chor an rud sin. Gur mhr an oscailt aigne, agus an oscailt sl,
daon bhuachaill caoi thabhairt do ar roinnt aimsire chaitheamh i scoil igin phoibl in aice an
bhaile sara raghadh s isteach i gColiste Mhaghe Nuat. D aghmais sin, nuair a bheadh triail
comrtais idir bhuachaillbh sna scoileannaibh tuatha agus na buachaill a bheadh i gColiste
Cholmin, go mbarfadh buachaill an choliste an bua le p irim aigne bheadh ag buachaillbh
na tuatha. Dradh na choinnibh sin, go raibh an mineadh in sna scoileannaibh tuatha, n i gcuid
acu ar aon chuma, n bfherr n an mineadh a bheadh le fil istigh sa choliste, tar is an deich
bpint fhichid sa mbliain a bheith dolta as.
Bh sagart pariste sa Domhnach Mhr, deich mle soir thuaidh Magh Chromtha, agus bh s ar
an aigne sin go daingean. Chun a thaispeint go raibh an ceart aige do rug s leis Magh Chromtha
Toiralach Goil, agus doscail s scoil sa Domhnach Mhr do, agus chuir s ag mineadh na
dteangthacha ann .
Dfhg san mise ars ar seachrn. Ach bh fear de mhuntir Shilliobhin, fear Chiarra, ag
mineadh scoile i gCeann Tuirc, agus bh fear gurbh ainm do Toms Laeire na chna ar Doire
na Mna, tmpall tr mhle siar Cheann Tuirc. Clann na beirte driothr ab ea an Toms Laeire
sin agus mo mhthairse. Chuas thuaidh go Ceann Tuirc ar scoil agus thagainn go Doire na Mna
gach aon oche go tigh Thomis U Laeire. Thugas, is d liom, bliain n bliain go leith ag dul ar an
scoil sin.
Bh an scoil sin maith go ler ar feadh tamaill. Bh mrn scolir ag teacht ann, agus n raibh aon
chnamh ag an mistir. Is amhlaidh a bhodh gach inne dh mhineadh fin chmh maith agus
dfhadadh s , go minic. Amu i seanastbla a bhodh an scoil againn. Bh an seanastbla maith go
ler i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh. Nuair a thinig an gemhreadh bh an donas le fuaire air. Nuair a
bhodh an aimsir an-fhuar bhodh tine againn. N raibh aon tsimn ar an stbla. Bh poll sa bhfalla,
fach, laistiar den tine. Bhodh an poll go maith an fhaid a bhodh imeacht na gaoithe trd siar. Ach
nuair a bhodh an ghaoth ag sideadh trd an bpoll aniar bhms mchta ag an ndeatach. Ba mheasa
go mr an deatach n an fuacht. Agus go deimhin is amhlaidh a bhodh an fuacht agus an deatach in
ineacht againn, mar n bhodh an tine ach go holc.*
F dheireadh do tuigeadh ins gach aon bhall nrbh aon mhaith do scoileannaibh tuatha bheith ag dul
i gcomrtas leis an gcoliste a bh i Mainistir Fhear Maghe. Do chrom na haithreacha, f mar a bh
aon ghustal acu chuige, ar na buachaillbh do chur go dt an coliste. Do socraodh nithe sa choliste
i dtre go bhfadfadh buachaill teacht ann agus gan bheith air an deich bpint fhichid do dhol.
Dfhadfadh s teacht agus listn a thgaint sa tsrid agus dul isteach sa choliste gach aon l.
Ansan n bheadh air ach s pint sa mbliain do dhol as an scolaocht agus dfhadfadh s fin do
42
choth chmh saor agus dob fhidir .
Tuig it aigne, a litheir, go raibh an saol ana-chruaidh an uair sin ar mhuntir na hireann. An t go
mbodh feirm thailimh aige chaitheadh s bheith ag obair dhubh go dubh chun an chosa
dhanamh, agus chun fin agus p muiron a bhodh air do choth agus do chldach ar chuma
igin. An fear a bheartaodh tabhairt suas do chur ar mhac leis, do chaitheadh s dbailt oibre do
bhaint as fin agus as an gcuid eile den chlann chun an t-inne amhin sin do chur chun cnn. D
bhr sin, an buachaill a raghadh go Coliste Cholmin agus do thgfadh listn sa tsrid do fin, do
chaithfeadh s fin do choth gan punn rabairne, n bhadh agir aige dhanamh ar an muntir
a bheadh sa bhaile na dhiaidh, ag obair go cruaidh chun eisean do chur chun cnn.
F mar a bh na buachaill ag imeacht as na scoileannaibh tuatha bhodar san, n nch inadh, ag dul
chun deiridh agus ag dul in olcas. Do thuig mathairse in aigne nrbh aon mhaith dho me chimed
nba shia i gCeann Tuirc. Do shocraigh s in aigne gurbh fhearra dho me chur go Coliste
Cholmin im scolire lae. Do dhein s an n sin. Thugas bliain ar listn sa tsrid agus ag dul isteach
sa Choliste gach aon l. Nuair a thinig deireadh na bliana agus an triail comrtais, fachaint c
ghebhadh dul go Coliste Mhaghe Nuat do chuas isteach sa chomrtas chmh maith le cch.
Bh bntiste mhr ag na buachaillbh a bh na gcna istigh sa Choliste ar na buachaillbh a bh

amu ar listn, mar do bht ag mineadh na muntire istigh gach aon trthnna. Chuaigh ceathrar
agus tr fichid de sna buachaillbh isteach ar an gcomrtas san. Nuair a bh an triail danta do
fuaradh go rabhas-sa ar an gceathr duine. N raibh ach trir ann a bh n bfherr n me. N raibh
aon mhaith dhom sa mid sin, mar n raibh ach tr hinid folamh i Mgh Nuat an bhliain sin. Chuaigh
mathair ansan agus do labhair s leis an Easpag agus chuir s i gcumhne dho an socr a deineadh
nuair a hoscladh an Coliste. Mar gheall ar an socr san do thug an tEaspag inead saor sa Choliste
dhom i gcaitheamh na bliana a bh chinn, agus nuair a thinig an triail ars do chuas go Mgh
Nuat. Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad tr fichid a haon ab ea sin.
X: Sil na gCnuc
n uair a thosnaos ar na teangthachaibh dfhoghlaim i Magh Chromtha bhnn thuas sa bhaile go
minic. Thinn abhaile gach aon tSatharn, agus ansan thagainn anuas ars ar maidin D Luain. D
aghmais sin bhnn thuas sa bhaile nuair a tugt laethanta saoire do lucht na scoile. Do leanadh na
laethanta saoire cpla seachtain n tr. An fhaid a bhnn sa bhaile bhnn ag obair ar an bhfeirm
bheag i dteannta na cod eile den chlann. Thug san taith mhaith dhom ar gach aon tsaghas oibre
sclbhaochta dhanamh. Bhos balta ar rmhainn do limhseil n ar shluasaid do limhseil. N
hannamh a bh teinneas im ghagaibh agus im dhrom bheith ag baint fhir le speil, n ag baint
mhna le slen, n ag baint choirce le corrn. Bh fhios agam an m dias a dhanfadh teadhall
agus an m teadhall a dhanfadh drnn, agus an m drnn a dhanfadh punann. Bh fhios agam
conas siste do chasadh agus lithren arbhair do bhualadh, gach re mbuille i gcoinnibh buailtera
eile, agus mo bhuille do bhualadh ar an gcuma dob fherr chun an ghrinne bhaint as an dtu.
Uaireanta is ag aeireacht a curt mise nuair a bhodh an chuid eile ag obair. Deirt liom go
bhfadfainn bheith ag gabhil don leabhar i dteannta na haeireachta dhanamh. Is cumhin liom l
agus me ag danamh na haeireachta go bhfeaca gamhna iasachta i dteannta na mb. Thall ar an
mung mbig a bh na ba agam. Cheapas, n nrbh inadh, gur anoir bhuaibh na Cathairneach a
thinig na gamhna iasachta. Chromas ar na gamhna iasachta, dar liom, do dheighilt amach nr
mbuaibh fin agus do chomhint soir abhaile. N raighids soir dom. P dcheall a dhanfainn ar iad
a chomint soir n raighids soir dom. Chonaic an mhuntir eile me agus iad ag obair i bPirc na
43
X: Sil na gCnuc
hAbhann. Bhodar ag faire orm agus iad ag gir. Dnseadar dom ar ball gur linn fin na gamhna a
bh agam chomint chun siil. Is amhlaidh a bh na gamhna imithe as maithne toisc me bheith
as baile chmh mr. Do cast liom go minic na dhiaidh san an deard a dheineas. Sin , adeirt,
an buachaill nr aithin a ghamhna fin!
L igin eile d dtnag abhaile bh cpla gabhar le tabhairt aduaidh Leaba Dhiarmada.
Raghadsa agus tabharfad liom iad, arsa mise. Bh an fonn orm chun an chnuic do shil. Chuireas
an cnuc thuaidh dom. Do shuos ar Fhaill na bhFiach ag fachaint uaim sos agus ag fachaint im
thmpall ar na slibhtibh. Nuair a bh tamall maith caite ansan agam bhuaileas an cnuc siar agus
thugas tamall im shu in it eile. F dheireadh chuas sos go dt an it na raibh an d ghabhar.
Bhodar ceangailte dh chile. Chomineas rmham iad an cnuc suas i dtre go bhfadfainn teacht
cngar an chnuic abhaile le. Bfhearra dhom gurbh an tmpall a ghebhainn, soir go Carraig an
Stca, mar a raibh an cosn fm chois agam. N h sin a dheineas, ach aghaidh a thabhairt ar an
gcnuc. N raibh fhios agam go raibh oiread den l caite agam ag fachaint im thmpall. Um an
dtaca na rabhas fin agus na gabhair ar mhullach an chnuic bh s in oche dhubh. I dteannta
bheith in oche dhubh bh ce tagaithe ar an gcnuc. Leis an ndoircheacht agus leis an gce is ar
igin fhadainn na gabhair a dhfheiscint agus iad rmham amach ar an bhfionnn. Chromas ar an
dtalamh fm chosaibh agus im thmpall do bhreithni, chmh fada agus dfhadas sa doircheacht,
le heagla go raighinn am. Bh maghaidh, dar liom, lom dreach, sos ar an it na raibh r dtigh
fin. Bhodh an d ghabhar a diarraidh gabhil soir in inead gabhil siar dheas i dtre na hite na
raibh r dtigh, dar liomsa. Do thnag rmpu agus chasas anoir iad cpla uair. F dheireadh do
ritheadar uaim soir, agus nor fhadas teacht rmpu go dt gur chuadar isteach i gcls igin. Sid
gadhair ag amhastraigh lithreach. Do leanas na gabhair isteach sa chls. Bh doras an t ar
maghaidh amach. Thinig bean amach. C h sin? ar sise. Daithnos lithreach. Dnseas di
crbh me. Cailn de mhuntir Luasa ab ea . Nuair a bhos ag dul isteach sa chls san thabharfainn
an leabhar gur isteach i gcls Mhchl Bhreathnaigh thoir ar Gleann Daimh a bhos ag dul. Nuair a
chonac an tigh mheasas, bhos deimhnitheach de, gurbh tigh Mhchl Bhreathnaigh a bh agam.
Nuair a labhair an cailn liom is cad cheist a thinig chun maigne n Cad a thug anso i leith go
tigh Mhchl Bhreathnaigh sin? I ndiaidh chile do lirodh dom gurbh amhlaidh a bh meascn
meara tar is teacht orm. Is ag an d ghabhar a bh an ceart. Bhos-sa a diarraidh na ngabhar do
chomhint as an sl chir d n-ainnein. Chimed na gabhair mise ar an sl chir dom ainnein. D
dtugadh na gabhair mo shl fin dmhsa an oche sin, is siar chun Milln na Mna a thabharfaims
aghaidh, it a bh ln an uair sin de phollaibh doimhne uisce. N bheadh aon bhreith againn gan dul
isteach i bpoll igin acu. Gan aon dabht ar domhan do bf mise an oche sin mura mbeadh an d
ghabhar d a bheith ag taispeint na sl dom.
L igin, an fhaid a bhos ag dul ar scoil go Ceann Tuirc, thug mo neamhthuiscint fin cntirt eile
orm, agus ba rdhbair dom gan teacht saor as. Dfhgas Lios Caragin l Domhnaigh agus
disteas Aifreann i gCarraig an Ime. Ansan thugas aghaidh thuaidh bthar Shrid a Mhuillinn,
chun dul go Doire na Mna an oche sin agus bheith in am chun dul go Ceann Tuirc ar maidin D
Luain a bh chinn. Nuair a bhos ag gabhil Cim Carraige sos do chonac ar maghaidh anonn
Caislen Chille Mde agus cnuc Clra. Bh an l go hlainn agus an spir ana-ghlan. Duart liom
fin n raibh aon tera leis an radharc le brethacht a bheadh agam ar an ndthaigh go lir
mrthmpall d mbeinn ar mhullach an chnuic sin. Duart liom fin go bhfadfainn gabhil suas fan
an chaislein go brr an chnuic agus fachaint im thmpall, agus ansan rith le fnaidh sos isteach sa
tsrid, agus go mbeinn sa tsrid chmh luath, nch mr, agus d ngabhainn an bthar. Sid suas me
chun an chnuic chmh luath agus thnag ar aghaidh an chaislein. Nor shroiseas barra an chnuic
44
X: Sil na gCnuc
chmh luath agus mheasas do shroisfinn . Um an dtaca na rabhas ar bharra an chnuic bh an

ghrian i bhfad nba shia siar, agus sos, n mar a cheapas a bheadh s. Bh an radharc go bre gan
amhras. Bh Mullach an Ois agus Claeideach, agus na cnuic mhra eile go lir, laistiar dom agus
laisteas dom, agus iad
Ag bagairt a gcnn de dhrum a chile,*
agus gan aon bhlire ceigh orthu, ach iad chmh glan san gur dh le duine gur nite a bhodar. Bh
Muisire ar maghaidh soir agus chmh nite le. N raibh an cmhartha soininne air:
Ce ar Mhuisire s Clrach lom

An cmhartha soininne is ferr ar domhan.
Bh Dth Ealla go lir leata amach ansd fm shilibh, soir, agus thuaidh agus siar, agus an
ghrian ag taithneamh air, agus chmh bre chmh mr chmh leathan! Bh na cnucin bheaga
thos ag bun an chnuic, agus bodh go rabhadar rd go maith d mbeif laistos dobh, n mhothf
aon aoirde in aon chor iontu nuair a bheif ag fachaint sos orthu mhullach an chnuic. Ba dh
leat gur talamh leibhalta ar fad iad.
Ach bh an ghrian ag dridim rfhada sos chun na gcnuc a bh laistiar dom, agus do ritheas le
fnaidh sos i dtre na sride. Bh an tsl sos chun na sride nba shia n mar a mheasas, agus nba
chrosta go mr n mar a mheasas. Bigean dom clathacha mra chur dom, agus pirceanna
treafa, agus cumair a bh ln de sceachaibh, agus f dheireadh, nuair a bhos ag dul isteach sa tsrid
bh titim na hoche ann. Bh titim na hoche ann agus bh seacht mle, de mhltibh mra fada idir me
agus Doire na Mna, agus n raibh aithne agam ar inne i Srid an Mhullinn, n ag inne orm.
Thugas aghaidh ar an mbthar. Shilaos soir trd an srid go gar; thuaidh go Drisean; go
Droichead an Chaoil. Bhos ag cur an bhthair dom agus doircheacht na hoche ag mad. F
dheireadh do mhothaos an tuirse ag teacht orm. Ansan mhothaos an tart ag teacht orm. Ansan do
mhothaos me fin ag lag leis an ocras. Bhos gan aon bhlire bdh a dhithe fhgas an baile ar
maidin. Ach do chomineas liom. Um an dtaca go rabhas chmh fada soir thuaidh le Doire na
Gra bhos chmh buailte amach san gur shneas ar bharra chla an bhthair chun an tuirse chur
dom beagn. Bhos ar mo shuaimhneas ansan ar feadh tamaill. Ar ball do shamhlaos go rabhas ag
titim im chodladh. Lena lnn sin do mhothaos mar a bheadh codladh grfn ag rith trom ballaibh *
go lir. Do limeas suas. Thuigeas lithreach d dtiteadh mo chodladh i gceart orm ar mhullach an
chla sin gur marbh a gef ann me ar maidin. Sid chun bthair ars me. Bh elas na sl go maith
agam. Do shroiseas tigh Thomis U Laeire ar Doire na Mna. Bhodar gan dul a chodladh nuair a
shroiseas an tigh, bodh go raibh s i bhfad tar is a ddhag a chlog san oche. Bh driothir do
Thoms sa tigh. Diarmaid ab ainm do. Bh s fin agus mise ana-mhr lena chile. B an chad
duine a chonaic me ag teacht an doras isteach chuige. Bh inadh air cad a thug chmh danach
me. Bh inadh ba mh n san air nuair a fuair s gurbh ar igin a bh ionam labhairt leis. Do tugadh
mo dhthain le n-ithe agus le n-l dom lithreach. Chuas a chodladh, agus go deimhin do chodlas
go smh.
Nor nseas dinne cad a chuir an tuirse go lir orm, n conas mar ba dhbair dom fanint i mbarra
an chla ar thaobh an bhthair in aice shipil Dhoire na Gra. Nor nseas dinne in aon chor riamh
shin . Bh nire orm a thabhairt le r dinne go dtabharfainn a leithid de chrsa, gan gh gan
riachtanas.
45
X: Sil na gCnuc
T aon rud amhin, fach, a chuireann canncar mr anois orm agus at ag cur canncair orm riamh
shin. Ag machnamh dom na dhiaidh san ar an gcuma na mbds ag fachaint orm an oche sin,
nuair a mheasaids n bnn ag fachaint orthu, do buaileadh isteach im aigne gur mheasadar gurbh
amhlaidh a casadh cuideachta igin orm i Srid an Mhuillinn agus gur rugadar isteach i dtigh
tbhairne igin meagus gurbh sin a chimed amu chmh danach me, agus do chuir an tuirse
go lir orm agus do bhain mo chainnt dom!
Fach gurb uiriste agir a dhanamh ar dhuine! Go mr mr nuair a thugann duine fin an chaoi
chuige le beart igin mhchuosach.
XI: An Mhangarta
T s chmh maith agam a dhnsint san it seo conas mar a dheineas beart a bh mchuosach go
ler i bhfad sara ndeigheas isteach in aon scoil riamh ach amhin an scoil a thug mo mhthair dom.
Bhos, is d liom, tmpall deich mbliana dhaois, n bfhidir ag danamh ar bheith aon bhliain
dag. Bh tr n ceathair de cholanaibh beaga seasca ageam athair le cur siar go dt an Leitir
Cheanann, ar an gcnuc, i dtre go gcaithfids an samhradh ann agus go bhfgf an fhosaocht sa
bhaile ag na buaibh bainne. Bh fear oibre againn. Mchel Fineagin ab ainm do. Bh daitheacha
ag imirt ar an nduine mbocht. Dheanfadh s obair maith go ler ach n fhadfadh s rith. Dradh
leis na ba seasca do chomint leis siar go dt an cnuc. Dradh liomsa dul lena chois i dtre d
mbeadh na ba ag rith uaidh, a diarraidh teacht thar n-ais abhaile, go ndanfainnse rith agus teacht
rmpu dho.
Chomineamair linn iad, Daingean na Saileach siar; sos ar bhthar Chnuic an Iir; siar go Bal an
Gherrtha; siar tr Charraig an Adhmaid; siar chun an Mhuilinn. Ag an Muileann do chuamair
dheas thar an ndroichead. Ansan do chomineamair an bthar siar iad go Cil Aodha; fan Loch an
Bhogaigh siar; tr Dhoirn na Grine; agus siar go bun an chnucin mar a dtosnaonn an bthar ag
gabhil suas Cm na nag. Thinig tuirse ar Mhchel ag bun an chnuic sin. Duairt s liomsa aire
thabhairt do sna buaibh agus do shn an duine bocht ar thaobh an bhthair agus choidil s greas do
fin. N raibh aon locht ag na buaibh air sin. Bh far bre glas ar gach taobh den bhthar agus
ditheadar a ndthain de.
Nuair a bh a ghreas codlata danta ag Mchel agus greas maith innr danta ag na buaibh do
chomineamair linn ars iad; suas cliathn an chnuic go barra Chm na nag agus siar bthar
Neidn go dt gur shroiseamair an Leitir Cheanann, n, mar aduairt file igin n bean chaointe igin,
an Leitir n litear.
Chuamair isteach i dtigh na ndaoine go mba le an cnuc. Fuaramair rud le n-ithe agus le n-l go
fial. Bh s na thrthnna mhr luath. Dfhan Mchel istigh, ach do chuas-sa in ineacht le fear g
de mhuntir an t a bh chun na mb do chomint suas an cnuc chun na hite na rabhadar le fanint,
i dteannta na mb eile a bh ann ar an gcuma gcanna.
Bh bean n gcmharsanacht san psta, ar Pruthas, i bpariste Thuath na Droman, ag driothir athar
dmhsa. An fhaid a bhomair ag gabhil suas an cnuc bh radharc againn dheas ar na tithibh a bh
ar an dtaobh theas den ghleann. Chromas ar cheistichn ar an mbuachaill a bh lem chois dh
fhiafra dhe c bh na chna, sa tigh d tall,sa tigh eile d tallagus mar sin, go dt gur
ainmnigh s duine de mhuntir Thuama.
N fuil bean as an dtigh sin psta lastoir in it igin? arsa mise.
46
XI: An Mhangarta
T go dreach, ar seisean. T s psta ag fear de mhuntir Laeire thoir ar fad ar Pruthas.
Cad an ainm at ar an bhfear san? arsa mise.
Peadar Rua, a thugaid siad air, ar seisean.
Sin a raibh uaim. Dfhachas go gar ar an dtigh i dtre gur chuireas a chmhartha isteach im aigne
go daingean. Chomineamair linn suas na ba go dt gur chuireamair isteach i gcumar bhre chluthar
iad, mar a raibh a ln eile ba seasca, agus gairithean a thaithn le acu agus iad ag innor air go
suairc.
Bhomair ar an gcliathn thuaidh den Leitir n litear an uair sin agus bh radharc bre againn.
Bh gleann ana-dhoimhinn, ana-leathan lastuaidh dnn, agus cnuc ana-mhr, an-rd lastuaidh den
ghleann.
Cad an ainm at ar an gcnuc mr san? arsa mise.
Ar airs riamh teacht thar an Mangartain? ar seisean.
Dairos go minic, arsa mise. Mangarta an Cheigh a dhairnn in amhrnaibh air.
N miste Mangarta an Cheigh a thabhairt air go deimhin, ar seisean. Bonn an ce go trom agus
go dorcha air uaireanta.
Is dcha, arsa mise, go bhfuil radharc ana-mhr na bharra.
T, ar seisean, radharc ana-mhr na bharra. Ba dh leat go bfeicf ire go lir na bharra d

mbeadh an l glan.
T s ana-ghlan anois, arsa mise. N bheidh an ghrian ag dul f go ceann tamaill. Beidh aimsir r
ndthain againn chun dul suas go dt a bharra agus an radharc bre dhfheiscint. Tanam ort.
Dfhach s orm.
An bhfuil fhios agat, ar seisean, cad an fhaid at an cnuc san uait anois?
Ba dh liom, arsa mise, go bhfuil s dh mhle go maith uainn.
Dh mle! ar seisean agus inadh air. Is mid at an cnuc san uait anois, a mhic , ar seisean,
n deich mle; agus dob usa dhuit go mr fiche mle de bhthar a shil n an deich mle sin!
N duart a thuilleadh, ach dheineas ceapadh im aigne fin. Duart liom fin go n-ireinn ana-mhoch
ar maidin amireach a bh chinn agus go raghainn go barra an chnuic sin sara mbeadh Mchel
Fineagin as a leabaidh.
Thnamair abhaile. Chuas isteach sa tigh. Bh seanabhean ag cainnt istigh agus mheasas go raibh
fearg uirthi. Do buaileadh isteach im aigne gur doicheall a bh uirthi rmham. Nor leogas aon rud
47
XI: An Mhangarta
orm. Do shleamhnaos chun an dorais. Nor dheocair dom sleamhn chun an dorais, mar n rabhas
tar is dul i bhfad isteach n ndoras. Chmh luath agus fuaras me fin ar an dtaobh amu den doras
chuireas an talamh dom! Sos liom chun na glaise agus anonn thar glaise, agus suas, ar an dtaobh
theas den ghlaise agus den bhthar, chun t mhuntir Thuama. Chmh luath agus tnag isteach sa
chls, sid tr n ceathair de ghadhraibh ag amhastraigh orm. Sid beirt n trir om chosaint orthu.
Bhuaileas thrsu go lir isteach, idir ghadhraibh agus lucht cosanta. Bhuaileas suas chun na tine.
Bh s tamall beag tar is na hoche thitim. Nuair a shroiseas an tine chonac seanabhean bhre
mhr bhrothallach mhithriil agus na su ar fhuarma in aice na tine, i leith mo lmha cl.
Dfhachas uirthi agus dimos agus shuos ar chathaoir a bh ar an dtaobh eile den tine. Nor
labhras le hinne agus nor labhair inne liom, ar feadh tamaill. F dheireadh do labhair an bhean
mhr liom go bre simh sultmhar.
Sea, a gharsin, ar sise, cr ghabhais chinn?
Go deimhin, arsa mise, ba chir go n-aithnedh sibh me! agus do ghireas.
Nor labhair inne ar feadh tamaill eile, ach bh an bhean mhr ag cur na sl trom. F dheireadh do
labhair s ars.
Bfhidir gur anoir a ghabhais chinn? ar sise.
Is anoir, arsa mise, agus Peadar Ua Laoghaire is ainm dom.
Sea, a Pheadair U Laoghaire, ar sise, aithnm go maith anois tu. Mac do Dhiarmaid is ea thu.
Mac do Dhiarmaid is ea me, arsa mise.
Do cuireadh gach aon chir orm lithreach agus n baol gur mhothaos aon doicheall rmham. N
raibh aon bhlire doichill san it eile rmham ach chmh beag, p rud a chuir im aigne go raibh.
Chuas a chodladh. Ach bh an Mhangarta im aigne agam. Chmh luath agus chonac an chad
amhscarnach de sholas an lae ar maidin bhos im shu agus amu. Sid sos me go dt an bthar.
Nuair a thnag ar an mbthar dfhachas uaim thuaidh. N raibh aon radharc ar an Mangartain n
mbthar, ach bh fhios agam cad an tre ball na raibh an cnuc. Shilaos an bthar siar go dt
go rabhas, mar a mheasas, ar aghaidh an chnuic dheas, n, go dt go raibh, de rir mo
bhreithintais, an Mhangarta ar maghaidh thuaidh dreach. Ansan dimos isteach thar cla an
bhthair agus thugas maghaidh thuaidh trd an sliabh. Bh an talamh ana-gharbh, ana-
mhchothromach, ln de chlochaibh agus de thrtgaibh agus de phollaibh agus de
charraigreachaibh, ach do chomineas liom thuaidh dreach. Bh sruthin leathana dhoimhne
rmham le gabhil thrsu. Do stadainn uaireanta ar bruach sruthin acu ag fachaint sos ar na
breacaibh beaga a bhodh iontu thos, ag sceinnt anonn s anall, agus ag dul isteach f sna clochaibh
nuair a chds me. Ansan do chomininn liom thuaidh ars agus me ag faire chm, ag brath air
nrbh fhada go bhfeicfinn ceann mr ramhar na Mangartan ag ir chm de dhrum an chnuic ar a
rabhas ag sil. Ach bh an ghrian ag ir lastoir agus n raibh an Mhangarta ag ir lastuaidh. Bh
tigh mhuntir Thuama agus na tithe eile a bh sa chmharsanacht ag imeacht as mo radharc laisteas,
agus n raibh aon rud lastuaidh dom fs, n lastoir dom, n laistiar dom, ach an sliabh agus ln
de sna clochaibh agus de sna trtgaibh agus de sna carraigreachaibh. Bh an ghrian ag dridim suas
ar an spir lastoir agus an brothall ag tosn ar theacht aisti, agus bh tart ag teacht orm. Bhaineas
48
XI: An Mhangarta
deoch bre a ceann de sna sruthnaibh, agus chomineas liom thuaidh.
F dheireadh do chonac ceann mr ramhar na Mangartan ag ir chm. Dfhachas go gar air. Do

mheasainn go mbodh s ag suathadh agus ag guagadh agus dh luascadh fin anonn s anall in
aghaidh gach ciscim d dtugainn. Thuigeas go maith gurbh an fhaid a bh s uaim f nder an
luascarnach san, n a dheallramh. Chomineas liom thuaidh tamall eile go dt gur oscail an
gleann* mr leathan doimhinn fm thos lastuaidh dom, agus idir me agus an Mhangarta.
Bh tamall maith den mhaidin imithe um an dtaca san. Bh ocras ag teacht orm. Bhos suaite go
maith, agus tuirse orm agus allas orm, bheith ag sil trd an sliabh. Dfhachas ar an ngleann a bh
ansd ar leathadh ar maghaidh amach, agus dfhachas uaim thuaidh ar an Mangartainagus
chumhnos ar an deich* mle d a bh nba dheocra do shil n fiche mle. Ambasa ach do
chumhnos gurbh fherr gan dul a thuilleadh.
Ansan dfhachas im thmpall. Bh fhios agam go raibh Cm na nag ar maghaidh soir dreach,
agus go bhfadfainn cngar mr a dhanamh ach aghaidh a thabhairt soir. Bh fhios agam, leis,
nrbh fhada go mbuailfeadh tigh igin umam, agus nr bhaol n go bhfaighinn mo dhthain le n-
ithe ann. Sid soir me trd an sliabh. Bhos ag cur na sl dhom soir go dt gur mheasas nrbh fhidir
dom gan bheith ag teacht ar Chm na nag. Thnag ar chm, ach norbh Cm na nag . Clais
mhr fhada ab ea an cm, mar a bheadh gearradh mr fada leathan trd an sliabh, thuaidh agus
dheas, agus sruthn beag ag rith dheas trd an ngearradh, le titim an tailimh, agus bthar trd an
ngearradh, fan an tsruthin. Ba dh le duine gurbh rud an gearradh san, trd an sliabh, n
caidhsar a dhein an sruthn do fin, ach amhin go raibh an caidhsar rmhr, rleathan,
rdhoimhinn, agus an sruthn rshuarach. D mbeadh seachtain fearthana ann, fach, agus an
fhearthainn trom, n dich liom go mbeadh an sruthn rshuarach chun an chaidhsir a dhanamh.
Do stadas ar bruach an chaidhsir ar feadh tamaill. Bh cis staid agam. Bh an tsl imithe bhrig
liom. N raibh punn greama ag bonn na brige eile. Agus bh tuirse agus ocras orm. Bhos ag
fachaint an bthar thuaidh. Bh radharc i bhfad thuaidh agam, mar bh an bthar dreach agus
bh an it na rabhas rd go maith os cionn an bhthair agus os cionn an tsruthin. Norbh fhada go
bhfeaca ag gabhil chm an bthar aduaidh rud a chuir inadh agus alltacht orm. Bh an rud ag sil
ar ns duine. Ach n fheaca ar aon duine riamh a leithid de cheann le mid. Bh s ag sil ana-
ghar. F mar a bh s ag teacht i gcngar dom is ea ba mh a chonac an deallramh daonna air, ach
an ceann a bheith ag dul i mid go huathsach. Norbh fhada go bhfeaca go raibh adharca beaga ar
an gceann. Go luath tar is na n-adharc a thabhairt f ndeara dhom do thuigeas an scal go lir.
Bean a bh ann agus corcn ar a ceann aici, a ceann site suas i mbal an chorcin aici agus an
corcn ln dfhar thirim, i dtre n gortf an ceann, agus tr cosa an chorcin in irde mar
bheadh tr adhaircn.
Chmh luath agus thuigeas an mid sin do ritheas sos agus thar sruthn soir agus bhos na
coinnibh ar an mbthar um an dtaca na dtinig s suas.
Nor leogas blire orm i dtaobh na preibe do bh bainte aici asam.
Dia s Muire dhuit! arsa mise li.
Dia s Muire dhuit is Pdraig, a gharsin, ar sise; ach n aithnm thu. N d liom, ar sise, gur
inne de gharsnaibh na hite seo thu?
49
XI: An Mhangarta
N hea, arsa mise. Anoir Chluan Droichead is ea me, agus tim ag danamh cngair soir
abhaile. Tim ag tabhairt aghaidh soir ar Chm na nag. An bhfuil Cm na nag i bhfad soir as
so?
Dfhach s go gar orm.
Chluan Droichead! ar sise. Ailili! ar sise. Cm na nag! ar sise. Ansan, f mar bheadh a
hinadh curtha dhi aici, diompaigh s orm. Ach, ar sise, "t Cm na nag an-fhada soir as so,
agus t an tsl ana-gharbh ana-mhchothromach. Buail mar seo sos in ineacht liomsa agus cuirfead
ar an mbthar tu. T bthar bre ridh agat n gcrois seo thos soir go Cm na nag, agus as san
soir go dt muileann Bhaile Mhirne. Agus go deimhin is fada an bthar dhuitse le sil anois.
Chomineas liom sos lena cois. Norbh fhada go bhfeaca, thos ag an gcrois, fear agus bata na
limh aige agus ag crothadh an bhata chm go feargach. Mchel Fineagin a bh ann. Bh an
duine bocht tar is an lae chaitheamh om chuardach. Nuair irigh s ar maidin n raibh aon
tuairisc orm ag inne dho. Chonaic duine igin me ag dul anonn go tigh Mhuntir Thuama. Chuaigh
s anonn. N raibh aon tuairisc thall orm ach gur thugas an oche ann agus n feacaigh inne me ag
imeacht ar maidin. Thinig s anall. Thall n abhus n raibh aon tuairisc orm.
Cad a dhanfad in aon chor! ar seisean. Conas a thabharfad aghaidh ar a athair agus ar a
mhthair!
Imigh ort abhaile, arsa gach inne leis. Thoir sa bhaile rmhat a ghebhair , gabhaimse orm!
Ar an mbthar ag dul abhaile a bh s nuair a chonaic s chuige aduaidh an bthar d trd an

gcaidhsar me. Bh fearg air, ach ba mh an t-thas a bh air n an fhearg. N leogfadh s as a
radharc as san amach me go dt go rabhamair araon sa bhaile. Nuair a shroiseamair an baile bh
inadh ormsa. Nor labhair s oiread agus focal amach as a bhal chun aon ghearin a dhanamh
orm mar gheall ar an scannradh a chuireas air! N baol gur labhras fin ar an scal go dt i bhfad na
dhiaidh san.
XII: Ar Mhullach na Mangartan

I bhfad na dhiaidh san, leis, do chuas go mullach na Mangartan, ach is n dtaobh thuaidh a chuas in
irde air, Chll irne. Bhos nba shine agus nba threise an uair sin n mar a bhos an l a chuas
siar go dt an Leitir n litear. Bhos im aonar agus bh an l ana-bhre. Dfhgas Cnuc an
Eireabaill chmh luath agus bh mo bhrecfaist ite agam, agus chuireas gach aon chngar dom siar
dheas go dt go rabhas ag bun an chnuic. Ansan do chuardaos an cosn a bh, mar a hnseadh
dom, bhun an chnuic suas go dt a bharra, an cosn a deineadh ann f chosaibh na ndaoine
iasachta a thagadh ann chun Cll irne agus na radharcanna bretha at tmpall air a dhfheiscint.
Chmh luath agus do thnag ar an gcosn do chomhineas liom suas. Nuair a thagadh an saothar
orm, tr dhine an chnuic, do stadainn agus dfhachainn im thmpall ar an ndthaigh a bh laistiar
dom. Bh an radharc san ag leathn agus ag dul i mbrethacht f mar a bhos ag dridim suas. Nuair
a bhos tamall maith suas bh an radharc chmh bre chmh mr chmh leathan sin* go stadadh
manl orm nuair fhachainn im thmpall air. F dheireadh do shroiseas an fiaradh. Do stadas
ansan tamall maith ag fachaint im thmpall. Dob uathsach an radharc ! Bh an l chmh glan le
criostal. Bh scamaill bheaga bhna ar an spir, ach bhodar an-fhada suas agus bh an t-aer fthu
gan aon bhlire ceigh ann, i dtre gur fhadas an talamh, agus na pirceanna, agus na collte, agus
cuid de sna haibhnbh, agus cuid de sna teampallaibh, agus an chuid de sna tithibh cnaithe n raibh
50
r-fhada uaim, a dhfheiscint go soilir. Bh Cll irne ansd thos im aice, chmh cngarach san
dom, dar liom, go measainn go bhfadfainn marg chloiche do chaitheamh sos isteach sa tsrid
bheag.
Ar adan an chnuic is ea bhos an uair sin. Bh an titim lasmu dhom agus a leithid dfhnaidh
ann go measainn d scaoilinn cloch sos n stadfadh s go dt go mbeadh s ag bun an chnuic. Bh
barra an chnuic go bre leathan leibhalta laistiar dom, agus gur dh leat nuair a dhridf isteach air
nch ar mhullach cnuic a bheif in aon chor ach ar ridh bhre leathan. Do dhrideas isteach air. N
raibh aon choinne agam, go dt go rabhas ag sil air anonn s anall ar an gcuma san, go raibh an
mullach chmh bre fada fairseag. Bh na cnuic mhra eile, agus na cnuic bheaga ar a measc,
laistiar agus laisteas agus lastoir dom. Ba dh leat n raibh sa chuid eile acu ach cruicega bheaga
seochas an beithoch cnuic a bh fm chosaibh. N raibh ach Corrn Tuathail, a bh ansd laistiar
dom, go raibh aon tagar n aon aoirde ann, dar liom. Bh an D Ch agus Mullach an Ois lastoir
dom, agus dfhachadar ana-shuarach. Dfhachas dheas fachaint an aithneinn an Leitir n
litear. Do theip orm glan aon phioc d dheallramh a dhanamh amach i measc na sliabh eile. N
raibh san it ar fad ach grathain slibhte. Bh radharc siar dheas agam ar na hinbhiribh at ag
teacht isteach n bhfarraige idir na cnucaibh, i dtre gur dh le duine gurb amhlaidh a bheadh na
cnuic ag dul f uisce, agus nrbh fhada go mbeadh an fharraige os a gcionn; n gurb amhlaidh a
bheadh na cnuic ag ir as an uisce, agus nrbh fhada go mbeadh an fharraige imithe siar ar fad
amach as na gleanntaibh sin at idir na cnucaibh. Ag fachaint orthu dhom thugas f ndeara
lithreach an choslacht chrunn at idir an radharc a chonac ansd, idir chnucaibh agus uisce, agus
an radharc a chonn inne nuair fhachann s ar an gcinne thiar theas de mhapa na hireann ar
fhalla th scoile*. Nor fhadas gan fanint tamall maith ag fachaint ar an mapa d at ansd anois,
agus nch fios dmhsa n dinne eile cad an fhaid at cuireadh ann .
Tar is me bheith tamall maith ag fachaint air agus ag machnamh air, diompaos agus bhuaileas
soir trd an ridh bhre leathan ar an mullach. N fada soir a chuas nuair a baineadh rdgheit asam.
Do chonac ar maghaidh amach poll mr leathan doimhinn, sos in sa chnuc. B saghas pull
dreach n an poll a bheadh ann d mbamhlaidh a bainf ceann de Chochaibh Danann anos a lr
na Mangartan agus an Ch sin do chaitheamh thall in aice na Cche eile, mar a bhfuil s anois, an
taobh a bh suas di, sa chnuc, ar an dtalamh, agus an ceann caol di, a bh sos sa chnuc, suas anois.
Ba dh leat, d dtgf n dtalamh ars agus chur isteach sa pholl, an ceann caol di sos, go
lonfadh s an poll agus go mbeadh mullach na Mangartan na ridh bhre leathan, ar aon leibhal
thaobh taobh, mar a bh s sarar tgadh an cnuc eile sin anos as.
M fhanas tamall maith ag fachaint siar ar na slibhtibh agus ar na hinbhiribh in iarthar ireann,
Bhaoi Bharra go hinbhear Neidn agus go hinbhear Thr L agus go hinbhear an Daingin, do
thugas tamall ba mh n ag fachaint uaim sos sa pholl d gur baineadh, dar liom, an choch ba
ghiorra dhom de Dh Chch Danann anos as uair igin fad. Nor fhadas dul r-achomair don
pholl. Bh an titim na bhruach sos rdhreach agus d dtinn r-imeallach ar an mbruach ba bhaol
dom go n-imedh an fd m chosaibh agus go scaoilf le fnaidh me. Thnag chmh hachomair,
fach, agus go raibh radharc agam ar an loch uisce at thos i mbun an phull. Fachann an loch san
go fada sos agus go grnna agus go huaigneach agus go dubh.
Shamhlaos gurbh amhlaidh a bh draocht igin ag an loch san d imirt ar mo shilibh, dfhanas
chmh fada san ag fachaint sos air. Nuair fhachainn im thmpall tamall, soir ar an D Ch n
dheas ar na hinbhiribh, norbh fhada go n-iompaodh mo shile thar n-ais ars, agus sos ar an loch
grnna dubh d. Dfhachainn anonn ar an dtaobh thoir den pholl agus chnn radharc lainn ann,
51
taobh an phull na sheasamh thall, ar maghaidh anonn agus an ghrian ag taithneamh air agus
scileanna na scamall mbeag leata amach air agus iad ag gluaiseacht fan go bre ridh, dreach
mar a bh na scamaill bheaga fin ag gluaiseacht thuas os mo chionn ar an spir. Ansan, nuair
fhachainn sos ars ar an loch, agus nuair a chuirinn cor dom anonn n anall, shamhlann go
mbodh an loch, agus bun an phull ar fad, ag suathadh agus ag luascarnaigh anonn s anall, dreach
mar a bhodh mullach an chnuic fin nuair a bhos ag fachaint air aneas n Leitir n litear.
Nuair a bhnn cortha de bheith ag fachaint sos ar an loch grnna dubh agus anonn ar an dtaobh
thoir den pholl, agus om shuathadh fin anonn s anall go bhfeicfinn an luascarnach laistos,
dfhachainn uaim thuaidh ar an ndthaigh bhre a bh leata amach lastuaidh dom. Bh um an
dtaca san an bhreacarnach channa ar an ndthaigh sin a bh ar an dtaobh thoir den pholl, mar bh
na scamaill bheaga tar is iad fin do leathadh amach ar an spir go lir, agus bh na scileanna
beaga leata amach ar an ndthaigh go lir. N fheaca riamh roimis sin, agus n fheaca riamh shin,
radharc chmh bre leis an radharc a bh leata fm shilibh nuair a bhos ag fachaint siar agus
thuaidh agus soir ar an ndthaigh sin, agus an bhreacarnach san, sctha agus solais, ar leathadh air.
Bh an bhreacarnach channa ar an spir thuas, os cionn na dtha, ach so a bheith de dheifrocht idir
an mbreacarnach thuas agus an bhreacarnach thos, .i. an rud ba scth laistos gur sholas lastuas ,
agus an rud ba sholas laistos go mba scth lastuas . Scamaill gheala ab ea na scamaill bheaga a bh
ar an spir agus bhodar nba ghile n mar a bh an spir na dtmpall. Trd an spir a bh gan
scamall a thagadh solas na grine anuas, agus an scamall beag geal is chuireadh an scth ar an
dtr laistos de.
Thugas oiread san aimsire ag fachaint ar na radharcannaibh bretha san, ar na slibhtibh agus ar na
hinbhiribh laisteas dom, ar an ndthaigh, n hea, ach ar na dthabh mra leathana lastuaidh dom,
ar an bpoll uathsach a bh ansd ageam chosaibh, ar an loch dubh draochta a bh ansd thos, ag
suathadh agus ag luascarnaigh, i mbun an phull, agus ar an mbreacarnach sctha agus solais a bh
orthu go lir, go raibh an trthnna ag teacht sarar thinig aon phioc d chumhneamh chm go
raibh Cnuc an Eireabaill tamall maith soir thuaidh uaim, agus go gcaithfinn dul ann i gcmhair na
hoche. Ansan fin ba rdheocair liom imeacht n radharc. Ag dul i mbrethacht a bh an radharc f
mar a bh an ghrian ag dridim sos agus an solas ag athr; an solas ag lag agus na scthanna ag
dorch; agus an loch thos i mbun an phull ag dchtaint tuilleadh agus ag dul, ba dh le duine,
tuilleadh fn ndraocht. Thugas iarracht ar imeacht. Do stadas tamailln eile. Thugas iarracht eile ar
imeacht agus do stadas tamailln chun aon fhachaint amhin eile thabhairt im thmpall orthu go
lir. F dheireadh do ritheas as an it.
Busa go mr agus ba shaorid teacht an cnuc anuas n dul suas. Mar sin fin bhos tamall maith ag
teacht anuas mar, an fhaid a lean an radharc leathan, n fhadainn gan stad anois agus ars chun mo
shile do shsamh air. Um an dtaca na rabhas ag bun an chnuic bh an oche ann, i dtre gurbh ar
igin a bh solas mo dhthain agam chun na Fleisce do ghabhil. Do ghabhas , fach, gan mo chosa
do fhliuchadh, agus chomineas liom thuaidh go dt gur chuireas mo chos ar bhthar Chille irne.
Bh an oche dhubh ann um an dtaca san; ach bh an oche go bre agus go ciin, agus norbh fhada
gur irigh an ghealach. Nuair a bh an ghealach na su agus an solas agam ba chuma liom an oche
n an l agam. Chomineas liom an bthar soir. Thnag go dt it na raibh falla mr rd cloiche ar
an dtaobh thuaidh den bhthar, ar mo limh chl, agus seanachaislen laistigh den fhalla. Do
hnseadh dom cpla l roimis sin go raibh drochainm ar an seanachaislen agus ar an it sin den
bhthar; go bhfeict pca n sprid n rud igin mndrtha den tsrd san ann. Bh s ag danamh
amach ar uair an mhen oche nuair a thnag go dt an it. Bhos ag cumhneamh ar an bpca, ach
m bhos n le haon eagla roimis an bpca . Bhos dh r im aigne gur mhr an dth cille do
52
dhaoine bheith dh mheas go bhfadfadh pca bheith san oche ann ach chmh beag agus
bheids ann i lr an lae. Lena lnn sin sid chm an bthar anoir ainmh igin uathsach agus ar
cos in irde go dian. Bh crann ar gach taobh den bhthar san it, i dtre nr fhadas in aon chor a
dhanamh amach cad an saghas ruda an t-ainmh. Bh baitn beag im limh agam. Drdaos an
baitn d lughead agus d shuara . Do rith an t-ainmh chm go dt go raibh s ar maghaidh
amach. Dreach agus ag gabhil thorm siar do leagadh ar an mbthar . Dirigh a leath agus
ghoibh s siar ar cos in irde agus dfhan an leath eile ar an mbthar. Bhos ag inichadh ar an leath
a bh ar an mbthar. Ach nor fhadas a dhanamh amach cad an saghas ruda . Lena lnn sin
dirigh s den bhthar agus dhein s orm.
Fan uaim amach! arsa mise, p rud tu! agus mo bhaitn in irde agam.
Do labhair s.
mhuise! ar seisean, go mbrisidh an D ---l do chosa, mar asal! agus ag fachaint an bthar
siar i ndiaidh an ruda a bh imithe siar ar cos in irde. Gabhaim prdn agat! ar seisean liomsa.
Is amhlaidh a chaitheas me fin anuas den bhithinach asail sin. Do leagas daon ghn chun
teacht anuas de. Ag dul soir go Srid an Mhuillinn atim. Dfhgas Cll irne um thrthnna chun
dul soir go Srid an Mhuillinn. Bhos chmh fada soir leis an mBarra Dubh nuair a bhuail an t-asal
san umam ar an mbthar. Do rugas air agus do limeas in irde air chun bhreith liom agus
marcaocht a bheith agam as tamall den bhthar. Chmh luath agus bhos socair in irde air agus
do fuair s n fadfadh s me chaitheamh de, cad a dhein s ach iompil an bthar siar! Nor
fhadas chasadh toisc gan srian n ceannrach a bheith agam air. Bharfadh s siar isteach go Cll
irne me ars mura mbeadh me dh leagadh ansan ar an mbthar. Do rugas ar chluais air a
diarraidh chasadh soir, agus is amhlaidh a leagas , an rgaire bithinaigh!
Ansan dinis s dhom crbh agus cad an gn a bh soir go Srid an Mhuillinn aige. thigh na
mbocht i gCll irne dob ea a thinig s agus go tigh na mbocht i Srid an Mhuillinn a bh s ag
dul. Garsn cheithre mblian ndag n chig mblian ndag ab ea . Cheap s an agir a dhanamh
ar an asal agus thug an t-asal cor in aghaidh an cham do.
Chomineamair araon linn ansan an bthar soir, agus dheineamair cuideachtanas d chile go dt
gur shroiseamair an bithrn thuaidh chun an t ar Cnuc an Eireabaill mar a raibh mo ghaoltasa na
gcna agus mar a raibh mo thriall i gcmhair na hoche. Do scaramair le chile ar an it sin. N
fheaca riamh shin be n marbh.
N raibh s ach tamall beag roim l nuair a shroiseas an baile. Bh muntir an t na gcodladh, n
nrbh inadh. Do fgadh bia agus deoch im chmhairse in aice na tine. Ditheas an bia agus dlas
an deoch. Ansan duart mo phaidreacha agus chuas a chodladh. N baol n gur chodlas go smh.
Eidiraisnis is ea an mid sin cainnte at rite i dtaobh na cuarda san a thugas go Mangartain an
aeir aoibhinn, mar aduairt an file. An Leitir n litear f ndeara dhom cumhneamh ar an gcuaird
sin. Do chuas suas aon uair amhin eile go mullach na Mangartan, tamall maith i ndiaidh an lae sin,
ach n raibh an l chmh bre n an spir chmh glan, agus bh daoine lem chois, agus nor fhach
an radharc chmh hlainn in aon chor, n chmh hoirirc, n chmh huasal, agus bh s an chad l
d a chonac . Is dcha gur l mar an l san a bh ag an bhfile thuas air nuair a thug s Mangarta an
aeir aoibhinn ar an gcnuc. Dairos fin Mangarta an Cheigh, thabhairt ar an gcnuc gcanna in
amhrn eile. Is eagal liom gur minic go mr a bhonn an cnuc na Mhangartain cheigh, n mar a
53
bhonn s na Mhangartain aeir aoibhinn.
XIII: Mgh Nuat.

Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad tr fichid a haon is ea do chuas sos go Coliste Mhaghe
Nuat chun mo tharma aimsire do chaitheamh ann om ollmh chun bheith im shagart.
B dl an Choliste an uair sin go gcaithfeadh duine ocht mbliana, n seacht mbliana, n s bliana,
do chaitheamh ann, ag foghlaim na n-ealaon a bheadh riachtanach do i dtre go mbeadh an t-elas
ceart aige chun go ndanf sagart de. Do curt triail ar na hgnaigh ag dul isteach dibh, in
aghmais na trialach a chuireadh na hEaspaig amu orthu. D dtaispenadh an triail nr gh don
gnach na hocht mbliana do chaitheamh istigh do maithf bliain do. Ansan, d dtaispenadh an
triail nr gh dho na seacht mbliana do chaitheamh istigh do maithf obair dh bhlian do. Do
maitheadh obair dh bhlian dmhsa. Ba mhr an tairbhe dhom sin mar t aer na hite ana-dhian ar
shlinte na mbuachaill a thann isteach ann n dtuaith. Do bh s dian orthu an uair sin pr
domhan . N fheadar an bhfuil aon fheabhas tar is dul air n n fuil. Chuaigh buachaill bretha
mra lidre isteach ann an bhliain channa do chuas-sa isteach. Chmh luath agus bh bliain caite
istigh acu bh cuid acu seirgthe go maith. Nuair a thids abhaile i gcaitheamh rithe an tSamhraidh
do chuirids an fheil suas ars agus thagadh a neart dibh. Ach dimodh an fheil agus an neart
ars nuair a bhds roinnt aimsire tar is teacht thar n-ais. Nuair a bhodh deireadh na haimsire caite
agus iad ag dul amach na sagartaibh crochnaithe bhodh na cnmha lom go maith acu go lir, go
mr mr ag an gcuid acu do tgadh ar an dtuaith. An chuid acu do tgadh in sna srideannaibh n in
sna bailtibh mra, n ghoilleadh an it istigh chmh mr in aon chor orthu. N bhodh an neart iontu,
thosach, a bhodh in sna fearaibh ga a thagadh n dtuaith, ach an mid nirt a bhodh acu do
chimedaids i gcaitheamh na haimsire. Bhds lag, neambroch, i gcmparid le buachaillbh na
tuatha, ar dtis; ach ag danamh amach ar dheireadh na haimsire bhds sin ar an gcuma gcanna
nch mr, agus bhodh an t-anam sladaithe, n geall leis, as an mbuachaill a thinig isteach n
dtuaith.
Thagadh buachaill ana-chalma isteach ann Chntae Thiobraid rann. Is cumhin liom buachaill a
thinig isteach an bhliain channa a chuas fin isteach. Bh s os cionn s troithe ar aoirde, agus bh
s chmh cmtha chmh crach san na dhanamh gur bhre liom bheith ag fachaint air agus ag
sil in ineacht lena chomrdaithibh. Bhodar go lir rd go maith, dea-chmtha go maith, ach do
mheasainn go mbodh a cheann agus leath a mhuinl suas glan os a gcionn go lir. Bh neart
uathsach ann. Bh s fin agus trir eile buachaill l ag imirt chluiche le liathrid lmha. Bh ainm
an nirt go lir air. Thug an trir eile cogar d chile go mbarfaids i dtrir air agus go leagfaids .
Bhos fin ag fachaint ar an imirt. N raibh punn maitheasa riamh ionam chun aon chluich
gleacaochta den tsrd san. Ba gherr go bhfeaca an trir ag breith isteach ar an inne amhin. Bh a
lmha tmpall an chum air ag beirt acu, agus bh greim ar ghlinibh air ag an dtr duine. Do lb an
fear lidir a ghlinibh*, agus do leog s sos fin go dt go raibh an bheirt uachtarach daingean
aige fna dh oscaill, agus greim lena dh limh aige ar dh cheathrin an fhir ochtaraigh. Ansan
do dhrigh s suas fin agus thg s an trir in ineacht glan* n dtalamh agus shilaigh s
mrthmpall na cirte le. Nuair a leog s uaidh iad dob igean dibh su sos ar feadh tamaill chun
teacht chthu fin n bhfscadh a thug s dhibh. Agus n raibh s ach ag gir an fhaid a bh an
gnomh san aige dhanamh. Agus fir luatha lidre chumasacha ab ea an trir.
Sea, ar seisean, nuair a leog s uaidh iad, an beag libh den sprt?
Mheasamair, arsa duine acu, go mbeadh s le r againn gur leagamair thu. Ach cad ba gh dhuit
54
XIII: Mgh Nuat.
me dhfhscadh chmh mr? Bhainis manl dom, agus is ar igin at ionam labhairt fs!
Tu fin f nder , arsa duine eile acu leis an bhfear a labhair. Mura mbeadh tusa n
thabharfaims f in aon chor. T teinneas im dhrom agus suas im chl fs!
Bh cath ar an bhfear mr nuair a chonaic s an cs na rabhadar, agus bh s ag gabhil a

leathscil le agus dh r nr mhothaigh s an neart san aige chur sa bhfscadh; nr mheas s gur
thug s dhibh ach an fscadh do chimedfadh a ghreim orthu chun iad do thgaint n dtalamh.
Dar fia, arsan tr duine acu, ach d bhfiscth a thuilleadh mise bhos marbh agat!
Cpla bliain na dhiaidh san do chonacsa an fear san agus is rbheag an neart a bh ann. Do gholl
aer na hite air agus do gholl an bia air, agus do thit s i gceann a chos. Bigean do dul abhaile.
Bh s r-imithe, fach, sarar chuaigh s abhaile. N raibh s i bhfad sa bhaile ag mhuntir nuair
imigh s abhaile ar an soraocht, gura maith an mhaise dho !
Duart gur gholl aer na hite air. Do gholl. Ach norbh aon inadh sin. T an it r-seal agus t an
chanil ag gabhil tr lr na tre, siar, lasmu dfhalla an Choliste, agus fliuchann ce na canile sin
an t-aer i dtre go mbonn an t-aer mfhollin do chliabh an duine, agus go msclann s an uile
shaghas galair clibh ann.
Ach duart gur gholl an bia air. Ba mh dinadh an ghoilliint sin n an ghoilliint eile. Tugtar, n
do tugt an uair sin ar aon chuma, an chaoireil ab fherr dr bhlais aon daonna riamh le n-ithe
dhinn. Norbh fhidir aon locht fhil uirthi. N l n mar ab fhidir aon locht fhil ar an arn a
tugt dhinn. Ach d fheabhas a bhodh idir fheil agus arn n dheinids punn tairbhe do chuid
againn. An chuid againn a thadh isteach n dtuaith n bhodh taith ar an bhfeil againn. An grinne
agus an prta agus an bainne is ea bhodh againn sa bhaile ar fad. N bhodh an fhoil le fil ach go
hannamh, n bfhidir go r-annamh. Ansan, nuair a thims isteach sa Choliste n bhodh le fil
ach an fheil ar fad. Bhodh an t-aer bre follin agus an bia ar ar tgadh sinn fgtha nr ndiaidh
lasmu againn. Bhodh an bia laistigh go hana-mhaith, ach n har an mbia sin a tgadh sinn. N
bhodh an taith againn air. N thadh s chun sochair dinn. Bhodh a rian air, nuair a thagaims
abhaile ar r laethantaibh saoire sa tsamhradh, is ar igin aithnodh r mithreacha sinn, bhms ag
fachaint chmh lom chmh mltheach chmh hocrach san.
An fhaid a bhms sa bhaile bhodh r ndthain ars againn den bhia ar ar tgadh sinn, an t-arn
coirce agus an t-arn cruithneachtan n muileann, an t-ubh circe agus an t-ubh lachan, an
leamhnacht agus an bainne ramhar agus an bhlthach, an prta agus an goblach, agus an blire
bagin anois is ars. Bin an bia a thadh chun sochair dinn. Do chuirims suas an fheil ars go
tiubh, agus na pluic, agus thagadh an neart agus an fuinneamh ars ionainn, i dtre, nuair a bhodh
an tr mh laethanta saoire caite agus thims thar n-ais go dt an Coliste, gurbh ar igin
aithnds* na huachtarin sinn, agus gurbh ar igin aithnms a chile.
Chuireas fin an chad bhliain dom ann gan aon lic a theacht im shlinte, bodh go rabhas ana-lom
nuair a thnag abhaile sa tsamhradh. Chuas thar n-ais sa bhfmhar agus me lidir go maith. N
rabhas i bhfad istigh, fach, nuair a thosnaigh an goile ar bheith ag cur orm. As san amach bigean
dom cuid mhaith dem aimsir do chaitheamh i dtigh na n-easln ann, agus nor fhadas a thabhairt
daireachas dom chuid linn ach oiread agus bharfadh saor me tr gach scrd f mar a thagadh
s. Bhodh an tr mh go bre fada agam sa tsamhradh, agus ba bheag n go leighseadh san an mid
55
XIII: Mgh Nuat.
dobhla a bhodh danta ag an gcuid eile den bhliain.
I gcaitheamh na s mblian a thugas sa Choliste sin bhnn ag machnamh go minic ar na colistbh

d a bh in irinn i dtosach aimsire. N bhodh aon tithe bretha mra slinne an uair sin ag
minteirbh n ag macaibh linn. Is amhlaidh a bhodh a thigh beag fin ag gach inne, tigh beag
deas cluthar agus don maith tu air agus gan de thrioscn istigh ann ach an brd agus an leabaidh
agus cpla cathaoir bfhidir, agus an tnten. nstear dinn gur ghnth leis na macaibh linn bheith
ag dul amach mrthmpall ar fuaid na cmharsanachta ag solthar an bhainne dhibh fin. N raibh
na falla bretha na dtmpall, mar a bh nr dtmpallne, ach measaim gurbh fherr an tslinte a
bhodh acu n an tslinte a bhodh ag macaibh linn Choliste Mhaghe Nuat, an fhaid a bh aithne
agamsa ar an it, ar aon chuma. Bfhidir go bhfuil an scal nos ferr anois acu.
XIV: Baol ar an nGaelainn

An fhaid a bhos-sa sa bhaile agus gan taith n elas agam ach ar na cmharsain a bh im thmpall i
bpariste Chluan Droichead agus i bpariste Bhaile Mhirne, nor thinig l d chumhneamh riamh
chm go raibh aon bhaol ar an nGaelainn. Ach nuair a chuas isteach sa Choliste agus chuireas
aithne ar bhuachaillbh a tgadh in iteannaibh eile, agus nuair a fuaras n raibh aon fhocal
Gaelainne acu, bh inadh agus alltacht orm. Ansan is ea do buaileadh isteach im aigne go raibh an
Ghaelainn ag imeacht; go mbeadh s ag imeacht f mar a bheadh na seandaoine ag imeacht agus na
daoine ga ag teacht; go n-iredh sliocht agus an d theanga * acu, Gaelainn agus Barla in
ineacht; ansan go n-iredh sliocht i ndiaidh an tsleachta san, agus gan aon fhocal Gaelainne acu.
Nuair a buaileadh an mid sin isteach im aigne thinig uaigneas thar brr orm agus brn agus ceann
f. Ba bheag n gurbh fherr liom imeacht go dt dthaigh igin iasachta, agus mo shaol do
chaitheamh agus do chrochn ann, n bheith in irinn agus ire ag iompil na dthaigh iasachta.
Dar liom norbh ire in aon chor nuair a bheadh s gan aon fhocal Gaelainne d labhairt inti.
Is rud a thinig dom as an machnamh, agus as an mbrn agus as an uaigneas, n gur shocraos im
aigne, p rud a dhanfadh aon duine eile, go gcimedfainn fin mo chion den Ghaelainn gan dul ar
neamhn. Chromas lithreach ar bheith ag r na Corinneach Muire as Gaelainn f mar a deirims sa
bhaile , agus f mar a deirims thuaidh ar Doire na Mna an fhaid a bhos ann. Do chimed san
me gan dul as taith na cainnte. Do chromas, leis, ar bheith ag l na Gaelainne dhom fin as na
leabhraibh Gaelainne a gheibhinn i leabharlann an Choliste, agus do scrnn sos aon rud a
thaithneadh liom i leabhar beag a bhodh im pca agam.
Bhnn ag danamh na hoibre sin, ach, trd agus trd, bhnn coitianta dh fhiafra dhom fin an raibh
aon mhaith im ghn; n an bhfadfadh mo dhcheall cosc do chur leis an meathl a bh ar an
nGaelainn. Bh a ln ruda os cmhair mo shl, im thmpall, a bh coitianta chur na lu ar maigne
gur bhaoth mo ghn. An chuid ba mh de sna buachaillbh eile, nuair a chds an obair a bhodh ar
sil agam, n dheinids ach a gceann do chrothadh agus gire dhanamh agus scaoileadh liom. I
ndiaidh ar ndiaidh do thuigeas im aigne go mbfhidir go raibh deard agam dhanamh. Chnn
gach inne a diarraidh fin do chur ar aghaidh agus do bheacht in elas agus i gclisteacht agus i
gcumas ar an mBarla. Cad fhadfadh inne amhin a dhanamh?
I ndiaidh chile do mhaolaigh an dogras ionam agus thugas aghaidh ar na gnthabh a bhain le
hobair an Choliste i mBarla agus i Laidin agus sa bhFrainncis. Do leanas, fach, ar mo Chorinn
Mhuire do r as Gaelainn nuair a bhnn ag dul a chodladh. Do scrnn sos im leabhar scrbhinne,
anois agus ars, blire beag Gaelainne nuair a bhuaileadh s umam. Is cumhin liom conas mar a
bhos l ag fachaint ar leabhar Gaelainne sa leabharlann. Chonac ar chimhais leathanaigh ann an
56
dn beag so:
A choluim an cheil bhrnaigh sa ndn dubh thall,

Is doilbh an rimh nsmhar san ft go fann.
Tulach U Righ mhrga na mrtha meann
Gan choire, gan sprt selta, gan lbadh lann!*
Thuigeas gurb amhlaidh a bh an file ag fachaint uaidh ar sheanachaislen bhriste igin, agus go
bhfeacaigh s colr na sheasamh in irde ar bharra an tseanachaislein agus C-! c-! aige,
agus gur bheartaigh an file in aigne an colr san a bheith ag amh s ag osnaol, ag caoineadh na
huaisleachta a bh ar an gcaislen san sarar deineadh seanachaislen briste dhe. N raibh aon tuairisc
sa leabhar, n ar chimhais an leabhair, ar cad an caislen n ar c raibh s. Bhos fin
chumhneamh go mbfhidir gur Tulach U Ruairc ba cheart a bheith sa dn agus gurbh ar
sheanachaislen igin le Brian na Mrtha do chonaic an file an colr.
Nuair a bh s ag dul na lu ar maigne n raibh ach cailliint aimsire dhom ann, bheith ag casadh
le haon rud a dhanamh a chuirfeadh cosc leis an meathl a bh ag cur na Gaelainne as an saol, do
chonac i leabhar igin cainnt aduairt Eghan Camhra i dtaobh na hoibre a bh aige fin agus ag
cuid de lucht a chmhaimsire dhanamh, .i. go rabhadar ag cruinni agus ag mni na seana-
Ghaelainne a bh in sna leabhraibh a scrodh fad, i dtre, nuair a bheadh an Ghaelainn a bh d
labhairt imithe as an saol, go mbeadh fuollach igin n iarsma igin fgtha in irinn na diaidh.
Dar fia, arsa mise im aigne, m bhodar sd chmh deimhnitheach, agus an Ghaelainn chmh
be agus a bh s an uair sin, go raibh s ag dul chun bis agus n raibh aon bhreith acu fin, d
fheabhas irim aigne a bh acu, ar chimed bhs, cad darfaids d mbeids be an uair seo
agus go bhfeicfids conas mar at an Ghaelainn imithe a breis agus leath an oilein! M thuigeadar
sd n raibh aon bhreith acu fin ar an meathl do chosc an uair sin, cad darfaids leis an t a
mheasfadh go mbeadh aon bhreith ag inne ar an meathl do chosc anois!
B crch an mhachnaimh agam gur stadas. Ach, mar aduart, do leanas ag r na Corinneach
Muire as Gaelainn.
Le lnn na haimsire sin do thrla go raibh buon de sna macaibh linn a bhodh d dtabhairt in
ineacht isteach i halla mr gach aon trthnna, chun roinnt foghlama dhanamh ar conas Barla
do l agus do scr agus do labhairt mar ba chir agus mar ba chu agus mar ba cheart do dhaoine
foghlamanta. Do rinig go rabhas-sa ar an mbun sin. Bh sagart g dhiseas Chorca i mbun na
hoibre sin dinn. Chuireadh s nr su sinn uaireanta agus thugadh s dhinn n igin ar a
scrofaims aiste Bharla dho. Is cumhin liom gur thug s dhinn, aon trthnna amhin, an r so
chun na haiste do scr air, .i. Perseverando vinces, .i. Beireann buan bua.
Bhomair go lir nr su go ciin, a pheann agus a dhubh agus a bhlire pipir ag gach inne agus
ag machnamh ar a dhcheall a diarraidh cumhneamh ar rud igin a chuirfeadh s sos. Uair a
chloig a tugadh dinn chun na hoibre do dhanamh. Dimigh an aimsir, agus ba ghairid an mholl
uirthi imeacht. Ba dh le duine n raibh thar chig nemata san uair a chloig sin. Do buaileadh an
cloign. Do shn gach inne suas a phipirn p beag mr a bh scrofa aige air.
Um thrthnna amireach a bh chinn thnamair go lir chun an halla channa. Is ormsa a bh an

inadh nuair a glaodh mainm ar dtis. Do sneadh chm anuas an pipirn chun go lifinn amach
57
os a gcmhair go lir. Ansan dimigh rud greannr orm. Bh s air agam mo scrbhinn fin do l,
rud at thar is imeacht orm go minic shin, leis. Bhos ag treabhadh thrd ar feadh cpla nemat.
Tabhair dmhsa , arsan minteir.
Shneas chuige suas . Do ligh s amach chmh bre chmh ridh agus d mb fin do bheadh
tar is scr. Admham gur thaithn s go maith liom. Thaithn s go maith le go lir. Mholadar go
mr pr domhan .
Nuair a bh deireadh na bliana ag teacht do ceapadh aiste dhinn go lir le scr agus bh duais
aonair le fil ag an t do scrofadh an aiste ab fherr. Sid an rud ar a raibh orainn an aiste do scr
.i. The Elizabethan Age of English Literature.
Thinig deireadh na bliana. Chuamair go lir isteach sa halla mr. Bh seisear n mrsheisear
Easpag ar an rdn thuas. Do tugadh dmhsa an duais aonair. Bh orm roinnt den aiste do l i
lthair na nEaspag.
Is cumhin liom, i dtosach na scrbhinne, gur thrchtas ar lann na Grige agus gur mholas ; gur
thrchtas ar lann na Rmha agus gur mholas ; gur thrchtas ar na lannaibh eile ar fuaid na
hIripe, an Fhrainncis agus an Alminnis agus an Spinnis, na saighseanna linn sin a sholraigh
n nGrigis agus n Laidin, agus do mholas iad. Ansan do thrchtas ar lann agus ar daraibh
Shasana in aimsir Elisabet, agus do mholas idir lann agus dair. Nor dheocair dom iad do
mholadh. Bh elas maith agam ar a ln acu. Bhodar agam sa bhaile. Thug mo mhthair li aduaidh
n Mullach Rua iad, beannacht D lena hanam!
Sin dreach an phirt den scrbhinn a marcladh dom le l os cmhair na nEaspag. Do las amach
go hrd agus go neamhscfar.
Bh duine de sna hEaspagaibh na shu thuas i lr ball, dreach ar maghaidh amach. Nuair a stadas
dirigh s na sheasamh agus dfhach s idir an d shil orm.
Dheinis an mid sin go maith, a bhuachaill, ar seisean. Thugais do chuaird mrthmpall orthu go
lir. Do mholais lann na Grige. Do mholais lann na Rmha. Do mholais lann na Frainnce agus
lann na Spinne agus lann na hAlminne. Ansan do mholais go hrd lann Shasana. Agus fach,
oiread agus aon fhocal amhin amach as do bhal n dras i dtaobh linn na hireann.
Duairt s a ln eile ansan chur ar mo shilibh dom go raibh deard mr danta agam, mar go raibh
lann na hireann n bfherr agus n buaisle agus nba shine n aon lann de sna lannaibh eile sin
a dhainmnos.
Bhomair araon ag fachaint go daingean agus go dlth agus go dreach idir an d shil ar a chile
an fhaid a bh s ag cainnt.
Sen Mac il, rdeaspag Thuama, is do chas an t-asachn san liomsa an l san, i gColiste
Mhaghe Nuat, os cmhair na nEaspag eile a bh ann, agus os cmhair na n-uachtarn, agus os
cmhair na gcolistenach go lir, agus admham chro gur bhain s an mhril dom i gceart.
Dathraigh maigne lithreach. Dimigh an mhrurraim a bh tagaithe agam don Bharla, agus do
las ars im chro an meas a bh agam riamh roimis sin ar an nGaelainn. Do chromas ars ar na
58
leabhraibh Gaelainne sa leabharlann do l agus do scrdadh, agus ar na blirn beaga filochta do

thaithneadh liom do chur sos im leabhar scrbhinne. Nuair a thagainn abhaile ar laethantaibh saoire
bhnn ag gluaiseacht anso agus ansd ar fuid na cmharsanachta ag baili amhrn agus
seanachainteanna Gaelainne sheandaoine go mbodh a leithid acu. Is cumhin liom go ndeigheas
siar l go dt an Tchar, mar a raibh Dnall Longsigh na chna, agus go bhfuaras sheanduine
bheag a bh na chna in aice Locha an Bhogaigh, amhrn ar a dtugt An Bodach beag tstalach.
T an t-amhrn san i gcl anois agus n g chur sos anso. Fuaras uaidh, leis, An Giolla Rua *,
an t-amhrn a chuir im aigne an tuairisc d ar an gcel s at curtha sos agam i Sadna.
XV: Gn Sagairt; agus Teacht na bhFnn

Do ghluais na s bliana a thugas sa choliste agus ba mhar a chile, geall leis, iad go lir. N raibh
de dheifrocht eatarthu ach an deifrocht a bh idir na cimeannaibh oibre a bh againn le danamh.
Bh a cim oibre fin ceapaithe do gach bliain dobh, bliain abhcidochta, bliain ealaondachta,
agus ansan, cheithre bliana diagachta. Chuireas dom iad gan aon rud neamhchoitianta do thitim
amach dom. N bhfuaras a thuilleadh duaiseanna. Nor dheineas aon iarracht ar iad fhil. Bh a
mhalairt de chram orm. n gcad bhliain amach bh an tslinte ag bagairt orm agus bh an bhagairt
ag dul i ngire in aghaidh gach bliana, i dtre, nuair a bh deireadh na haimsire ag dridim liom, gur
chuma liom ach go mbarfainn na cosa liom as an it. Thug Dia dhom, moladh s baochas leis, gur
rugas. Fuaras na hird, gach rd acu f mar a thinig mo theideal chuige, go dt gur cuireadh f
ghrd sagairt me an t-aon l dag de Mheitheamh an tSamhraidh sa bhliain daois an Tiarna, mle
ocht gcad, tr fichid, a seacht. Thnag abhaile, agus n rabhas sa bhaile ach roinnt laethanta nuair a
thinig leitir an Easpaig chm r liom dul ag danamh gntha sagairt i bpariste Chille Sheanaigh,
in aice Mhala. Pariste mhr fhada leathan is ea , Nead an Fhiolair soir go terainn Bhaile na
Mna agus bhruach Abhann Mire dheas go dt th an Dallin agus go dt Brr an Chrthainn
geall leis. Sa taobh theas den phariste a cuireadh im chna me, ar an mBnn. Bnn na Mol an
ainm iomln. Mol-mhaghe a tugt ar ghiorrae, agus bhodh mrn giorraithe san it, agus uime
sin a tugadh Bnn na Mol ar an sliabh san. Sin mar a mhnodar muntir na hite * dhmhsa an
ainm. Is dcha gur acu ab fherr fios an scil.
T carraig sa taobh thoir den phariste agus is ormsa a bh an inadh nuair airos Carraig Clona
mar ainm ar an gcarraig sin, agus ar an mbaile na bhfuil an charraig ann. N fidir liom a dhanamh
amach an bhfuil aon bhaint ag an gCarraig Clona so le Clona na Carraige Lithe. Deir an
Giolla Rua san amhrn aduart, go raibh Aoibhill agus Meas agus Clona na Carraige Lithe ag
gluaiseacht ar tosach sa tslua s a chuaigh leis go hEchaill chun an Duinerdaigh do chosaint ar an
mbs. Bh slua s a thinig aduaidh Chonnachtaibh a diarraidh an Duinerdaigh a bhreith le. Do
troideadh cath idir iad agus slua s na Mmhan. Do bhuaigh slua s na Mmhan ar an slua s
aduaidh, ar Dhaoraicme Chonnacht, agus thinig an Duinerdach saor n mbreiteacht a bh air.
T an t-amhrn le fil i gcl anois.
Dinis seanduine igin san it dom go raibh duin uasal na chna in it igin ar bruach Abhann
Mire sa tseanaimsir fad riamh; gurb gnach ana-dhathil ; gur thit Clona na carraige sin Chille
Sheanaigh i ngr leis; gur chuir s chuige mar theachtaire seanachailleach ar a dtugt Caitln Dubh;
gur rdaigh s do Chaitln a dhnsint don gnach uasal cad an spr a bh le fil aige li d
bpsadh s :
Chig cad* gabhar odhar ar aon dath;

Chig cad tonna dr na Grige;
Chig cad loiloch ceannann, blineann;
59
Chig cad caora ar nse taobh le.
Nor fhad s a thuilleadh thabhairt dom, agus n fheadar ar thug s an mid sin sa cheart dom.
Bfhidir go bhfuil tuilleadh dhe ag duine igin eile.
N folir dom trcht, sara ndridead nos sia aimsir an choliste, ar n do thrla an fhaid a bhos
ann. I dtre go dtuigfar an n sin i gceart n mr dom dul siar tamall. Nuair a bhos ag dul ar scoil go
Carraig an Ime bh ar an scoil gcanna buachaill gurbh ainm do Muircheartach Mumhneachin.
Bh s irithe suas in fhear, geall leis, an uair sin. Bh an ceann agus an irim agus an chilith go
maith aige. Dimigh s dheas go dt an Scibirn, is d liom, ag mineadh scoile, nuair fhg s
scoil Charraig an Ime.
Nor airos a thuilleadh cntais air go dt go rabhas ar scoil i gCeann Tuirc ag foghlaim na Laidne.
Ansan do thinig chinn rfla igin n Scibirn agus n ndthaigh sin mrthmpall, .i. go raibh
buon igin ar bun ann agus go rabhadar ceapaithe ar ir amach do dhanamh, agus ar chmhacht
Sacsan do bhriseadh in irinn agus ar Ghaelaibh dfhuascailt dhaorsmacht na Sacsan.
Phoenixmen a tugt ar an mbun sin*. Nor mheasas gur chuir rialtas na hireann punn suime
iontu. F dheireadh do shrois rfla grnna sinn na dtaobh. Do hnseadh dinn gur dhein duine acu
finig feall ar an gcuid eile acu; gur imigh s agus gur dhol s iad; gur thug s a n-ainmneacha don
namhaid, agus go raibh bertha* ortha agus go rabhadar istigh i bprosn go daingean f ghlasaibh
dbha. Is cumhin liom go bhfeaca ainm Mhuircheartaigh U Mhumhneachin ar ainmneachaibh na
bhfear a bh curtha isteach. De mhuntir Shilliobhin ab ea an fear a dhein an feall. Silliobhin
Gallda a tugt air. An seanascal i gcna!
Oh for a tongue to curse the slave

Whose treason like a withering blight
Comes oer the counsels of the brave
To blast them in their hour of might!*
Ba dh liom fin go mbeadh an fhilocht nos ferr d n-abarth
Oh for a rope to hang the slave &rl.
Ach is cuma . Nor chuir an eascaine n an tad aon chosc riamh leis an informer in irinn. Norbh
fhidir an fhaid a bh an agir chmh trom chmh tiubaisteach san nrbh fhidir le daoine
macnta dhfhulag gan iarracht igin a dhanamh f cheilt na coinnibh, agus ansan, an t-airgead
chmh flirseach ag lucht na hagra do dhanamh, chun na breibe thabhairt go fial don informer.
Ba thrua an scal ! Clocha ceangailte agus madra scaoilte! agir i riocht cirt. An bhrag i
riocht na frinne. Cos-ar-bolg i riocht dl. An agir na su thuas go dna ar bhnse an tsaorchirt,
agus daorbhreith thabhairt ar an macntacht. Sin mar at an scal anso in irinn againn an fhaid
at cumhne im cheannsa. T sil le hathr againn anois agus t a rian air, t an agir ar
deargbhuile. T eagal uirthi go gcurfar as an mbnse . T sil agam gurb eagla na hirithe dhi .
Nor cuireadh an dl rdhian ar na Phoenixmen. N feacthas sa ghn ach rud suarach. Do tuigeadh
gurbh fherr gan iomad suime chur ann. Chuaigh gach aon rud chun suaimhnis na thaobh, chmh
fada agus do feiceadh* ar aon chuma. Bh fear sa ghn agus Diarmaid Donnabhin Rossa ab ainm
do. Do hairodh an ainm sin ars, agus go minic, na dhiaidh san.
60
N rfhada a bhos istigh sa choliste nuair a thosnaigh rfla ar theacht chinn isteach i dtaobh
uisce-f-thalamh eile a bh ar sil ar fuid na hireann i gcoinnibh Shasana. Fnn a tugt ar an
mbun a bh ag danamh na hoibre an uair sin. n seanainm .i. Fianna ireann a sholraigh an
ainm Fnn. Is dcha gur Fianna a tugadh ar dtis orthu; ansan gur cuireadh Fenians mar
Bharla ar an bhfocal; ansan gur cuireadh Fnn mar Ghaelainn ars ar an bhfocal Barla Fenians.
Mheasadar go bhfadfaids iad fin do chosaint ar an informer ach gan aon elas a thabhairt dinne
ar a ngn ach elas n fadf a dhol, elas n beadh aon tairbhe don namhaid ann, agus, d bhr sin,
n ceannf inne. Nor dhein san, fach, ach an t-elas tairbheach do chimed ag uachtarnaibh
irithe, agus dfhg san ag na huachtarnaibh sin rud a ceannf go daor uathu d mba mhaith le
dhol. Ansan, d mbeadh fiche duine acu n dolfadh , bfhidir go mbeadh inne amhin do
dholfadh, agus, donas an scildo bh. Norbh fhidir gan a bheith.
Airm daoine, uaireanta, ag tromaocht ar mhuntir na hireann, r, d gcurt ireannach ar bhior

os cmhair na tine go bhfaighf ireannach eile do chasfadh an bior. Is for , bfhidir. Ach t rud
eile chmh for leis. D gcurt duine de mhuntir Shasana ar bhior os cmhair tine do ghef duine
eile acu do chasfadh an bior. D gcurt Spinneach, n Alminneach, n Franncach, n duine aon
nisin eile sa domhan, ar bhior os cmhair tine do ghef duine eile den nisin canna, n hea ach
beirt, trir, ceathrar, do chasfadh an bior. T maomh ana-mhr d dhanamh le breis agus cad
blian as an gcuma nar throid muntir America i gcoinnibh Shasana agus as an gcuma nar bhuadar
orthu, agus as an gcuma nar chaitheadar dobh smacht Shasana. Ladh inne tuairisc an troda san
agus chfidh s go soilir nch fi trcht ar an bhfeallaire ireannach seochas na feallair a bh
tmpall ar Washington gach aon r sholais, ag dul isteach na bhal le dlse dho, mar dhea, agus san
am gcanna na breabanna mra na bpcabh acu ar thabhairt suas, be n marbh, do chmhacht
Shasana. D ndeint comrtas idir na torthaibh is mo thuairim lidir go bhfaighf nos m daoine
dlse ar Ghaelaibh n mar a ghef i nisinaibh eile, agus nos l ropair. N rmhr an ssamh
aigne sin, mh, agus go bhfadfadh aon ropaire amhin, go mr mr d mbeadh intaoibh as agus
elas aige ar na nithibh bunaidh, na mlte do chrochadh agus a saothar do chur ar neamhn.
Nuair a chonaic na Phoenixmen an rud a dhein Silliobhin Gallda le do shocraodar a n-aigne

ar an gcluiche dimirt feasta ar chuma n fgfadh ar chumas Shilliobhin Ghallda eile an feall san
do dhanamh orthu. Dathraodar a n-ainm, leis. Thugadar Fnn orthu fin. Chuadar siar go
haimsir Fhnn mhic Cmhaill chun na hainme dhfhil. Dar le, agus dob fhor dibh , do dhein
Fionn agus Fianna ireann an tr seo na hireann do chosaint ar gach namhaid iasachta an fhaid a
mhair a rim in irinn. Nor neamhoirinach an ainm Fianna le tabhairt, na n-aimsir fin, ar
bhun a bh ceapaithe ar an namhaid iasachta do dhbirt a hirinn.
Nrbh fherr an chiall dibh, adarfaidh duine, bfhidir, ir as an obair ar fad, bh fhios acu,
p dcheall a dhanfaids air, nrbh fhidir dibh gan Silliobhin Gallda igin do bheith le fil,
luath n mall, istigh i lr na cmhairle ba phrobhid a bheadh ar bun acu?
Direids as an obair tapaidh go maith d mbfhidir dibh . Norbh fhidir dibh ir as an obair,
mar bh an cos-ar-bolg rthiubaisteach ar fad dhanamh ar mhuntir na hireann. Na cosanna ag
ir go dt n raibh bia n deoch, n fi balcais adaigh ar aon tslacht, ag an dtinenta. Na daoine ar
mhullach a gcnn ag obair dhubh go dubh agus cheann ceann den bhliain, agus an uile bhlire de
thoradh na sclbhaochta go lir agus de thoradh an allais go lir ag imeacht sa chos. Norbh fhidir
cur suas leis. Nor cuireadh suas leis.
Bh cpla bliain caite istigh i Mgh Nuat agam sarar hairodh, i mbalaibh daoine, punn trcht ar na
61
Fnnbh. Ansan do tosnaodh ar bheith dh nsint go raibh a leithid ann; go mbds amu san oche
in iteannaibh uaigneacha ag foghlaim conas arm tine agus arm faobhair do limhseil. Buon f
cheilt ab ea iad, ach n rabhadar f cheilt ar fad. Bh pipar poibl i mBaile tha Cliath acu agus
nor dhaoine maola n daoine gan acfuinn aigne an mhuntir a bh i mbun an phipir sin. Bh elas
acu agus bh tabhairt suas orthu agus bh tuiscint acu. Bh Diarmaid Donnabhin Rossa in fhear
eagair ar an bpipar, agus ba lidir dna neamhscfar an fear . Bh daoine ag scr don phipar
san agus, chmh fada s chuaigh mo bhreithintas fin, n radharc a gheibhinn anois agus ars ar an
bpipar, ba rdheocair fir ba threise aigne n ba ghire cainnt a dhfhil an uair sin in aon phirt
den domhan go raibh Barla d labhairt ann. Barla ar fad a bh sa phipar. N raibh aon fhocal
Gaelainne ag dul in aon phipar an uair sin. Nor dh leat ar chainnt an phipir go raibh aon n in
aon chor ag an mbun d dhanamh n raibh acu d nsint sa phipar. Chuirids sos an uile
ghnomh agrtha a dheineadh tiarna taln ar thinenta, agus deirids go dna, mura gcuireadh
muntir Shasana, s acu a bh danamh na ndlithe, cosc leis na hagraibh sin, gur dhibh ba
mheasa; go n-iredh muntir na hireann na gcoinnibh agus go gcominfaids amach as oilen na
hireann iad idir chorp ceart.
Bh san go maith, ach dhein muntir an phipir sin n eile, n nr cheart dibh a dhanamh. Bh
seanaithne ag clir na hireann agus ag seandaoine na hireann, an uair sin, ar na hiarrachtabh a
deint ar ir amach i gcoinnibh cmhachta Shasana. Chonacadar cad an deireadh a bh ar an
iarracht a dhein an Brianach1. Chonacadar cad an deireadh a bh ar obair na mBuachaill mBn *.
Chonacadar an feall agus an crochadh a dhein Mleachlainn Dgin. Bh s daingean na n-aigne
n beadh ar obair na bhFnn ach deireadh den tsaghas channa, fir ga d seladh ar aimhleas ar
feadh tamaill, agus ansan, feall agus itheach agus airgead fola agus crochadh agus ruagadh thar na
farraigbh ar fhearaibh ga na hireann, agus an Times, diabhal comhdeachta Shasana, ag
tromaocht orthu go mallaithe, agus ag gu gurbh imeacht gan teacht orthu . Do thuig an chlir
agus na sagairt an mid sin go dianmhaith agus, n nrbh inadh, bhodar a diarraidh na
mbuachaill do chmhairli agus do chur ar a leas, agus iad a chimed amach a bunibh na bhFnn.
Do thuig na cnn a bh ar na bunibh sin an taobh san den scal.
N haon mhaith dhinne, ar siad lena chile, bheith a diarraidh na bhfear g so do ghlasadh
mar is cir i gcoinnibh Shasana an fhaid at greim chmh daingean ag na sagartaibh seo orthu. N
folir dinn aghaidh a thabhairt ar an ngreim sin do bhogadh.
Thugadar aghaidh air. Thug an pipar a bh acu aghaidh bhil ar aon tsagart na raibh s de
mhisneach aige a r le buachaillbh ga a phariste fanint amach sna Fnnbh n go mbeadh
cath orthu; gurbh an chroch a ghebhaids ar ball, n an loch amach. Bh an pipar san coitianta
chur na lu ar na buachaillibh go raibh na sagairt sin ag gabhil pirte le muntir Shasana. Brag
ghrnna ab ea sin. Bh a ln nithe chun na brige sin do chur i bhfeidhm. Bh na buachaill r-g.
N raibh cumhne acu ar an seanaimsir, ar aimsir na mBuachaill mBn, agus ar Mhleachlainn, agus
ar chrochadh na gCrthach. Bh fhios acu go maith, mh, conas a bh a saol acu fin chaitheamh;
conas mar a bh ar an uile dhuine acu bheith ag obair go cruaidh gach aon l en tseachtain, agus an
uile bhlire de thoradh na hoibre sin ag imeacht sa chos. Agus anois, dar leis an bpipar d, bin
iad na sagairt ag cabhr leis an agir sin. Do cuireadh na lu orthu gur namhaid gurbh ea an
sagart, go raibh s na namhaid ag irinn agus na charaid ag namhdaibh na hireann.
Nuair a chnn fin an obair sin dhanamh sa phipar san do bhnn ar buile chun an phipir. Bh
fhios agam go maith go raibh an cos-ar-bolg ag muntir Shasana dhanamh ar irinn. Bh fuath
1 Smith OBrien.
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fochmhar agam do mhuntir Shasana mar gheall air sin. N cumhin liom riamh gan an fuath san a
bheith ar lasadh istigh im chro. Is cumhin liom, agus me ana-bheag, gur taispenadh dom cainnt
igin a bh sa Times r n raibh dlithe Shasana cruaidh a ndthain in aon chor ar na
cuirpeachaibh sin, .i. muntir na hireann. Is cumhin liom gur rugas ar an bpipar, agus gur
chuireas anuas ar an dtalamh , agus gur ghabhas de chosaibh ann go dt go raibh s na ghioblaibh.
Agus bin anois an pipar ireannach so dh nsint os cmhair an domhain go rabhas im charaid
ag an Sasana canna san agus im namhaid ag irinn!
Rud ba mheasa n san fin. Chuaigh an bhrag i bhfeidhm ar a ln de sna buachaillbh. Chuaigh an
bhrag i bhfeidhm ar feadh tamaill orthu pr domhan . Thagainn abhaile gach aon tsamhradh, mar
aduart, n gcoliste. Nuair a bhuaileadh na buachaill umam ar an dtuaith, n ar bhthar Magh
Chromtha, bhds go lir ana-mhunteartha liom agus an-urramil dabhar an tsagairt, dar le. An d
shamhradh dheirineacha thugas f ndeara athr, athr grnna, athr a chuir seirithean agus diom
agus buairt mhr go lir orm. Do bhuaileadh ceathrar n cigear buachaill umam ar bhthar Magh
Chromtha agus iad ag sil go dsachtach, a gcosa acu tharrac in ineacht, mar adeirtear i dTin
B Cuailgne. Nuair a bhds ag gabhil thorm do dhbhadh agus do dhoirchodh ar na
gniseannaibh acu, agus dfhachaids a cinnbh a sl orm mar fhachfadh duine ar ropaire
bithinaigh.
XVI: A Dhia, Saor ire!

Do ghluais an d bhliain. Thinig an t-earrach deirineach a thugas i Mgh Nuat. I gcaitheamh an tr
rithe a thinig roim L Fhil Pdraig an earraigh sin bh gach aon tsaghas rfla ag gluaiseacht i
dtaobh na bhFnn. Bh an t-ir amach le bheith ann L Samhna. Ansan bh s le teacht L Coille.
Ansan bh s le teacht gan aon dabht L Fhile Brde. F dheireadh thinig s. Do ghluais deich
mle fear amach chathair Chorca. Fir bhretha ga lidre ab ea iad. D mbeadh na hairm acu,
agus an chir orthu, agus an stir ceart orthu, dhanfaids obair a bhainfeadh cuid den mhril den
Times. Mar a bh, do chuireadar crith chos agus lmh ar a raibh de landlordibh agus de
sheinnbh in irinn Dhomhnach Dia go Tigh Mhire. Ach bh aon n amhin san ir amach san
agus chuir s thas mr ormsa. Bh na buachaill go lir sin, na gcadtaibh agus na mltibh, ar a
nglinibh i lthair sagart, f mar fhadaids na sagairt dfhil, ag danamh a bhfaoistine dhibh
fin i dtre go mbeids ollamh chun dul i lthair D nuair a thitfids sa chath a bh le teacht, dar le.
Chuir san in il dom n raibh sa drochfhachaint d a thugaids orm, bliain n cpla bliain roimis
sin, ach an agir is gnth le duine a dhanamh, uaireanta, ar a aigne agus ar a chro fin, agus ar a
chonsias fin, nuair a chuireann droch-chmhairle agus droch-chmhluadar suas chun rud a
dhanamh a bhonn lom dreach i gcoinnibh a thuisceana agus i gcoinnibh a chro.
Bhomair go lir istigh sa choliste an mhaidin do ghluais an t-ir amach. Bh an uile shagas rfla
ag teacht chinn. Traennana ln de shaighdiiribh dearga ag gluaiseacht dheas! Gach aon traein
acu leathmhle ar faid! Traenanna eile ag teacht aneas agus iad ln de shaighdiiribh gunta! Sruthin
fola ar na bithribh iarainn sna saighdiiribh gunta a bh dh dtabhairt aneas. An Churrach agus a
raibh de bharraicibh air i lmhaibh na bhFnn! Mar sin dibh.
Thinig an sneachta. Bhomair go lir ag cur is ag citeamh fachaint conas a raighims dheas
abhaile, n an gcaithfims an tsl do shil.
Do lean an sneachta. Ansan thinig athrach na scal. Ansan thinig an dl; na prosnaigh; an chirt;
na trialacha; agusan seanascal i gcnaan t-informer. Agus crbh an t-informer, an d leat?
Duine de sna cnn urraid. Fear go raibh elas agus fios a ngntha go lir aige! Fear a bh ag tabhairt
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an elais sin go lir do namhaid na bhFnn, do mhuntir an Chaislein i mBltha Cliath, ar feadh
mrn aimsire roimis sin, i ganfhios dinne be. Fear gur mheas an uile dhuine de sna Fnnbh nr
mhair an fear san* riamh a bh nba dhlse n . Bhodh s ansd na measc, site ins gach cmhairle
le ba dhiamhaire agus ba dhiscrid n chile; a n-ainmneacha go lir curtha sos go Baile tha
Cliath aige agus fiacha a gcod fola geallta dho, agus a ln den airgead fola na phca aige an uair
sin fin! Ba thisce le go mr a chmhairle ghlacadh n cmhairle sagairt a ghlacadhgo dt go
bhfeacadar ansd , sa chirt, ag freagairt ceisteanna, agus gach aon fhocal d dtagadh as a bhal ag
fscadh na cnibe nba dhine ar a muinelaibh. Ba thrua an radharc !
Ach, adarfaidh duine, bfhidir, m bh inne amhin na ropaire fll fach ar na mltibh a bh
fordhlis, daoine do chaillfeadh an t-anam seacht n-uaire nba thisce n mar a dhanfaids feall den
tsrd san.
Agus nch in donas an scil ar fad! Na mlte ann dfhearaibh bretha crga dlse dea-aigeanta,
agus neart daon ropaire amhin iad go lir do chrochadh n do chur an loch amach, agus an gn,
gur chailleadar a raibh en tsaol acu leis, i dteannta a slinte, bfhidir, do chailliint leis, neart do
an gn san do chur ar neamhn in aon l tiubaisteach amhin, tar is blianta fada bheith caite dh
shaothr agus dh thabhairt chun rafaireachta. Cuireann an t-aon informer amhin saothar na mlte
fear fnta ar neamhn.
Agus nch ait an scal a r n fadf gn dhanamh ar shl n fgfadh ar chumas aon informer
dochar a dhanamh do?
N fadf. Nor fadadh riamh agus n fadfar go de. N fidir . An fhaid a bheid drochdhlithe d
ndanamh, dlithe a chuirfidh rmpu agir a dhanamh ar dhaoine macnta, beid na daoine macnta
san ag ir i gcoinnibh na ndrochdhlithe sin. Ansan beid lucht na ndrochdhlithe do dhanamh ag
breabadh na ropair chun scith ar na daoine macnta agus iad a thabhairt chun na croiche. Dlithe
agrtha, dlithe chun robla, f nder an drochobair go lir. As na drochdhlithe a dhfhsann an t-
informer.
Chuir an dl agus an t-informer deireadh leis an ir amach. An deich mle fear a ghluais amach
Chorcaigh norbh fhada go bhfeacadar n raibh aon mhaith na ngn; go raibh na cnn a bh chun na
hoibre go lir do stir, go rabhadar daingean f ghlasaibh na bprosn. Ansan n raibh le danamh
ag gach inne ach dul f cheilt go dt go bhfadfadh s imeacht thar farraige i ganfhios do sna slite
lucht faire a bh ag muntir Shasana ar na cuantaibh.
Thnamair go lir abhaile n gcoliste nuair a thinig an samhradh, agus n raibh orainn sil
abhaile. Bhos fin, mar aduart, ag danamh gntha sagairt sa phariste sin Chll Sheanaigh. Bh an
t-informer tar is oibre na bhFnn do bhriseadh agus do scaipeadh agus do chur ar neamhn. Bh
formhr na gceann urraid daingean f ghlasaibh na bprosn n dbeartha an loch amach le
daorbhreithibh dl. An dl nr fhad an ceart a dhanamh agus muntir na hireann do chosaint ar an
agir a bh ag an landlord dhanamh orthu bh s ollamh go maith ar mhuntir na hireann do
dhaoradh agus do chur thar farraige nuair a mheasadar fin iad fin do chosaint ar an agir sin.
Ach bodh go raibh formhr na gceann urraid f ghlasaibh, n curtha anonn, bh roinnt acu fs gan
tabhairt chun lmha. Bh ar an roinnt sin ceann urraid oirirc de mhuntir Cheallaigh. Bh an tir na
dhiaidh go te, ach do shleamhnaigh s anonn go Sasana, fin agus Captaen Diseach. Nuair a
bhodar thall i Manchester do chonaic duine igin den lucht faire agus daithin s . Do gabhadh
64
lithreach. Bh s fin agus an Captaen i gcarra dnta d mbreith chun an phrosin. Dairigh Fnn
na cathrach an scal. Chruinnodar tmpall ar an gcarra. Do bhriseadar an glas agus do leogadar an
bheirt amach. Do maraodh an fear a bh dh gcimed, ach tionisc ab ea an mar. Dimigh an
bheirt, ach do rugadh ar chigear den lucht fuascalta, agus do trialadh i mar an duine iad, agus do
daoradh chun bis iad, chun a gcrochta. Do fuaradh ar ball go raibh duine den chigear agus n
raibh s san it in aon chor an l san. Bh duine eile den chigear agus Cnn ab ainm do.
Americnach ab ea ghillsine. N raibh aon dars ag dl Shasana os a chionn. Chmh luath
agus do hairodh thall in America go rabhthas chun chrochadh thinig teachtaireacht dhna anall
rialtas America dh r le muntir Shasana gan baint le h chur chun bis n gur dhibh ba
mheasa. Do scaoileadh chun siil . Do crochadh an trir eile. Bhos i gCeann Tuirc ar Caibideal,
me fin agus na sagairt eile a bhain leis an it, agus thinig an tsc chinn. Bh inadh agus fearg
orainn go lir. Bh fhios againn go lir gur le tionisc a maraodh an duine; n raibh inne ciontach
na bhs. Bh fhios againn, leis, go raibh muntir Shasana ag imeacht as a meabhair le scannradh
roimis na Fnn agus go rabhadar ar buile le feirg, a r gur fhad na Fnn a leithid de scen a chur
iontu. Mar gheall ar an ngrin a bh ag muntir Shasana ar na Fnnbh agus ar muntir na hEireann
is ea do crochadh an trir fear san. Mura mbeadh an scen agus an scannradh agus an ghrin a bh
istigh i gcro mhuntir Shasana n crochf na fir.*
Nuair a bh an trir na seasamh ar chlr na croiche agus an tad ar mhuinel gach fir acu, do
phgadar a chile agus dreach sarar baineadh an clr na gcosaibh, A Dhia, saor ire! ar siad. Do
lean an focal san i mbalaibh ireannach shin, agus leanfaidh an fhaid a bheidh duine de shliocht
Gael be ar thalamh na hireann. Agus, an fhaid channa dreach, beidh cl an trr sin ag dul i mid
agus in oirearcas, agus beidh aithis Shasana ag dul i ngrinnilacht.
XVII: I gCll Sheanaigh agus i gCll ird

An fhaid a bhos i bpariste Chll Sheanaigh bh orm dh Aifreann do r gach aon Domhnach agus
gach aon l saoire. Thugainn seanmin uaim ag gach Aifreann dobh, seanmin as Barla ag
Aifreann dobh, agus seanmin as Gaelainn ag an Aifreann eile. T tr sipil sa phariste, sipal i
gCll Pheadair, sipal sa Ghleanntn, agus sipal ag Bnn na Mol. N folir Bnn na Mol a
thabhairt air, mar t Bnn eile siar dheas uaidh agus Bnn na Leacht a tugtar air. Is minic a thinig
glaoch ola san oche chm Bhnn na Leacht.
Is cumhin liom aon ghlaoch ola amhin dobh agus n baol n go gcimedfad cumhne air. Do rith
buachaill chm isteach agus saothar air i dtre gur ar igin fhad s labhairt.
T fear ag fil bhis, a Athair, ar seisean.
Canad? arsa mise.
Thiar ar Bnn na Leacht, a Athair, ar seisean.
Cad t air? arsa mise.
Do shloig s a theanga, a Athair! ar seisean.
Ailili! arsa mise, conas fheadfadh s a theanga do shlogadh?
Bh s ag l bhainne ramhir, a Athair, ar seisean, agus do shloig s siar a theanga in ineacht leis
65
an mbainne. Nl aon fhocal cainnte aige, ar seisean, agus nuair fhachamair isteach na bhal
nor fhadamair aon radharc fhil ar a theangain. Is baolach n barfair na bheathaidh air, a
Athair, ar seisean.
Chomineas liom siar. Do rugas na bheathaidh air. Bh a chainnt aige nuair a shroiseas .
Airi, cad f ndeara dhuit do theanga shlogadh! arsa mise leis.
mhuise! ar seisean, an brealln buachalla san! ar seisean. Bh tart orm agus dlas an deoch
rthapaidh, agus thinig crampa n rud igin den tsrd san im scrnaigh i dtre gur chrap mo
theanga siar ar fad im chlcraos agus gur mheas s sid gurb amhlaidh a shloigeas mo theanga! Nl
aon chiall aige!"
Bh an crampa imithe a scrnaigh an fhir bhoicht i dtre n raibh aon gh le hola aige, agus
thnagsa abhaile ar mo shuaimhneas.
N gan chis a tugtar Bnn na Leacht ar an mbaile sin. Tid na leachtanna ann. T ar dtis ann dh
roth mhra leathana cloch, roth mr lasmu agus an roth eile laistigh de sin agus iad aeininneach.
De chlochaibh, curtha na seasamh, mar bheadh clocha roilige, at an d roth san danta. T ansan,
siar dheas n roth amu, dh lne cloch agus na clocha na seasamh ar an gcuma gcanna, agus an
d lne fan a chile, agus gan iad rfhada amach chile. N cumhin liom anois cad an fhaid
adarfainn at iontu, ach is d liom go rabhadar ceathair n cig de shlataibh n mar sin. Bh cpla
cloch n tr thiar ag an gceann thiar dobh dh dtabhairt chun a cheile i dtre gur pharallelogram
iad. T breis agus cheithre bliana agus daichead chonac iad.
T bthar siar Bhnn na Mol go Nead an Fhiolair agus go Cll Chirne. Mrn blianta sara
dtnagsa go Bnn na Mol bh sagart irithe na chna i gCll Chirne. Do buaileadh breite .
Cheap s go mbeadh s tagaithe chuige fin i gcmhair an Domhnaigh a bh chuige, ach n raibh.
Bh sagart a bh bidhiil leis thoir i mBaile na Mna. Chomin s teachtaire soir um thrthnna D
Sathrainn dh iarraidh ar shagart Bhaile na Mna teacht, d mbfhidir , agus an tAifreann do r
thar a cheann i gCll Chirne. Bh capall ana-mhaith ag sagart Bhaile na Mna agus Grosach an
ainm a bh aige ar an gcapall. Dirigh s go moch ar maidin D Domhnaigh agus sid siar , siar
th an Dallin, siar Bnn na Mol, siar Gleann na hAithr, siar go Nead an Fhiolair agus go dt
sipal Chll Chirne. Duairt s an tAifreann dreach ar an uair a bh ceapaithe, gan aon nemat
rghnis. Is dcha go mbfhidir go raibh taith ag cuid den phobal ar an Aifreann a bheith tamall
beag deirineach. P scal , bh a ln acu danach chun an Aifrinn an mhaidean san. Bh an sagart
ag dul soir abhaile ars tar is an Aifrinn do r, agus bhuail cuid den phobal uime ar an mbthar. Iad
san ag teacht go dt an tAifreann agus an tAifreann rite aige sin. Bh air bheith in am chun Aifrinn
do r an l canna i mBaile na Mna tar is dul abhaile dho. Do labhair s le cuid de sna daoine a
bh danach.
Oh! ar seisean.
Grosach, a chodail i mBaile na Mna,

Do sciob s an tAifreann mhuntir Chll Chirne!
Thagadh glaoch ola chm go minic anos ar fad bhruach Abhann Mire, agus is minic gur i lr na
hoche thagadh s. Uaireanta, bfhidir, bheinn tar is bheith thos ann i gcaitheamh an lae, ag
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danamh gntha Domhnaigh n ag tabhairt turas ar scoileannaibh. Ansan bfhidir, nuair a bheinn
im shmhchodladh, i lr na hoche, thiocfadh an glaoch ola, agus chaithinn ir agus imeacht sos
ars. Ach bhos g lidir an uair sin agus n bhodh punn binne agam ar nithibh den tsrd san.
Gaelainn a labhradh gach inne liom an uair sin nuair a thinn mar sin ag cur na hola orthu. Na
teachtair fin, bodh go mbodh cuid acu g go maith, is Gaelainn a labhraids liom.
An sagart pariste a bh os a gcionn bh Gaelainn bhre aige. An tAthair Toms Muirithe ab ainm
do. Aneas Chairbre a thainig s. Thinig s aneas sarar deineadh d dhiseas * de dhiseas
Chluanach agus Rosa. Bh s suas le deich mbliana agus tr fichid nuair a bhos-sa agus fin i
bpariste Chille Sheanaigh. Do mhair s go dt go raibh s aon bhliain dag agus cheithre fichid.
Nuair a bhos-sa bliain agus rithe i gCll Sheanaigh chuir an tEaspag soir go Cll ird me, agus
beagn aimsire na dhiaidh san chuaigh an t-athair Toms dheas go hIniscairthe. Ansan is ea
fuair s bs agus aon bhliain dag agus cheithre fichid, tar is bheith tr fichid blian na shagart.
Bh obair chruaidh air cuid den aimsir sin. Chonaic s an drochshaol go lir. Chonaic s na daoine
ag fil bhis cois na gclathach agus ar na bithribhagus an bia ag imeacht thar farraige chun cosa
dhanamh do sna mistrbh taln. N fidir liom cumhneamh air anois fin gan buile feirge
theacht orm.
Is cumhin liom go maith an l fhgas Bnn na Mol agus me ag dul go Cll ird soir. Do cuireadh
rghneas igin ar leitir an Easpaig. Nor thinig s chm go dt ar maidin D Sathrainn. Nor mhr
dhom bheith i gCll ird ar maidin D Domhnaigh a bh chinn chun d Aifreann do r, an chad
Aifreann acu amu in Araiglinn, agus Aifreann a ddhag i gCll ird.
Bh lir mhaith agam agus trap beag deas adrom. Chomineas liom isteach go Mala agus an bthar
soir Mhala. Nuair a bhos cpla mle soir Mhala thugas f ndeara an l ag dorch.
T eagal orm go mbeidh tirthneach againn, arsa mise im aigne fin.
Lena lnn sin dairos fothram trom lidir igin nr airos riamh a leithid eile.
N tirthneach sin! arsa mise im aigne.
Do stadas an lir agus dfhanas tamall im stad fachaint an aireinn ars . Nor airos. Bhos ag
cumhneamh agus ag cumhneamh fachaint cad leis go samhlinn . Theip orm cumhneamh ar
aon tsaghas fothraim a chuirfinn i gcmparid leis. Bh s ana-lidir, ana-throm. Ba dh le duine go
raibh s sa spir agus f thalam in ineacht. D gcuireadh s an tarna guth as dfhadfainn,
bfhidir, tuairim igin a thabhairt f cad an saghas fothraim , ach nor chuir. Chomineas liom
agus dimigh s as mo cheann.
Fuaras an bthar Mhala go Cll ird nba shia go mr n mar a shleas. Bh s ag danamh amach
ar a ddhag san oche nuair a shroiseas an it. Do chailleas roinnt mhaith aimsire, tar is na hoche
theacht orm, ag glaoch ar dhaoine a bh na gcodladh agus ag cur tuairisce na sl orthu. Do
shroiseas Cll ird. Bh na dirse go lir dnta agus na daoine na gcodladh. Chonac solas in aon
tigh amhin. Thugas aghaidh ar an solas. Do ghlaos ar mhuntir an t. Thinig bean chun an dorais
chm. Dnseas di crbh me*, agus dfhiafraos di a bhfadfadh s bheith istigh a thabhairt dom go
l, mar go raibh orm dul amach go moch ar maidin go hAraiglinn chun an Aifrinn do r ann.
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Ochn, a Athair, ar sise, tabharfad agus filte; agus go deimhin fin n rmhaith an chir is fidir
dom a chur ort, a Athair, ar sise. Ach bodh an chir olc n maith n rfhada a bheidh an tigh seo
againn chun bheith istigh a thabhairt dinne ann. Timd fin le cur amach as ar maidin D Luain!
Tar isteach, a Athair, ar sise.
Chuas isteach. Bh tigh folamh amu sa chls agus chuireas mo lir isteach ann agus thugas rud le n-
ithe dhi. Bh san agam sa trap bheag. Do cuireadh cir chodlata orm fin chmh maith agus dfhad
na daoine bochta . Bhos im shu ar maidin ar an gcad sholas. Thug bean an t stir agus
cmhartha an bhthair dom agus do ghluaiseas, im charra bheag, soir go dt an droichead at ar
abhainn Araiglinn; soir thuaidh tr Bhaile na Pirce, mrthmpall i radharc an tseanachaislein at
na sheasamh ar mhullach cnucin ar an dtaobh thiar den abhainn, dabhainn Araiglinn; fan na
habhann ars, soir thuaidh, go dt gur shroiseas an crosaire mar a n-iompathear siar go dt Cil
Mchan. Do leanas an bthar dreach soir thuaidh f bhun Bhaile na mBodach. Ansan do
shroiseas droichead eile agus chuas thar abhainn siar agus suas cnucn, agus bhos ag sipal
Araiglinn. Sipal nua ab ea . Bh s an-rd, agus do luodh an ghaoth go mr ar an gcnucn nuair
a bhodh aon phunn nirt inti. T dh shruthn dheasa ag teacht chun a chile thoir thos ag bun an
chnucin, agus deineann an cnucn fothain mhr don nse bheag at thos idir an d shruth. Nor
fhadas gan a mheas gur mhr an trua nr deineadh an sipel thos ar an nse sin in inead
dhanamh thuas ar mhullach an chnucin. nse an Chlampair an ainm a tugtar ar an nse sin.
Nuair a bh an pobal cruinnithe duart an tAifreann dibh, agus ansan thugas aghaidh siar dheas
ars ar Chll ird, agus bhos ann ar a ddhag chun an tarna hAifrinn do r ann. Bh inadh a chro
ar an sagart pariste nuair a chonaic s ag teacht me. Bh fhios aige go raibh an sagart a bh aige
rmham imithe, ach n raibh fhios aige go rabhas-sa tagaithe. Bh s ar buile chm nuair nr
thugas aghaidh ar a thigh fin. Dnseas do conas mar a bh s rdhanach san oche nuair a
shroiseas an it agus n raibh fhios agam c raibh a thigh.
Ar maidin D Luain a bh chinn bhos ag fachaint ar phipar. Nor chuireas sum rmhr in aon
rud d bhfeaca ann go dt gur luigh mo shil ar an mid seo, .i. Extraordinary occurrence. About 2
oclock, p.m. on Saturday last a distinct shock of earthquake was felt in the neighbourhood of
Mallow. It was accompanied by a loud subterranean noise which lasted only a moment. Several
persons felt the shock and heard the sound*.
Thuigeas ansan cad an br a bh leis an bhfuaim d dairos agus me cpla mle soir Mhala D
Sathrainn roimis sin. Trth igin sa bhfmhar, sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad tr fichid a
hocht, is ea do hairodh an fothram san agus do mothaodh an t-aon luascadh taln amhin sin, in
aice Mhala. Nor mhothaos-sa an luasc, toisc me bheith sa charra, is dcha, agus an carra ag
gluaiseacht.
An fhaid a bhos i gCll ird an uair sin thugas breis agus bliain im chna i dtigh ath ar chnucn
os cionn droichid Araiglinn, tmpall mle soir sos n mbaile bheag ar a dtugtar Cll ird. Do
hnseadh dom go raibh an Barn Pigott na chna sa tigh channa nuair a bh s g, nuair a bh s
na mhac linn, agus go raibh semra beag aige ar mhullach carraige laistiar den tigh agus go
dtugadh s a ln d aimsir sa tsemra san in aonar ag danamh foghlama. Bh s na bhreitheamh i
mBltha Cliath nuair a bhos-sa im chna sa tigh. Tigh ana-dheas chun cnaithe is ea an tigh an
fhaid a bhonn an samhradh ann, ach t s na sheasamh ar ghrua an chnucin ar an dtaobh thuaidh,
agus nuair a thagann an gemhreadh beireann an fuacht air go hana-dhian. Baile-idir-dh-Abhainn
an ainm a tugtar ar an mbaile. Ritheann abha Araiglinn isteach san Abhainn Mhr lastoir den bhaile,
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agus ritheann an Fhunsean isteach san Abhainn Mhr channa laistiar den bhaile, agus fgann san
an baile idir an d abhainn. T seanachaislen tamall dheas n it na bhfuil an tigh, agus an
Rtheaghlach a tugtar mar ainm air. Rathealy a tugtar i mBarla air, i dtre gur dh le duine gur
dhuine igin de mhuntir alaithe a tugadh an ainm. Sin mar a loiteann an Barla gach aon rud
Gaelach go mbonn aon teangmhil aige leis. T bthar bre ridh fan bhruach Abhann Mire soir
go hnse an Lime agus go dt an Baile Dubh agus go Lios Mr, agus as san go Ceapach Chunn.
N fada a bhos ar an gcnucn d i mBaile-dir- dh-Abhainn nuair a bh elas maith curtha agam ar
na bithribh go lir, a bhfuil trd an bpariste dhobh. Do hnseadh dom go raibh tobar beannaithe sa
chinne thoir den phariste agus gur Tobar na hOla a tugt air. Chmh luath agus dairos
bheith ann chuas soir go bhfeicfinn . it an-uaigneach is ea an it na bhfuil s. Tobairn deas is ea
, agus uisce ana-bhre ann. Dlas deoch as agus thaithn s go mr liom. Do hnseadh dom go
mbodh daoine ag tabhairt turas ann, mrthmpall an tobair, agus go mbodh cmhthaln ann uair sa
mbliain. Do hnseadh dom gur thrla, nuair a bh cmhthaln igin acu ann agus mrn daoine
cruinnithe ann, gur irigh bruon fhochmhar eatarthu agus gur doirteadh fuil ann, mrn de, agus
ansan gur cuireadh mallacht ar an it, agus gur tugadh Tobar na Fola ar an dtobar in inead Tobar
na hOla.
XVIII: Samas Frin, an Foghla

An bthar mr Chorcaigh go Baile tha Cliath, bthar an chiste, mar a tugtar air, is tr Chll ird
thuaidh a ghabhann s, tr lr na gcnuc. Tid na cnuic an-uaigneach. Roinnt aimsire shin bhodar
nos uaign go mr n mar atid siad anois, agus n mar a bhodar nuair a bhos-sa sa phariste.
Bhodh foghla ar an mbthar san agus bhodh s ag robil na ndaoine. Do thrla go raibh file
narbh ainm do amonn de Bhl ag gabhil an bthar l. Thinig s chun ite a bh an-uaigneach.
Do phreab an foghla chuige amach chla an bhthair. Samas Frin ab ainm don fhoghla. Thg
s suas a phiostal ar aghaidh an fhile amach.
Sn chm aon airgead at agat, ar seisean.
Nl aon leathphinge airgid agamsa, a mhic , arsan file. Tar anso agus cuardaigh me ms d leat
go bhfuil, ar seisean.
Dfhach Frin air.
Peocu t airgead agat n n fuil, ar seisean, nl punn d dheallramh ort. Chm go bhfuil brga
nua ort, ar seisean, p ball na bhfuarais iad. Dfhach s sos ar a chosaibh fin agus ar na
seanabhrgaibh briste a bh orthu. Is d liom, ar seisean, go n-oirinfadh na brga nua san mise.
Bain dot iad. Bigean do. Caith chm i leith iad, arsa Frin. Do chaith. Drid uaim sos ansan
tamall anois, arsa Frin.
Do dhrid. Ansan do bhain Frin dhe a sheanabhrga fin agus chuir s uime na brga nua. Nuair a
bhodar ar a chosaibh do sheasaimh s suas agus do bhreithnigh s conas a dhoirinadar .
, ar seisean, tid siad go hlainn! go hlainn ar fad! Tid siad chmh hoirinach dom agus d
mba dhom fin a danf iad. Seo, ar seisean, bds sin agatsa, agus caith s na seanabhrga chun
an fhile.
Chuir an file na seanabhrga uime agus chomin s leis ar a chuaird fin agus dimigh Frin an
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cnuc amach.
Dairigh file eile scal na mbrg. Dhein s an varsa so:
Is brn liom an scen so do ghlacais, a amoinn,

Mar chbach neamhchrga gan neart na ghagaibh;
S gur dh linn, dar ndchaint, gur cheap le cad tu!
S do bhrga do sheladh na ghlaic chun Frin!*
Bh an varsa san ag dul bhal go bal. Dairigh amonn . Thug s an freagra so air:
A igfhir nch fellta do chanas varsa,*

N dreileacht neamhchrga do bhain dom finig,
Ach rgaire ar bhthar do ghread le pilir me,
S nr mh aige sid feirling n anam amoinn!
Do hnseadh dom gnomh eile a dhein an Frin canna. Do ghluais an ciste l Chorcaigh. Bh
bean Bhaile tha Cliath ar an gciste agus nor fhad s gan bheith ag cainnt. Nor stad a bal ach
dh fhiafra de gach inne eile d raibh ar an gciste ar dh leis go raibh aon bhaol go mbuailfeadh
Frin mpu.
T mle pnt anso agam, adeireadh s, anois agus ars, agus cad a dheanfad in aon chor m
bhuaileann s umainn!
Do chuireadar an bthar dobh gan aon bhrthann go dt gur fhgadar Cll ird laisteas dobh agus
go rabhadar ag danamh ar an sliabh. Nuair a bhodar san it ab uaign den tsliabh sid chthu
Frin. Chmh luath agus do labhair Frin le fear na gcapall do stad an ciste. Thinig Frin go
doras an chiste agus a phiostal ar leibhal aige.
Sea, a chirde ionine, n bodh aon achrann againn, ach snidh amach chm p airgead at
agaibh.
Bh fear ann nr labhair punn fhg s Corcaigh. Do bhic s amach, agus ag gol le scannradh,
chmh luath agus do labhair Frin.
, a dhuin uasail, ar seisean, agus tharraig s amach a raibh dairgead na phca aige, ln a
ghlaice de mhionairgead, sin a bhfuil dairgead agamsa agus n lmhaigh me! Seo dhuit ach gan
me mhar. N fheadar an mr an t-airgead at ag inne eile anso, ach fach, t mle pnt ag an
mnaoi uasail sin ansan. Sn chuige an mle pnt san at agat, a bhean uasal, i dtre n lmhfaidh s
sinn!
Bigean di an mle pnt a thabhairt do Frin. Bh Frin ag gir agus a chis aige. Nor chuaigh s
rdhian ar an gcuid eile acu. Thg s p mid a thugadar do agus dimigh s. Ansan is ea bh an
chainnt ag an mnaoi a chaill an mle pnt. Nor stad a bal ach ag mallachta agus ag spdichn ar
an bhfear a scigh uirthi. Nor labhair seisean a thuilleadh. Do shroiseadar cathair Bhaile tha
Chliath. Chmh luath agus do stad an ciste, istigh sa chathair, chuir an fear ciin a lmh na phca
agus tharraig s amach blire pipir agus shn s chun mn na cainnte .
Seo, ar seisean, sin do mhle pnt agat. rd mle pnt ar bhannc Bhaile tha Cliath ab ea an
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blire pipir.
Fach, ar seisean, t deich mle pnt anso agamsa, agus t an t-airgead san agam thabhairt anso
bhannc Chorca go dt bannc Bhaile tha Cliath. In r at s agam. Bh eagal orainn an t-r
dfhgilt i gCorcaigh mar dairomair go rabhthas ar t an bannc i gCorcaigh do bhriseadh.
Bigean dom mo sheans a ghlacadh le Frin agus an t-r a thabhairt liom. Mura mbeadh tusa agus
do mhle pnt bh mo dheich mle imithe uaimse.
Nuair a chonaic an bhean an ainm a bh thos ar an mblire pipir bh s ssta. Bh aithne mhaith
aici ar an bhfear na raibh a ainm ar an mblire pipir. B an fear canna a thug di an blire
pipir, ach nor aithin s in aon chor bh an cheilt chmh maith san air. Nuair inis s dhi crbh
bh thas mr uirthi.
N fheadarsa an for an scal. Nlim ach nsint f mar a hnseadh dom .
Do hnseadh dom conas a maraodh Frin sa deireadh. Do bhuail s uime dhuin uasal a bh tar is
roinnt mhaith airgid dfhil an l san.
Sn chm an t-airgead san at ansan agat, arsa Frin leis.
Is dcha n fuil aon dul uaidh agam, arsan duin uasal, agus chaith s sparn trom ar an dtalamh
uaidh. Do chrom Frin chun an sparin do thgaint. Lena lnn sin do shnap an duin uasal piostal as
a phca fin, agus chuir s pilar trd an bhfear a bh ar a chromadh. Do ghoin an pilar san , ach
nor mhairbh s ar an spota . Do dhrigh s fin agus thug s aghaidh a phiostail fin ar an nduin
uasal. Mheas an duin uasal go raibh uair a bhis tagaithe. Do stad Frin gan an t-urchar do
chaitheamh.
N bheidh tanamsa orm, ar seisean. Tim ag dul i lthair D. N beag dom a bhfuil im
choinnibh.
Dimigh s thar cla. Roinnt laethanta na dhiaidh san do fuaradh marbh tamall n it.
Bh ana-bhidh ag na daoine leis. Do roinneadh s ar dhaoinibh bochta cuid mhr den airgead a
bhaineadh s de dhaoinibh saibhre. Gan amhras n raibh sa rabairne sin ach fial stiall de leathar
dhuine eile. Mar sin fin bhodh daoine baoch de, agus thugaids bheith istigh do nuair a bhodh g
aige leis go minic.
N le daoine bochta amhin a bhodh s fial uaireanta. Bhuail duin uasal uime oche.
Sn chm a bhfuil dairgead agat! arsa Frin leis.
Do shn an duin uasal chuige sparn mr airgid a bh aige.
Fach anois, a Shamais, arsan duin uasal, n h mo thuairim go ndanf an mid sin orm d
dtuigth i gceart conas at an scal agam.
Cad t sa scal n tuigim? arsa Samas.
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N liomsa an t-airgead san in aon chor, arsan duin uasal. Cos sin at flta agam inniu
thinentaithibh a leithid seo de thiarna taln, dh nsint do crbh , agus caithfeadsa an cos san
do thabhairt don tiarna taln san p ball na sholthrd . N bheidh s sid aon leathphinge chun
deiridh leis an obair seo.
An mar sin ? arsa Samas.
Is ea go deimhin, arsan fear eile.
T go maith, arsa Samas. N chuirfeadsa an cruatan san ortsa. D bhfadainn an t-airgead a

bhaint de fin bheinn ssta, ach n dotsa is ceart dom a chuid sid a bhaint. Seo dhuit do sparn,
ach tabhair dom uait fin cpla pnt ar iasacht. T gn irithe agam de.
Do thug. Agus is m listn oche agus bile mhaith bhdh a fhuair Samas i dtigh an duin uasail
sin na dhiaidh san nuair a bhodh g go cruaidh aige le listn oche agus le bile bhdh.
T baile sa taobh thoir thuaidh den phariste agus Gort na Sceiche an ainm a tugtar air. T an baile
sin naoi mle Chll ird. Is minic a thagadh glaoch ola chm n mbaile sin i lr na hoche. Do
bhnn im dhiseacht uaireanta agus dairnn an teachtaire agus ag teacht, ar sodar, ar muin capaill,
agus Gort na Sceiche! Gort na Sceiche! adeireadh cosa an chapaill sa tsodar ar an mbthar, agus
mise im dhiseacht sa leabaidh ag isteacht leis an sodar, Gort na Sceiche! Gort na Sceiche! agus
me ag cumhneamh ar an naoi mle shl a bhodh rmham. N ghoilleadh an scal punn orm,
fach. Chmh luath agus bhnn san iallait agus ar an mbthar norbh fherr liom bheith sa
leabaidh. Bhos g an uair sin.
T it ag bun Ghort na Sceiche agus na Mianacha a tugtar ar an it. Do hnseadh dom go raibh
iarann d thgaint as an dtalamh ann roinnt aimsire shin, agus go ndeint corcin ann agus go
gceannaodh na cmharsain na corcin sin, agus gur chorcin mhaithe iad ach gurbh ana-dheocair
iad a chimed glan ar an dtaobh istigh; gur dhcha n glant an t-iarann i gceart sa tine, n sa
bhfirnis. Tugtar an Firnis, leis, mar ainm ar an mbaile.
XIX: An Staonadh n lachn

N rfhada a bhos tagaithe amach as an gcoliste, crochnaithe im shagart agus ag danamh oibre
sagairt i measc na ndaoine, nuair a thugas n f ndeara. Thugas f ndeara an dobhil tiubaisteach a
bh ag an lachn dhanamh do mhuntir na hireann. Chonac an cerda site i dtigh an tbhairne
gach aon trthnna D Sathrainn, agus ag fanint ann go dt go mbodh p na seachtaine imithe,
n an chuid ba mh dhe, agus an bhean agus an chlann sa bhaile gan bile na hoche acu, gan,
bfhidir, balcais adaigh ar aon tslacht; ansan, an fear san ar a leabaidh ar maidin D Domhnaigh
agus gan balta ar ir n ar dhul f dhin aon Aifrinn. Chonac an bhean agus a meabhair bainte
dhi bheith a diarraidh aire thabhairt don fhear san agus d chlann agus d thigh, agus gan an t-
airgead aici chuige, fin leathlomrachta agus an chlann leathlomrachta agus an tnten fuar folamh,
gan tine n abhar tine, gan teas gan cmprd. Chonac an feirmeir ag teacht abhaile ar meisce n
aonach n n margadh, agus fin agus a chapall i gcntirt titim i ndg an bhthair agus bheith
bite n bascaithe, agus an t-airgead ba cheart do a thabhairt leis abhaile fgtha aige in sna tithibh
tbhairne a bh ar na crosairbh roimis; fltas fial fgtha ins gach tigh acu aige; nr mh leis seile
tobac n leathchorinn gheal do chaitheamh uaidh ins gach tigh tbhairne acu; agus ansan, nuair a
thagadh a chiall do amireach na dhiaidh san, gur dh le duine air gurbh fhi leathshobhran an
leathphinge rua nuair a bheadh roinnt bheag igin aige thabhairt d mhnaoi chun ruda sholthar
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don tigh! Chonac na huilc sin go lir agus na mlte olc eile na dteannta, agus do buaileadh isteach
im aigne gur cheart dom iarracht igin do dhanamh ar chur na gcoinnibh, a bheag n a mhr; d
mba n tiocfadh liom a dhanamh ach a bheag fin, gurbh fherr dhanamh n gan aon rud a
dhanamh.
Seo mar a tuigeadh dom ba cheart tabhairt fn obair, .i. a iarraidh ar gach inne staonadh gach
deoch meisciil. Bh fhios agam go maith go mbeadh mrn daoine agus gur dheocair iad do
thabhairt chun an staonadh san do dhanamh. Bh fhios agam, leis, nrbh fholir dom adan ana-
dhna bheith orm chun a iarraidh ar aon duine an staonadh san do dhanamh gan me fin
dhanamh chmh maith le cch. Thuigeas nrbh fholir dom fin an tosn do dhanamh. Chmh
maith do dheineas. Do dheineas an tosn. Shocraos maigne i lathair D ar gan deoch meisciil a
dhl a thuilleadh. Ansan do chromas ar dhaoine eile do chmhairli chuige. Is cumhin liom aon
fhear amhin agus bhos r leis gur cheart do an staonadh dhanamh. Bh gach aon leathscal
aige ar bharra a theangan dom chun gan dhanamh. Gach aon chis dr thug s dhom chun gan
dhanamh, thugas-sa cis i gcoinnibh na cise sin do chun a dhanta. F dheireadh do bhris ar an
bhfoighne aige agus duairt s mar seo:
Mhuise go deimhin fin, a Athair, n ferr bheith siar n aniar ar an scal, is maith leis an sagart
fin, nuair a bhonn dnnar maith ite aige, a bhraon beag pins do chur anuas ar an ndnnar!
T deard sa mid sin ort, arsa mise. N bhlaisim aon bhraon pins choche n aon bhraon daon
tsaghas eile d a chuirfeadh meisce ar dhuine.
Do stad s ar feadh tamaill agus inadh air. Ansan: Is d, a Athair, ar seisean, caithimse bheith
amu san oche f fhuacht agus f fhliuchra, agus do raghadh an fuacht trom chro d mba n
hlfainn braon biotille n braon de rud igin te mar sin.
Bmse amu san oche, f fhuacht agus f fhliuchra nos minic n mar a bhonn tusa, arsa mise.
Bonn t go smh ar do leabaidh go minic nuair a bhmse san iallait, ar bhthar Ghort na Sceiche,
n ar bhthar nse an Lime, agus fearthainn d stealladh orm le fuinneamh gaoithe, agus n bhonn
aon gh agam le haon bhraon biotille nuair a thagaim abhaile.
Is d, a Athair, ar seisean, bfhidir n goillean annr ortsa chmh mr agus ghoillfeadh s ar

dhuine eile. D bhfaighinn drochfhliuchadh thiocfadh, bfhidir, luochn trom orm mura n-lfainn
deoch maith lidir biotille chun an fhuachta do chur amach as mo chro.
T deard sa mid sin ort, arsa mise leis. Is amhlaidh a chuireann an biotille tuilleadh fuachta
isteach ionat i dteannta an fhuachta a bhonn istigh ionat roimis.
Dfach s idir an d shil orm agus sult ar lasadh na shilibh fin.
Dar fia, a Athair, ach sin an scal is greannire dr airos-sa de scaltaibh greannra riamh! Nuair
laim braon de bhiotille mhaith, motham an teas aige d chur isteach im chro agus trom
ballaibh beatha go lir.
Teas bragach is ea an teas san, arsa mise leis. Imonn s go luath na dhiaidh san, agus beireann
s leis, as do chuid fola, p teas a bh ann roimis. Ansan tann an fuacht isteach id chro dirribh,
agus n mhothaonn t an fuacht san mar bhaineann an biotille an moth asat.
73
Bigean dom ir dhe. Bh roinnt cainnte den tsaghas channa agam leis uaireanta na dhiaidh san.
N raibh aon mhaith dhom ann. N fhadfainn a chur na lu ar a aigne go raibh aon dobhil slinte
sa bhraon d. Ach p cainnt a bh eadrainn n duairt s focal amach as a bhal, ars, i dtaobh gur
mhaith leis an sagart fin a bhraon pins a dhfhil.
Nuair a bhos im chna thos ar an gcnucn os cionn droichid Araiglinn bhodh orm teacht anos go
Cll ird chun an Aifrinn do r agus chun glaoch ola dfhreagairt sa tsrid bheag. Agus is minic gur
i lr na hoche do thagadh an glaoch ola. Thuigeas d mbeinn im chna thuas sa tsrid bheag go
mbeinn in aice mo ghntha ann, de l agus doche. Ach n raibh tigh le fil sa tsrid bheag.
Do lean an scal ar an gcuma san ar feadh breis agus bliain. F dheireadh do thinig athr. Bh
dochtir na chna sa tsrid. Shocraigh s ar dhul chun cnaithe thuaidh go Baile Mhistala.
Chmh luath agus bh s imithe as an dtigh a bh i gCll ird aige do thgas-sa an tigh, agus
thnag anos chun cnaithe ann. Bhos in aice mo ghntha ansan. D aghmais sin bhos menach
sa phariste, agus n bithre dreach n dtigh agam soir go hnse an Lime; agus soir thuaidh go
Baile na mBodach agus go Gort na Sceiche; agus thuaidh go dt an barrac, mar a mbodh an
foghla, l igin; agus siar thuaidh go dt Berna na Gaoithe, agus go dt Cathair Druinne, agus go
dt an Cnucn. Bithre fada is ea iad go lir, ach bhodh dbailt faid iontu nuair a bhos thos ag
droichead Araiglinn, mar do chaithinn teacht anos chun na sride chun dul ar na bithribh eile ach
amhin bthar Ghort na Sceiche agus bthar nse an Lime.
Bodh gur theip cuid de na seandaoinibh orm agus cuid de sna daoinibh a bh i men aois, i dtaobh
an lachin, nor theip na daoine ga orm. N rabhas i bhfad im chna sa tsrid bheag nuair a
thugas f ndeara na garsin bheaga agus iad ag imeacht fiain ar fuid na hite gach aon trthnna.
Chumhnos gur mhaith an rud semra beag a dhfhil dibh, agus leabhair dheasa, agus iad do
chruinni ag l na leabhar ar feadh uair a chluig n cpla uair a chluig gach aon trthnna. N
raibh aon leabhar Gaelainne le fil in aon bhall an uair sin, mura solthrdh duine Bobla Gallda,
ach norbh fhidir baint in aon chor leis an mBobla san toisc an drochainm a bheith fachta aige
sna Soupers*.
Do scros go Baile tha Cliath agus fuaras leabhair a bh chmh Gaelach agus dfhadfadh leabhair
Bharla bheith; an Story of Ireland, agus Poets and Poetry of Ireland, agus Speeches from
the Dock, agus mar sin. Bh an trd-Bharn Pigott be an uair sin i mBaile tha Cliath. Dairigh
s an scal i dtaobh na mbuachaill agus i dtaobh na leabhar, agus chuir s deich bpint chinn chun
tuilleadh leabhar do cheannach. Ansan do cheannaomair tuilleadh de sna leabhraibh, leabhair
mhaithe bhunsacha Bharla, Shakespeare, agus Milton, agus a leithid, agus bh cuid mhaith
leabhar againn ansan, leabhair nr airigh na buachaill aon trcht riamh orthu go dt san. Thagaids
isteach gach aon tosach oche, nuair a bhodh na hocheanta fada againn, agus bhds ag l na
leabhar, a leabhar fin ag gach duine, go dt go mbodh s in am staid. Ansan do linn fin blire
beag de bheatha naoimh igin dibh, agus chuirinn abhaile iad. Is cumhin liom gur thugas mrn
ocheanta ag l Beatha an Chur dArs dibh, agus gur chuireadar ana-spis ann.*
Tar is tamaill do mheallas iad chun staonadh gach deoch meisciil, agus do dheineadar go
fonnmhar. Dheineas crta beag dibh agus chuireas an gheallint ar an gcrta, i gcl, mar seo:
Mar shsamh im peacabh, agus chun gach peaca do sheachaint feasta le cnamh D, agus in onir
do Bhrd Naofa, staonfad gach deoch meisciil.
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Bh an obair go lir, agus sinn fin, agus an leabharlann, f choimirce Bhrde Naofa againn. Dairos
na dhiaidh san gur lean a ln acu den gheallint sin ar feadh i bhfad, agus gur lean cuid acu dhe i
gcaitheamh a saol.
Nuair a thagadh L Fhile Brde bhodh fasta beag againn; mslein, agus cca, agus slaist eile
den tsrd san. Bhodh lachn irithe, leis, againn, agus dlaims slinte r naoimh, slinte Bhrde,
Muire na nGael, mar a tugt uirthi fad. T tobar bre foruisce thos i mBaile-dir-dh-Abhainn
agus Tobar an Dna an ainm at ar an dtobar san. Chuirims capall agus trucail, agus meadar
bhre mhr istigh sa trucail, sos chun an tobair sin agus do tugt chinn anos ln na meidre den
uisce sin, agus i ngloine den uisce sin is ea dladh gach duine againn slinte Bhrde Naofa.
Bh crta eile againn agus sid iad na smaointe a bh ar an gcrta san.
Mo ghr Dia!
Mo ghr an Creideamh!
Mo ghr ire!
Grin ar uabhar aigne!

Grin ar ainbhios!
Grin ar easaontacht!
N dhanfad maomh.
N dhanfad achrann.
N bhead ar meisce.
Crta bn ab ea an crta san. Crta glas ab ea an crta eile. Bh an d chrta san ag gach duine dr
mbun. Do rugadar le abhaile na crta. N deirim n go bhfuil fochrta acu le fil fs i gcuid de
sna tithibh ar fuid na pariste sin.
I mBarla is ea bh na focail ar na crtaibh. Norbh fhidir na focail do chur orthu i nGaelainn an

uair sin, bodh gur mh go mr an Ghaelainn a bh d labhairt sa phariste n an Barla a bh d
labhairt inti. D aghmais sin, bh an Ghaelainn a labharth bh s ar illeacht. Ba bhre liom bheith
ag isteacht leis na seandaoinibh dha labhairt. Nuair a chuirinn an ola dhanach ar sheanduine acu,
agus nuair a thugainn an Corp Naofa dho, agus nuair adeireadh s ansan, chro amach, Mo ghr
mo Thiarna osa Crost! Mo ghr go daingean ! do stadadh manl orm agus thagadh luas cro
orm agus do sceinneadh deracha m shilibh i dtre go n-iompann i leataoibh beagn.
Sin an chainnt go raibh an creideamh inti. Sin iad saghas daoine naofa a bh in irinn an uair sin
agus roimis sin, agus gan aon fhocal Barla acu. Ba bhaoth an gn don namhaid bheith a diarraidh
a chur fhachaint orthu sd an creideamh do shanadh.
Bh cheithre scoileanna Nisinta sa phariste, agus n raibh oiread agus aon fhocal amhin
Gaelainne ag aon duine de sna minteiribh a bh ag mineadh aos g in sna scoileannaibh sin.
Buathsach an agir d dhanamh ar mhinteiribh agus ar aos g in ineacht. Na minteir
dh mar fin a diarraidh mineadh dhanamh le cainnt nr tuigeadh, agus aigne an lucht
foghlama d ciapadh agus d dalladh agus d cur am, bheith a diarraidh elais do ghlacadh tr
chainnt nr tuigeadh. Agus ansan, agir eile ba thiubaist n an d agir i dteannta chile, cigire,
75
n inspector, ag teacht n mBrd agus ag dul isteach in sna scoileannaibh sin, dh bhfachaint
agus ag breithni orthu, agus gan aon las elais aige ar an d agir d, an agir ar na
minteiribh agus an agir ar an aos g.
T so agam le r, fach. Chmh fada agus chuaigh an obair a deineadh in sna scoileannaibh, an
mid oibre dob fhidir a dhanamh in ainnein na n-agrtha go lir, do deineadh ar chuma do
chuir inadh ormsa. Do tugadh an t-elas don mhuntir g agus do ghlac an mhuntir g an t-elas,
tr bhthar chruaidh an Bharla, tr bhthar iasachta an Bharla, ar chuma do dhanfadh creidiint
do mhinteiribh agus do lucht foghlama in ineacht d mba n beadh an bthar cruaidh n
iasachta. An irim aigne a bh ar gach taobh f nder an toradh san a bheith ar an obair.
Ach na daoine a bh i men aois an uair sin, na daoine a bh idir na seandaoine agus muntir na
scoileanna, bh Barla acu san d labhairt agus n d liom gur labhradh riamh amach a balaibh
daoine cainnt ba ghrinne n an Barla san. Fach ansan an sclbhaocht a bh ar na minteiribh
agus ar na leanabh. An Barla grnna san d labhairt coitianta leis na leanabh sa bhaile, agus ansan
na minteiribh a diarraidh Barla igin slachtmhar a mhineadh do sna leanabh sin ar an scoil.
Ansan, an cigire ag teacht agus ag gabhil de chosaibh ins gach aon rud; ag spdichn ar na
minteiribh, os cmhair na leanbh go minic, nuair n cuirids Barla crunn i mbalaibh na leanbh,
agus ag spdichn ar na leanabh nuair adarfadh leanbh acu, I do be, n, We does be.
Bhos ag isteacht le cigire acu l. Chuir s ceist igin chun linbh i dtaobh cad a chimed sa bhaile
an l roimis sin, n rud igin den tsrd san.
I does be thinning turnops, sir, arsan leanbh.
And what does your brother be doing? arsan cigire.
He do be minding the cows, sir, arsan leanbh.
I does be, He do be. That is nice teaching! ar seisean leis an minteir. Well, Mr. Do be, ar
seisean leis an leanbh, how are you today, Mr. Do be? And how is old Mr. Do be? And how is
Mrs. Do be? And how are all the other little Do bes and Does bes?
Bin iad athair agus mthair an linbh, agus an chuid eile den chlann a bh i ndiaidh an linbh sin sa
bhaile. Fach air sin mar tharcaisne thabhairt don ln t sin! Tarcaisne phoibl, os cmhair na scoile
go lir!
N measadh inne n titeadh rud den tsrd san amach ach go hannamh. Do thiteadh s amach go
minic, go hana-mhinic. T s ag titim amach fs, uaireanta. Do chonac fin cigire go minic ag
rstil isteach i scoil agus a hata ar a cheann aige, agus gan aige don mhinteir, os cmhair na
leanbh, ach an focal ba tharcaisn na phluic.
Thugas cheithre bliana i gCll ird an uair sin. Bh an leabharlann mr go maith i ndeireadh na
haimsire sin. I gcaitheamh na haimsire sin is ea thinig an cogadh mr d idir an Fhrainnc agus an
Alminn. I gcaitheamh bliana an chogaidh sin do bhodh na pipir againn sa leabharlann agus sinn
ag faire ar an gcuma na raibh an cogadh ag gluaiseacht, agus gan amhras is leis an bhFrainnc a
bhodh r mbidh go lir idir g agus cronna againn. Bh brn mr orainn nuair a chonacamair an
bua ag an Alminn.
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I gcaitheamh na haimsire sin, leis, is ea bh r bhfeisir ireannacha, agus Isaac Butt na cheann
urraid orthu, ag seasamh a gcirt thall i bPrlimint Shasana. Bhodh cruinnichin mhra againn
ins gach aon phirt dirinn ag gabhil pirte le Butt sa ghn san, agus lena bhun. Is cumhin liom
go ndeigh gasra mr de mhuntir Chll ird thuaidh go Baile Mhistala l Domhnaigh, go dt
cruinni mr dobh a bh ann, agus go mbigean dom dul le, agus gur mheasamair go raibh
rdobair danta againn nuair a bh obair an lae sin danta againn. Ba bheag n go raibh ire saor
againn dhaorsmacht Gall, dar linn.
XX: r Scoil i Rth Chormaic

Nuair a thinig an t-am, de rir mar a thuig an tEaspag, do cuireadh dheas me, treasna na habhann,
treasna Abhann Mire, go Rth Chormaic. N rabhas i bhfad sa phariste sin nuair a thosnaos ar an
obair channa a bh ar sil agam i gCll ird. Chruinnos cuid de bhuachaillbh na sride bige sin
agus do labhras le. Dnseas dibh i dtaobh na hoibre a bhodh ar sil agam i gCll ird an fhaid a
bhos ann, i dtaobh na leabhar agus i dtaobh an d chrta, agus i dtaobh staonadh n lachn go mr
mr. Do tgadh na crta agus do gealladh an staonadh. Do thgamair tigh agus do ceannaodh na
leabhair agus bh an leabharlann againn, f choimirce Bhrde Naofa, dreach mar a bh i gCll ird.
Norbh fhada gur thugas f ndeara go raibh tuiscint i gcel ag ln de sna buachaillbh i Rth
Chormaic. Bhodh amhrin againn, amhrin Bharla ab ea iad, fach. N raibh aon fhocal Gaelainne
d labhairt sa tsrid bheag. Ach m bamhrin Bharla fin iad, bhds ar illeacht le feabhas gutha
agus le binneas glrtha agus le fuaim rd agus le huchtach.
Bh elas maith, leis, ag cuid de sna buachaillbh ar chel irlis, ar chel fliite agus ar chel
veidhln. Do thuigeas im aigne go mbfhidir gur mhaith an rud, bh an dil sa chel acu agus an
irim cheil chmh maith san acu, na hirlis pris do sholthar agus banna pris a bheith againn.
Dheineamair suas daichead pnt agus chuireamair fios ar roinnt de sna hirlisbh pris. Do labhras
le fear de lucht ceil an airm istigh sa Mhainistir 2 agus diarras air teacht chinn amach go Rth
Chormaic cpl uair sa tseachtain agus a mhineadh do sna buachaillbh conas na hirlisbh pris do
limhseil agus an cel do bhaint astu. Shocraomair ar an ndolaocht a ghebhadh s agus thinig
s. Bh s ag teacht ar feadh roinnt aimsire; nor rfhada . Do phioc cuid de sna buachaillbh suas
an t-elas go tiubh i dtre go rabhadar san balta ar an gcuid eile do mhineadh agus gur
fhadamair comint linn agus gan bheith ag dol r gcod airgid le fear na casige deirge. Sara raibh
mrn aimsire curtha dhobh ag na buachaill bhodar balta ar na hirlisbh do limhseil go cliste,
agus do sheinnids an cel chmh maith agus dfhadfadh aon bhanna airm sheinnt.
Bhos i Rth Chormaic tmpall dh bhliain* is d liom nuair a bh an mid sin gntha danta. Ansan
dreach is ea thinig leitir chm Bhaile tha Cliath dh nsint dom go raibh buon ar bun sa
chathair sin, buon chun na Gaelainne do chimed be.
Dar fia, arsa mise im aigne fin, ms maith is mithid !
Chomineas leitir chthu dha iarraidh orthu na leabhairn a bh acu do chur chm. Thinig an
chad cheann de sna leabhairnbh. Dnseas do sna buachaillbh cad a bh danta agam. Dairds
me go minic ag tabhairt seanmna as Gaelainn uaim don phobal D Domhnaigh. Dradar go lir
lithreach gur mhaith le an Ghaelainn dfhoghlaim. Chuireas macshamhail den leabhairn i limh
2 .i. Mainistir Fhear Maghe (Fermoy).
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gach buachalla agus chromadar ar na foclaibh dfhoghlaim. Bh focail bheaga ana-shmpl in sna
ceachtannaibh tosaigh, mar seo, chmh fada agus is cumhin liom anois:
l = a day. bre = fine.

b = a cow. bn = white.
g = a goose. dubh = black.
cat = a cat. mr = big.
bean = a woman. beag = little.
Ansan bh ceacht eile mar seo:
l bre = a fine day. bean beag = a little woman.

b mr = a big cow. bean mr = a big woman.
g bn = a white goose. b maith = a good cow.
cat dubh = a black cat. b dubh = a black cow.
Chuireamair dnn roinnt de sna ceachtannaibh. Ansan, nuair a bh roinnt de sna ceachtannaibh
foghlamtha ag na buachaillbh do hnseadh an mid seo scil dinn:
The true Irish for a big cow is really, not b mr, but b mhr. So also with those other instances;
the true Irish is, not bean mr, but bean mhr; not bean beag, but bean bheag; not b maith, but b
mhaith; not b dubh, but b dhubh. We really considered it better not to burthen the learner at the
beginning with the mysteries of Irish aspiration, n rud igin mar sin.
Chmh luath agus chonaic na buachaill an mid sin, What is this! ar siad. We were first taught
to say b dubh, and now we are told that b dubh is wrong, and that we must say b dhubh! Why
were we not told the right word from the start?
Chuireadar stailc suas. N fhoghlamids a thuilleadh Gaelainne as na leabhraibh sin. Chuireas-sa

stailc suas chmh maith le. Thuigeas im aigne aon daoine do cheap go bhfadf an Ghaelainn a
chimed be leis an saghas san oibre nrbh aon mhaith bheith ag brath orthu. Nuair airodh duine
de sna seanachainnteiribh b mr, agus b dubh, agus bean beag, bhds ag cur an anama amach
ag gir.
Thugas f ndeara go raibh cuid de sna buachaillbh agus go raibh irim aigne acu agus solas
breithintais agus cilith thar an gcoitiantacht, cuid acu i bhfad thar an gcoitiantacht. Do buaileadh
isteach im aigne gur mhr an trua gan caoi thabhairt dibh ar sid igin thairbheach a dhanamh
den irim sin agus den tsolas san agus den chilith sin.
Bh mo chuid elais fin ar na seanatheangthachaibh, ar an Laidin agus ar an nGrigis, ag dul i

ndire agus i neamhchruinneas agus i ndoirch.
Dar fia, arsa mise liom fin, bfhidir nrbh fhearra dhom rud a dhanfainn n mo
sheanaleabhair Laidne agus Grigise do tharrac chm ars agus dri ar na seanatheangthachaibh
uaisle sin do mhineadh do dhuine n do bheirt de sna buachaillbh seo. C bhfios cad a thiocfadh
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as na dhiaidh so? P rud a thiocfadh as na dhiaidh so n n tiocfadh *, do thiocfadh as anois go

ndanfainn melas fin ar na seanatheangthachaibh dathnuachaint, agus nor mhiste dhom san.
Tharraigeas chm na seanaleabhair agus ghlanas an ce dhobh agus cromas ar fhachaint trothu.
Ba gherr go bhfeaca go raibh g leis an athnuachaint. Do labhras le duine de sna buachaillbh, an
fear ab fherr dobh. Toms Mrdha ab ainm do. B an fear ab fherr ar an gcel agus ar l na
leabhar agus ar gach aon tsaghas eile oibre aigne d mbodh ar sil againn. Dfhiafraos de ar
mhaith leis Laidean a dhfhoghlaim.
Cad an gn bheadh agam de, a Athair? ar seisean.
C bhfios n go ndanfadh Dia sagart dot, arsa mise. Ms maith leat Laidean dfhoghlaim, arsa
mise, minfeadsa dhuit , agus n bheidh agat le dol as an obair ach aon n amhin.
Agus cad an n sin, a Athair? ar seisean.
An n seo, a Thomis, arsa mise; m osclann Dia an bthar duit chun bheith id shagart go
ndanfair fin leanint den staonadh n l agus go ndanfair do dhcheall chun a chur fhachaint
ar dhaoine eile an staonadh canna dhanamh.
Danfad an n sin, a Athair, ar seisean, agus go deimhin, d mb toil D dhom , do

thabharfainn an saol go lir ar bheith im shagart.
T go maith, arsa mise. Sid an leabhar, fach, agus sid an chad cheacht at agat le foghlaim,
agus t s chmh maith againn tosn anois.
Agus do thosnaomair. Norbh fhada go raibh an tarna buachaill in ineacht linn san obair. Sara
raibh tr seachtaine curtha dhnn againn bh mrsheisear buachaill agam ag foghlaim na Laidne
uaim. Geallaim go mbigean dom fachaint chm fin go maith, agus mo chuid seanelais do
ghlanadh agus do lomhadh agus do chur i dtre agus in eagar. Is uathsach an ss ceistichin
buachaill idir a ddhag agus a cigdag! Is ferr an t-elus a chuireas-sa an uair sin ar an Laidin
leis an athnuachaint sin, agus leis an mineadh, n mar a chuireas uirthi nuair a bhos dh foghlaim i
Magh Chromtha n i gCeann Tuirc, n i gColiste na Mainistreach fin. Is ferr go mr a
mhineann mineadh duine n mar a mhineann foghlaim .
Bh buachaill na chna thuaidh in aice Bhaile Mhistala agus Toiralach Siadhail ab ainm do.
Bh bean na cna in aice Rtha Chormaic, bean chreidinach, agus bh gaol aici le Toiralach. Bh
fhios aici go raibh aidhm ana-mhr ag Toiralach ar bheith na shagart. Dinis s dho i dtaobh na
hoibre a bh agamsa dhanamh. Sid chm aduaidh . Do thosnaigh s ar an obair. Bh s an uair
sin, is d liom, tmpall dh bhliain dag n tr bliana dag. Thugas f ndeara go luath go raibh an
irim aige, agus an chilith, agus fith na foghlama.
Bh an scoil ar sil ansan, agus bh an cel ar sil, agus bh l na leabhar ar sil, agus bh gach aon
rud ag dul chun cnn go hlainn. N raibh aon cheangal chun oibre orm fin n ar na buachaill.
Nuair a thagadh gn pariste ormsa dimodh na buachaill abhaile dhibh fin, agus bhds ag
danamh na hoibre sa bhaile chmh maith agus dfhadaids , agus ag cumhneamh ar
cheisteannaibh le cur chmsa nuair a thiocfainn tar n-ais ag triall orthu.
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Bh ana-shaol againn, agamsa agus acu san, mise dh mineadh agus iad san ag foghlaim uaim,
agus aoibhneas aigne orainn ar gach taobh. N d liom go bhfuil aoibhneas le fil ar an saol so a
dhfhadfadh bheith nos aoibhne n an t-aoibhneas aigne sin a bhonn ar mhinteir agus ar lucht
foghlama nuair a bhd siad ar aon aigne san obair, agus nuair a thuigid siad fin a chile, agus nuair
n bonn de thoisc n de bhun n daidhm acu leis an obair ach onir do Dhia agus tairbhe don
chreideamh. Bh an t-aoibhneas san againne an uair sin, agus bhomair ag dul ar aghaidh leis an
obair go buacach.
XXI: I Magh Chromtha

I lr an aoibhnis dinn do thinig athr. Thinig leitir n Easpag r liomsa dul siar go Magh
Chromtha agus gn sagairt do dhanamh ann. Chuir san stad leis an obair i Rth Chormaic. Dimos
siar. N fada a bhos thiar nuair a lean an chuid ba mh de sna buachaillbh me. Ghlacadar listn sa
tsrid agus thagaids chun mo thse gach aon l agus do ghluais an mineadh agus an fhoghlaim
ars.
Sum aimsire tar is na hoibre do thosn i Magh Chromtha thinig leitir chm Bhaile tha Cliath,
n gCumann d chun na Gaelainne do chimed be. Do trchtadh liom ar an ng a bh leis an
obair a bh ag an gCumann dhanamh, agus ar an ng a bh le hairgead chun na hoibre do
dhanamh. Dh fhrinne ghlan* ab ea an d n sin gan amhras. Chuireas pnt airgid chthu agus do
scros leitir chthu, agus is i nGaelainn do scros . Thugas iarracht, sa leitir, ar roinnt nithe do chur
ar a silibh dibh i dtaobh an chuma nar cheart an obair a bh curtha rmpu acu do dhanamh.
Chuireadar freagra chm ar mo leitir ag gabhil baochais an airgid liom. Agus chuireadar chm cl
den Freemans Journal agus mo leitir Ghaelainne i gcl air*, dreach mar a scar mo lmh li. Do
thugadar le tuiscint dom, fach, i dtaobh na cmhairle a bh tabhartha agam dibh, n raibh aon gh
le dithneas. Ba mhar a chile an scal agus a r: A dhuine mhacnta, tabhairse aire dod ghn fin
agus leog dinne an rud canna dhanamh.
N dradh an chainnt tur ar an gcuma san, ach sin br a bh leis an gcainnt. N raibh aon mhillen
in aon chor agam orthu. N fidir do dhuine a thuiscint conas is ceart an Ghaelainn do chimed be
mura dtuigeann s cad an saghas ruda an Ghaelainn at be. Nor thuigeadar sd cad an saghas
ruda Gaelainn bhe n cad an saghas ruda Gaelainn mharbh. Bh s daingean na n-aigne gur
thuigeadar an d n sin n bfherr go mr n mar a thuigeas-sa aon n acu. D bhr sin norbh
fhidir dibh cmhairle do ghlacadh uaimse na dtaobh, agus n raibh aon mhillen agam orthu. Ach
nor dheineas a thuilleadh cur isteach orthu le leitreachaibhn le hairgead. An tAthair Ein
Nuallin, sagart rialta, is bh an uair sin na cheann ar an gCumann san. Sagart ana-mhaith, ana-
naofa, ana-dhea-chrooch, ab ea gan aon dabht. Dhein s mrn oibre ar son na Gaelainne, agus
obair chruaidh ab ea an obair a dhein s. Ach cad an tairbhe obair chruaidh gan elas?
Bh buon fear i Magh Chromtha an uair sin. Is d liom gur Young Mens Society gurbh ea iad.
Chonaic cuid acu an leitir i nGaelainn ar an bhFreeman. Thnadar chm agus diarradar orm teacht
chun a semra tamall beag i dtosach gach oche agus iarracht a dhanamh ar Ghaelainn a
mhineadh dhibh. Duart go dtiocfainn. Do thnag. N rabhas dh nemat sa tsemra ag cainnt le
nuair a chonac go raibh elas maith acu ar an nGaelainn cheana fin, agus n raibh agam le
danamh ach a thaispeint dibh conas l agus do scr. Daimsigh gach duine acu a pheann agus
a dhubh agus a phipar, agus do ghluais an obair. Chmh luath agus bh na leitreacha acu do
shuds chun an bhird agus do chromainnse ar scal igin a dhnsint, agus do scrds sin sos ar
phipar gach focal f mar a thagadh s as mo bhal.
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N raibh punn trioblide san obair sin dmhsa. N bhodh orm dul ag triall orthu ach cpla oche sa
tseachtain, agus n bhodh orm fanint ach leathuair a chluig gach oche. N raibh orm aon
mhineadh cainnte dhanamh. Bh an chainnt ag bhformhr chmh maith dreach agus bh s
agam fin.
Bh an obair ar sil ar an gcuma san, go hasca agus go hanamil. Bh beirt n trir buachaill n
gcmharsanacht tagaithe chm chun na Laidne dhfhoghlaim agus iad tar is na geallna do
thabhairt go staonfaids gach deoch meisciil. I lr na hoibre dhinn, fach, thinig matalanng
crosta orainn. Do labhair an sagart pariste liom agus thug s le tuiscint dom nr thaithn leis me
bheith ag mineadh na mbuachaill. Duart leis, go bre ridh, gur istigh im thigh fin a bhos dh
mineadh, agus go raibh s chmh maith agam bheith ag danamh na hoibre sin istigh im thigh fin
le bheith ag imirt chrta n le bheith ag titim im chodladh.
Tamall na dhiaidh san thinig leitir chm n Easpag dh r liom go raibh sagart pariste thuaidh sa
Rth3 agus go raibh dil ana-mhr aige scoil Laidne chur ar bun sa bhaile sin.
T, arsan tEaspag liom, airgead igin le fil n Rialtas chun scoile den tsrd a chimed suas san
it agus t an t-airgead san domhaoin toisc gan an scoil a bheith ann. Ba dh liom gur mhaith an
rud duitse dul thuaidh go dt an Rth agus an obair seo at agat dhanamh i Magh Chromhtha do
dhanamh thuaidh.
Bh fhios agam cad an br a bh leis an gcainnt sin. Bh fhios agam nr labhair an tEaspag mar
sin gan sagart pariste Magh Chromtha bheith ag gearn ormsa agus ar mo scoil. Ach do scaoileas
leis.
T go maith, a Thiarna Easpaig, arsa mise. Comin thuaidh me.
Do buaileadh isteach im aigne, leis, go mbfhidir gurbh toil D me dhul thuaidh. Bfherr
liom go mr fanint i Magh Chromtha d bhfgt ann me. Ach do thuigeas go mbfhidir nrbh
sin toil D. Thuigeas go mbfhidir go raibh gn igin ceapaithe ag Dia dhom le danamh sa Rth
nrbh fhidir dom a dhanamh i Magh Chromtha. Sin an fhrinne. Bh uaigneas orm mar gheall ar
a bheith orm imeacht a Magh Chromtha, mar d ghiorracht a bhos ann bh bidh ana-mhr agam
fin agus ag na daoine lena chile. Ach bh aon tssamh aigne amhin agam ag imeacht dom. N hag
leanint mo thoile fin a bhos. Chuireas mo thoil le toil D.
C bhfios dmhsa, arsa mise im aigne fin, cad t beartaithe ag Dia sa ghn so? N chun mo
thoile fin do leanint a dhein Dia sagart dom!
N chuirfinn an mid sin cainnte sos anso anois ach chun a thaispeint nr cheart aon mhillen a
bheith ar shagart pariste Magh Chromtha. M b toil D mise do dhul thuaidh go dt an Rth, n
raibh sa mid a dhein an sagart pariste sin, leis, ach rud a cheadaigh toil D dho a dhanamh. Nor
chuaigh an duine bocht bhalaibh na ndaoine sa ghn. Bh leathamadn sa tsrid agus dairodh s
na daoine ag cainnt agus r gur dhbir an sagart pariste an sagart g mar gheall ar bheith ag
mineadh Laidne do sna buachaillbh.
Is ait an scal sin! arsan t-amadn. Cad an dobhil do shagart bheith ag mineadh
buachaill? D mba ag mineadh cailn ga a bheadh s ba cheart, bfhidir, a r leis gan bheith dh
3 .i. Rth Luirc (Charleville).
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dhanamh. Ach ag mineadh buachaill!
Chuaigh cainnt an amadin i mbalaibh na ndaoine agus bh roinnt spirt acu. Dradar go tapaidh
go raibh an ceart ag an amadn, agus do cumhnodh ar an seanfhocal: Dealg mnla, fiacal chon
n focal amadin, na tr nithe is gire ar bith.
XXII: An Scoil sa Rth

Bhailos chm mo chuid trioscin agus mo chuid leabhar agus sid thuaidh me. Chuas chun
cainnte leis an sagart pariste thuaidh. Dinis s dhom conas a bh gach aon rud le socr; gur i
semra im thigh cnaithe fin a bheadh an scoil; go ndolfadh gach duine de sna scolirbh a deich
fichid sa rithe, .i. s pint sa mbliain; go dtosndh obair an lae ar a deich ar maidin agus go
gcrochnf ar a d sa l. An t-airgead a dholfadh na scolir as a scolaocht go gcurf sa chiste , i
dteannta na hofrla, agus ansan go roinnf ar na sagartaibh dreach mar a roinnt an ofril. Ar an
gcuma san go mbeadh mo chion de ag teacht chmsa f mar a bh mo chion den ofril ag teacht
chm. Go mbeadh ar na sagartaibh eile gn na pariste dhanamh agus n beadh ormsa a
dhanamh ach obair na scoile.
Disteas leis an socr san gan aon fhocal do r amach as mo bhal. Do hoscladh an scoil. Thinig
roinnt buachaill. Chuireas ag obair iad. I gcionn roinnt laethanta thinig cuid dem buachaillbh fin
chm. Thinig beirt n trir Rth Chormaic agus duine Magh Chromtha. Agus thinig
Toiralach Siadhail Bhaile Mhistala. Thgadar listn dibh fin sa tsrid. Chuireas isteach san
obair iad, f mar a bhodar oirinach chuige.
Bh an obair ar sil ansan, ach bh aon n amhin ag danamh buartha dhmhsa. Chonac an
cruinneas a thaispein an sagart pariste i dtaobh an airgid, agus thinig machnamh dom. Chmh
luath agus dfhadas do ghlacas caoi ar labhairt leis an sagart pariste i dtaobh an mhachnaimh a
bh im aigne.
A leithid seo, a Athair, arsa mise leis. T roinnt buachaill tagaithe anso im dhiaigh. Bhos dh
mineadh i Magh Chromtha agus i Rth Chormaic. N raibh aon trcht riamh eadrainn ar aon
airgead, n nrbh inadh. N folir an mineadh a ghebhaid siad anso do thabhairt dibh in aisce,
f mar a bhodar dh fhil i Rth Chormaic agus i Magh Chromtha.
Do chroith s a cheann.
, ar seisean, n dhanfadh san an gn in aon chor! Caithfid siad dol anso ar ns gach scolire
eile d bhfuil ag teacht chun na scoile.
Do stadas, agus admham gur chorraigh mo chuid fola. Dhanfainn scal ana-ghairid do dhe mura
mbeadh aon n amhin. Mura mbeadh an t-aon n amhin sin darfainn leis mar seo: Ms sin
aigne at agat i dtaobh na scoile seo, caithfir duine igin eile do sholthar chun na scoile do
mhineadh. N duart an chainnt sin. Chimedas istigh . Chuireas srian leis an bhfeirg. Nuair a bh
mo lmh daingean agam ar an sriain do labhras mar seo.
T go maith, a Athair, arsa mise, ach s an tEaspag a chuir mise anso, caithfidh an tEaspag an
punte seo do shocr eadrainn.
Nuair a thinig an tEaspag do hnseadh an scal do. Duairt s lithreach go raibh an ceart agamsa.
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XXII: An Scoil sa Rth
Darfaidh duine, bfhidir, Cad na thaobh nr irs as an obair lithreach nuair a hiarradh ort an
bheart sprionnlaithe sin do dhanamh?
Nesfadsa san duit. Dnseas cheana conas mar a bh an leabharlann i gCll ird f choimirce
Bhrde Naofa againn, agus conas mar a bh an leabharlann i Rth Chormaic, agus an banna pris,
agus an cel, f choimirce Bhrde againn. Bh an obair go lir f choimirce Bhrde. Chmh luath
agus dosclas an scoil sa Rth chuireas an scoil agus an obair agus me fin agus gach aon rud a
bhain leis an ngn, f choimirce Bhrde. Agus go mr mr, bh an staonadh gach deoch meisciil
fna coimirce agam. Brd Naofa, Muire na nGael, is f ndeara dhmhsa an fhearg do bhr fm an
uair d, nuair a hiarradh orm an bheart sprionnlaithe d a dhanamh. N fhadainn gan gire
dhanamh, i gcaitheamh an lae na dhiaidh san, nuair a chumhnnn ar a lughead d fhios a bh ag
an sagart bocht d gurbh ar Bhrd Naofa ba cheart do a bhaochas a bheith aige nr chaitheas chuige
an scoil, agus n duart leis, Ms maith leat airgead a dhanamh as an scoil, min fin , dein fin
an obair.
Bh cis eile agam, leis, le gan an scoil do chaitheamh chuige. Theastaigh uaim an gn do chrochn
do sna buachaillbh a lean me. D gcaithinn uaim an scoil do chaillfinn orthu san. Bheadh san
sprionnlaithe, leis. N fheadar n gur thisce le an t-airgead do dhol n mise dir as an obair. Is
d liom gur thisce. Ach peocu ba thisce n nr thisce n thgfainnse aon airgead uathu.
D aghmais sin ars, bh cuid de sna buachaillbh a bh tagaithe chun na scoile n srid agus n
gcmharsanacht, agus bh aithne curtha agam orthu, agus bh flta amach agam go raibh rdirim
aigne acu. Thuigeas gurbh fhi iad roinnt d ndua dhfhil. Do bhrfainn a ln feirge fm nba
thisce n mar a stadfainn diad a mhineadh agus iad chmh maith san chun an elais do ghlacadh.
D aghmais sin go lir, bh an gheallint i dtaobh staonadh n ndeoch meisciil danta ag an uile
dhuine de sna buachaillbh a bh tagaithe chm n it. D n-irnn as an obair an uair sin bh gach
aon chntirt go raghadh an gheallint sin ar neamhn in aigne a ln den mhuntir a bh tar is
dhanamh. Bh greim eile leis, orm. An obair a bh agam dhanamh chmh fada roimis sin in
onir do Bhrd Naofa, in onir do Mhuire na nGael, obair ab ea n fadfainn a chur uaim. Gan
amhras bh inadh ar na daoine a chonaic me ag danamh na hoibre sin, ach nor thuigeadar na
greamanna a bh orm. Do socraodh n beadh aon chuid dobair na pariste orm, ach neamhn ab ea
an socr san. Dheineas mo chion dobair na pariste chmh maith le cch. Is d liom gur mheas a
ln daoine gur dth cille a bh orm. Norbh aon inadh iad dh r. Ach nor thuigeadar na
greamanna a bh orm.
Fgaims sid mar at s!
XXIII: An Land League

Is d liom gur dreach agus me ag imeacht Magh Chromtha do leogadh Mchel Daibhid amach
as an bprosn. Thinig samhradh ana-fhliuch, agus fmhar ana-fhliuch. N raibh aon bhreith ag
daoine ar chosannaibh do dhol. Do thuig cuid de sna tiarnabh taln thiar i gConnachtaibh go
mbeadh na feirmeir a diarraidh laciste dhfhil. Nor mhaith leis na tiarnabh aon laciste
thabhairt uathu. Chuireadar glao amach chun a chile agus thnadar i bhfochair a chile ar aon
lthair, agus shocraodar ar gan aon laciste thabhairt daon tinenta. Is cumhin liom go dtinig
ana-bhrn agus ana-bhuairt orm nuair airos an scal san. Bh fhios agam n beadh aon bhreith ar
na cosannaibh do dhol. Mheasas ansan go gcaithf na daoine go lir amach as a gcuid tailimh, agus
go mbeadh ars againn an lirscrios a deineadh ar irinn i mbliain a hocht is daichead *. Bhodh an
83
machnamh san ag baint codladh na hoche dhom. Norbh fhada go dtinig scal eile aniar chinn.
Do chonaic Mchel Daibhid an rud a bh danta ag na tiarnabh. Chuir s amach glao chun na
dtinentaithe dh iarraidh orthu teacht i bhfochair a chile ar aon lthair. Thnadar. Do labhair s
le. B toradh a chainnte gur socraodh ar gan aon leathphinge cosa thabhairt daon tiarna taln
n tabharfadh laciste maith uaidh. Thug san cor in aghaidh an cham do sna tiarnabh.
Thuigeadar fin gur thug. Bhodar ar buile. Do rugadh ar Mhchel Daibhid agus do sdh isteach
ars sa phrosn. N raibh s amu ach ar thicad. Do briseadh a thicad agus do cuireadh isteach
ars . Ach n mar a meastar a btear go minic. Bh Disraeli na phromh-mhinistir nuair a briseadh
ticad Mhchl Daibhid. Tr seachtaine dreach na dhiaidh san do caitheadh Disraeli agus a bhuon
amach a hobair an Rialtais, agus chuaigh Gladstone isteach. An tisce na raibh Gladstone istigh do
hoscladh doras an phrosin ars, agus do leogadh Daibhid amach. Ansan is ea thosnaigh an
ghleic idir na tinentaithibh agus na tiarnabh.
Bhain san an bhuairt mhr domsa, ach mar sin fin n rabhas gan eagla. Bh eagal orm n beadh s
de mhisneach ag na tinentaithibh an fd do sheasamh. Bh eagal orm n creidfids go mbeadh aon
bhreith acu ar an gcos do chimed gan an sirriamh do theacht lithreach agus iad do chaitheamh
amach. Nuair a chonacadar Mchel Daibhid tagaithe amach as an bprosn in ainnein na dtiarna
taln is ar igin fhadadar an scal do chreidiint. Ach norbh fhada go raibh s ansd thiar na
measc ars dh nsint dibh conas a dhanfaids na tiarna do throid. Ba rdheocair a chur na lu
orthu gurbh fhidir an troid sin do dhanamh in aon chor. Bh s daingean na n-aigne n raibh ag
an landlord ach teacht agus iad do chaitheamh amach chmh luath agus dhiltids don chos a
dhol.
M thann sibh ag triall air nr nduine agus nr nduine fadfaidh s sibh a chaitheamh amach
nr nduine agus nr nduine. Fadfaidh s an duine a dhiltidh do chaitheamh amach lithreach.
Ach m thann gach buon tinentaithe ag triall air in ineacht agus an dilt dhanamh in
ineacht, c fhadfaidh s a chaitheamh amach? N bheidh an dilt aige le cur i leith aon duine f
leith. N fidir do an dl chur oraibh go lir in ineacht. Tadh an bhuon ag triall air agus tairgids
an cos do, ach amhin an laciste a bheidh uathu. M dhiltaonn s don laciste thabhairt tagadh
an bhuon uaidh gan aon chos a thabhairt do. T easpa airgid ar a ln acu, agus tabharfaid siad
uathu an laciste dfhonn an chuid eile dhfhil lithreach.
N rmhr an meas a bh ag cuid acu ar an gcmhairle. Bh an taith acu riamh ar a thoil fin do
thabhairt don tiarna taln; ar aon chos a hiarrf orthu do dhol nba thisce n eagla an eviction a
bheith ag baint codladh na hoche dhobh. Ach bh cuid acu, leis, agus ba thisce le aon tsaghas
troda dhanamh, p rud a thiocfadh as dibh, n bheith ag sclbhaocht ag danamh airgid do
dhaoinibh domhaoine agus dh shneadh amach chthu agus g acu finig leis. Do cuireadh an
Land League ar bun. I ndiaidh ar ndiaidh do leath an obair go dt go raibh buon den chonnradh san
ins gach pariste. Do cuireadh buon acu ar bun go luath sa Rth. Is cumhin liom an l go maith.
Bh cruinni mr daoine ann, i bpirc n raibh i bhfad m scoil. Chuas fin agus mo scolir go lir
go dt an cruinni.
Thinig smaointe irithe chun maigne nuair a chuas isteach i measc na ndaoine. Chumhnos ar an
am d nuair a bhos istigh sa choliste i Mgh Nuat agus an pipar d i mBaile tha Cliath ag
tromaocht go dian orm fin agus ar an gcuid eile againn, dh r go rabhamair ag gabhil pirte le
cmhachtaibh Shasana, agus fhios againn fin istigh nr gcro gurbh itheach sin; nch ag
gabhil pirte le cmhachtaibh Shasana a bhomair ach ag gabhil pirte lenr ndaoine fin, le
muntir na hireann, a diarraidh iad do chimed dhul isteach in imreas le cmhachtaibh Shasana
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an fhaid a bh an t-arm go lir acu san agus gan ag muntir na hireann ach lmha folmha. Bh
fhios againn go dianmhaith d dtadh muntir na hireann i ngleic den tsrd san le cmhachtaibh
Shasana an uair sin nrbh fhidir a bheith ar an ngleic ach an t-aon deireadh amhin, cath fuilteach
bfhidir, agus ansan an t-informer agus an chroch, agus an t-airgead fola, agus an loch amach, agus
crothe briste ag aithreachaibh agus ag mithreachaibh agus ag daoine munteartha sa bhaile. Bh
fhios againn go dianmhaith, d mbeadh a sheacht n-oiread armla ag muntir na hireann agus a bh
acu an uair sin, d mbeadh oiread armla acu, agus oiread saibhris, agus oiread nirt sl, agus go
bhfadfaids an ghleic do chimed ar sil i gcoinnibh Shasana ar feadh fiche blian, go gcaillfeadh
Sasana a raibh en tsaol aici, chroiceann amach, go gcaillfeadh s an croiceann fin, go gcaillfeadh
s an t-anam, nba thisce n mar a leogfadh s do mhuintir na hireann an lmh uachtair a dhfhil.
C raibh an gustal? c raibh an pdar? c raibh na gunna mra, n na gunna beaga? * C raibh an
neart sl? C raibh aon rud in aon chor a chuirfeadh ar a gcumas do mhuntir na hireann gleic den
tsrd san do sheasamh in aghaidh Shasana?
Ach nuair a thinig an ghleic eile seo, an ghleic idir na feirmeir agus na mistr taln, bh an scal
athraithe ar fad. N faobhar n fuil n pdar n tine n gunna mra n gunna beaga a bh i gcs
feasta, ach gach inne do chimed a ghreama ar a chuid fin. N bhriseann duine dl D n dl
rochta nuair n deineann s ach a chuid fin a chimed. Sin an teagasc a bh le tabhairt n rdn
don phobal a bh cruinnithe ansd an l d sa phirc d in aice an Rtha. N raibh ar mo chumas-sa,
nuair a bhos istigh sa choliste n nuair a thnag amach as an gcoliste, pirt do ghabhil leis na
Fnnbh, n cmhairle thabhairt a chominfeadh ar aghaidh iad sa bhfuadar a bh fthu. N raibh
aon rud chun me chosc ar chmhairle thabhairt do phobal feirmeir, agus a r le imeacht ar
aghaidh sa bhfuadar a bh fthu.
Thuigeas go raibh g le cmhairle acu. Bhodar ansd im thmpall agus iad go dr agus go gruama.
An seanascannradh orthu. An t-eagla orthu go mbarf orthu ar ball agus go gcurf an dl orthu, mar
ba ghnth riamh, agus gur bhaol n tiocfaids saor, bodh n raibh dl D n dl rochta bhriseadh
acu. Bhos ag faire orthu agus chonac na ngniseannaibh an ghruaim, agus an scannradh, agus an
drochintaoibh astu fin agus as a chile. Scannradh ar gach inne le heagla go nesf don mhistir
go raibh s sa phirc sin an l san. N raibh inne ar an rdn fs ach trir n ceathrar garsn. Ansan
thinig sagart g lidir Chntae Luimn agus chuaigh s in irde ar an rdn. Chuas fin in irde
in ineacht leis. Thosnaigh s ar chainnt, agus ba dhianmhaith chuige . Do labhair s go dna dh
mhni conas mar a bh na mistr ag danamh agra ar na feirmeirbh, ag ileamh chosa nrbh
fhidir a dhanamh as an dtalamh. Bh na feirmeir ag isteacht leis an gcainnt agus inadh orthu a
r go raibh s de scairt ag inne an fhrinne dhnsint amach chmh neambalbh san. Bh seisean ag
cainnt agus bhos-sa ag faire orthu san. Thinig tuilleadh sagart. Do lim gach sagart, f mar a
thinig s, do lim s suas ar an rdn, go dt go raibh oiread san againn ann gurbh ar igin a bh sl
d thuilleadh againn ann.
Seo rud a thugas f ndeara an l san, agus nor scar s lem chumhne riamh shin n n scarfaidh go
de. Nuair a chonaic na daoine an br sagart thuas ar an rdn agus gach aon tsagart acu, f mar a
labhradh s, ag labhairt nba dhna agus nba dhsachta n an t a labhair roimis, do thosnaigh an
ghruaim agus an t-eagla agus an drochintaoibh ar imeacht as a ngnisibh. Dfhadas a l in
aghaidh gach duine acu, chmh soilir dreach agus d labhradh s liom, an chainnt seo: Sea! an
fhaid atid na sagairt sin go lir ansd thuas ar an rdn n baol dinn! Chonac an mid sin agus
bh thas mr orm, agus bhos ana-bhaoch de sna sagartaibh mar gheall ar theacht agus ar sheasamh
ansd, idir na feirmeirbh bochta agus na hannsciain a bh ag fscadh an anama astu. Bh thas mr
eile orm, leis, agus cis ba mh n san fin agam chun an thais. F dheireadh thiar thall bh le
85
feiscint ag an saol mr nch aon bhidh le muntir Shasana n lena ndlithibh f ndeara do
shagartaibh na hireann bheith i gcoinnibh na bhFnn, agus gur mhr agus gur thiubaisteach an
agir a deineadh orthu nuair a dradh gurbh ea.
XXIV: Athr ar an Saol

Do cuireadh buon den Land League ar bun sa Rth. Thagadh na feirmeir n gcmharsanacht
isteach ann cpla l sa tseachtain. Do dholadh gach inne acu roinnt bheag airgid chun costais na
bune. Roinnt bheag ab ea , agus rghin go ler a bhds dh dhol, go dt gur thosnaigh nithe irithe
ar thitim amach ar fuaid na tre agus gur thosnaigh a dtuairisc ar theacht amach in sna piparaibh.
Thinig tuairisc amach i bpipar l ar ghnomh a dhein buon tinentaithe in it igin. Gur chuir an
mistir a theachtaire chthu mar ba ghnth dh r le go tur teacht a leithid sid de l agus an cos
do dhol. Gur ghluaiseadar an l a bh ainmnithe dhibh, ach gur in ineacht a ghluaiseadar. Gur
chuadar in ineacht i lthair an mhistir. Go ndradar leis n tabharfaids aon chos do gan a cig
fichid fn gcad laciste dhfhil uaidh, .i. an ceathr pingin, .i. corinn fn bpnt. Gur irigh s ar
buile agus go nduirt s n tabharfadh, n oiread agus leathphinge. Gur isteadar leis go ciin go dt
go raibh an fhearg curtha dhe aige. Ansan go raibh aighneas mr agus argint mhr idir iad fin
agus fin. F dheireadh gur leag s an cigi pingin dibh, .i. a fiche fn gcad .i. cheithre
scillinge fn bpnt.
Doscail gach inne a shile, agus do leath gach inne a bhal, agus do tharraig gach inne anl bre
fada, nuair a ladh an tuairisc sin amach as an bpipar dibh. Bh inadh agus alltacht orthu. I
gcionn roinnt laethanta do ladh amach dibh tuairisc eile den tsaghas channa. I gcionn seachtaine
tuairisc eile. Ach adhe! As san amach do chf lmh gach inne acu sos i bpca a bhrste go
fonnmhar, agus an t-airgead geal ag teacht na chruachaibh ar an mbrd chinn.
Bh inadh a gcro orthu. Nor airodar a leithid dobair riamh. Dl, agus prosn, agus caitheamh
amach, agus tgilt sealbha, agus imeacht le fuacht agus le fn is ea cheapadar a thiocfadh a dult
don chos a dhol, agus bin corinn fn bpnt tagaithe as dibh sid, agus cheithre scillinge fn
bpnt dibh sid eile! Cad mar athr ag teacht sa tsaol!
Chumhnos fin ar an aimsir a bh curtha dhom agam, ar Shaunders agus ar Bhroderick, agus ar an
ndl agus ar an gclampar, agus ar an smut de gh d a hitheadh fad nuair a bh an Nollaig ann,
agus go deimhin do ghabhas mo bhaochas chro le Dia na Glire a bhreith im beathaidh orm go
bhfeaca an t-athr aimsire sin, agus an scemhle sin agus an briseadh catha san tagaithe ar na
bithinaigh. An lmh uachtair flta againn orthu chmh crochnaithe agus d mbeims tar is irligh
Cluana Tairbh a dhimirt orthu thos ar mhachaire Chille Dara!
Duine anoir Chll Mocheallg a bhodh sa chathaoir againn i gcaitheamh na haimsire sin. Thagadh
s anoir gach aon l a bhodh cruinni bune againn. Thinnse ann uaireanta, ach n fhadainn dul
ann i gcna toisc cram na scoile bheith orm. Bh gach aon rud ag ir linn go hlainn go dt gur
thinig l irithe. Thinig cntas sa phipar ar rud a thit amach thiar i dTr L. Bh buon Thr L
cruinnithe na semra agus iad ag danamh a ngntha. Go hobann, agus gan blire coinne acu leis,
do phreab chthu isteach buon lucht airm, agus do gabhadh na bprosnachaibh a raibh sa
tsemra. Do ghluais an tuairisc sin ar fuaid na hireann. Thinig crith chos agus lmh ar a ln de
mhuntir an Land League. Cpla l na dhiaidh san a bh buon an Rtha le cruinni chun gntha.
Do chruinnigh an bhuon, ach nor thinig fear na cathaoireach. Nor fadadh aon obair a dhanamh
an l san. Sid isteach sa scoil chmsa an bhuon go lir tar is na hoche thitim. Do shuodar
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isteach in sna suochnaibh mar a shuodh na buachaill i gcaitheamh an lae. Do labhair duine acu.
T n againn le hiarraidh ort, a Athair, ar seisean, agus t sil againn n tgfair orainn , agus n
heiteir sinn.
T go maith, arsa mise. Cad t uaibh?
Nl aon fhear cathaoireach againn, ar seisean. Arbh do thoilse, a Athair, teacht agus bheith it
fhear cathaoireach againn?
Ach! mura bhfuil uaibh ach an mid sin, arsa mise, n deocair sibh a shsamh. Mheasas gur rud
igin ana-mhr a bh uaibh. Tiocfad agus filte, arsa mise. Cathain a bheidh an chad chruinni
eile agaibh?
Ba mhaith linn bheith againn amireach ar a s chlog um thrthnna, i dtre n beif ag obair
sa scoil lena lnn, ar seisean.
T go maith, arsa mise. Beadsa agaibh ar a s chlog um thrthnna amireach, le cnamh D.
Chuas go dt an semra ar a s chlog um thrthnna amireach a bh chinn. Dheineamair r ngn

go bre ridh socair. Nor thinig peeler n saighdiir chinn. Nor thinig a thuilleadh tuairisce
chinn Thr L. Do ghluais an obair ar fuaid na tre, na feirmeir ag dul na mbunibh in ineacht
ag ileamh na lacist, agus na lacist acu d fhil tar is aighnis, agus misneach na ndaoine ag
borradh agus ag neart in aghaidh an lae.
N raibh aon bhidh, fach, ag an sagart pariste leis an Land League. Bh s aosta. Is dcha gur
cheap an duine bocht n raibh sa Land League ach Fnn f ainm eile, agus n raibh i gcmhairle an
Land League ach cmhairle aimhleasa. P rud a cheap s n raibh aon bhidh aige leis an obair. Is
d liom gur scrbh s ag triall ar an Easpag dh iarraidh air cmhairle thabhairt dmhsa, agus a r
liom nr bheag dom cram na scoile agus gan cram an Land League a bheith orm na theannta.
Thinig leitir chm n Easpag r liom go raibh eagal air go bhfanfadh cuid de sna buachaillbh n
scoil mar gheall ar mise bheith site sa Land League. Do scros chuige agus duart leis mar seo.
A Thiarna Easpaig, arsa mise, In inead aon dobhla dhanamh don scoil is tairbhe a
dhanfaidh s dhi me bheith sa Land League. Is clann feirmeir na buachaill go lir at ag teacht
chun na scoile, ach amhin beirt, agus t bidh ana-mhr ag aithreachaibh na beirte sin fin leis an
Land League.
Agus t n eile sa scal, a Thiarna Easpaig, arsa mise. D n-abrainnse leis na fearaibh d a
thinig chm an oche d, iarraidh orm bheith im stirthir orthu, d n-abrainn n fadfainn mar
nr bheag dom cram na scoile bheith orm, cad is d leat a darfaids? Darfaids gur eagla roimis
na peelers a bh orm. Nch deas a bheadh an scal ansan agam? Go mr mr nuair n raibh an t-
eagla san orm, n aon n d shrd. Conas fhadfainn fachaint in sna silibh ar na fearaibh d go
de d dtaispenainn an mheatacht an uair sin? Go mr mr nuair n raibh an mheatacht ionam!
N bhfuaras a thuilleadh cmhairle n Easpag. Nor chuir san aon inadh orm. N raibh
dhanamh agam ach an rud a dhanfadh s fin d mbeadh s im inead. Crthach ab ea . Nor
dhual do aon mheatacht a bheith ann; agus n raibh.
87
Do ghluais obair na scoile agus an obair eile in ineacht, agus bhomair ag cur an tsaeil dnn. Bh an
sagart pariste flaithiil. Bhms, me fin agus an sagart g eile, ar dnnar aige go minic. Bhomair
na thigh l irithe ar dnnar. Bh seisear n mrsheisear eile ann, leis. Daoine ab ea a bhformhr
n raibh aon bhidh acu leis an Land League ach chmh beag agus bh ag fear an t. Do ghluais
cainnt eatarthu, mar seo.
Nch ar a mhargadh a mhaireann gach inne? Nuair a dhanfaidh duine margadh, nch ceart do an
margadh do sheasamh? Nuair a dhanfaidh feirmeir margadh le tiarna taln agus nuair a
gheallfaidh s cos irithe do dhol a feirm thailimh, n fuil ceangailte air an cos san do dhol n an
talamh do thabhairt thar n-ais don t gur leis ?
Bhos ag isteacht leis an gcainnt agus fearg ag ir istigh ionam. F dheireadh do labhras.
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur cht, a Athair, arsa mise le fear an t, ms do toil .
, cuir, cuir, a Athair, ar seisean.
Bh aithne agam ar fhear, arsa mise, agus bh feirm thailimh aige, agus bh deich bpint is
daichead cosa aige dhol as an bhfeirm. Bh las aige ar an bhfeirm. Do thit an las tmpall
dosaen blianta shin. Thinig an mistir chuige. T an fheirm seo agat le fada ar deich bpint is
daichead sa mbliain, ar seisean. Nor labhair an fear eile focal. Caithfir cad pnt sa mbliain cosa
do dhol as an bhfeirm seo feasta, arsan mistir. Nor labhair an fear eile focal. T tigh nua danta
anso agat, arsan mistir. Is dcha gur chaillis cpla cad pnt leis. Lamhlfar dh chad duit as p
rud a chaillis leis. De rir chig phint fn gcad dhanfadh san deich bpint sa mbliain. Leagfar an
cos an mid sin duit. Fgfaidh san deich bpint s cheithre fichid sa mbliain cosa ort fasta. An
bhfuilir ssta leis sin? Nor labhair an fear eile focal. Do stad an mistir ar feadh tamaill ag
feitheamh fachaint cad darfadh an tinenta. Nor labhair an tinenta focal. F dheireadh do
labhair an mistir ars. Is cuma liom sa diabhal ceocu taoi ssta n n fuilir, ar seisean, ach sin
an cos a chaithfir a dhol feasta! An dtabharfsa margadh ar an mid sin deighlela, a Athair? arsa
mise leis an sagart pariste.
Is dcha go raibh faobhar ar mo chainnt, mar nor labhair s fin n inne ar feadh tamaill.
, ar seisean f dheireadh, cs f leith is ea sin.
N hea, a Athair, arsa mise. Cs coiteann is ea . Tim ag fachaint ar ghnthabh taln idir
mhistrbh agus tinentaithe anois le daichead igin blian, agus n fheaca riamh fs a mhalairt sin de
shaghas margaidh dhanamh eatarthu. N fheaca riamh ach cos d rd gach aon uair a thiteadh
las, n gach aon uair a dheineadh an tinenta aon fheabhas do chur ar an bhfeirm lena shaothar
fin.
Bh firn beag seabhca, camshileach, na shu ar maghaidh anonn ar an dtaobh eile den bhrd.
Dfhach s anall orm agus do labhair s.
Agus, a Athair, ar seisean, mura raibh s ssta le deich bpint s cheithre fichid cosa do dhol as
an bhfeirm, cad na thaobh nr labhair s agus a r n raibh s ssta?
88
T go bre, a mhic , arsa mise leis. D n-abradh s n raibh s ssta do caithf amach as an
dtigh a dhein s fin do fin agus d mhnaoi agus d chlann. Ansan is dcha go dtabharfsa bheith
istigh dibh!
Nor labhair s sin a thuilleadh. Do tarraigeadh abhar igin eile cainnte anuas an chuid eile den
trthnna. Nor bheag le den mhargadh d, margadh an leataoibh, roinnt na caill, mar is il li
fin .
Thinig sagart rialta chun an Rtha ag tabhairt misiin uaidh. Chonaic s an scoil. Scoil Bhrde
Naofa, an ainm a bh agam ar an scoil. Do thaithn an scoil leis go mr. Chuir s aithne ar chuid de
sna buachaillbh. Bh scoil curtha ar bun aige fin thos i gcathair Luimn. Chun buachaill do
mhineadh agus sagairt a dhanamh dobh, d mb toil D , agus iad do chur anonn i ndthabh
iasachta ag leathadh an chreidimh is ea chuir s an scoil sin ar bun. De mhuntir Rnin ab ea .
Deireadh s go raibh an-intaoibh aige as buachaillbh bochta na hireann; go raibh mianach fnta
iontu; gur rogra ireann a sholradar; go raibh an braon uasal iontu bodh go mbfhidir n raibh
saibhreas saolta acu; gurbh fherr na sagairt a dhanfaids n mar a dhanfadh clann na ndaoine
saibhre a bh againn; mura raibh an saibhreas acu go raibh an uaisleacht aigne iontu dhchas. An
Scoil Aspaltach an ainm a bh ar an scoil aige. Do casadh mo bhuachaillse, Toiralach Siadhail,
air. Chuireadar aithne ar a chile. Nuair a bh s ag imeacht dimigh Toiralach in ineacht leis.
I gCuallacht osa is ea bh an tAthair Rnin. Chuir s Toiralach isteach sa Scoil Aspaltach. T

Toiralach na shagart anois, i gCuallacht osa, thiar in America, agus is creidiint don Chuallacht
san, agus d mhuntir, agus d thr dhchais, agus dmhsa, s me chuir an chad lmh ann.
Bh buachaill eile agam sa scoil. Leis an it is ea bhain s. Dnall Mainchn 4 ab ainm do. T s
anois in rdeaspag thall i Melbourne. T a ln eile de sna buachaillbh a bh agam ar an scoil tar is
dul chun cnn go maith, cuid acu na sagartaibh agus cuid acu i ngairmibh bunsacha eile.
XXV: agir agus Doltas agus Smachtdlithe

Seo ceist. Conas a thrla gur fhad na feirmeir, an uair sin, a leithid de bhriseadh catha
dhanamh ar na tiarnabh taln? Sid an freagra. Gladstone f nder .
Do chonaic Gladstone i bhfad roimis sin an cos-ar-bolg a bh ag na tiarnabh taln dhanamh ar

fheirmeiribh na hireann. Le neart gastachta agus le neart aicillochta chuir s dl trd an
bPrlimint sa bhliain 1870 chun a chur fhachaint ar aon tiarna taln a chuirfeadh amach tinenta
lerghnomh a dhanamh leis mar gheall ar chur as a inead cnaithe. Dhein na tiarna sciot scot
den dl sin. Do leanadar ag caitheamh na ndaoine amach agus dh gcur le fuacht agus le fn in
ainnein Ghladstone agus a dhl. Ansan, nuair a bh an Land League irithe na gcoinnibh do
dhiltaigh Gladstone daon chnamh a thabhairt dibh i gcoinnibh an Land League. Sin a mhairbh
iad. N raibh aon rud dhanamh ag na feirmeiribh i gcoinnibh aon dl. N rabhadar ach ag dilt
do chos a dhol a bh r-rd agus a cuireadh orthu d n-ainnein. Nor thuig Gladstone go raibh
fhachaint ar inne cnamh a thabhairt dibh chun an chosa san do bhaint amach. Thaispenadar
fin n raibh aon urraim do dhl acu nuair a dheineadar sciot scot den dl d an lerghnmh. Gan
cnamh n rialtas n raibh aon bhreith acu ar aon tsaghas cosa bhaint amach. Bhodar i gcruachs.
D leanadh an scal i bhfad ar an gcuma san bheadh gach aon rud ar a dtoil ag na feirmeiribh. Ach
nor lean.
4 Daniel Mannix.
89
Bh riail danta ag an Land League, nuair a curf feirmeir as a chuid tailimh tr gan bheith
balta ar ramharchos do dhol, gan aon duine eile do thgaint na feirme sin. Sin an riail a bhris a
gcro in sna tiarnabh. D ndeint beart de rir na rialach san go beacht, norbh aon mhaith daon
landlord tinenta do chaitheamh amach, mar do fgf an talamh domhaoin aige. Do cimedadh an
riail maith go ler in iteannaibh. Ach do briseadh an riail anso agus ansd. Bh fear le fil anso s
ansd a ghill don tsainnt agus do thg feirm as ar cuireadh duine eile amach. Chuir san an fear a
cuireadh amach ar deargbhuile. Gan aon dabht ba dheocair feall ba ghrinne n do dhanamh.
Thinig as gur deineadh doltas anso s ansd ar an ngrabber. Bin an chad aoth a fuair na
tiarna. Bh fhios acu go gcaithfeadh Gladstone an dl chur i bhfeidhm i gcoinnibh an saghas san
doltais, agus bh thas clibh orthu.
F mar a deint gnomh doltais den tsrd san do hnst an scal thall ar fuaid Shasana, agus do
madat thar na beartaibh . Nuair a bhodh feirm ar a limh ag landlord tar is duine bocht igin
do chaitheamh amach as, bhodh s ag faire fachaint an dtiocfadh fear na sainnte chuige chun na
feirme do thgaint. D dtagadh fear na sainnte do tugt an fheirm do ana-shaor, daon ghn, chun na
rialach d do chur ar neamhn d mbfhidir . Uaireanta do tugt an fheirm dfhear na sainnte gan
aon chos ar feadh bliana n dh, ar an ntinn gcanna, ach is i ganfhios a deint sin. Do
mhadaigh ar na gnomharthaibh doltais mar gheall ar an gcamastaol san. F dheireadh do
gortaodh daoine. Ansan do maraodh daoine. Norbh fhidir do Ghladstone an saghas san oibre do
leogaint ar aghaidh. Nor bhris an tinenta aon dl nuair a dhiltaigh s don ramharchos a dhol.
Nor bhris an landlord dl na rochta nuar a chaith s amach an tinenta. N l n mar a bhris s dl
na rochta nuair a dhein s a dhcheall ar thinenta eile chur isteach sa bhfeirm. Nor bhris fear na
sainnte dl na rochta nuair a thg s an fheirm. Gan amhras do bhris s dl an chirt nuair a dhein s
ar a chmharsain rud nr mhaith leis a dhanfadh an chmharsa air fin. Ba leis an gcmharsain an
fheirm, mar is le hagir a cuireadh amach as an bhfeirm . Nor chosain dl na rochta ar an agir
. Nor dhein san ceart den agir. Ach do bhris an chmharsa dl D agus dl na rochta in ineacht
nuair a chuir s an pilar tr fhear na sainnte mar gheall ar an bhfeirm do bhreith uaidh.
Tmpall na haimsire sin do chonac fin pipar a thinig anall Lndain: Punch an ainm a bh ar an
bpipar san. Bhodh peictiir magaidh air, ach bodh gur peictiir magaidh iad bhodh br
doimhinn le uaireanta. Bh peictiir acu ar an bpipar a chonac; Gladstone agus culaith
pholiceman uime agus na choilgsheasamh ar aghaidh siopa amach, agus a dhrom le doras an
tsiopa agus ag fachaint uaidh ar bhun an aeir. Istigh sa tsiopa, ag an gcntar, roinnt fear agus
adach dubh ar a ngnisibh acu, agus iad ag ceannach arm, gunna agus piostail, agus claimhte,
agus pc. Sagart laistigh den chntar agus ag dol na n-arm le. Disraeli na sheasamh amu in
aice Ghladstone agus ag fachaint suas air agus a mhar snte aige chun an tsiopa agus an chainnt
seo, mar dhea, ag teacht as a bhal: I say, Mr. Pleeceman, I think it is about time that you should
look in here!
Ansan do thinig na smachtdlithe i ndiaidh chile, gach smachtdl acu nba ghire n an smachtdl
roimis, go dt go raibh fir chreidinacha, gach aon phirt dirinn, site isteach in sna prosnaibh,
gan triail dl gan breith drag, agus go nduairt Gladstone an focal d, The resources of civilisation
are not yet exhausted*.
Bh airgead dhanamh suas ins gach aon it do sna daoine a bh in sna prosnaibh. Chumhnos
fin ar shl chun roinnt airgid a dhanamh suas do sna fearaibh a bh istigh n Rth. Shocraos ar
shaghas raffle a dhanamh, agus sid iad na duaiseanna a bh ar thicad an raffle.
90
A splendid Bengal tiger called Resources of Civilisation. Warranted sound in wind and limb.
A huge African elephant called Passive Resistance.
An Egyptian mummy called Rackrent, said to be as old as the days of Moses.
A magnificent puck goat called Peel, alias Fix Bayonets.
With many other highly interesting and valuable prizes.
Do doladh na ticada go tiubh. Chonaic an sagart pariste ceann acu. Bh s ar buile. Thinig s
chm agus ticad acu na limh aige.
Is tusa chuir amach iad so, a Athair, ar seisean.
Is me gan amhras, arsa mise, n feiceann t mainm thos orthu?
Agus cad chuige iad ar seisean.
Chun airgid a dhanamh, arsa mise.
Agus cad chuige an t-airgead? ar seisean.
Nesfadsa san duit go crunn, arsa mise, chuiris an cheist chm. Chun chur ag triall ar na
fearaibh n srid seo at istigh sa phrosn ag Buckshot.
Bh fearg i nglr gach duine againn an fhaid a bhomair ag cainnt.
Norbh fhada na dhiaidh san gur chuir an tEaspag mise soir go Cll ird in inead an tsagairt
pariste a bh ann, mar bh an duine bocht rchronna agus bh ag dul d chiall, agus n raibh s
oirinach chun na hoibre.
XXVI: Barry the Rake

*
Nuair a bhos socair thoir i gCll ird ars, tar is Rth Chormaic agus Magh Chromtha agus an
Rth do chur dom, mhothaos mo shlinte ag gilleadh ar chuma igin. Duairt na daoine liom go
rabhas ag fachaint ana-bhuailte amach. Is dcha go raibh an obair rdhian orm sa Rth, an scoil,
agus obair na pariste, agus obair an Land League, agus iad ar sil in ineacht. Nor ghlacas a
thuilleadh oibre scoile orm. Bh obair an Land League chmh dian i gCll ird an uair sin agus bh
s in aon bhall eile, ach ms ea bh daoine i mbun na hoibre ann cheana agus n raibh ormsa ach dul
agus cmhairle thabhairt uaim anois agus ars. Dfhg san me gan aon chram ach amhin cram
na pariste, agus norbh fhada go raibh mo ln-neart agus mo lnmhisneach ars ionam.
Bhnn amu ar fuaid na pariste gach aon l bre, i gcarriste bheag a bh agam, n ar muin capaill.
Ba mhr an t-athr bheith istigh i scoil. Do bhuailinn fin agus na daoine um chile go minic,
agus Gaelainn a labhraims i gcna lena chile. Thinig duine beag isteach Ghort na Sceiche
chm, l, dh iarraidh orm dul amach chun an ola chur ar dhuine a bh breite na thigh. Firn beag
aosta ab ea . Na chuis a thinig s. Bh fhios agam nrbh fhidir do gan bheith tuirseach.
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Chuireas isteach im aice sa charriste bheag , agus thugas marcaocht abhaile dho. Bh an fear
bocht ana-bhaoch.
Chromamair ar chainnt. Chromas-sa ar bheith ag cur tuairisce na gcmharsan air, fachaint crbh
iad a bh imithe anonn, n tar is bhis, fhgas an phariste naoi n deich de bhlianaibh roimis
sin. Sa cheistichn dom dfhiafraos de c raibh Barry the Rake, n an raibh s tar is bhis.
T s tar is bhis, an fear bocht, ar seisean, gura maith an mhaise dh anam !
File ab ea Barry the Rake, arsa mise.
Dob ea go deimhin, a Athair, ar seisean, agus dairos-sa blire filochta a dhein s agus go
deimhin do dhein s go hana-dheas .
Abair dom , arsa mise leis, m t s agat.
T s agam, a Athair, ar seisean. Sa drochshaol ab ea , ar seisean, agus bh an t-ocras ar gach

inne. Bh duine bocht gurbh ainm do Sen Grofa na chna thuaidh ansan ar Cathair Druinne,
agus duine bocht n raibh rghasta ann fin ab ea . Bh s psta, agus n raibh aon ghastacht mhr
sa mhnaoi ach chmh beag leis fin. Bh inon acu agus ba l an ghastacht a bh san inn n mar a
bh in inne den bheirt. Thadh Barry the Rake go dt an tigh go minic, agus bh aithne mhaith aige
orthu. Gheibheadh s bheith istigh uathu uaireanta, agus bile bhdh. Bh sagart pariste thuaidh i
mBaile Mhistala an uair sin, agus is dcha gur cumhin leat , a Athair. Murchadh Briain ainm
do.
Is cumhin liom go maith, arsa mise, agus bh aithne mhaith agam air.
Bhuel, ar seisean, bh an t-ocras i srid Bhaile Mhistala chmh dian agus bh s in aon bhall,
mar bh a ln daoine bochta ann agus bhodar ana-dhealbh. Bh an scal chmh holc san acu go
raibh an tAthair Murchadh ag ceannach mine agus dh roinnt orthu i dtre n faighids bs den
ghorta. Dairigh an Barrach go raibh an mhin d tabhairt amach i mBaile Mhistala. Cheap s, n
nrbh inadh, go raibh Sen Grofa bocht ag fil na mine, agus go bhfaigheadh s fin bile den
mhin le nithe ach dul thuaidh go Cathair Druinne. Sid thuaidh agus an t-ocras air. Chuaigh s
isteach.
An bhfuil aon rud anso a dhosfadh fear ocrais? ar seisean.
N raibh aon bhlire bdh f dhon t*!
Mheasas go mbeadh cuid den mhin agaibh, arsan Barrach.
Cad an mhin? arsa Sen.
An mhin seo at d tabhairt amach thuaidh ansan i mBaile Mhistala, arsan Barrach.
Nor airos focal na taobh, arsa Sen.
Greadadh cht, arsan Barrach, imigh thuaidh lithreach agus tabhair chinn cuid di!
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Nl aon airgead agam, arsa Sen.
T an sagart pariste ag tabhairt na mine d amach gan aon airgead. T s dh bronnadh ar na

daoine bochta. Imigh lithreach agus tabhair chinn cuid di. Fanfadsa anso go dtagair. Tim ag dul i
laige leis an ocras!
Dimigh Sen thuaidh. Tar is roinnt mhaith aimsire thinig s.
Ar thugais leat an mhin? arsan Barrach.
Nor thugas, arsa Sen.
Cad na thaobh? arsan Barrach.
Mar n bhfuaras , arsa Sen.

Cad dradh leat? arsan Barrach.
Do fiafraodh dom an raibh ocras orm, arsa Sen.
Agus cad dras le? arsan Barrach.
Duart n raibh, arsa Sen.
Airi, greadadh cht, cad na thaobh nr nsis an fhrinne dhibh? arsan Barrach.
N thabharfainn le r dhibh , arsa Sen.
mhuise, Dia linn! Dia linn is Muire! arsan Barrach.
Tharrig s peann agus dubh agus blire pipir as a phca. Bhds aige chun bheith ag scr na
filochta. Shuigh s agus do scrbh s sos an varsa so:
A Athair Murchadh at go gunta lofa,

Tabhairse cuid den mhin seo do Shen Ghrofa*.
T a bhean na hinsigh, agus a inon chronna.
T s fin na bhreall, agus beidh s amhlaidh choche!
Seo, ar seisean le Sen. Beir leat an pipirn sin, agus irigh go dt tigh an tsagairt fin agus
tabhair dho , isteach na limh fin, agus ghebhair an mhin. Imigh anois agus n b i bhfad.
Dimigh Sen agus do rug s leis an pipirn. Thinig s go doras t an tsagairt.
Cad t uaitse? arsan bhean t.
Dradh liom an pipar so thabhairt isteach na limh fin don tsagart pariste, arsa Sen.
Do shnap s an pipar as a limh agus dimigh s isteach.
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Seo, a Athair, ar sise, agus deir an teachtaire thabhairt isteach id lmh* fin duit.
Do ligh s a raibh ar an bpipar. Do lim s as an gcathaoir.
C thug duit seo? ar seisean.
Duine bocht at amu ag an ndoras, a Athair, ar sise.
Cuir chm anso isteach , ar seisean.
Do cuireadh isteach Sen.
C thug an pipar so dhuit? arsan sagart.
Dinis Sen a scal do chmh maith agus dfhad s .
Agus an tusa Sen Grofa? arsan sagart.
Is me, a Athair, arsa Sen.
Tuigim, arsan sagart. Do baineadh an t-ocras de Shen, agus do tugadh oiread mine dho agus
dfhad s a bhreith leis.
Agus, arsan sagart leis, abair leis an bhfear a thug an pipar so dhuit teacht chm anso ar
maidin, go bhfuil gn agam de.
Amireach a bh chinn dimigh an file thuaidh go Baile Mhistala, agus do tugadh a dhthain le
n-ithe dho, agus nuair a bh a dhthain ite aige do tugadh culaith adaigh do, agus dradh leis teacht
ars nuair a bheadh g aige le bia n le hadach.
inne do lifidh le haireachas an blire filochta san a scrbh an Barrach chfidh s n is fi dho a
thabhairt f ndeara. Chfidh s n fuil sa varsa ach forbheagn cainnte ach go bhfuil oiread rite sa
bheagn cainnte sin agus n darf as Barla lena sheacht n-oiread cainnte.
T fabhar ag an bhfile le hiarraidh ar an Athair Murchadh. Molann s a ghuntacht agus a

lofacht. Nor mhr cainnt fhada sa Bharla chun an d mholadh san do dhanamh, agus n
dhanfadh an chainnt fhada Bharla an d mholadh leath chmh deas agus dheineann an d fhocal
sa Ghaelainn iad. Ansan, n mr don fhile trua do Shen Ghrofa do mhiscilt i gcro an Athar
Murchadh. Agus c bhfuil an fear san na bheathaidh is m de thrua n an fear at psta le hinsigh
mn? D mbeadh aon chiall ag an inn bfhidir gurbh fhusaide , ach bh dbailt mfhortiin ar an
bhfear mbocht nuair a bh an inon na hinsigh chmh maith leis an mthair. Ansan, donas an scil
ar fad, fin n-a bhreall, agus mar bharra ar an ndonas san finBeidh s amhlaidh choche!
N haon inadh gur lim an tAthair Murchadh as an gcathaoir nuair a ligh s an pipar.
T aithne agam ar a ln filochta Barla, agus ar a ln dfhilocht na Grige agus dfhilocht na

Rmha. N hel dom in aon fhilocht dr cmadh riamh in aon teangain acu, be n marbh, aon
cheithre lne chmh maith leis na cheithre lntibh sin a chm Barry the Rake an uair sin agus an t-
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ocras air! Brevis esse certo, arsa Horatius, et obscurus fio*. T cainnt an Bharraigh sa varsa so
chmh brevis agus dob fhidir bheith, nos cruinnithe go mr n mar ab fhidir bheith in aon
teangain eile, agus in inead aon obscuritas a theacht den chruinnitheacht is breis solais a thagann
d drum. Is amhlaidh a glantar agus do neartathear an solas ar an machnamh.
XXVII: Tinentaithe agus Tiarna

I gcaitheamh na haimsire a thugas i gCll ird an uair sin bhos ag faire ar an ngleic a bh ar sil idir
na feirmeiribh agus na tiarnabh taln, agus ba dheas an radharc . Nuair a deint
drochghnomhartha doltais ar lucht na sainnte, a thgadh talamh as a mbodh tinenta igin
dbeartha, do hnst an scal in sna piparaibh thall i Sasana, agus do madat . Ansan do thagadh
an fhearg ar mhuntir Shasana, agus do cait na smachtdlithe do chur i bhfeidhm. Ansan thagadh
misneach don landlord agus tharraigeadh s chuige an seanadhoithos. Do chomineadh s leitir
chun tinenta ag ileamh cosa uaidh. Do taispent dhom an leitir. Sid an saghas cainnte a bhodh
inti:
CAREY,
Come in here on Saturday and pay your rent. The next application will be a writ.
GEORGE SMITH.
Nuair a chonac leitir acu chmhairlos do Charey dul agus an cos do dhol, le heagla go gcurf
tuilleadh costais air. Dimigh s isteach D Sathrainn a bh chinn. Tharraig s ln a dhuirn
dairgead as a phca agus shn s chun an agent . Chmhairimh seisean . Bh roinnt pingin in
easnamh air. Thg an t-agent suas an t-airgead na limh agus do steall s anonn i gcoinnibh an
fhalla i dtre gur ghluais na posa ag rnce ar fuaid an rlir.
Pick it up now, ar seisean, and go and bring me in the full amount!
Do phioc Carey suas an t-airgead agus chuir s na phca , agus thug s aghaidh ar an ndoras.
Dreach agus ag gabhil an doras amach duairt s, When I give it to you again you will keep it."
Thinig s abhaile. Thinig an writ. M thinig nor chuir Carey aon tsum ann.
F cheann beagn aimsire thinig athr dl. Bh an cluiche i bhfabhar don tinenta agus i gcoinnibh
an landlord. Do lean an scal mar sin ar feadh tamaill. Ansan thinig leitir eile n agent gcanna ag
triall ar Charey.
DEAR MR. CAREY,
I shall feel much obliged if you will come in next Saturday and let me have the rent. The
amount you owe is(gan aon trcht ar an ndeich agus daichead don writ).
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
G. SMITH.
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Nor chuaigh Carey isteach, agus n bhfuair Smith an t-airgead, an uair sin n riamh shin.
Sin mar a bhodh na tiarna, mn agus garbh, cneasta agus dothosach, gach re dturas, f mar a
ghluaisodh an cluiche le n na gcoinnibh, sos n suas. Chuirids i gcumhne dhom rud a thit
amach in aice t feirmera mrn blianta roimis sin. Bh beirt bhacach san it. Bh lmh le duine acu
gan aon lth inti, agus bh cos leis an nduine eile crapaithe, chmh crapaithe sin gur dh le duine
air nuair a bhodh an fear bocht ag sil gur ag cromadh agus ag ir a bhodh s. Do thrla go raibh
an bheirt ag teacht in ineacht chun t an fheirmera um thrthnna, l irithe. N raibh aon choinne
acu lena chile, agus go deimhin n raibh aon fhilte acu d chile. Bfherr le gach duine acu gan
an duine eile do theacht. Cheap fear na coise crapaithe go dtabharfadh s priocadh beag gar don
fhear eile.
Nch leathlmhach an aimsir seo againn, a Shein! ar seisean. Bh an aimsir ana-bhriste.
Do phrioc an focal leathlmhach Sen bocht, ach m phrioc thug s priocadh chmh gar leis
uaidh.
Ach, nl inti ach sos agus suas, sos agus suas, a mhic ! ar seisean.
Do thrla go raibh fear an t ag isteacht leis an gcainnt. Do sceart s ar ghir.
Dar fia, ar seisean, ach do thugabhair d chile chmh deas agus dairos dhanamh riamh !
Leathlmhach, agus sos agus suas!
Chuir s fhachaint ar an mbeirt dul isteach agus bheith sochnta lena chile. Ach sin mar a bh na
landlorda agus na hagent i gcaitheamh na haimsire sin, sos agus suas, sos agus suas, a mhic ,
l mn agus l garbh, l sbhialta agus l dothosach, l basach agus l drochmhinte, f mar a
bhodh an cluiche ag gabhil le n ag gabhil na gcoinnibh.
Ba rdheocair in aon chor a dhiteamh orthu nrbh agir ana-throm orthu gan leogaint dibh dl
dimirt na ln-neart ar na feirmeiribh, agus an cos dfhscadh astu d bhfisct an t-anam astu in
ineacht leis. Bhos l ar dnnar i dtigh duin uasail san it. Bh tiarna taln ag an mbrd. Bh focal
anois is ars aige scaoileadh amach i dtaobh na hagra a bh dhanamh ar na tiarnabh bochta.
N rabhas-sa dh leogaint orm gur thuigeas cad a bh ar sil aige. Fear bocht fnta ab ea ar gach
aon chuma eile, agus nor theastaigh uaim bheith dh ghrosadh. Bh duin uasal eile ag an mbrd
agus bh fhios agam gur leis na tiarnabh taln a bh a bhidh go lir, agus nor mhiste liom
clabhtg a bhualadh air d dtugadh s an chis agus an chaoi dhom. Dochtir ab ea . Do thug. Do
ghluais cainnt i dtaobh ceocu ag na feirmeiribh a bh an ceart n ag na mistrbh, agus ansan i
dtaobh conas ba cheart cosc do chur leis na gnomharthaibh doltais. N raibh aon fhocal agamsa d
r. F dheireadh do labhair an dochtir liom lom dreach.
Inis an mid seo dhom, a Athair, ar seisean. Cad t uaibh?
Cheap s go dtabharfainn caoi dho ar a ra gurbh rud a bh uainn n talamh gan chos a thabhairt do
sna feirmeiribh, agus go rabfadh san an seacht aithne, n raibh ann ach cuid na cmharsan do
thgaint go haindleathach.
96
Nesfadsa dhuit, a Dhochtir, arsa mise, cad t uainn. Sid at uainn; gan a bheith ar chumas
duine cuid duine eile do bhreith leis agus do chimed. An t a dheineann saothar is leis toradh an
tsaothair. An t a bhainfidh den duine sin toradh an tsaothair sin danfaidh s agir. Is rud at
uainn n cosc do chur leis an agir sin le dl.
Nor chuir an dochtir an tarna ceist chm.
N rabhas ach dh bhliain sa phariste nuair ab toil D glaoch ar an seanashagart. Duairt gach
inne gurbh mo cheartsa an phariste dhfhil ansan. N bhfuaras , fach. Duairt an tEaspag go
raibh s ar aigne an phariste thabhairt dom d maireadh an seanashagart cpla bliain n tr eile,
ach n fadfadh s thabhairt dom an uair sin mar go raibh mrn sagart eile aige a bh i bhfad
nba shia san obair n mar a bhos-sa, agus gurbh agir orthu san an phariste thabhairt dmhsa
an uair sin. D labhrainnse dfhiafrinn de cad na thaobh nch duine acu san a cuireadh ag
danamh oibre na pariste nuair a cuireadh mise dhanamh. Ach nor labhras. N duart aon fhocal.
Thugas dh bhliain eile sa phariste ansan fn sagart pariste a thinig, ag taispeint na mbithre
dho agus ag cur aithne aige fin agus ag na daoine ar a chile. N raibh aon fhocal Gaelainne aige
bodh gur i srid Magh Chromtha a tgadh .
Thugas dh bhliain i gCll ird i dteannta an tsagairt pariste sin, agus ansan do cuireadh thuaidh
me go Dn ar Aill. N fada bhos san it sin nuair irigh ana-chomheascar idir an tiarna taln ba
mh a bh ann agus a thinentaithe. Lord Doneraile an teideal a bh aige. Bhodh s dh mhaomh
nr chuir s fin aon tinenta amach riamh. Thids amach, fach. Seo mar a dheineadh s a ghn.
Bh na feirmeacha go lir curtha ana-dhaor aige. Nuair a thagadh tinenta ag dol chosa do glact
uaidh, go bre ridh, p mid a bhodh aige le tabhairt uaidh, agus do curt an chuid eile sos na
choinnibh i leabhar an chntais. Do dholadh s i gcna an mid ba mh a fhadadh s dhol; s
sin le r do dholadh s breis agus an mid ba mh ba cheart a bheith mar chos air. Ach bhodh an
cntas na choinnibh ag mad in aghaidh an lae, i dtre go mbodh a chro briste bheith ag
cumhneamh air, agus fhios aige n beadh aon bhreith go de aige ar an leabhar san do ghlanadh.
Do shleamhnaodh an scal amach. Do bhodh fhios ag na cmharsain an t-airgead mr a bheith sa
leabhar i gcoinnibh an fhir sin. Bhodh duine de sna cmharsain sin go mbodh roinnt igin airgid
cruinnithe aige, le grsaeireacht bfhidir. Dairodh s scal na feirme d. Thagadh s chun cainnte
leis an agent.
A leithid seo, a dhuin uasail, adeireadh s. Dairos go raibh an fheirm d Shein U Ruda le
cur, agus is amhlaidh mar at an scal doirinfadh an it mise go hana-mhaith.
Nl an fheirm le cur fs, adeireadh an t-agent, ach t an cos cheithre chad pnt i ndiaidh lmha.
Nl n mistir ach a chuid fin. N maith leis bheith dian ar Shen Ruda bocht, ach n mr do
gach inne a chuid fin fhil. M dholann tusa an cheithre chad pnt ghebhair an fheirm ar an
gcos gcanna at ar Shen Ruda.
T go maith, a dhuin uasail, adeireadh fear an airgid, agus dimodh s.
Chuireadh an t-agent fios ar Shen Ruda. Thagadh Sen Ruda bocht agus crith chos is lmh
air.
A leithid seo, a Shein, adeireadh an t-agent. T do chos cheithre chad pnt i ndiaidh lmha
anso sa leabhar so.
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T go macnta, a dhuin uasail, adeireadh Sen.
Is amhlaidh mar at an scal, a Shein, adeireadh an t-agent, n maith leis an mistir bheith dian
ort. Dfhadfadh s a bhfuil agat do thgaint le ceart dl d mba mhaith leis , agus tu chur amach
gan feirling. N maith leis sin a dhanamh ort fin agus ar do mhnaoi agus ar do chlann. Bheadh
s ssta d n-imth as an it agus a bhfuil agat do thgaint leat. T lir agus tr cnn de bhuaibh agat
agus cpla caoire. Dfhadfadh s iad san a bhaint dot le dl d mba mhaith leis , ach bheadh s
ssta d dtgth leat iad agus an tseilbh a thabhairt do. Ach t fhios agat fin d dtadh an scal
chun dl go gcaithf a bhfuil san it a thgaint.
Thuigeadh Sen Ruda cad an br a bhodh leis an gcainnt sin. Thugadh s uaidh an tseilbh agus
thgadh s leis p ifeachta beaga a bhodh aige, agus do mait an cheithre chad pnt do! Agus
dar ndin ba mhrchrooch an fear an mistir tar is an cheithre chad pnt san do mhaitheamh!
Do gheibheadh fear an airgid an fheirm, agus do gheibheadh an mistir an cheithre chad pnt d a
maitheadh do Shen Ruda.
N bhodh ag fear an airgid, bfhidir, ach tr chad. Thgadh s an cad eile ar iasacht as an
mbannc. Chuireadh san s pint sa mbliain de bhreis ar an gcos do, cos a bh r-rd ar fad cheana.
Chomineadh s leis ag briseadh a chro ag obair ar an bhfeirm go dt go mbodh, bfhidir, naoi n
deich de bhlianaibh curtha dhe aige. N bht rdhian choche air i dtaobh cosa. Ach nuair a bhodh
roinnt blianta caite aige san it bhodh, in ainnein a dhchill bhis agus bheatha, cheithre chad
pnt eile sa leabhar na choinnibh.
Do himirt an cluiche canna dreach ars, ar an gcuma gcanna. Do mait an cheithre chad pnt
ars dfhear an airgid nuair a gheibht fhear airgid eile. Mar sin dibh ag teacht agus ag imeacht i
ndiaidh chile. Sin mar a hnseadh an scal dmhsa nuair a chuas ann agus nuair a bhos a
diarraidh frinne an scil a dhanamh amach eatarthu.
Dirigh an t-imreas, mar theastaigh sna tinentaithibh laciste dhfhil sa chos a bh orthu, f
mar a bh dh fhil ag na tinentaithibh ar gach aon eastt eile sa dthaigh. N thabharfadh Lord
Doneraile aon laciste uaidh. Thinig na tinentaithe go lir chmsa agus diarradar orm an t-
airgead do thgaint ar mo limh fin, s sin an cos ach amhin an laciste, agus chimed go dt
go dtoiledh an mistir chun ghlacadh gan an laciste. Thgas an t-airgead agus chuireas isteach
sa bhannc . Thug lucht dl an mhistir iarracht ar gharnishee dhanamh ar an airgead nuair a bh
s sa bhannc. Do theip orthu. N dhanfadh an bannc rud orthu. Thinig rd Bhaile tha Cliath
dh r leis na banncairbh i nDn ar Aill an t-airgead do chimed go dt go dtabharfaids thar n-ais
dmhsa . Dfhan an scal ar an gcuma san ar feadh leathbhliana. Bh an mistir rghasta dhinn
fach. Nor chuir s an dl ar inne de sna tinentaithibh. Nuair a fiafrat dhe an dtabharfadh s an
laciste uaidh n bhodh dfhreagra choche aige ach n raibh aon dithneas air fin leis an gcos; go
nglacfadh s p mid a tabharf dho, p uair ba mhaith le haon tinenta thabhairt do. Norbh
fhidir aon rud a dhanamh le fear den tsrd san. F dheireadh do bhris ar an bhfoighne ag cuid de
sna tinentaithibh. Thnadar chm agus dradar nrbh aon mhaith bheith ag fgaint an scil mar a
bh s. Go mbfhidir go raibh cuid acu agus d dtugt dhibh an laciste fin n beadh ar a gcumas
an chuid eile den chos a dhol; go mbfhidir gur l a bheadh le dol acu gan an laciste dhfhil
n d bhfaighids . Chonac cad an fuadar a bh fthu agus chaitheas chthu an t-airgead. Is d
liom go bhfuaradar go lir nos m bntiste n mar a ghebhaids d ngerrt amach an laciste
dhibh agus an chuid eile dileamh orthu go lir sa tmpall. Bh a ln acu lasmu de phariste Dhn
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ar Aill agus d bhr sin norbh fhuiriste iad a chimed dlite le chile ar aon aigne ar feadh aon fhaid
mhr aimsire. Thinig aon toradh amhin fnta n obair. Do cuireadh deireadh leis an gcleas d a
deint ar Shen Ruda agus ar fhear an airgid. Bigean dfhear an airgid, feasta, sid igin
eile sholthar don airgead in aghmais chur isteach i bhfeirm Shein U Ruda. D ndeineadh
s an sid sin den airgead do lif Grabber! na dhiaidh. Bfhearra dho teitheadh as an ndthaigh
n an li san do dhul amach air. Bigean do a leas do dhanamh bodh gur d ainnein .
XXVIII: Madam Anne

Bhnn ag gabhil don Ghaelainn an fhaid a bhos i nDn ar Aill, ach n mr fhadainn a dhanamh.
Do labhrainn le hinne do labhradh liom , agus do linn as aon leabhar a cast orm na mbodh
aon tsaghas Gaelainne ann. Bhodh ainm na Gaelainne orm ar aon chuma, agus bhodh ceisteanna
ag teacht chm le riteach anois is ars, trd an bpost.
Thinig leitir chm l mhnaoi uasail a bh psta ag mac, n ag mac mic, do Dhnall Chonaill.
Inon ab ea do Bhianconi, an fear d go mbodh na cist go lir ar na bithribh aige go dt gur
chuir na traenanna deireadh le. Duairt s liom sa leitir go raibh scrbhinn aici a fuair s thos i
gCntae Luimn agus gurbh scrbhinn n an caoineadh d a dhein Eibhln N Chonaill ar bhs
Airt U Laeire, nuair a lmhadh ar nse Charraig an Ime. Duairt s go raibh fear igin thos i
Luimnigh ag casadh le Barla chur ar an scrbhinn di, agus go raibh eagal uirthi n raibh elas a
dhthain ar an nGaelainn aige chun na hoibre sin do dhanamh mar ba cheart. Dfhiafraigh s dhom
ar mhiste liom leogaint di an scrbhinn a chur chmsa chun Barla chur ar an gcainnt. Do chuireas
freagra chithi lithreach dh r li nr mhiste, agus go ndanfainn an obair dhi chmh maith agus
dfhadfainn . Chuir s chm an scrbhinn agus chuir s leitir chm in ineacht leis an scrbhinn dh
nsint dom go raibh aon lne amhin ann agus gur theip glan ar an bhfear thos a dhanamh amach
cad an br a bh leis an gcainnt a bh sa lne sin. Duairt s go raibh trcht sa lne ar Madam Anne
igin, agus n fadfadh an fear thos a dhanamh amach thalamh an domhain crbh Madam
Anne.
Is lir, ar sise, gurb ar an Madam Anne seo a bh an millen go lir ag Eibhln i dtaobh bhis
Airt. Ba mhaith liom a dhfhil amach, ms fidir , crbh fin agus cad a dhein s i gcoinnibh
Airt, n an amhlaidh a bh ad ar Eibhln mar gheall uirthi.
Is i mBarla do scrbh s an leitir, n nch inadh, ach sin buns na cainnte a bh sa leitir. Dinis s
dhom c bhfaighinn an lne sa scrbhinn. Chuardaos an scrbhinn agus fuaras an lne agus fuaras an
d lne roimis an lne sin. Sid iad iad.
Art Laeire
At anso traochta
mhaidin ann agam.*
Admham gur bhaineas leathadh as mo bhal agus gur dheineas sceartadh gire, i dtre gur airodh
ins gach aon phirt den tigh me, nuair a chonac an cuirpeach mn, drochaigeanta, diabla, Madam
Anne a bh irithe chm, amach as an bhfocailn mbeag neamhthuairimeach san mhaidin
annsince yesterday morning! N har an mnaoi uasail a scrbh an leitir chm a bh aon
mhillen agam, n nch inadh, ach ar an bhfear thos a bh dh leogaint air gur thuig s an
Ghaelainn.
Chuireas fin chithi an br ceart, agus duart li nr airos fin riamh aon trcht ar aon ad a bheith
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XXVIII: Madam Anne
ar Eibhln N Chonaill chun aon Madam Anne, n chun aon tsaghas Madam eile.
Ansan do scros amach an caoineadh go lir i mBarla, chmh crunn agus dfhadas , agus
chuireas chithi . N nch inadh, n har dheiseacht an Bharla a bhos-sa ag cumhneamh nuair a
bhos ag danamh na hoibre, ach ar dheiseacht na Gaelainne, agus ar conas a thabharfainn liom sa
Bharla deiseacht na Gaelainne agus neart na Gaelainne, agus fuinneamh na Gaelainne, agus an
dsacht agus an ghluaiseacht fola a chuireadh an Ghaelainn sin im chro fin nuair a labhrainn
amach go hrd. Chuireas mo scrbhinn Barla ag triall ar an mnaoi uasail in ineacht leis an
scrbhinn Gaelainne a chuir s chm. N d liom gur thaithn mo Bharla in aon chor li. Do scrbh
s fin Barla eile, le cnamh an Bharla a thugas-sa dhi. Ach dar liomsa do bhain s deiseacht na
Gaelainne as an obair ar fad. Mar seo, fach. San it na n-abradh Eibhln Mo ghr go daingean
tu! chuireadh an bhean uasal Barla ar an gcainnt mar seo: Beloved of my steadfast heart! N
fhadfainnse blas n cuma n crot fhil air sin. Is dcha, fach, go raibh s go maith mar Bharla.
Dairos daoine tuisceanacha dh mholadh.
Tamall beag na dhiaidh san do scrbh an bhean uasal channa chm ars. Duairt s gur airigh s
blire igin Gaelainne d labhairt; gur airigh s daoine a thuig an chainnt ag moladh na cainnte go
mr; gur scrbh s fin sos an chainnt de rir fuaimeanna na bhfocal, f mar fhad a cluasa greim
fhil ar na fuaimeannaibh; go raibh s ag cur na scrbhinne sin chmsa, istigh sa leitir sin, fachaint
an bhfadfainn br na cainnte dhanamh amach. Dfhachas ar an bpipar ar ar dhein s an
scrbhinn. Thugas iarracht ar fhoclaibh a dhanamh as na leitreachaibh. Nuair a chuireas na focail in
aice chile n raibh aon bhr le. Thugas iarracht eile. Bh na focail a thinig an tarna huair
bunoscionn ar fad leis na foclaibh a thinig an chad uair, agus n raibh aon bhr le ach chmh
beag. Thugas an tr hiarracht. Thinig na focail, an tr huair, bunoscionn leis na foclaibh a thinig
an d uair eile, agus theip orm ars aon bhr bhaint astu. Is d liom d mbeinn ag gabhil dibh
shin gurb an scal canna bheadh agam. Chuir an obair i gcumhne dhom leabhar a las mrn
blianta roimis sin. Vathek ab ainm don leabhar*. nstear sa leabhar conas mar a bh r uasal
rdchmhachtach sa domhan toir, agus gur bhuail chuige l ceanna igin a bh ag dol arm.
Cheannaigh an r claomh ana-bhre uaidh. Dimigh an ceanna. Ar maidin amireach a bh chinn
bh an r ag fachaint ar an gclaomh agus ag danamh inadh dhe, bh s chmh bre san. Dh
inichadh dho thug s f ndeara, ar a lann, scrbhinn igin. Thug s iarracht ar an scrbhinn do l.
Do theip air. Chuir s fios ar na scolirbh mra a bh ar a theaghlach. Do theip orthu aon bhr
bhaint as an scrbhinn. Bh fasg bhre mhr throm fhada ar gach inne acu. Cheap an r na cnn a
bhaint dobh, ach duairt s go ndanfadh s an gn na fasga do bhearradh dhobh. Do bearradh an
fhasg de gach inne acu. Thinig scolir mra gach aon phirt den rocht, gach inne acu
deimhnitheach go lifeadh s fin an scrbhinn. Do baineadh an fhasg den uile dhuine riamh acu.
F dheireadh thinig seanduine beag suarach dubh agus dronn air, agus fasg air nba bhretha go
mr n mar a bh ar inne den chuid eile. Do ligh s an scrbhinn agus do nocht s a bhr. An
claomh is ferr sa domhan don r is ferr sa domhan, n rud igin den tsrd san, is ea aduairt an
scrbhinn. Bh thas mr ar an r, agus do tugadh onir ana-mhr dfhear na druinne. Ar maidin
amireach a bh chinn duairt an r le fear na druinne an scrbhinn do l ars do. Chmh luath agus
dfhach fear na druinne ar an lann thinig tocht air.
Ligh amach dom ! arsan r.
, a r, arsan fear, n h an scrbhinn canna a bh inn ann!
Ligh , p rud ! arsan r.
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XXVIII: Madam Anne
Seo mar a ligh s amach:
Is mairg don r a shanntaonn elas at os cionn a thuisceana agus gnomh at os cionn a chumais.
Baintear leath na fasige dhe, arsan r, agus imodh s as mo radharc! Do baineadh, agus
dimigh. Na dhiaidh san bhodh an r fin ag casadh leis an scrbhinn do l, ach do theipeadh air i
gcna. Chodh s, fach, bodh na fadadh s an scrbhinn do l, nrbh an scrbhinn canna aon
d l as a chile. Bin an dhlta agamsa agus ag an scrbhinn a fuaras n mnaoi uasail d.
Dnseas an mid sin di sa leitir a chuireas chithi. Is dcha gur mheas s gur ag magadh fithi a
bhos, mar nor scrbh s chm shin.
XXIX: Baile Mhistala

I lr an chomheascair a bh ar sil i nDn ar Aill, idir thinentaithibh agus mistr taln, do shrois
tuairisc sinn ar chomheascar eile a bh irithe i mBaile Mhistala thoir. Do shuigh cirt i mBaile
Mhistala. Bh beirt ghiists ar an mbnse ann, .i. fear drbh ainm Eaton, R. M. agus Captaen
Stokes, R. M. Agus bh atrnae corinneach ann agus Edward Carson ab ainm do; Sir Edward
Carson a tugtar air anois, sa bhliain seo daois an Tiarna mle naoi gcad a ddhag. Ach is an
Carson canna a bh in atrnae corinneach ansd sa bhliain d daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad
cheithre fichid a seacht. Nor chuir na chig bhliana fichid at imithe shin aon fheabhas air.
Is chuige do shuigh an chirt sin n chun Liam Briain, M.P., agus Sen Mandeville do chur ar a
dtriail mar gheall ar chainnt igin phoibl a bh curtha na leith, agus a bh, dar le rialtas na huaire
sin, i gcoinnibh na dl.
Bh rd flta ag an mBrianach agus ag Sen Mandeville teacht agus a dtriail do sheasamh i dtaobh
na cainnte a bh curtha na leith. Nor thug inne acu aon toradh ar an rd. Nor thnadar chun na
cirte. Murar thnadar san, fach, thinig daoine eile, agus n chun na cirte do thnadar. Thnadar
go Baile Mhistala chun a chur in il go raibh fearg agus foch orthu fin agus ar an bpoiblocht go
lir mar gheall ar an agir a bh le danamh sa chirt sin an l san, nuair a bh briseadh dl le chur i
leith daoine toisc gur labhradar ar son an chirt agus i gcoinnibh agra.
Chuaigh mrn daoine Dhn ar Aill go Baile Mhistala an l san. Chuas fin ann in ineacht le.
Nuair a shroiseamair Baile Mhistala n fheacamair punn daoine ann. Bh na daoine a shrois an it
rmhainn bhodar imithe amach as an srid, ar bhthar Luimn, i gcoinnibh na ndaoine a bh ag
teacht an tre san, chun go ndanfaids sil in ineacht le thar n-ais isteach sa tsrid. Bhomairne
tamall maith ag feitheamh le ag doras t an Athar Toms Mac Muiris. T sps bre fada fairseag n
dtigh go raibh an sagart na chna ann, thuaidh agus dheas agus soir sos go dt bthar poibl na
sride. Bhomair ag feitheamh, ag fachaint soir sos ar thithibh na sride, agus in inead aon choinne
bheith againn go n-iredh toirmeasc is amhlaidh a bh eagal orainn n beadh againn ach cruinni
ana-bheag.
F dheireadh chonacamair an tslua ag teacht. Is cumhin liom fin go bhfeaca Sen Dolin sa tslua.
Bh s na shu i gcarriste. Chmh luath agus thinig s i radharc an chernaigh mhir mar a raibh
an cruinni le bheith, thg s a cheann agus dfhach s suas mrthmpall an chernaigh. Bh an it
go lir folamh. Bhos ag fachaint air agus is d liom go raibh diom air. Ach f mar a thinig an
tslua isteach do shilaodar suas i dtre t an tsagairt. Ansan do thosnaigh an it ar bheith ag lonadh.
Ar ball bh cruinni maith daoine ann i dtre go rabhamhair geall le bheith ssta. Bh d n tr
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charristbh fada curtha ar aghaidh dorais t an tsagairt amach i dtre go bhfadfadh na cainnteir
seasamh in irde ar na carristbh sin agus labhairt leis na daoine.
Bh a ln daoin uaisle anall Shasana ann. Thnadar dreach mar a thnamair go leir, dh chur in
il go raibh grin acu ar an gcuma na raibh dlithe d gcur i bhfeidhm in irinn. Bh Henry
Labouchre, M.P., ann, agus John Brunner, M.P., agus Thomas Ellis, M.P., agus tuilleadh nrbh iad.
Thinig mn uaisle anall Shasana, leis, ar a raibh Miss Mander. Bh fir eagair ann sna
piparaibh mra thall, ar a raibh Fred Higginbotham agus Bennett Burleigh, agus Sen Mac
Dnaill n Daily News.
Bh an tAthair Prthaln Mac Crthaigh, D.D., sa chathaoir, agus na huaisle a bh chun cainnte
dhanamh bhodar ar na carristbh fada lasmu de dhoras t an Athar Toms Mac Muiris. Chmh
luath agus chonaic na daoine go raibh an chainnt le tosn do bhrdar isteach tmpall ar na
carristbh fada. Deir daoine a bh ann agus do thuig an scal, go raibh tmpall ocht mle duine
bailithe isteach tmpall ar na carristbh. M bh, do ghebhadh, gan aon dabht, fiche mle duine sl
ar an gcernach. Bhos fin ar cheann de sna carristbh, agus bh radharc maith agam ar na daoine a
bh ann agus ar an sl a bh lasmu dhobh mrthmpall. N fheaca oiread agus aon pheeler amhin
in aon it ar an bhfaiche, n thos ar an srid.
N raibh an chainnt ach dreach ag tosn nuair a thugas f ndeara suathadh igin thoir thos ar imeall
an tsl. Bh tmpall fiche peeler agus fear nta thgaint eatarthu, agus iad a diarraidh
bhreith le suas chun na hite na raibh an chainnt le danamh. N raibh aon bhac in aon chor orthu
gabhil tmpall, agus nor thmpall mhr , ar an dtaobh thuaidh n ar an dtaobh theas de sna
daoine. N raibh aon bhreith in aon chor acu ar bhreith le isteach tr lr na ndaoine, mar bh na
daoine rbhrite ar a chile. In inead gabhil tmpall is amhlaidh a bhrdar isteach in sna daoine.
Bh na daoine a diarraidh sl dhanamh dibh, ach bh san ag teip orthu, n nrbh inadh. Ansan,
nuair n danfadh na daoine an rud nrbh fhidir a dhanamh, drdaigh na peelers a mbaitn
agus bhuaileadar na daoine. M bhuaileadar, bh baitn lmh ag formhr na ndaoine agus nuair
buaileadh iad do bhuaileadar i bhfreagairt. Do theith na peelers lithreach, iad fin agus an fear
nta. Cheapas go mbeadh suaimhneas againn ansan, ach n suaimhneas a bh ag teacht. I gceann
tmpall chig nemata thainig deichnir agus daichead de sna peelers agus a ghunna ag gach fear
dobh. Bh, go dt san, lasmu de sna daoine a bh na gcuis, mrn fear agus iad ar a gcapaillibh.
Nuair a chonacadar an bhreis de sna peelers ag teacht agus na gunna acu, sid tmpall iad go dt
go rabhadar na marcshlua lidir daingean idir na daoine agus na peelers. N raibh aon bhreith,
ansan, ag na peelers ar fhear na nta do bhreith le suas chun na cathaoireach. Bh tmpall tr
fichid fear acu ann, agus n raibh aon ghn eile acu le danamh ach an fear san do bhreith le suas.
D ngabhaids tmpall bheadh s thuas acu gan aon rghneas, agus rud eile, dhanfaims sl thuas do
lithreach. N raibh aon chur na choinnibh ag inne. In inead san is amhlaidh a mheasadar
bhreith le suas tr idir mharcshlua agus daoine. Chromadar ar na capaill do bhualadh. M
chromadar diompaigh na marcaigh cosa deiridh na gcapall le agus bhrdar na capaill siar isteach
na measc. Thg na peelers na gunna agus bhuaileadar idir chapaill agus marcaigh le.
Diompaigh na marcaigh orthu agus bhuaileadar iad chmh maith agus dfhadadar le p arm a
thinig chun lmha. Bh an obair go te acu ar feadh tmpall chig nemata sarar theith na peelers
as an it. Do lean roinnt de sna daoine ar a dtir. Chuaigh na peelers isteach sa bharrac uathu. Bh
gach aon rud go bre socair ansan. Bhos im sheasamh ar an gcarriste, ag brath air n beadh a
thuilleadh toirmisc againn. Bha gherr gur airos, go bre lidir fuaimintiil, urchar n mbarrac. Bh
inadh orm. N raibh troid n cmhrac ar sil. Cad chuige an t-urchar agus gan aon namhaid ag cur
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orthu? Thinig an tarna hurchar. Do lim Sen Dolin anuas den charriste, agus sid sos i dtre
an bharraic fin agus an tAthair Pdraig Ceallachin. Dairos an tr hurchar. Chmh fada agus
thann mo chumhne nor airos ach na tr hurchair. Do hnseadh dom na dhiaidh san go ndeigh
Sen Dolin agus an sagart isteach sa bharrac agus suas chun na finneige, thuas i mbarra an t mar
a raibh an peeler ar a leathghlin agus ag lmhach agus ag lonadh, agus gur rug Sen air agus
gur strac s siar n bhfinneig . Mura mbeadh san go mbeadh a ln eile marbh aige sara gcuirfeadh
inne d uachtarnaibh fin cosc leis. Nuair a fuair na daoine go raibh trir marbh, do scaipeadar.
Chuaigh na mn uaisle Gallda isteach i dtigh an tsagairt.
Do hnseadh dom go raibh roinnt saighdiir sa tsrid agus nuair airodar an lmhach gur thnadar
amach. P fear a bh na cheann orthu chonaic s lithreach n raibh aon chiall leis an lmhach.
Dhein s cordon de sna saighdiirbh a bh aige, agus bh na daoine ar thaobh den chordon agus na
peelers ar an dtaobh eile agus chimad s amach na chile iad. Mura mbeadh san do mharbhdh
na peelers tuilleadh. Bhodar fin agus na huachtarin a bh orthu as a meabhair glan. Duine de
sna huachtarnaibh sin ab ea an Captaen Pluincad d a fuair, in Echaill thoir, sum beag aimsire
roimis sin, Bhaile tha Cliath, an t-rd d, Dont hesitate to shoot. Norbh inadh fonn
lmhaigh air.
Dairos na dhiaidh san gur thit rud amach i gcaitheamh an lae sin agus gur chuir s inadh a chro
ar an nduin uasal Gallda Henry Labouchre. Bh ssa aige na charriste fin agus ssa de chlmh
ana-dhaor ab ea . Nuair a bh an cruinni ag scaipeadh agus gach aon rud trna chile, bh
Labouchre deimhnitheach n feicfeadh s an ssa bre go de ars. Thinig s chun na hite na
raibh an carriste. Fuair s an ssa ann roimis, gan aon n imithe air ach roinnt daoine bheith ag
fachaint air agus ag danamh inadh dhe agus dh r le fin gur dheocair daon fhuacht dul trd
isteach.
Sea! arsa Labouchre, d mba thall i Lndain, n in aon it eile sa domhan, a thitfeadh an mid
sin amach dmhsa, is rbheag an bhreith a bheadh agam ar mo shsa dhfheiscint ars! Deirim
anois, agus darfad as so amach ; is iad muntir na hireann na daoine is macnta sa domhan.
Chun na beirte, Liam Briain agus Sen Mandeville, do thriail is ea do shuigh an chirt an l san.
Nor fhreagair inne den bheirt an ghlao, n nrb inadh. Do chuir an chirt varntas amach chun
bertha orthu agus iad do thabhairt chun lmha. Do rugadh orthu agus do cuireadh isteach i bprosn
iad. Nuair a thinig an t-am chuige do tugadh go Baile Mhistala iad, chun na cirte canna, chun
iad do thriail, mar dhea. Deirim mar dhea, mar bhos fin ag an gcirt agus chonac an triail,
agus go deimhin n raibh sa triail ach triail mar dhea. Do glaodh an chis. B Liam Briain an
prosnach an l san. Do glaodh fnn na choinnibh. An peeler a thg nta a chainnte a bh mar
fhnn na choinnibh. Dinis s a scal. Thaispein s an pipar beag ar ar scrbh s na nta. Tadhg
hArrachtin5 a bh mar atrnae ag cosaint an Bhrianaigh.
Leog dom fachaint ar an bpipar san, arsa Tadhg.
Do sneadh chuige an pipar. Dfhach s air go gar. Ansan dfhach s ar an bhfnn go gar.
N h seo an pipar ar ar thgais-se na nta seo ar dtis, ar seisean.
Is iad san na nta a thgas, arsan fnn.

5 Timothy Harrington.
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Tabhair dhom an pipar ar ar thgais ar dtis iad, arsa Tadhg. Do stad an fnn bocht agus
dfhach s ar atrnae na corinneach agus suas ar an mbnse.
Nl fhachaint ort ach na nta thabhairt do, arsa atrnae na corinneach.
N chuirfidh an cs cor eile dhe, arsa Tadhg, go dt go dtabharfar an pipar eile dhmhsa.
Do lean an t-aighneas ar feadh tamaill. F dheireadh bigean don fhnn bhocht a lmh a chur
isteach na phca agus a sparn do thabhairt amach agus an seanaphipar do thgaint as an sparn
agus shneadh anonn chun Taidhg. Thg Tadhg an seanaphipar leathbhriste agus dfhach s
air agus do ligh s . Chuir s gire bheag as agus thaispein s an pipar don Bhrianach. Chuir
an Brianach gire mhaith lidir as. Cad a chuir ag gir iad? Sid an rud a chuir ag gair iad. Bh an
pipar tar is dul go Baile tha Cliath agus teacht thar n-ais, agus bh rd n Rnaire Mr i
mBaile tha Cliath scrofa treasna air, .i. Not to be used. Fach air sin! rd Bhaile tha Cliath
gan aon sid a dhanamh, i gcoinnibh an Bhrianaigh, de sna ntabh a tgadh d chainnt nuair a
bh an chainnt ag teacht as a bhal, ach sid a dhanamh na choinnibh de sna ntabh eile d a
cuireadh le chile na dhiaidh san! Sin dl agat! Ar an gcuma san dreach a bh dl Shasana cur i
bhfeidhm in irinn gach aon l riamh, n l san i mBaile Mhistala, siar ar fad go dt an l d a
chuir Toms Dubh Wentworth dl Shasana i bhfeidhm ar uaislibh Connacht, n headh, ach siar go dt
an chad l a thinig dl Shasana isteach in oilen na hireann.
An t mhachndh air is d liom go dtuigfeadh s nr deineadh mar daoine riamh a bh nba
ghrinne nba dhistin, nba neamhghtara, n an mar san a deineadh i mBaile Mhistala an l
san. Ba mhar a chile dreach agus d dtugt aghaidh ar aonach, n ar phobal Aifrinn, agus tosn
ar na daoine do lmhach gan chis gan abhar. D ngabht tmpall, mar a raibh an tsl folamh,
dfhadf fear na nta do chur ar cheann de sna carristbh fada chmh luath agus chuaigh inne
de sna cainnteirbh suas orthu. D gcurt teachtaireacht ag triall ar fhear na cathaoireach dh
iarraidh go leogf fear na nta suas ann, do dhanfaims go lir sl dho lithreach, n nch inadh.
Cad chuige go raibh cainnt againn le danamh ach i dtre go raghadh r gcainnt chun cnn ag triall
ar mhuntir an rialtais? P scal , n raibh le danamh ach cead diarraidh agus bh an cead le fil.
Nuair a bhos-sa sa Rth, dreach nuair a bh an chaismirt ag tosn idir thinentaithibh agus
mistrbh taln, do cuireadh tuairisc chm l, go raibh cruinni mr tinentaithe le bheith thiar i
dTulach Lias agus dh iarraidh orm dul ann. Chuas ann. Bh cruinni bre ann. Nuair a bh an obair
ag tosn agus na cainnteir ag dul suas ar an rdn, chuas fin suas air. C chfinn guala le
gualainn liom ar an rdn ach fear na nta. Do hiarradh cead do agus do fuaradh, agus bh s ansd
thuas agus gan aon chur isteach ag inne dhanamh air. Bh sagart sa chathaoir againn, an tAthair
Maitias Mac Mathna, sagart pariste an Bhthair Bhu, it at tmpall s n seacht de mhltibh siar
Cheann Tuirc. Bh an tAthair Samas Mrdha na Chaditor an uair sin i dTulach Lias agus is
air a bh cram oibre an lae, agus ba mhaith an dol air . T s na shagart pariste anso im aice
anois, i Rth Chormaic, agus na Channach. Chuir s gach inne in it fin, agus do ghluais an
chainnt, de rir ird. Dhein fear na cathaoireach a chuid cainnte. Dhein an tAthair Samas a chuid
cainnte, agus ba mhaith agus ba stuama an chainnt a dhein s. Nor mhiste an gn fhgaint f.
Thinig an t-am dom fin chun mo chuid cainnte dhanamh. Bh fhios agam go raibh an
Ghaelainn go maith an uair sin ag na daoine a bh ag isteacht liom, agus i dtre go mbeadh roinnt
spirt agam ar fhear na nta, a bh ageam ghualainn, do chromas ar mo chainnt a dhanamh as
Gaelainn. Do las sile na ndaoine go lir lithreach leis an sprt. Thugas f ndeara gach re
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bhfachaint ag gach aoinne thabhairt orm fin agus ar fhear na nta. Diarmaid ab ainm do,
Diarmaid Stringer. Chomineas liom ar feadh tamaill go dt go raibh na daoine go lir ag scigeadh.
Ansan diompaos agus dfhachas ar Dhiarmaid. Bh s ansd na sheasamh agus a phinsil na
bhal aige. Do stadas ag fachaint air, agus me ag gir, go dt go raibh na daoine go lir ag faire
fachaint cad darfainn, ansan diompaos chun na ndaoine agus, N deirim, arsa mise, n go
bhfuil breall ar Dhiarmaid. Nor fhadas a thuilleadh do r, dirigh a leithid duaill ghir.
Mheasas go dtitfeadh an tAthair Maitias as an gcathaoir thinig a leithid sin de thritheamh gir air.
Dheineamair r ngn agus n raibh lmhach n mar againn. Thug an tAthair Samas (an Cannach
anois), thug s dnnar bre brothallach dinn. Do deineadh a ln cainnte ag an ndnnar, leis. Bh
cuid den cainnt feargach, feargach go maith. Ach bh an chilith chmh maith san ag an Athair
Samas, agus an stuaim chmh daingean san ann, go mbaineadh s an faobhar den fheirg i gcna
sara bhfadadh s aon dobhil a dhanamh.
D ndeint an gn i mBaile Mhistala an l d mar a deineadh i dTulach Lias tmpall seacht mbliana
roimis sin, agus mar a deineadh na ln iteanna eile i gcaitheamh na haimsire, n bheadh lmhach
n mar ann.
XXX: Dhn ar Aill go Caislen Liathin

An fhaid a bhos i nDn ar Aill thinig taom breiteachta orm agus ba rdhbair do me bhreith as
an saol. Bhos im ln-neart an l sara dtinig s orm. Thinig s orm go han-obann, f mar a tabharf
nimh do dhuine. Bhos im lu leis ar feadh d n tr sheachtainbh *. Ansan b toil an Tiarna gur
chuireas dom . Bh dochtir maith tuisceanach de mhuntir Rordin sa tsrid an uair sin, agus
thug s aire mhaith dhom. T s tar is bhis, beannacht D len anam!
Nor thuigeas an uair sin cad f nder an taom san do theacht orm, agus me chmh lidir, chmh
dea-shlinteach, dreach sara dtinig s orm. Do thuigeas na dhiaidh san go maith.
T an Abha Bheag ag gabhil aniar Chll na Mullach go Dn ar Aill. Gabhann s f dhroichead at

thuaidh ag bun sride Dhn ar Aill. Abha bheag shalach is ea . Is isteach inti a thann salachar
sride Chll na Mullach agus salachar na tre go lir as san soir go Dn ar Aill agus ansan salachar
Dhn ar Aill fin, i dtre nch fidir don uisce gan bheith ln de nimh an tsalachair sin. N bhodh
aon chothrom uisce againn i nDn ar Aill ach buachaill agus asal aige agus tobn aige, istigh i
dtrucailn an asail, agus ag tarrac an uisce chun na ndirse, chun na ndaoine, agus na daoine ag
dol as an uisce. Thgadh s an t-uisce ag an ndroichead, dreach mar a raibh an salachar go lir, n
srid, ag dul isteach san abhainn. Thadh muntir mo thse agus thugaids uisce bird le thobar
foruisce a bh tamall n srid, mar bhodh an t-eagal againn roim uisce na habhann. Nuair a bh an
scal ar an gcuma san ba rdheocair gan deard a dhanamh uaireanta, agus uisce na habhann do
chur ar an mbrd agus dhl. Pr domhan , do buaileadh isteach im aignese gurbh uisce na
habhann san a chuir an taom breiteachta orm.
Bh sagart pariste sa tsrid, agus do thuig s cntirt an uisce, agus bhodh s go minic a diarraidh
a chur fhachaint ar Bhrd na mBocht cothrom uisce do thabhairt isteach sa tsrid tr phopabh,
thobar igin foruisce sa chngaracht. Ach do theipeadh air. D ndeint do chaithfeadh muntir na
cmharsanachta breis bheag igin cnach a dhol as. N thoileids chuige sin. An t-uisce a bh
maith a ndthain dibh riamh roimis seo t s maith a ndthain dibh anois, adeirids.
Na daoine gan chiall! Ba chir go dtuigfids, d dtagadh drochbhreiteacht sa tsrid, bheith ag
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XXX: Dhn ar Aill go Caislen Liathin
sid an uisce sin, go leathfadh an drochbhreiteacht ar fuaid na tuatha agus ansan go ndolfadh
muntir na tuatha go daor as an sprionnlaitheacht.
Chmh fada agus thann mo chumhne is d liom gur tar is me theacht n dtaom san a chuas go
Cll Chaoi go dt an sile, agus gurb sin uair a bhuail an Spinneach d umam a thug dom an
labhairt cheart ar Don Quixote .i. Don Cocht*; n bfhidir gur uair igin eile , mar bhos
cpla uair eile san it.
Sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle ocht gcad cheithre fichid a deich, ag danamh amach ar dheireadh
na bliana, do leath eadrainn an scal, go raibh an sagart pariste a bh anso i bpariste Chaislein
Liathin, go raibh s ag dul chun bis. Fuair s bs i ndeireadh an chad mh den bhliain nua.
Beannacht D len anam! Ansan, an deichi l den tarna m den bhliain mle ocht gcad cheithre
fichid a haondag, do chuir an tEaspag leitir chmsa dh r liom dul im shagart pariste go pariste
Chaislein Liathin. Tim anso shin.
XXXI: Obair Chosanta na Gaelainne

Is d liom go rabhas dh bhliain anso nuair a thosnaigh obair na Gaelainne, dirribh, i mBaile
tha Cliath. Do thuigeas n gcainnt a bh ar sil, agus as na fgra a thagadh amach, go raibh socair
ar an nGaelainn bhe a bh i mbalaibh na ndaoine do shaothr. Bh fhios agam go dianmhaith gur
mar sin ba cheart an obair a dhanamh m bh s le danamh in aon chor. Bh leabhair Eghain U
Chamhra agam agus an graimar Gaelainne do scrbh Donnabhin, agus bh fhios agam n
raibh aon bhreith ag leabhraibh den tsrd san ar oiread agus aon l amhin sa mbreis do chur le saol
na Gaelainne. Bh fhios agam gur admhaigh na fir sin fin n raibh uathu ach oiread agus
dfhadfaids den Ghaelainn a bheith socair daingean i leabhraibh acu, i dtre go mbeadh an mid
sin di le fil in sna leabhraibh sin nuair a stadfadh muntir na hireann d labhairt. Do chonaic
Donnabhin agus Camhra go raibh s ag imeacht, ag imeacht go ridh, ach ag imeacht go
deimhnitheach, agus thuigeadar go maith n raibh aon bhreith ag an obair a bh acu fin dhanamh
ar aon chosc do chur leis an imeacht san.
T s daingean im aigne, fach, nr thuigeadar an dobhil a bh san imeacht san. Is d liom gur
thuigeadar, agus gur thuig a ln nrbh iad an uair sin, agus i bhfad na dhiaidh san, gur thairbhe
mhr a dhanfadh an t-imeacht. Bh ciseanna troma acu fin agus ag daoine eile lena thuiscint go
mbeadh tairbhe san imeacht. Na daoine a bh be in irinn an uair sin agus gan acu ach an
Ghaelainn, is amhlaidh a bh ceangal na gcig gcaol ar a n-aigne chmh fada agus chuaigh gntha
saolta. In aon tsaghas gntha dl, cuir i gcs, bh fear an Bharla balta ar an ndubh do chur na
gheal orthu agus ar an ngeal do chur na dhubh orthu, agus n raibh aon chaoi acu ar iad fin do
chosaint. D n-nsids a scal fin as Gaelainn n thuigfeadh aon duine iad, ach amhin, bfhidir, an
fear a bheadh ceapaithe ar an agir a dhanamh orthu. Bhodh an fear teangan acu, ach d mbeadh
breab glacaithe ag an bhfear teangan san conas a bheadh an scal acu? P taobh na bhfacht
isteach an uair sin sa chuma ar a raibh an duine n raibh aon Bharla aige, do cht go raibh s i
gcruachs go tiubaisteach. Sin f ndeara do Dhnall Conaill a r gurbh fherr leis go mbeadh an
Ghaelainn seacht mle sos f uisce na farraige thiar. Chonaic s os cmhair a shl an agir
uathsach dhanamh ag fear Shasana, coitianta, ar an ireannach, agus gan ar chumas an
ireannaigh aon fhocal do labhairt chun fin a chosaint ach focal n tuigf. Dhein Dnall
Conaill fin obair mhr ag cosaint na nGael ar an agir a bh dhanamh orthu. Thuig s go
hlainn n beadh aon bhreith aige ar an obair sin a dhanamh mura mbeadh an Barla bheith
chmh maith aige, agus bheith balta ar lucht an Bharla do throid as a gcainnt fin, as Barla.
106
Nor chumhnigh inne ar an d theangain do chur ar sil in ineacht. Do mheas gach inne nr
bhaol n go mbeadh tuilleadh agus a dhthain Gaelainne ag gach ireannach p cuma na
ngebhadh an saol i dtaobh Barla. N raibh ach lucht machnaimh, mar Camhra agus
Donnabhin, a thug f ndeara go raibh an Ghaelainn ag imeacht. Nor thugas-sa fin f ndeara go
raibh aon bhaol uirthi go dt gur chuas isteach sa choliste, agus go bhfeaca buachaill irithe suas
agus gan aon fhocal Gaelainne acu.
Do thuig lucht machnaimh, agus lucht faire aimsire, go raibh an Ghaelainn ag imeacht. Do thuig
lucht gntha poibl, agus lucht cosanta na nGael ar an bhfeall a bh dhanamh orthu ag muntir an
Bharla, do thuigeadar d luathacht a bheadh an Ghaelainn imithe agus an Barla i mbalaibh na
nireannach go lir gurbh ea ab fherr . Nor thuig inne an uair sin an dobhil bhunaigh a
dhanfadh s do chine Gael an Ghaelainn dimeacht uathu; gur mhar a chile dhibh agus a ndr
fin dimeacht astu amach. Nor thuig inne an lirscrios maraitheach a bheadh danta ar an aigne
Ghaelach nuair a bheadh an Ghaelainn imithe, agus gan i gcro n i mbal an ireannaigh,
Dhomhnach Dia go Tigh Mhire, ach Barla briste. Cad an tairbhe dhanfadh saothar U
Chamhra, n saothar U Dhonnabhin, don duine n beadh de chainnt na bhal aige ach Barla
briste, agus n beadh de mhachnamh na chro aige ach an machnamh a thabharfadh an Barla
briste dho? Is dcha gur mheas Dnall Conaill, d mbeadh an Ghaelainn seacht mle fn
bhfarraige, agus an Barla i mbalaibh na nireannach go lir, go mbeadh an Barla acu chmh
maith agus bh s aige fin. M mheas, do dhein s deard. Gan amhras bh Barla briste go tiubh
in irinn le lnn Dhnaill U Conaill, agus nor chuir an Barla briste sin aon deals aigne ar an
muntir a bh dh labhairt. Nor dhein, agus cad na thaobh nr dhein? Nor dhein mar bh saibhreas
lainn, uasal, frleitheadil na Gaelainne istigh na n-aigne acu, laistigh den Bharla bhriste. T an
saibhreas san imithe anois n mid de mhuntir na hireann go bhfuil an Ghaelainn imithe uathu.
T roinnt acu do thuigeann an chreach, agus t iarracht acu dhanamh ar an saibhreas do chruinni
chthu ars. Is usa go mr scarint le saibhreas n teacht suas ars leis.
D ndeint an d theanga do shaothr in ineacht n uair a thosnaigh muntir na hireann dirribh

ar an mBarla do labhairt eatarthau fin, do chabhrdh an d theanga lena chile, agus chuirfids
neart na chile agus cruinneas nrbh fhidir a bheith in aon teanga acu na haonar. Nor deineadh
san. Bh a rian air. Nuair a mheasc an d theanga ar a chile agus gan saothr dhanamh ar aon
teangain acu, is amhlaidh a bh a ln daoine ag dul am ins gach teangain acu. Sin f ndeara do
Dhiarmaid Mumhneachin focal d do r,
Na daoine is l ciall in irinn

Daoine gan Bharla gan Ghaelainn!
Ach dairos an chainnt agus na rfla, Bhaile tha Cliath, dh r go raibh buon le cur ar bun
chun na Gaelainne shaothr agus chun chimed be, mar chmhr, d labhairt a balaibh na
ndaoine. Bh thas mr orm nuair airos an mid sin. Dairos, leis, gur sagart g * a bh i Mgh
Nuat ba bhun leis an iarracht san.
Do ghluais na blianta. N g dhmhsa aon tuairisc a thabhairt anso ar obair agus ar chrsabh na
mblianta san. Bfhidir fach nr mhiste dhom aon fhocailn amhin do r i dtaobh na hoibre. Do
chonac, ag tosn na hoibre dhinn, gur ar an aos g a bh r seasamh i gcmhair na haimsire a bh
rmhainn. Ag machnamh dom air sin do thuigeas im aigne n raibh aon rud in aon chor againn, i
bhfuirm leabhair, le cur i limh aon linbh chun na Gaelainne do mhineadh dho. As mo mhachnamh
do shocraos ar leabhar f leith do scr dr n-aos g, leabhar go mbeadh cainnt ann a bheadh glan
107
sna lochtaibh a bh i bhformhr cainnte na bhfil; leabhar go mbeadh an chainnt ann oirinach don
aos g, leabhar go mbeadh cainnt ann a thaithnfeadh leis an aos g. Sin an machnamh a chuir
fhachaint orm Sadna do scr. Do thaithn an leabhar le gach inne, g agus aosta. Do ladh do
sna seandaoine agus do thaithn s le. Dairodar, rud nr airodar riamh go dt san, a gcainnt fin ag
teacht amach a leabhar chthu. Do thaithn s leis na daoinibh ga mar bh coslacht mhr idir
Ghaelainn an leabhair sin agus an Barla a bh na mbalaibh fin.
XXXII: Onir don Obair

Do ghluais an aimsir. Do leanas den obair. Dheallrdh an scal gur tuigeadh gur dheineas mo chion
den obair maith go ler. Thit rud amach sa bhliain daois an Tiarna mle naoi gcad a ddhag, rud a
thaispein gur tuigeadh; rud n titfeadh amach in aon chor mura mbeadh gur tuigeadh. An tarna l
fichid dAbrn na bliana san do bhronn uaisle cathrach Bhaile tha Cliath saoirse na cathrach san
orm fin agus ar an Ollamh Kuno Meyer, mar gheall ar a raibh danta againn ar son na Gaelainne.
Do bronnadh an nir air sin mar gheall ar an saothar a bh danta aige ar sheana-Ghaelainn na
hireann, agus do bronnadh an onir ormsa mar gheall ar an saothar a bh danta agam ar son na
Gaelainne at be in irinn fs. Ghabhamair araon r mbaochas le huaislibh na cathrach. Le lnn a
bhaochais fin a ghabhil le don Dochtir Kuno Meyer duairt s focal a chuir in il dinn go lir
nch inniu n inn do thosnaigh s fin ar bheith ag cur suime i nithibh Gaelacha. (Do labhair s as
Barla.) Tar is roinnt cainnte do r dho duairt s mar seo.
Duairt mo sheanathair liom, agus me im leanbh, thall i gcathair Hamburg, go raibh, go deimhin,
cainnt idir fin agus Napper Tandy, agus gur rug Napper Tandy greim ar limh air, lom dirribh,
nuair a bh s na gharsn. Dinis s an mid sin dom i bhfad sarar airos-sa aon trcht ar The
Wearing of the Green.*
Do thaispein san go raibh bidh ag Kuno Meyer, agus ag athair, agus ag sheanathair, le hirinn
agus le muntir na hireann, i bhfad sarar thosnaigh an obair seo na Gaelainne.
Nuair a bh an onir sin tabhartha dhinn ag muntir Bhaile tha Cliath chuamair siar go Coliste
Phdraig Naofa i Mgh Nuat, mar bh cuireadh flta againn Uachtarn an Choliste, an sagart
oirirc agus an t-ollamh diagachta Monsignor Mainchn, at anois in rdeaspag thall i Melbourne.
Thug s cuireadh do thrir againn, don Ollamh Kuno Meyer agus do Dhochtir hAimhirgin agus
dmhsa. Chuamair siar Bhaile tha Cliath ar mhtar*.
Tar is an dnnir do chruinnigh buon Choluim Cille sa halla mr agus dheineamair go lir a ln
cainnte. Ar an nGaelainn agus ar gach aon rud a bhain leis an nGaelainn is ea dheineamair an
chainnt.
I gcaitheamh na cainnte dhinn agus i gcaitheamh an trthnna, do chumhnos fin go minic ar

thuama at ansd sa roilig bheag laistiar den Choliste. T cmhra throm iarainn istigh sa tuama san
agus tid cnmha duine, cnmha sagairt, istigh sa chmhrainn sin. Do tugadh an chmhra san agus
an mid at istigh inti aniar ar fad n dtaobh thiar den chruinne, Los Angeles, treasna na mlte
mle tre agus uisce, agus do cuireadh isteach sa tuama san agus t s ann. Is iad cnmha an Athar
Eghan Gramhna at istigh sa chmhrainn. T s fin thuas in aoibhneas na bhflaitheas. Bh s ag
fachaint anuas orainn an oche d, agus bh thas air. Chonaic s an obair ag dul chun cnn go be
agus go bromhar, tar is na mblianta go lir, an obair a bhris a shlinte fin agus do shlad an t-anam
as i dtosach a shaeil, an obair d mbeadh beatha trr aige go dtabharfadh s an bheatha san go lir
chun na hoibre sin do chur chun cnn.
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XXXII: Onir don Obair
Nuair airigh uaisle cathrach Chorca an rud a bh danta ag uaislibh Bhaile tha Cliath thuigeadar
gur cheart dibh fin rud igin den tsaghas channa do dhanamh. Shocraodar ar shaoirse Cathrach
Corca thabhairt do Dhochtir Kuno Meyer agus dom fin. Cheapadar l chuige, agus ar mhara
an tsaeil cad an l a cheapfaids chuige ach an cigi l fichid de Mhitheamh an Fhmhair, .i. L
Bharra Naofa, l naoimh an Ghuagin, an naomh go bhfuil cathair Chorca ar a choimirce.
N raibh aon choinne agamsa go bhfeicfinn an radharc a chonac an l san. Nuair a thnag fin agus
Kuno Meyer amach as an dtraein i gCorcaigh bh mrshlua leanbh ann ag cur filte rmhainn. Do
ghabhadar amhrn dinn, amhrn Gaelainne, amhrn a chm an tAimhirgneach dibh. Bh Maor
na cathrach ann agus carriste aige dhinn chun sinn a bhreith go dt Halla na Cathrach. Bh grda
lucht airm dhr dtionnlacan, rmhainn amach agus nr ndiaidh agus ar gach taobh den charriste,
agus iad glasta in arm s in ide de rir mar a bhodh a leithid in aimsir Chchulainn. Nuair a
chonac iad do chumhnos ar l a bhos i gCorcaigh, suas le deich mbliana fichid shin. Bh
toirmeasc na taln ar sil ar buile an uair channa. Thinig an tIarla Rua 6 go Corcaigh mar dhea
chun scein a chur ionainn go lir, agus smacht do chur orainn. Chonac ag teacht amach as an
dtraein. Bh grda lucht airm ar an lthair roimis, chun chosaint orainne, mar dhea. Chumhnos
ar an Iarla Rua san nuair fhachas im thmpall agus chonac mo ghrda fin.
Dar fia, arsa mise im aigne, ach is ferr an grda at agamsa inniu n an grda a bh ag an Iarla
Rua an l d!
Chuamair trd an gcathair; anonn treasna an droichid mhir; siar go dt an tsrad mhr leathan d
mar a mbodh an Capall Bu fad *; soir ars agus anonn treasna an droichid eile; go dt Halla na
Cathrach. I gcaitheamh na sl sin go lir bh na daoine, g agus aosta, brite ar a chile ar gach
taobh dnn, agus iad ag liirigh agus ag greadadh na mbas ag cur filte rmhainn. Nuair a chuamair
isteach sa Halla mr bh na daoine bailithe istigh ann. Bh s ln, chmh ln agus nrbh fhidir d
thuilleadh dul isteach ann. Dheineamair cainnt ansan agus do deineadh cainnt linn, agus bh inadh
r gcro orainn araon a fheabhas do labhair na buachaill ga an Ghaelainn linn.
Measaim nch miste dhom stad anso, agus a r, mar adeireadh lucht scalaochta in irinn fad:
Gonadh sin mo scalsa go nuige sin.
Nta
Caibideal I
14 Ar Ghaelaibh: the lack of a definite article is noteworthy here. There are numerous analogous examples in Irish of stylistic
variation in article use (cf. Gaelainn/an Ghaelainn); it seems use of the article is less vital than in other European languages,
particular in terms of usage with proper nouns. Also note the use of what were originally plural nouns denoting population groups
such as Connacht, Sasana and Ulaidh to refer to the territories or countries they inhabit: it seems Gaelaibh here is used in an
analogous way to mean Ireland.
14 Daichead blian tar is bhriseadh Chionntsile is ea dirodar amach ars: note the present tense is ea. Normally the copula will
be present-tense in such sentences, regardless of the tense in the main clause. PUL explained in Papers on Irish Idiom (p2) that a
present-tense copula is is used where the fact remains true.
14 Beid Sasanaigh: PUL used the plural form of the verb when governed by nouns in the present and future tenses, and occasionally
in other tenses. Beidh Sasanaigh would be more normal nowadays. Also note similar usage with the third-person plural pronoun
(tid siad, beid siad) throughout PULs works. Where such usage is not given in the original, such as go mbeidh na spealadir
againn in Ch7 here, the spelling of the original is retained in this edition, although mbeidh is possibly a typo for mbeid in that
case.
6 Earl Spencer.
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14 Ag an mBnn mBorb: eclipsis of the adjective in the dative is a noted feature of WM Irish. Such usage was not universallenition
in such circumstances is also foundbut was more common where the noun itself was eclipsed. Some phrases such as ar an
gcuma gcanna and san am gcanna are always found with such eclipsis.
14 Na leathbhfabhar: half-favours. Leath normally lenites, but eclipses an f in WM Irish.
15 R Sacsan: the King of England. This normally appears as R Shasana, with lenition, in line with rules governing lenition of
placenames in the genitive singular. However, the form given here literally means King of the Saxons, with Sacsan in the
genitive plural.
15 Rud a dheineadar uaisle na nGael: this is a relatively rare example of PULs use of a plural verb with a noun subject in the past
tense. He regularly has forms like deinid na huaisle and danfaid na huaisle in the present and future tenses, but forms such as
dhein na huaisle is more frequently found in his works that dheineadar na huaisle. See also chuadar na fir in Sadna (p54) and
PULs comments in NIWU (p136): in the case of certain Irish verbs I have always heard the third person plural used even
though the plural noun was expressed; e.g. chromadar na mn ar ghol. Old speakers would not use chrom here. It seems such
usage is more likely to be found with intransitive verbs (chuadar, chromadar) or where transitive verbs are preceded by an object
(rud a dheineadar), such that the subsequent plural noun phrase cannot be mistaken for the object of the verb.
16 Bean n feacaigh inne acu riamh roimis sin: Cyril Cirn points out that PUL may have believed the mysterious woman from
Kildare (where St. Brd founded a convent in the fifth or sixth century) was St. Brd herself, partly helping to explain PULs
lifelong devotion to St. Brd. See An tOilithreach Gaelach, p31.
16 Baile gurb ainm at air n Lios Caragin: PUL is quoted in Papers on Irish Idiom (p53) as saying that the definite article
cannot be used where nouns, such as ainm here, are defined by a later n clause; however, Thomas F. ORahilly points out that
some good speakers of WM Irish did use the article in these circumstances. Compare b an chad rud a dhin s iad a dhridiint
f dhin na coille in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh (p3).
17 Trochad: PUL normally uses the vigentesimal counting system, but as dates are more complex, prefers to use decimal numbers in
dates. Also note the word order in trochad a naoi: with decimal numbers, and with the complex numerals found in dates more
generally, it is simpler if the word order resembles that of the English (compare tr as trochad in PULs Elas ar ireamh, p4,
and a naoidag is fiche in the traditional counting system), and such usage has been widely adopted among younger native
speakers in the Gaeltacht.
Caibideal II
17 D maireadh an t-athair go dt go mbeadh s suas le deich mbliana agus tr fichid: it is worth pointing out the sequence of tenses
here. The past subjunctive maireadh needs to be followed by the conditional beadh and not the preterite. See PULs discussion of
sequence of tenses in Papers on Irish Idiom (pp19-21): i n-amaibh dlite leanan am thart am thart... Mra (sic) fidir an t-am
leantach do bheith thart, n fulir bheith cuinollach.
18 Nch fidir do leanbh, do gharsn n do chailn bheag, slinte cheart a bheith acu: slinte cheart a bheith acu has slinte cheart
governing bheith as its subject (literally for good health to be at you), and yet we dont have *nch fidir do shlinte cheart
bheith ag leanbh and, at first glance, it might seem that slinte cheart has been reinterpreted as the object of a verb to have,
with the rud do bheith acu construction brought fully into line syntactically with the English verb to have. The explanation is
rather that in Irish the final in n fidir dibh is required, and that slinte cheart a bheith acu replaces this in such sentences.
18 Bean dheas: PULs published works show both lenition and non-lenition of an adjective in such circumstances, where there is a
confluence of homorganic dental consonants. Compare bean diadha in Gnomhartha na n-Aspol (see p334; the published text of
Gnomhartha may reflect the preferences of the editor of that text, Gearid Nuallin), and bean dhiadha in Sadna, p82.
Lenition seems preferable, as Scalaocht Amhlaoibh has seanabhean dheas (p287).
19 Aon rud le n-ithe: WM Irish prefixes n to ithe and l, where other dialects and GCh prefix h. PUL prefixes h to other verbal nouns
(e.g. le hiarraidh), where other speakers of WM Irish, such as AL prefixed an n (compare le n-iarraig in Scalaocht
Amhlaoibh, p42).
20 Go fuar agus go fiain agus go bocht: PUL stated in NIWU (p135) this placing of go before an adjective has the effect of
intensifying the idea which the adjective contains... What the grammars say about turning an adjective into an adverb by
prefixing go gives very little genuine information. Consequently, this phrase means really cold, really wild and really
miserable.
Caibideal III
20 Go ndeigheas: deigheas is the dependent form corresponding to chuas. Chuas is generally found in both absolute and dependent
use in WM Irish (do chuas, nor chuas) , but deigheas is occasionally found, more often, as here, after go, until.
20 Scafaire gligeal ganndail: PUL quotes here from a poem by Mchel Ua Tuama (1877-1927). This poem, de an Ghandail, is
given in full with a translation by PUL in the journal St. Patricks, in the edition of November 9th 1901, where it is related that
PUL opened Feis na Mmhan in 1901 with recitation of one verse of the poem.
20 Agus ar an gcaol, mar ar maraodh ganndal eile i bhfad na dhiaidh san: this is a reference to the passage in Ua Tuamas poem
about how a dog killed a trespassing gander. Caol refers to the strip of green pasture which is created by a slender stream in
marshy land, as PUL explained in the journal St. Patricks.
21 Conchr Mr sa chinne: this appears to refer to the way in which Irish families rationalised a shortage of food when the potato
crop failed, by comparing the food situation to one where an additional person was present and taking a portion of the food.
23 Ar ar shocraodar: this construction is equivalent to gur shocraodar air. A (and in the past tense ar) as an indirect relative
particle is used directly after a preposition, with go/gur used where the preposition is shifted, as is more usual, to the end. The
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first ar here is therefore the preposition and the second ar is the relative particle. These are not pronounced identically: the
pronunciation is /er r/, as indicated by PUL in NIWU (p118), where he states that ar ar in such constructions is pron. air ur.
Caibideal IV
25 Do stad: while GCh recommends using stad (and all verbs that do not begin with a vowel or f) with no perfective particle in the
preterite, PUL stated in Mion-chaint Cuid a III (p18), this particle is frequently omitted, as the aspiration of the first letter of the
verb supplies its place. Before vowels and unaspirable consonants it is not omitted. V erbs beginning with st- (and sc-, sp- and
similar unlenitable consonants and clusters) are therefore better used in the preterite, conditional and past habitual with do.
24 An ceathr uair: h-prefixation would be expected after ceathr, but is frequently omitted after ordinals ending in - in PULs
works. In his An Teagasg Crostaidhe, we read an ceathramhadh aithne, an cigmhadh aithne, an smhadh aithne, an
seachtmhadh aithne, an t-ochtmhadh aithne, an naomhadh aithne but an trmhadh h-aithne and an deichmhadh h-aithne (see
pp21-22). The forms with and without h seem to be in free variation. Tarna always causes h-prefixation of a following vowel.
24 Ar ghealacn a dh ghln: the nominative and dative duals are formed like the dative singular (dh ghlin; in this word the
historical dative has replaced the erstwhile nominative singular, gln). The genitive dual, however, is generally formed like the
genitive plural. This in turn is generally identical to the nominative singular in the first and second declensions, or sometimes
nearly so, but with a broadened ending (bliain/blian, glin/gln, sil/sl). Gln is therefore no longer used in the nominative
singular, but it does make a reappearance in the genitive plural and genitive dual . For further instances of the genitive dual, see
obair dh bhlian in Ch13 here, and buns an d leitir in PULs historical novel, Niamh (p262). The more recent weak plural
endings of nouns (such as leitreacha) are not used in the genitive dual; in the case of leitir the genitive plural is normally
leitreacha, but the genitive dual leitir. As a rule of thumb, other than in the fifth declension (where the genitive plural and thus
the genitive dual is identical to the genitive singular), the genitive dual form should be either identical to the nominative singular
or a broadened version thereof.
24 Agus b duine bheadh marbh aige n an Dnall Tuathaigh canna: it is interesting to note that in the LS version of Mo
Scal Fin this sentence is transcribed (on p11 therein) as agus b duini vach marav ig n an Dnal O Tuahig cina, thus
removing the second . However, it seems the original sentence is acceptable. Compare biad dh rgh iad san n Conchubhar
mac Neasa agus Feargus mac Rig in Niamh (p82), where iad san occupies the equivalent slot to here. Gearid Nuallin, in
his Studies in Modern Irish, Part I, commented on the copula construction in this sentence, arguing that d [sic] rgh iad san is
equivalent to an d rgh a is iadsan. In other words, there is an elided relative clause implied in such phrases (pp19, 20).
25 Is measa liom tusa, arsa mise, agus is ferr liom Mchel: a play on words, as is measa liom is an idiom meaning I prefer.
Caibideal V
27 Leabhair Frainncise: note the lack of lenition on the f. PUL explained in NIWU (p48) with reference to i bhfochair Fintin that it
was permissible not to lenite a noun in the genitive when the case was otherwise shown. This is more likely to be the case with an
f too. By contrast, *leabhair Barla would could not be accepted, because lenition is required to show the case of Barla.
Caibideal VI
29 An d l s n fhaid a mhairfead: an idiom meaning for as long as I live.

32 Cad eile cad t agat?: what else is up with you? This construction was explained by PUL in an undated letter to Shn Cuv
held in the G,1276 collection of manuscripts in the National Library of Ireland. There he wrote:
Agus cad eile cad dbhradar? is what I have always heard in all questions of that sort. What else is it? is in Irish always What
else what is it? Cad eile cad an ndh ? What else did he do? = Cad eile cad a dhein s? What else could I do? = Cad eile
cad fhadfinn a dhanamh? There is, you see, a sort of double interrogative. In fact, the English which the people use in that last
question is What else what could I do? i.e. What could I do? and in what is (the thing you would say) different from this? Its
an Irish mode of thought quite different from any English mode of thought. An intervening word might spoil the double character
of the question e.g. Cad an focal eile a dbhradar? No second cad ever came in there.
32 An d cheathrin dheiridh: compare the use of lenition on deiridh here with n bhonn siad ar an d chois deirig in Seanachas
Amhlaoibh (p114).
32 Do cuireadh an loch amach : he was transported as a convict beyond the seas. The Ireland-Australia transportation database in
the Irish National Archives has a record, which may be related to the Tadhg Laeire discussed here, of a 26-year-old Timothy
Leary who was sentenced in Co. Cork on May 14th 1849 to transportation overseas for seven years for stealing a cow. He was
transported on the ship Blenheim, which left Cork on July 29th 1851 and arrived in Hobart, Australia, on October 31st that year.
Such cases were far from rare in Ireland at the time. See http://www.historyaustralia.org.au/twconvic/Blenheim+1851 for a list of
convicts on the same ship, variously convicted of stealing cows, pigs, asses, sheep, heifers, etc.
Caibideal VII
35 I gcmparid leis an gcuma na raibh s: the use of the preterite raibh instead of the conditional mbeadh is emphatic in tone. The
same usage is employed throughout this passage. Note that raibh is paired up with m chuaigh and m fhoghlaim, giving
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preterites in both clauses; had mbeadh been used in this clause, it is likely that d dtadh and d bhfoghlamaodh would have
stood in the other clause.
Caibideal VIII
37 Chun labhartha: Interestingly, both chun labhairt and chun labhartha are found in this passage. Labhartha is the genitive of the
verbal noun, but the genitive of a verbal noun was not consistently used after chun in PULs works. The genitive of the verbal
noun is used consistently where there is also a possessive particle (cf. chun a dhanta in Ch19 here).
37 Ar an dtaobh thoir den tsrid bheag: it can be noted here, and elsewhere in Mo Scal Fin, that the dative singular feminine
adjective big is generally not used here (apart from one instance in Ch10). Dative singular feminine adjectives are frequently
replaced by the nominative in PULs works.
37 Cormac agus Ceallachn agus Tadhg: PUL only mentions these three names, but 14 people in total were eventually implicated in
the raid on Bob Hutchinsons house on April 19th 1799 during which Hutchinson was shot dead. A fourth brother, Owen
MCarthy (as he is called in Daniel Owen-Maddens account in Revelations of Ireland in the past generation, pp239-267, or Ein
Mac Crthaigh), also took part and was hanged. Initial reports stated there were only four perpetrators, and so the number of
people involved appears to have subsequently grown as more names were implicated as abettors of the murder.
An account of the murder was published in Charles Dickens weekly journal All the Year Round in 1862, apparently based on the
longer account given in 1848 by Owen-Madden. Hutchinson had in 1782 held a commission in the Irish Volunteers, a militia
formed to defend Ireland (or British rule in Ireland) against French invasion, and most of the officers were given the title
colonel when the unit was disbanded. Hutchinson lived in Codrum House, on the townland of Codrum, or Cdrom in Irish, to
the west of Macroom in West Muskerry. According to Malachy Duggan, Hutchinson had made the mistake of recognising one of
his servants, Charles MCarthy (i.e. Cormac Mc Crthaigh), in the group raiding his home, thus necessitating his murder.
Malachy Duggan ordered MCarthy to shoot the colonel dead. The motive for the crime was theft, but no valuables were taken on
the night of the murder, as those taking part in it fled the scene.
Malachy Duggan was claimed in Dickens account to be a farmer of the better class, an intelligent man, but one poor in
character, who was popular in the neighbourhood as a juryman for the ease with which he could be bribed. Upon being arrested
on suspicion of the crime, Duggan decided to turn informant in return for clemency and the 300 reward. Those Duggan
informed against included his relatives, William Duggan and John Duggan (who went under the nickname of Captain
Thunderbolt). By informing, he gained clemency for himself and his son, Daniel Duggan.
Among the first group executed was Callaghan MCarthy (Ceallachn Mac Crthaigh), the 18-year-old brother of the man who
shot Hutchinson, who was, according to the Owen-Madden account, widely acknowledged to be innocent, but presumed to have
been implicated by Duggan to ensure that no members of the MCarthy family survived to take revenge. The Dickens account
claims the first group of sentenced men were transported to their deaths in an open cart, clothed in green, with Erin go Bragh
printed on their belts, to show what Erin go Bragh principles led to. Owen-Maddens account had it that it was the executioner
who was dressed in green and emblazoned with Erin go Bragh. The heads of the dead men were immediately cut off and
displayed on spikes.
Villagers aided the escape of the rest of the accused, but the Cork yeomanry punished those believed to have aided them by
burning every stick of furniture in their cabins. Two villagers fired on the yeomanry burning their property and were sentenced to
transportation, but were pardoned when the local people agreed to help in the search for the murderers, which lead to the eventual
capture of most of the rest of the accused at Glenfesk, Co. Kerry, leading to further executions and the spiking of more heads. All
told, nine were executed; Malachy and his son, Daniel Duggan, escaped punishment; and the final three are thought to have
escaped to America. PUL does not make clear whether the Dnall Dgin mentioned here as renting a farm near PULs great-
grandfather was the same person as Daniel Duggan, the son of Malachy, or whether he was another relative of the same name.
Another servant of Hutchinsons was also sentenced to transportation for failing to assist the investigation.
The heads of those executed were displayed on spikes on the Bridewell in Macroom, now the site of the House of McGregor
furniture store in Castle Street. In Dickens account eight heads were so displayed, and Malachy Duggan was known to mock the
heads of the dead men as he passed by in Macroom. The townspeople were wont to complain about pieces of rotting flesh that
fell down from time to time. West Muskerry was formerly a hotbed of rebellion, but Owen-Madden states that no murders were
committed in the wild district of West Muskerry in the following 22 years after the horror of the spiked heads struck fear into
the people. As at least some of the heads were still being displayed when PUL was a schoolboy, it seems they remained there for
around 50 years.
Caibideal IX.
39 Hic, haec, hoc: the Latin demonstrative adjective, meaning this, declined in the masculine, feminine and neuter genders. This
Latin word is distantly related in terms of etymology to the Irish word c.
40 Cad an saghas scil ? T go bhfuil invasion ana-mhr go lir ag teacht: in NIWU (p116), PUL says, in explanation of a similar
phrase (cad an sgeul ? T sgeul ait in Sadna, p53), this t is an introductory particle asserting beforehand the truth of the
statement which is to follow. It may be regarded as a sort of interjection, the true answer coming after. It is common in
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conversation.
42 Amu i seanastbla a bhodh an scoil againn. Bh an seanastbla maith go ler i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh. Nuair a thinig an
gemhreadh bh an donas le fuaire air. Nuair a bhodh an aimsir an-fhuar bhodh tine againn. N raibh aon tsimn ar an stbla.
Bh poll sa bhfalla, fach, laistiar den tine. Bhodh an poll go maith an fhaid a bhodh imeacht na gaoithe trd siar. Ach nuair a
bhodh an ghaoth ag sideadh trd an bpoll aniar bhms mchta ag an ndeatach. Ba mheasa go mr an deatach n an fuacht.
Agus go deimhin is amhlaidh a bhodh an fuacht agus an deatach in ineacht againn, mar n bhodh an tine ach go holc.
This paragraph is an important demonstration of the difference between the preterite and past habitual tenses, shifting a number
of times between the two. The past habitual tense is much less frequently used than similar tenses in other languages (e.g. the
imperfect tense in French) and is used to create a nuance of repeated or continued action in the past. Where the past reference is
time-limited (i gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh), the past habitual cannot be used; compare bh an seanastbla maith go ler i
gcaitheamh an tsamhraidh with bhodh an poll go maith an fhaid a bhodh imeacht na gaoithe trd siar, where the latter temporal
phrase with an fhaid does not provide a strict time limitation. Sequence of tenses also comes into play, with nuair a thinig
coupled with bh an donas, and nuair a bhodh coupled with bhodh tine againn. Fixed locations are not put in the past habitual
(n raibh aon tsimn ann and bh poll sa bhfalla do not go in the past habitual).
Caibideal X
45 Ag bagairt a gcnn de dhrum a chile: this is a near-quotation from Bryan Merrymans Cirt an Mheadhon Oidhche, where we
read taitneamhacht aoibhinn suidheamh na slibhte, ag bagairt a gcinn thar druim a chile (lines 7 and 8; p35 of the version
edited by Riserd Foghludha), the formation of the mountains is a pleasant delight, nodding their heads over each other.
45 Trom ballaibh: the labial consonant b is delenited here by the m of trom. See also im pca in Ch14 here.
Chapter XI
49 Go dt gur oscail an gleann mr leathan doimhinn fm thos lastuaidh dom: an gleann here means a valley. For the use of the
definite article in such phrases, see PULs comments in NIWU (p5) where he explains that in chonaic s an duine ag chosaibh
this use of the definite article is peculiar to Irish speech. Its effect here is to intensify the idea of the presence of a person in the
place. It makes for vividness of description, as if to express that the person, at that moment, was a very definite thing for him.
49 An deich mle: the singular article is used with a numeral to describe a quantity as a whole. See PULs comments in NIWU (p70):
An seacht l, the seven days, i.e. one period of seven days. Na seacht laethanta would only be used when seven periods of one
day each were meant. See also an tr mh and an cheithre chad pnt elsewhere in Mo Scal Fin.
Chapter XII
50 Chmh leathan sin: chmh leathan san would be expected in WM Irish, and the LS version of Mo Scal Fin transcribes this as
ch leahan sun (p35).
51 Ar fhalla th scoile: in GCh there is a rule against concatenation of genitives. Gearid Nuallin, in his Studies in Modern
Irish, Part I, offers an alternative presentation of Irish grammar that dovetails better with PULs usage (see pp158-160 therein).
Rather than prohibiting successive genitives, Nuallins exposition holds that noun phrases standing where the oblique cases
would be expected can be given in the nominative absolute in what he calls the Bracketed Construction, where the noun phrase as
a whole is bracketed off and undeclined. However, the Unbracketed Construction, where all nouns are given in their logical
cases, is also correct, and the choice of usage depends on whether the author wished to view the noun phrase as a unit, or as a
succession of nouns. In other words, ar son mhuntir na hireann and ar son muntire na hireann are both equally
grammatically correct. However, it is generally the case that the use of the Bracketed Construction requires lenition to show the
genitival relationship, whereas use of the Unbracketed Construction does not. Yet we find here th scoile, with lenition.
Chapter XIII
54 Do lb an fear lidir a ghlinibh: PUL commented thus on this sentence in NIWU (p137), A fhearaibh irean. It is a mistake to
look upon the Irish termination -ibh as belonging exclusively to the dative and ablative plural. It is used in the nominative,
accusative and vocative plural as well. Do lb an fear lidir a ghlinibh. (Mo Sgal Fin, p. 95.) It is far older than the Latin
-ibus, and wider in its meaning. Note, however, that the Irish dative ending is cognate with the Latin -ibus, and thus not far
older at all, and PULs explanation there failed to adequately account for his use of the dative plural here, other than in the
general sense that the cases are sometimes mixed up. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin transcribes this phrase as do lb an fear
lidir a ghlini (p39).
54 Thg s an trir in ineacht glan n dtalamh: this sentence is transcribed in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin as hg sh an trir a
n-neacht go glan n dalav, as if from go glan (see p39). It seems either glan or go glan would be acceptable here.
55 Ar igin aithnds na huachtarin sinn: this is a rare example in PULs works of the coupling of a verb conjugated in the plural in
the past habitual tense with a noun subject. Ar igin aithnodh na huachtarin sinn would be acceptable here too.
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Caibideal XIV
56 An d theanga: the correct dual form an d theangain is not given here, although it is found later on, in Ch31, where the dative
context (ar an d theangain) produces the correct use of the dative dual.
57 While PUL says he saw this poem in the margin of a book, he may have read it in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Dublin
of 1808, where the poem is transcribed by Theophilus OFlanagan as A chuilm an cheil bhrnaigh san dn dubh thall,/
sdoilbh an rimh nsmhar so ft go fann;/ tulach u Righ mhrgaidh na m-bithredh m-beann,/ gan chuire, gan sprt seolta,
gan lbadh lann! (see Deirdri, or, the Lamentable Fate of the sons of Usnach therein, pp23-24). There are a number of
differences here compared with PULs transcription, and the translation given there was: O! dove of mournful strain in yon dark
dome,/ How sad this fashiond pile, they realm of gloom!/ Great ORoys hill, that rang with trumpets roar,/ With hosts, or justs
[sic], or tilts, resounds no more! OFlanagans explanation was that this was a poem composed in the 17th or 18th century by a
poet hearing a dove coo in Mothar-I-Roy, the Ruin of OConor Corcamroys mansion in north-west Clare. U Righ refers to the
legendary descent of that noble family from Feargas mac Righ (Fergus mac Rossa), king of Ulster in the Ulster cycle of myths.
A slightly different version was included in the Miscellany presented to Kuno Meyer (the Dove of Mothar-I-Roy, pp49-52): a
chuilim an cheoil bhrnaigh san dna thall,/ is doilbh an rimh nsmhar so ft go fann,/ tulach u Righ mrdha na mrrtha
mbeann,/ gan chuirim gan cheol seolta n lbadh lann. PULs version appears to combine elements of the two, but he gives a
broad l in the vocative a choluim and has meann for mbeann. The various manuscript versions make it unclear whether na
mbirtheach or na mrtha should stand in the third line, and whether coire/cuire (which could either be cauldron, band/bevy
or invitation) or coirm (ale drunk at a feast) is intended in the final line. One view is that na mbirtheadh beann, in which a
horn used to blare, would be preferable in the third line. The author is not known for sure; a manuscript written in 1803 ascribed
it to the Clare poet Hugh Mac Curtin.
59 An Giolla Rua: a famous tune played by violinists in Ireland and Scotland, also known as Gilderoy or the Red-haired Lad. The
song An Giolla Rua relates how Donncha S heard fairy music and memorised it by heart.
Caibideal XV
59 Mhnodar muntir na hite: this is a further example of the use of a conjugated plural of the verb used with a plural noun subject.
Muntir na hite is plural, as muntir is collective in meaning. This point about collective nouns was made by PUL in NIWU
(p86), where he stated it was correct to say sin iad an pobul, not sin (spellings given as found in that source).
59 Chig cad gabhar odhar: non-lenition of cad in the phrase chig cad is the norm in WM Irish, possibly due to the coincidence
of homorganic consonants across the word boundary.
60 Phoenixmen: see the discussion in Brian Jenkins Irish Nationalism and the British State (pp263-66). The Phoenix National and
Literary Society of Skibbereen was a revolutionary group under the leadership of Jeremiah ODonovan Rossa that swelled to
around 4,000 members in South-west Cork and South Kerry in 1856-59. They conducted drills with rifles, leading to
condemnation from the local Catholic Church. The Bishop of Kerry, David Moriarty, in particular, opposed such secret societies,
but called for clemency for those caught up in the organisation. Interestingly, Archbishop John MacHale took a more nationalistic
line and stated the church was equally opposed to those unhallowed combinations of bigoted might by which truth and
innocence are so frequently overcome as to the secret societies themselves. Following betrayal of the group by Silliobhin
Gallda and information given by a Roman Catholic priest, Father John OSullivan of Kenmare, who wrote to Dublin Castle about
the activities of the Phoenixmen, a trial at the Kerry Spring Assizes in 1859 led to the conviction of Daniel Sullivan, a national
school teacher, and his sentencing to ten years penal servitude, but only after a retrial during which Roman Catholics were
excluded from the jury, leading to questions in the British House of Commons on the jury-packing of the trial and a public protest
by Bishop Moriarty. The outcry led to a compromise whereby ODonovan Rossa and five others admitted legal guilt, but were
discharged on probation, with Daniel Sullivan released on licence after six months and his sentence commuted.
60 Bertha: the verbal adjective of the verb beirim, breith is generally spelt beirthe, but the pronunciation is /berh/, with a broad r.
The spelling beirthe is also somewhat suboptimal in terms of indicating the WM pronunciation, as an epenthetic vowel is
sometimes indicated between an r and a th. Beirthe might therefore imply a pronunciation of /berihi/, which is in fact the
pronunciation of beirithe, the verbal adjective of the verb beirm, beiri, boiled. Consequently, it seems clearer, both in terms
of differentiation from beirithe and in terms of showing the pronunciation, to edit beirthe as bertha. This point was made by PUL
in a letter to Risterd Plimeann dated March 10th 1918 and held in the G1,277 (1) collection of manuscripts in the National
Library of Ireland:
Take the Irish word for born. It consists of two syllables ber and tha. Put them together and you have the word bertha. But the
pedant, using his eye, not his ear, insists on writing it beirthe, a word which no Irish speaker has ever spoken! It is very near the
sound of the Irish word for boiled, i.e. beirithe.
60 Oh for a tongue to curse the slave: this is an extract from the poem The Fire-Worshippers by the Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779-
1852).
60 Chmh fada agus do feiceadh: do feiceadh seems to be an autonomous preterite form here, meaning the same thing as do
chonacthas.
62 Obair na mBuachaill mBn: the Buachaill Bna, or Whiteboys, were a secret agrarian organisation that mounted a violent
defence of tenants rights in late 18th-century Ireland. Their name refers to the white clothes they wore during their raids. Note
the use of bn in the genitive plural here, where modern Irish may have bna.
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Nta
Caibideal XVI
64 Fear gur mheas an uile dhuine de sna Fnnbh nr mhair an fear san riamh a bh nba dhlse n : an fear san here means any
man, i.e. no man ever lived who was more loyal than he.
65 This case is known to history as that of the Manchester Martyrs. On September 18th 1867, around 30-40 armed men ambushed
a horse-drawn carriage in which Thomas J. Kelly, leader of the Fenians in Ireland, and Timothy Deasy, were being transported to
jail and freed them. A total of 10 unarmed policemen were guarding the prisoners, following vague suggestions that a rescue may
be attempted, and one of them, Police Sergeant Charles Brett, was killed as the bullet passed through the keyhole when the
Fenians shot the lock off the carriage door. A total of 23 people were arrested for the ambush, with five men being condemned to
be hanged in public. One, Edward Condon, alias Edward Shore, later saw his death sentence commuted owing to his US
citizenship. Another man, a serving Royal Marine, was pardoned, as evidence came to light that he was not guilty. Despite
meetings and petitions calling for clemency for the final three, William Allen, Michael Larkin and Michael OBrien, they were
executed on November 23rd, with army regiments and around 2,000 special constables stationed around Manchester to ensure no
Fenian disturbances prevented the carrying out of the sentence. A crowd of around 8,000-10,000 is said to have witnessed the
execution. The reaction of the Irish Catholic hierarchy to the executions is interesting: Archbishop MacHale (Sen Mac il here)
personally said a High Mass for the three men, whereas Bishop Moriarty of Kerry in January 1868 forbade his clergy from
celebrating masses for the Manchester martyrs (see The Making of Ireland, p308).
Caibideal XVII
67 Sarar deineadh d dhiseas de: it seems that the final consonant of deineadh (/ding/) delenites the dh of dh dhiseas,
possibly because /g/ and // are hard to pronounce in succession.
67 Dnseas di crbh me: this is adjusted from dinnseas di c r b m in the original text. There might be some logic to I told
her who I am, as PUL remained the same person thereafter, but Irish requires the sequence of tenses, as shown in the identical
sentence in Ch10, which is given correctly with crbh in the original (dinnseas di c r bh m).
68 The reference here is to an earthquake in the vicinity of Mallow on October 24th, 1868.
Caibideal XVIII
70 This verse was by Piaras Mac Gearailt (1702-95, of Baile Mac Oda, Co. Cork), and was printed, with de Bhls reply, in Amhrin
Phiarais Mhic Gearailt, edited by Riserd Foghludha, under the title Damonn de Bhl, Dhn Guairne (see p53). PULs
transcriptions contains minor changes compared with Foghludhas edition.
70 A igfhir nch fellta do chanas varsa: this is an unsatisfactory rendering of a line that was found in Foghludhas edition as a
igfhir nach fltha do chanair bharsa. In addition to the fact that flta/fltha (timid, unspirited) is given here as fellta (see
further discussion under fellta in the Foclirn), PUL mistranscribes chanair as chanas. Do chanair is the second-person
singular preterite, but do chanas gives the relative form of the verb (obsolete in Munster, but not in Ulster or Connacht), thus
rendering PULs version equivalent in meaning to a igfhir nch fellta a chanann varsa.
Caibideal XIX
74 Soupers: this is a reference to Protestants who offered religious instruction along with food, generally soup, during the Irish
Famine. The extent to which religious instruction was made a condition of the provision of food is unclear. The Church of Ireland
Archbishop of Dublin at the time, Richard Whately, condemned the establishment of such a link. Non-conformist denominations
(apart from the Quakers who provided food on a purely charitable basis) may have been more likely to establish such a link, but
some modern studies have claimed the practice was rare. Other modern studies have made the opposite claim. PULs statement
here that Bedells Bible (the translation of the Bible that included the 1602 translation of the New Testament by Uilliam
Dmhnaill and others and the translation of the Old Testament overseen by the English bishop of Kilmore, William Bedell, in the
1630s and finally published in 1686) could not be used owing to its association with Protestant evangelisation amounts to a
guarded admission that the Roman Catholic hierarchy was long opposed to the use of the Bible in the Irish vernacular. In any
case, the language of Bedells Bible had become somewhat dated by the 19th century.
As far as Roman Catholic translations of the Bible or portions thereof in Irish in the modern period are concerned, a translation of
Genesis and Exodus was produced in 1820 by Tadhg Coindealbhn or Thaddaeus Connellan (1780-1854), a native of Skreen,
Co. Sligo, and early Irish revivalist. He later produced a bilingual version of the book of Proverbs (1823) and worked on a
version of the book of Psalms with a certain Norman McLeod, a speaker of Scottish Gaelic, for Ulster Presbyterians (1836). His
relative, Owen Connellan (later chair of Irish at Queens University, Belfast; 1797-1871), produced an interlinear Irish-English
version of the Gospel of St. John, using Dmhnaills text, in 1830, published together with a grammatical praxis (a parsing
of each word) of St. Matthews Gospel. The next attempt at providing parts of the Bible in modern Irish was made by Sen Mac
il, the Archbishop of Tuam mentioned earlier in Mo Scal Fin, who published a translation of Genesis-Deuteronomy in 1859,
and then a translation of the book of Joshua in 1861. An interesting version of the New Testament was published by Rioberd
Cathin in 1858. The preface makes clear that that was not a fresh translation, but rather an updating of the language of
Dmhnaills New Testament into the then current Munster Irish of Carrigaholt, Co. Clare. PULs translation of the entire Bible
was completed in manuscript in 1917, but has never been published in full. A version of the New Testament into Ulster-flavoured
Irish was published in 1952 by a Protestant clergyman, Coslett Coinn. Peadar Dubhda (a native of Dundalk; 1881-1971)
115
Nta
translated the Douay Bible into Irish, possibly with an Ulster flavour, although he was not a native speaker of Irish; he presented
his translation of the Bible, completed in an illuminated manuscript in 1953, to the National Library of Ireland, which holds it as
manuscript MS G 817. Following the decision of the Second Vatican Council to encourage the use of the vernacular in Roman
Catholic church services, An Bobla Naofa, a translation of the whole Bible, from Hebrew and Greek originals into standardised
Irish was completed under the editorship of the Kerry native speaker, Pdraig Fiannachta, in 1981.
74 A number of books popular in the 19th century are mentioned here. The Story of Ireland is possibly the work published under that
name by Andrew M. Sullivan (1830-84), in 1867. The Poets and Poetry of Ireland was published in 1881 by Alfred M. Williams.
Speeches from the Dock, published originally by Timothy D. Sullivan (1827-1914, the brother of Andrew M. Sullivan) in 1867,
collates some of the speeches of Irish patriots upon being convicted in British courts. Beatha an Chur dArs refers to The Life of
the Cur dArs, a devotional work about a French priest canonised in 1925 that was translated from French by Alfred Monnin in
1862.
Caibideal XX
77 Tmpall dh bhliain: this phrase is noteworthy for the failure to use the genitive dual dh bhlian, with a broad n. Compare obair
dh bhlian in Ch13 here, tar is dh bhlian in PULs Sgalaidheachta as an mBobla Naomhtha (Vol 6, p711) and ar feadh dh
bhlian in Sgalaidheachta as an mBobla Naomhtha (Vol 7, p784). If not a typographical error, dh bhliain here could be seen as
an instance of the Bracketed Construction, where a discrete phrase can be bracketed off and left in the nominative absolute. (The
nominative dual is identical to the dative, but this is not morphologically apparent in the case of bliain.) See also tmpall dh
bhliain dag towards the end of this chapter, where the slender n could be explained by assimilation to the following slender d.
79 P rud a thiocfadh as na dhiaidh so n n tiocfadh: PUL explained in NIWU (pp128-129) the difference beween n n and n
n. N n is a disjunctive negative, used where there are two distinct contingencies, as in n osgalchad an doras pcu thiocfidh
s n n tiocfidh s (I will not open the door whether John comes or not), where there are two distinct circumstances
mentioned. By contrast, n n is a total negative, as in n osgalchad an doras p duine a thiocfidh n n tiocfidh (I will not
open the door no matter who comes or does not come).
Caibideal XXI.
80 Dh fhrinne ghlan ab ea an d n sin: historically the dual took a plural adjective (dh fhrinne ghlana). However, PUL seems
occasionally to have used the dual form with a singular adjective. Osborn Bergin raised with PUL the phrase an d rogain uasal,
found in the manuscript of his Don Cocht (see Comhfhreagras idir an Athair Peadair agus an tAimhirgneach, by Sen Ua
Silleabhin, in Celtica, Vol 24, 2003, p283), only to be told that PULs native Irish sense would not permit the plural adjective
here. Such phrases may have occurred only rarely in speech, and it seems PUL was unsure of his ground here, writing to Shn
Cuv, Feuch. Nlim r-dheimhnightheach c cu dh rogain uasal an ceart nu dh rogain uaisle, ach t fhios agam gur don d
rogain uasail an ceart (see an undated note to Shn Cuv, part of the G1,276 collection of manuscripts held in the National
Library of Ireland). A further example is an d rgh uasal in PULs novel Niamh (p192). Had PUL written dh fhrinne ghlana,
the final vowel would have been elided in pronunciation before ab in any case.
80 PUL states here that a letter of his to the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language appeared in the Freemans Journal.
The letter was finally located by Brian Cuv in The Irishman of May 4th 1878, p693, where it was published alongside an
English translation (see Brian Cuvs discussion in igse, Vol IX, Part IV, pp247-251). The letter shows that PUL included a
postal order for 2/14 (corinn agus dha theistin), and not for one pound. The passage of the letter giving PULs advice to the
Society runs as follows (including a number of orthographical infelicities):
Ta anois machtnamh beag agam le cur os bhur g-cmhair. Do chuir an obair an meud so n a luidhe orm. Ma thg am lthair
fear den choitchionntacht os cionn fiche bliadhain daois, nar labhair ramh focal Gaedhilge agus na raibh i n-a taithighe is
comadh na bs aon fhocal d chur i n-a bheul asteach, acht ma chuirim chum leinbh deich m-bliadhin do mhine,
foghlumchaidh se ch tiubh as do labharfad . Rud eile, n muntir go bhfuil eolas agus taithighe aco air an n-Gaedhilge nl
puinn meas aco uirre, oir ceapaid gur comhartha uaisleachta air dhuine bheith dall uirre. D m-budh fhidir an ndh sin do chur as
a g-crodhe bdh r-gherr an mhoill orra dfhghluim agus labhairt go blasda.
Anois d m-bidheadh an Ghaedhilge d mine anns na scoilibh coitchionna, bidheadh dh ghn d n-deunadh: bidheadh an
mhuintir g d fghluim gan fhios dibh-fin agus bidhf d cur n-a ludhe air an muintir crona gur m an nire a h-
ainbhfhios iona a h-eolas.
Budh dhigh-liom, da g-cuireadh sibhse chuige go d-tiocfadh libh an tr go lir do chur air aon ghth ag lorg an mhid sin air
lucht deunta ar n-dlighthe; agus ann-san do mhinfdh nos m Gaedhilge i n-aon bhliadhain amhin n a bh-foghlumchaidhe
anois air feadh deich m-bliadhain.
Caibideal XXIII.
83 An lirscrios a deineadh ar irinn i mbliain a hocht is daichead: this appears to be a reference to the suppression of the Young
Irelander rebellion in 1848.
85 C raibh na gunna mra, n na gunna beaga?: the use of n to mean or here is worthy of comment. N, and not n, is used in
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negative contexts, and while there is no overt negative in this sentence, the general sense is negative (n raibh gunna mra n
gunna beaga againn).
Caibideal XXV.
90 The resources of civilisation are not yet exhausted: Gladstone gave a speech at the White Cloth Hall in Leeds in October 1881,
during the period of the Irish Land War, stating that if there is still to be fought the final conflict in Ireland between law on the
one hand and sheer lawlessness upon the other, if the law purged from defect and from any taint of injustice is still to be repelled
and refused, and the first conditions of political society to remain unfulfilled, then I say, gentlemen, without hesitation, that the
resources of civilisation against its enemies are not yet exhausted. During the same month, Charles Stewart Parnell, Irish
politician and president of the Irish National Land League, was arrested under the Coercion Act (properly the Protection of
Person and Property Act, 1881, one of a series of Coercion Acts or smachtdlithe as PUL terms them here) and imprisoned without
trial, before being released in May 1882 in exchange for general promises to support Gladstones Land Law Act and to try to halt
the agrarian violence.
Caibideal XXVI.
91 The story of Barry the Rake is narrated at greater length in PULs r nDithin Araon (pp35-43).
92 F dhon t: the original text had f dhon tighe, with the apostrophe implying deletion of a definite article (f dhon an tghe,
which form is found in the narration of this story in PULs r nDithin Araon, p38). Its unclear whether the apostrophe was
added by an early editor; f dhon t could be justified, as use of the article is less strict in Irish than in English. An alternative
explanation is advanced by Brian Cuv in CFBB (p135), where f dhon t, with the pronunciation indicated as /fe: jin ti:/
(and not the /fe: ji:n ti:/ that would be indicated by the spelling f dhon t), is glossed as istig sa tig (as it is spelt there) and
derived from f ia an t, ia being a phonetic rendering of iadhadh, enclosing, enclosure according to PSD, where f iadhadh an
tighe is glossed as within the four walls of the house. Iadhadh is found in FGB as iamh, with faoi iamh an t listed with the
same meaning.
93 Do Shen Ghrofa: note the historically correct lenition of the surname in the dative. Such usage is not universal in PULs
works, the version of the story of Barry the Rake printed in r nDithin Araon having do Shen ua Grobhtha in this passage
(p40).
94 Id lmh fin duit: the dative singular limh is not given here. The mh is presumably slender by assimilation to the following
slender f, but in any case dative usage was not universally adhered to in PULs works.
95 Brevis esse certo et obscurus fio: this appears to be a misquotation from Horace, the correct version being brevis esse laboro,
obscurus fio, when I strive to be brief, I become obscure. PULs version has the same meaning, as certo may mean I strive, I
try hard in Latin.
Caibideal XXVIII.
99 mhaidin ann agam: the original spelling ann is retained here, instead of editing it as inn, in order to retain the possibility of
confusion of maidin ann with Madam Anne.
100 Vathek: Vathek, which claimed to be a translation from an unpublished Arabian manuscript, was written in French by William
Beckford in 1782 and translated into English as An Arabian Tale, from an Unpublished Manuscript in 1786, with many
impressions throughout the nineteenth century. Vathek is loosely based on the life of the Abbasid caliph Al-Wathiq ibn Mutasim
(d. 847).
Caibideal XXX.
105 Ar feadh d n tr sheachtainbh: PUL comments on omission of the enumerative particle a in phrases of this type in NIWU
(p47), where we read Ar feadh tr n ceathair de bhlianaibh. One might also say ar feadh a tr n a ceathair de bhlianaibh, but
the first form is preferable, making t. n c. de bh. a noun phrase, indeclinable, and genitive case depending on feadh.
106 Don Cocht: this incident is recounted by PUL in the preface (Seo Mar a Thrla, ppvii-viii therein) to Don Cocht, his
translation of part of the Spanish classic by Cervantes, Don Quixote. It should be noted that PUL did not attempt to impose Irish
orthographical rules on foreign names: the broad/slender quality of consonants in such proper nouns is given by the succeeding
vowel only. The t in Don Cocht is therefore slender, however poorly this dovetails with the phonology of Spanish. A rather
poor updated version of PULs Don Cocht has been published under the title Don Cochtae, with a broad t.
Caibideal XXXI.
107 Sagart g: the reference here is to the role of Eugene OGrowney in founding the Gaelic League. See under Eghan Gramhna
in the Index of Persons.
Caibideal XXXII.
108 The Wearing of the Green: an Irish ballad lamenting the suppression of the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion. The second verse
(beginning I met with Napper Tandy/ And he took me by the hand/ And he said Hows poor old Ireland?/ And how does she
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Nta
stand?) refers to James Napper Tandy, a Dublin shopkeeper and member of the Society of the United Irishmen who was
sentenced to death for revolutionary activities, but allowed to go into exile in France. The words of this song are referred by
Kuno Meyer here. It seems Kuno Meyers grandfather may have met Napper Tandy in Hamburg during the flight of the latter
there following the failure of the 1798 rebellion.
108 Ar mhtar: PUL mentions his travelling by motor car as some kind of special treat. It is thought there were fewer than 50 cars in
Ireland in 1903, prior to the passage of the Motor Car Act 1903, which required vehicle registration. By 1912, the number had
risen rapidly, but there were still only 6,692 registered motor cars in the whole of Ireland in that year.
109 An Capall Bu: an equestrian statue was commissioned by the Cork Corporation in honour of King George II (who died in
1760) and installed in 1761 in the centre of the bridge that now connects the Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street. The statue
was generally known in Cork as George a-horseback, or, after it was painted a golden yellow in 1781, the Yellow Horse or
An Capall Bu. The Grand Parade is still known in Irish as Srid an Chapaill Bhu. The statue was later moved to the junction of
the Grand Parade with the South Mall, before being knocked down in 1862, leading to the offer by the Cork Corporation of a 20
reward, which was never claimed, for information on the identity of the person who knocked it down. The National Monument,
erected in 1906 to honour those who took part in the 1798 and other rebellions, occupies the same spot.
Index of Persons
Aodh Nill: Hugh ONeill, who was born around 1550 in Co. Tyrone and recognised in 1587 as the second Earl of Tyrone,
succeeding to a title granted to his grandfather under the English policy of surrender and regrant. He resisted the English during
the Nine Years War (1594-1603). He took part in the Flight of the Earls in September 1607, and died in Rome in July 1616. He
is regarded as the last High King of Ireland (1598-1601). Aodh is pronounced /e:/.
Aodh Rua Dnaill: Hugh Roe ODonnell, king of Tyrconnell and one of the leaders of the Nine Years War against English rule.
He was born around 1572 in Co. Donegal, left Ireland after his defeat in the battle of Kinsale in early 1602 and died in Valladolid
in Spain in July 1602.
Aoibhill: a banshee in Irish mythology, known as Aibell in older forms of Irish and generally as Aoibheall in the standardised
spelling. Aoibhill is associated with the Craig Liath or Crageevil mountain, near Kincora, in Co. Clare, and it is possible that
Clona na Carraige Lithe referred to by PUL in the same passage here has confused the two banshee spirits.
Aoibhln an Rilein: Eileen of the Lawn, probably Aoibhln N Cheallachin; great-grandmother of PUL, from Mullaghroe near
Millstreet. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin shows this name is pronounced /i:v'lin/ (p3).
Art Laeire: usually known as Art Laoghaire (1746-1773), Art was a member of a well-to-do Catholic family and resident of
Rathleigh, near Macroom, Co. Cork, who married Eibhln Dubh N Chonaill in 1767. He fell into a long-running feud with
Abraham Morris of Macroom, high sheriff of Co. Cork. In 1773 Morris sought to purchase Laeires horse for 5, in line with
penal laws stating that Roman Catholics could not own horses of more than 5 and could be forced to sell a valuable horse for
this price. Laeire offered to settle the matter in a duel, an offer Morris declined. Laeire was then declared an outlaw, who
could be shot on sight. Morris led a group of soldiers to Carriganimy and ordered a soldier to shoot him on May 4th, 1773. The
Cork magistrates acquitted Morris of a subsequent charge of murder. Morris was shot at by Laeires brother Cornelius OLeary
(i.e. Conchr Laeire), and subsequently died, possibly of the wounds, in September 1775. Laeires widow composed the
famous Caoineadh Airt U Laoghaire lamenting his death and calling for revenge for it.
Barnab Laeire: paternal great-grandfather of PUL.
Barnaby: the name of one of PULs neighbours while he was a child.
Barra: St. Finbarr, the patron saint of Cork, who lived on a hermitage in the scenic spot of Gougane Barra. Died AD 623. Also called
Fionnbhrr. His feast day is September 25th.
Barry the Rake: a poet who lived in Cathair Druinne who fell on hard times during the Famine and used to beg his neighbours for
food. The longer explanation in r nDithin Araon shows that Barry the Rake was a former schoolmaster, who lost his trade
when the National Schools came in: bh aithne mhaith, leis, agam ar fhear bhocht a bhodh ag imtheacht ameasg na gcmharsan
agus na cmharsain choth. Barry the Rake a tugt air. Bh s buille beag as a mheabhair, agus srd file ab eadh . Mighistir
sgoile ab eadh i dtosach a shaoghail, ach nuair a thinig na sgoileana nisinda bigean don Bharrach bhocht eirighe as an
obair sin. , adeireadh s liom, na sgoileana Gallda san! Chuireadar le fuacht as le fn m! (p35). PUL refers to him as
Barney the Rake in the preface to r nDithin Araon (pv), implying his Christian name was Barnab and that the appellation an
Barrach has nothing to do with the surname de Barra.
Barn Pigott: David Richard Pigot (as correctly spelt), a prominent Irish judge until his death in 1873. Pigot was a native of
Kilworth, Co. Cork. He represented Daniel OConnell in court in 1831, became Solicitor-General for Ireland in 1839-40,
Member of Parliament for Clonmel 1839-46, Attorney-General for Ireland in 1840-41, and then Chief Baron of the Irish
Exchequer (the first Roman Catholic to hold the post) 1846-73. His judgements are still highly rated in the Irish judicial system.
Bennett Burleigh: Bennett Burleigh (ca. 1840-1914) a famous Scottish war reporter or correspondent for The Daily Telegraph
mentioned here as being present in 1887 at the Mitchelstown Massacre.
Bianconi: Charles (Carlo) Bianconi (1786-1875), an Italian who moved to Ireland during the Napoleonic wars and founded regular
horse-drawn coach services (Bianconi coaches) as well as network of inns (Bianconi inns) in Ireland. His second daughter,
Mary Anne, married a nephew of Daniel OConnell (see under Dnall Cnaill).
Bob Hutchinson: a retired colonel living at Codrum House about a mile to the west of Macroom, who was murdered by a band of
United Irishmen on April 19th 1799.
Bonaparte: Napolon Bonaparte, the French emperor, whose wars led to a rise in agricultural prices mentioned here. The LS version
of Mo Scal Fin indicates this name could be pronounced /bo:nprt/ in Irish (see p10).
Brian na Mrtha Ruairc: Brian ORourke, lord of West Brifne. ORourke, a scion of the dynasty that ruled the kingdom of
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Index of Persons
Brifne in mediaeval and early modern Ireland, accepted English sovereignty in 1577 and received a knighthood in 1578, but
later fell under English suspicion and was executed for treason in London in 1591. Brian na Mrtha means Brian of the
Ramparts.
Brd: St. Brigid/Bridget. Reputedly born in Co. Louth, St. Brigid founded monastic institutions for both men and women in Kildare
before her death in AD 525. Brd is known as Muire na nGael.
Broderick: the name of the land agent who worked for Mr. Saunders and attempted to break the leases held by PULs family and
neighbours.
Buckshot: the nickname of William Edward Forster (1818-86), an English Liberal politician and Chief Secretary of Ireland in 1880-
82 during the Land War, who authorised the use of buckshot by the police to disperse demonstrators.
Caesar: Caius or Gaius Julius Caesar (100 BC-44 BC), commonly known simply as Caesar, the Roman statesman. PUL mentions
here that he studied a work by Caesar, probably Caesars De Bello Gallico.
Cit: the wife of Pdraig Buachalla, who lived at one point in a stable on PULs familys land. Her death after slipping out of the
workhouse is recounted here.
Caitln Dubh: a hag who figured in an old story about Clona (q.v.) who sent the hag as a matchmaker to a handsome young man on
her behalf. This may be a version of the story about Clonas carrying off Sean mac Semais at his engagement party and releasing
him when his fiance, Caitln g, requested a dowry. The pronunciation /kti'li:n/ is shown by the original spelling (Caitiln).
Caitln Pruisal: the wife of Mchel Dubh Laeire. The accepted spelling of this surname, the Anglo-Norman surname Purcell, is
Pursil. PULs spelling and the LS transcription Pruishal show the pronunciation /pri'e:l/ (see p18 in the LS edition).
Captaen Diseach: Timothy Deasy (1839-80), a native of Clonakilty, Co. Cork, was a captain in the Irish Republican Brotherhood
who was arrested in Manchester in September 1867 and freed by a band of Fenians. He escaped to the US and later served in the
Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Captaen Pluincad: Captain Thomas Plunkett, a divisional magistrate, who told the police to be prepared to shoot during the
Youghal Riots of March 1887, when one civilian was bayoneted to death and many policemen were injured. In Ch29 here, PUL
states he received the order to shoot from Dublin. He also took part in the Mitchelstown Massacre in September 1887.
Captaen Stokes: Captain R. B. Stokes, R. M., or resident magistrate in Co. Cork, who presided over the trial of William OBrien and
John Mandeville. Resident magistrates were magistrates drafted in by the Lord Lieutenant, often chosen from among the ranks of
ex-army officers.
Carey: the name of a tenant in Ch27. Its unclear if this is the name of a real person, or a generic name to show the type of letter
tenants received from their landlords.
Ceallachn Mac Crthaigh: one of the United Irishmen informed upon by Malachy Duggan in connection with the murder of
Robert Hutchinson, and subsequently hanged, drawn and quartered in Macroom.
Clona na Carraige Lithe: Cldna, queen of the Tuatha D Danaan in Irish mythology, mentioned in the song An Giolla Rua and
also the subject of folktales in Carrigcleena. See also under Aoibhill and Caitln Dubh.
Colm Cille: St. Columba. One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, St. Columba was born in Donegal and preached the Gospel among
the Picts of Scotland before his death in AD 597. Pronounced /kolm kili/. Buon Choluim Cille, the League of St. Columba,
was an organisation founded at St. Patricks seminary, Maynooth, in 1898, which saw the priesthood as playing a key role in the
regeneration of the Irish nation. A vowel ui has to be inserted in the genitive in order to show the slenderisation of the m. PSD has
cuilm as the genitive of colm, but PULs spelling shows the l to remain broad.
Conchr Corcartha: the son of Siobhn N Bhuachalla. This surname is generally spelt Corcra, but PULs spelling shows the
pronunciation to be /o: korkrh/. The Christian name is pronounced /kro'hu:r/.
Conchr Laeire: 1. The distant ancestor of PUL who was forced to flee Carrignacurra; brother of Diarmaid Laeire. He moved
to Ballyvourney and married a member of the Duinnn family. 2. The maternal grandfather of PUL and son of Aoibhln an
Rilein. 3. Another great-great-grandfather of PUL who was the son of the first Diarmaid Laeire. Known as Conchr Mistir.
4. A servant of the third Conchr Laeire with the same name as his master. Known as Conchr Buachaill.
Conchr: a servant boy who worked for PULs family.
Cormac Mac Crthaigh: one of the United Irishmen informed upon by Malachy Duggan in conection with the murder of Bob
Hutchinson. Cormac, one of Hutchinsons own servants who went under the soubriquet of Captain Slasher, is thought to have
been the one who fired the shot and killed Hutchinson. Cormac was subsequently hanged, drawn and quartered in Macroom. The
Christian name Cormac is pronounced /kormk/. The surname Mac Crthaigh is pronounced /m:k k:rh/. In conjunction
with the Christian name, Cormac Mac Crthaigh is transcribed in the LS edition of PULs novel Sadna as Coramac Vc Crha,
implying Mac in such names is lengthened before a following c and generally lenited (see Shina, p52).
Cormac Luasa: the schoolmaster in Carriganimy, PULs first school.
Cromwell: Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), an English military leader styled as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England,
Scotland and Ireland. He ordered a conquest of Ireland in 1649-53 accompanied by many atrocities. This name is shown in the
LS version of Mo Scal Fin as pronounced /kromil/ in Irish (see p2).
Cchulainn: an Irish hero from the Ulster cycle of myths.
Cnn: Edward OMeagher Condon (1835-1915), who was born near Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, was one of the five men condemned
to be hanged for taking part in the Fenian ambush that freed Thomas J. Kelly and Timothy Deasy in Manchester in September
1867. His sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life on account of his US citizenship. In response to US entreaties on his
behalf, Condon was pardoned in September 1878. He published a book in the US in 1887, The Irish Race in America. The
surname is ultimately of Norman origin, and properly de Canntn, but this has become corrupted to Condn or Conndn, which
is pronounced /ku:'nu:n/, accounting for the spelling PUL gives here.
Diarmaid Donnabhin Rossa: Jeremiah ODonovan Rossa (1831-1915), leader of the Phoenixmen. Rossa was later a member of
the Fenian Brotherhood and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He was sentenced to penal servitude for life in 1865 for high
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treason, and imprisoned in England. Despite his imprisonment, he won election to the British House of Commons in a by-
election for the Tipperary constituency, but his election was declared void owing to his imprisonment. He was released in an
amnesty in 1870 and moved to New York, from which vantage point he organised a bombing campaign (the dynamite
campaign) in British cities in the 1880s. Rossas funeral in Glasnevin, Ireland, in 1915 and the oration delivered by Pdraig
Pearse at the funeral, are seen as having provided part of the momentum leading up to the Easter Rising of 1916. Rossa derives
from the Irish genitive Rosa, indicating that ODonovan Rossa was a native of Rosscarbery (Ros Cairbre or Ros gCairbre) in
south-west Cork.
Diarmaid Laeire: 1. The paternal great-great-great grandfather of PUL, forced to flee Carrignacurra. Known as Diarmaid g.
Brother of Conchr Laeire. 2. The brother of PULs paternal grandfather, the third Peadar Laeire, referred to here as Seana-
Dhiarmaid Laeire. 3. Diarmaid Rua Laeire, PULs father, and husband of Siobhn N Laeire. 4. PULs second cousin, the son
of Toms Laeire, who he lodged with in Derrymona.
Diarmaid Mumhneachin:the witticism Na daoine is l ciall in irinn, /Daoine gan Bharla gan Ghaelainn is here attributed to
a man of this name living in Cullen. As the poet Diarmaid Mumhneachin lived from 1866 to 1934, it seems unlikely PUL is
referring to him. The true source of the saying may be Samus Mr Mumhneachin, the great-great-uncle of Diarmaid.
Diarmaid Tuathaigh: the great-grandfather of PUL, who lived at Glendav, Co. Cork.
Diarmaid Stringer: a note-taker employed by the police to make a record of public meetings during the Irish Land War. He is shown
here to have been flummoxed by speeches in Irish.
Diarmaid: the name of a cowherd east of Bantry Bay shown here discussing the French attempted invasion of Ireland in December
1796.
Diarmaidn Buachalla: a little boy, son of Pdraig Buachalla, who lived on PULs familys land. His death in the workhouse in
Macroom is recounted here.
Disraeli: Benjamin Disraeli (1804-81), British prime minister.
Dnall Conaill: Daniel OConnell (1775-1847), the Irish political leader known as The Liberator. OConnell was a native
speaker of Irish from Co. Kerry who campaigned in Parliament for Catholic emancipation and the repeal of the Union of Ireland
with Great Britain. Yet he also advocated the abandonment of Irish for economic reasons, saying, I am sufficiently utilitarian not
to regret its gradual abandonment. A diversity of tongues is no benefit; it was first imposed upon mankind as a curse, at the
building of Babel. It would be of great advantage to mankind if all the inhabitants of the Earth spoke the same language.
Therefore though the Irish language is connected with many recollections that twine around the hearts of Irishmen, yet the
superior utility of the English tongue, as the medium of all modern communication, is so great that I can witness without a sigh
the gradual disuse of Irish (Personal recollections of the late Daniel OConnell, pp14-15). It is stated here that a daughter of
Bianconi married a son or grandson of OConnell, but it was Morgan John OConnell, MP for Co. Kerry and nephew of Daniel
OConnell, who married Mary Anne Bianconi (Charles Bianconi: A Biography, p259).
Dnall Dgin: a close relative of Malachy Duggan, who rented a farm near that of PULs great-grandfather, Diarmaid
Tuathaigh.
Dnall Longsigh: possibly the doctor of this name and native of Ballyvourney (1842-1913). The surname is pronounced /li:ni/.
Dnall Mainchn: Daniel Mannix (1864-1963), native of Charleville, Co. Cork, who later became Roman Catholic Archbishop of
Melbourne in Australia. Mannix was one of the pupils in PULs school in Charleville, but seems to have taken a different view on
some political issues from that of PUL, opposing the 1916 Easter Rising and the use of violence by Irish nationalists. As
president of Maynooth College 1903-12 (before his transfer to Australia), Mannix was known to oppose compulsory Irish as a
matriculation subject in the National University of Ireland, and played a part in 1909 in the dismissal of Michael OHickey, a
member of the Gaelic League and professor of Irish at Maynooth, after OHickey attacked members of the Senate of the National
University of Ireland who were opposed to compulsory Irish. The surname is pronounced /o: mn i'hin/.
Dnall Tuathaigh: the name of someone, noted for a good left hook, who took part in a land dispute at Labbadermody in the early
part of the nineteenth century.
Dnall: the name of a cowherd east of Bantry Bay shown here discussing the French attempted invasion of Ireland in December
1796.
amonn de Bhl: a poet and scribe who lived in Dungourney, Co. Cork (1668-1763). An account of his mugging by James Freney is
given here. His name is normally given as amonn, not amann, and this spelling is therefore retained here.
Eaton: Richard John Eaton (d. 1895), R. M., or resident magistrate in Co. Cork, one of those who presided over the trial of William
OBrien and John Mandeville.
Edward Carson: Lord Carson (1854-1935) was an Irish unionist politician, and former barrister and judge. He led the Ulster
Unionist Party in 1910-21. PUL refers here to his taking part as a lawyer in a court case in 1887, but Carson is more famous for
his later political role, including signing the Ulster Covenant, calling for resistance of Home Rule by the Ulster Volunteers. He
later supported partition of Ireland as a compromise.
Eibhln N Chonaill: usually known as Eibhln Dubh N Chonaill (ca. 1743-ca. 1800), the aunt of Daniel OConnell and composer
of the Caoineadh Airt U Laoghaire. Eibhln N Chonaill, and the rest of the family, were members of the Muntir U Chonaill of
Derrynane, Co. Kerry. See under Art Laeire here for further discussion.
Elisabet: Elizabeth I (1533-1603), Queen of England. Elizabeth I is mentioned in connection with PULs essay on English literature
in the Elizabethan era. No comment is made on the gradual consolidation of English rule over Ireland under Elizabeth, eventually
leading to the outbreak of the Nine Years War towards the end of her reign.
Eghan Camhra: Eugene OCurry (1794-1862), who is usually known in Irish as Eghan Comhra. PULs spelling implies the
name should be pronounced /o:n o: kau'ri:/, but it may be that PUL was more familiar with the English version of the name under
which OCurrys works were published. OCurry was a noted philologist and expert on the Irish language, having been taught to
read and write the Irish language by his father. He made a living copying and translating Irish manuscripts and was appointed
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professor of Irish history and archaeology at the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. He was an expert on Irelands ancient
Brehon law.
Eghan Gramhna: Eugene OGrowney (1863-99), a native of Co. Meath who learned Irish and was appointed as professor Irish
at Maynooth in 1891. He was one of the founders of the Gaelic League in 1893. He also edited the Gaelic Journal from 1894 to
1899. PUL gave the funeral oration in Irish in Queenstown Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork, in September 1903 upon the reception of
OGrowneys coffin in Ireland from America. Prior to delivering the funeral oration, PUL wrote in a letter to Patrick ODaly,
honorary secretary of the Gaelic League, dated September 26th 1903, Is m an chreideamhaint at ag dul don Athair Eoghan
Ua Gramhna mar gheall ar an obair n mar at ag dul daon duine eile be n marbh ( Leabhar an Athar Eoghan: The
OGrowney Memorial Volume, p43; the text of the funeral oration is given there on pp51-55). Pronounced /o:n o: graun/.
Eghan Rua Nill: Owen Roe ONeill (ca. 1590-1649), nephew of Hugh ONeill, was one of the Irish nobles who left Ireland in
the Flight of the Earls, returning 40 years later to lead a rebellion against English rule. He died in 1649 before he could be
captured by Cromwells army.
Ein Nuallin: John ONolan (1839-1904), a priest who played a key role in setting up the Society for the Preservation of the
Irish Language in 1876, publishing a number of books, including Irish Grammar Rules in Prose and Verse in 1877. He was not a
native speaker of Irish, being raised in English in Co. Galway.
Fionn mac Cmhaill: also known as Finn McCool, a warrior in the Fenian cycle of myths. Note the genitive is Fnn mhic Cmhaill,
where mhic does not lenite a following c or g.
Fred Higginbotham: an English reporter or correspondent mentioned here as being present in 1887 at the Mitchelstown Massacre.
George Smith: apparently the name of a landlords agent in Ch27. This is possibly a generic name to illustrate the sort of letters that
were sent to tenants in 19th-century Ireland.
Gladstone: William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), British prime minister.
Henry Labouchre: Henry Labouchre (1831-1912) was an English Liberal MP who supported Home Rule for Ireland.
Horatius: Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65 BC-8 BC), the Latin poet usually known in English as Horace.
Iarla Rua (an tIarla Rua): this is a reference to John Spencer (1835-1910), 5th Earl Spencer, known as the Red Earl on account
of his red beard. Spencer was a Liberal politician who twice served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. His second term as Lord
Lieutenant came in 1882, when he was appointed as a moderate to try to defuse the political situation in Ireland, but still
alienated Irish nationalists as a result of his policies in Ireland. His visit to Cork referred to in Ch32 here was possibly the one
that took place in August 1883.
Isaac Butt: the Irish parliamentarian (1813-79) and member of the Irish Conservative Party who led the Irish Home Government
Association and the Home Rule League in the 1870s.
John Brunner: Sir John Brunner (1842-1919) was an English Liberal MP who supported Home Rule for Ireland.
Kuno Meyer: Kuno Meyer (1858-1919) was a German scholar who became an authority on Old Irish and Celtic philology more
generally. He founded the Zeitschrift fr celtische Philologie in 1896, and then the journal riu in 1904, in which year he became
Todd Professor of Celtic Languages at the Royal Irish Academy. PUL recounts how Meyer received the freedom of Dublin
together with PUL on April 22nd 1912. On September 25th 1912, the two men received the freedom of Cork. Meyers name was
deleted from the roll of both Dublin and Cork freemen after making a pro-German speech to Clann na Gaedhal on Long Island in
New York in December 1914 and resigned as editor of riu. His name was restored to the roll of Dublin freemen in 1920.
Labhrs Duinnn: the son of Peig na Croise and father of Peig Labhris. Labhrs is pronounced /lau'r :s/.
Liam Briain: William OBrien (1852-1928), an agrarian agitator and MP, representing North-East Cork during the period under
discussion in Ch29 here. OBrien was a native of Mallow, Co. Cork, who helped to organise a rent strike in Mitchelstown. Three
tenants were shot dead during a subsequent demonstration, known as the Mitchelstown Massacre.
Liam Cathin: otherwise known as William Keane (1805-75), bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Cloyne 1857-74, a native
of Castlemartyr, near Youghal, in Co. Cork. While Keane died before the Gaelic Revival took hold, an Irish-language catechism
was compiled under his direction in the 1860s and it was his edition of the catechism that was re-edited by PUL in 1901 and
reissued as his An Teagasg Crostaidhe.
Lord Doneraile: as PUL was curate in Dn ar Aill from 1884 to 1891, the lord referred to here could be either Hayes St. Leger
(1818-87), the 4th Viscount (a man who was smothered to death by his servants after he caught rabies from his pet fox, to prevent
him from passing the disease on), or his second cousin, Richard St. Leger (1825-91), the 5th Viscount.
Mleachlainn Dgin: this man is normally referred to as Malachy Duggan and is called Malachi in some passages here. Duggan,
a farmer living at Carrigthomas in the parish of Aghabullogue in East Muskerry, was a member of the United Irishmen who took
part in a raid on Codrum House, west of Macroom, on April 19th 1799, during which Robert Hutchinson was killed. Duggan was
pardoned after informing on his comrades, who were subsequently hanged, with their heads displayed for many years on spikes.
He subsequently became known as the most hated man of Macroom. Mleachlainn is variously
pronounced /mlaxli~mraxli~braxli/.
Mac Crthaigh: only the surname is given of the Bishop of Cloyne in Ch24 here, in reference to John McCarthy (1815-93), the
Fermoy native who succeeded William Keane to the bishopric in 1874.
Mac Nally: the headmaster of a school that taught the classics in Macroom.
Mire N Thuathaigh: PULs paternal grandmother.
Mire Rua N Chrodin: the wife of Labhrs Duinnn and mother of Peig Labhris.
Maitias Mac Mathna: parish priest of Boherboy, present at the Mitchelstown Massacre in 1887.
Meas: possibly referring to the Irish goddess Mess Bachalla, the mother of the legendary high king Conaire Mr.
Mchel Breathnach: the name of someone living in Glendav. Pronounced /mi:'h:l brn'hx/.
Mchel Daibhid: Michael Davitt (1846-1906), an Irish republican prominent in agitation on the land issue. Davitt, a native of Co.
Mayo, was bilingual. He founded the Land League of Mayo in 1879, agitating for a reduction in the rents charged by the a local
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Roman Catholic Priest, Canon Ulick Burke. Canon Burke was forced to stop evicting his tenants and reduce the rents by 25% as
a result of the campaign of non-payment organised by Davitt. The Irish National Land League was founded later in 1879, helping
to secure the passage of land reforms in 1881. Davitt is properly known in Irish as Mchel Mac Dibhid, and PULs form,
Mchel Daibhid (spelt Michel Daibhid in the original text), appears to indicate that PUL was familiar with the name in
English only.
Mchel de Bhl: the schoolmaster of the school PUL attended in Macroom.
Mchel Dubh Laeire: the name of one of PULs neighbours when he was a child. The genitive spelt Mhichil Duibh in the
original is transcribed in LS as Vhil Ghuiv (p19). The unlenited d in the original is retained in this edition, as the man was known
as Mchel Dubh and this may tend to force delenition of the d in the genitive too.
Mchel Fineagin: a workman who worked for PULs family when he was a child. The standard spelling of this surname is
Fionnagin, but a slender medial n is indicated in the form given here.
Mchel Laeire: the name of one of PULs neighbours when he was a child, possibly the same person as Mchel Dubh Laeire
(q.v.).
Milton: John Milton (1608-74), an English poet and the author of Paradise Lost.
Miss Mander: Amy Mander, an English woman from Wolverhampton who supported Irish nationalism and was present in 1887 at
the Mitchelstown Massacre.
Muircheartach Mumhneachin: otherwise known as Mortimer Moynahan. Mumhneachin was a pupil at the same school in
Carriganimy that PUL attended. He later moved to Skibbereen and joined the Phoenixmen. He was among those charged along
with ODonovan Rossa and held in prison for eight months, before agreeing to plead guilty and released on probation. The name
is pronounced /mirhrtx~ mrihrtx o: min:xn/.
Muire (an Mhaighdean Mhuire): the Virgin Mary. Pronounced / vidn viri/.
Murchadh Briain: the parish priest of Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, who handed out meal during the Irish Famine. Murchadh is
pronunced /murx/.
Nappy Tandy: James Napper Tandy (1740-1803), a Protestant tradesman and member of the Dublin Corporation who came to the
notice of the British authorities on account of his membership of the Society of the United Irishmen and his support for
revolution. He fled to the US in 1795-98, and arrived in Paris in 1798 to take part in the rebellion being organised by Wolfe Tone.
He arrived with a small force of men in a corvette on the island of Arranmore, Co. Donegal, in September 1798 and hoisted the
Irish flag on the island of Rutland before hearing of the defeat of the rebellion. He then fled to Hamburg, then a free port, which
acceded to a British demand to hand him over. In 1801 he was sentenced to death for his seizure of Rutland island, but allowed to
go into exile in France.
Neill N Ic: maternal grandmother of PUL and daughter of Tadhg hIc. Note that Neill n Taidhg has no lenition on the t, as n is a
truncation of inon, and the confluence of dental sounds across the word boundary inon Taidhg causes delenition.
Neill N Laeire: PULs maternal aunt, who is briefly mentioned here.
Ceallaigh: only the surname of Thomas J. Kelly is given here. Kelly (1833-1908) was a Fenian leader who was arrested in
Manchester in September 1867 for his role in the Fenian Rising of that year and remanded in custody pending trial and then freed
by around 30-40 Fenians on the way from the magistrates court to the city jail on September 18th that year. Kelly escaped to the
US and was not recaptured.
Donnabhin: the reference in Ch31 here is to John ODonovan (1806-61), professor of Celtic languages at Queens University,
Belfast, who, in 1845, published his A Grammar of the Irish Language, the first truly comprehensive grammar of the language.
hAimhirgin: Osborn Bergin (1873-1950), a native of Cork city who became a leading scholar of the Irish language, with a
knowledge spanning the language in its various historical phases. From 1909, Bergin held the chair of Early and Mediaeval Irish
in University College, Dublin, resigning to become director of the School of Celtic Studies in the Dublin Institute of Advanced
Studies in 1940. Bergin helped Shn Cuv and Richard ODaly devise the Letiri Shmpl, a simplified phonetic spelling of
Irish, in 1910, and edited a number of PULs works in the simplified spelling. The surname Bergin seems to be of ancient Gaelic
origin: the surname became corrupted in modern times to Meirgin and Beirgin, but Bergin adopted the form hAimhirgin,
based on earlier historical forms of the surname. Pronounced /o: h v irgin /.
hIarlaithe: the surname of the family who lived next to PUL when he was a child and who owned the geese who grazed on the old
cattle-field.
Luasa: the surname of a girl in whose house PUL arrived while he was lost walking in the hills.
Rordin: the surname of a doctor in Doneraile who took good care of PUL during a serious illness is given in Ch30 here. This is
probably Thomas Reardon (d.1907), dispensary doctor in Doneraile for many years.
Righ: referring in a poem here to a descendant of Feargas mac Righ, mythological king of Ulster.
Rnin: only the surname is given here of the Jesuit priest who set up an Apostolic School in Limerick, and admitted PULs pupil,
Toiralach Siadhail, to his school. The school seems to be that set up by William Ronan (1825-1907), a native of Clonduff,
near Newry in Co. Down, at Mungret College, near Limerick, with the first eight pupils joining the school in 1880.
Silliobhin Gallda: Daniel Sullivan Goula, a man who joined the Phoenixmen and betrayed them to the British authorities.
Silliobhin: the surname of a man from Kerry who ran a school in Kanturk. The surname, generally Silleabhin, is variously
spelt, and is found as Siliobhin with a single l in this instance in the original, but later as Silliobhin Gallda in reference to
someone else with a double l. A double l has been standardised on in this edition.
Tuama: the surname of a woman from near Lettercannon married to PULs uncle, Peadar Rua Laeire.
Pdraic Ua Dmhnaill: Patrick ODonnell (1856-1927), native of Glenties in the Donegal Gaeltacht and Bishop of Raphoe, later
Archbishop of Armagh and Cardinal, who wrote the foreword to this work.
Pdraig Buachalla: a poor person who lived at one point in a stable on PULs familys land. His death after slipping out of the
workhouse is recounted here.
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Pdraig Ceallachin: a priest mentioned here as being present during the Mitchelstown Massacre incident in 1887.
Pdraig: St. Patrick, referred to in the salutation Dia s Muire s Pdraig duit.
Prthaln Mac Crthaigh: more generally known as Bartholomew MacCarthy (1843-1904), an Irish scholar and priest (D.D. here
means Doctor of Divinity). MacCarthy was a native of Ballynoe, near Fermoy, Co. Cork, and was at one point professor of
Classics at St. Colmans College, Fermoy, and then later on curate of Mitchelstown during the 1887 Mitchelstown Massacre. Dr.
MacCarthy was a scholar with an interest in early Irish literature, and edited several volumes of the Annals of Ulster in the 1890s.
Peadar Laeire: 1. The author of this autobiography, who preferred the spelling Peadar Ua Laoghaire (1839-1920); referred to here
by the abbreviation PUL. 2. A brother of PULs great-grandfather, Barnab Laeire. 3. The paternal grandfather of PUL, who
married Mire N Thuathaigh. 4. Peadar Rua Laeire, PULs uncle, who lived at Prohus. Note the name Peadar is pronounced
/padir/ with a slender r in West Muskerry in all grammatical cases.
Peig Labhris N Dhuinnn: a little girl who spoke no English and who told PUL the story that he later worked up into his novel
Sadna.
Peig na Croise: an old lady who lived by a cross near Barra na R; the mother of Labhrs Duinnn.
Peig: the name of a little girl brought a shawl by a boy in the church at Carriganimy.
Risterd Laeire: PULs uncle, the husband of his maternal aunt, Neill N Laeire.
Rudeki: Abu Abdullah Rudaki (858-ca. 941), a Persian/Tajik poet.
Saunders: Mr. Saunders, the landlord who owned the land rented by PULs family in the 1850s. The mid-nineteenth century
Griffiths Valuation land records show two heads of household in Lisscarrigane called Jeremiah OLeary who rented their land
from an Arthur Saunders.
Seinn Philib: a poor person, who spoke English, living in a shed near PULs home.
Samas Frin: James Freney (1719-88), a highwayman in 18th-century Ireland. Freney, a native of Co. Kilkenny who is believed to
have been bilingual, was from a respectable family and received a good education, but fell on hard times when his tavern in
Waterford closed as a result of the high fees charged by the local council, whereupon he fell in with a gang of highway robbers.
He was declared an outlaw in 1749, but reached a deal with the local magistrates that would allow him to emigrate instead of
being executed, owing to his popularity among the rural folk. In 1754 he published his autobiography, The Life and Adventures of
Mr James Freney. PULs account of his death appears to be inaccurate, or possibly he is confused with another highwayman, as
Freney eventually settled in New Ross, Co. Wexford, and held a position as a customs official until his death in 1788.
Samas Mrdha: the curate of Tullylease who was present at the Mitchelstown Massacre in 1887. He later served as parish priest
of Rathcormack and as a canon. Mrdha is a Gaelic name, pronounced /o: mo:r/.
Sen Dolin: John Dillon (1851-1927), the Irish Member of Parliament and leader at one point of the Irish Parliamentary Party. He
was one of the organisers of the Plan of Campaign agrarian movement and was present in Mitchelstown in 1887 during the
Mitchelstown Massacre. In the 1918 election, he was defeated by amon de Valera in the East Mayo constituency, putting paid to
his partys support for Home Rule for the whole of Ireland. He was the father of Myles Dillon (1900-72), the Irish philologist
noted for his interest in Cork Irish.
Sen Mac Dnaill: John MacDonald (ca. 1840-1926), a Scottish reporter or correspondent for The London Daily News, mentioned
here as being present in 1887 at the Mitchelstown Massacre.
Sen Mac il: John MacHale (1791-1881), Archbishop of Tuam. The Irish version of the name is usually given as Sen Mac Hil:
the surname is ultimately of Welsh origin (son of Howel), a Welsh family having settled in Co. Mayo in the 12th or 13th
century. Mac il was thus a native of Co. Mayo. Bernard OReillys biography of the Archbishop, John Mac Hale, Archbishop of
Tuam, his life, times and correspondence, explains that Irish was almost exclusively spoken in the area Mac il was reared in,
and was the usual language in his household too, leading to an objection from his grandmother when at the age of four his father
decided to start teaching him English, that he could become anglicised. However, he was a native speaker of Irish, and
eventually gained a mastery of both languages (see Volume 1, pp16-17). He was prominent in the campaign for Catholic
emancipation and the campaign for the repeal of the Union with England, although he later opposed the violence of the Young
Ireland movement. He translated the Iliad into Irish in eight volumes, and also translated the first six books of the Bible, Genesis-
Joshua, into Irish. As such, his work for the Irish language predated the Gaelic Revival by several decades.
Sen Mandeville: John Mandeville (1849-1888), a tenant farmer and local agrarian agitator in Mitchelstown who encouraged
tenants to resist eviction. He was treated roughly during his imprisonment in 1887 and his death several months later is attributed
to that.
Sen Grofa: a poor man who lived at Caherdrinny and received free food from the parish priest of Mitchelstown during the Irish
Famine.
Sen Laeire: the son of the second Diarmaid Laeire, and PULs first cousin once removed.
Sen Luasa: the name of one of PULs neighbours while he was a child.
Sen Ruda: John Such-and-such, a generic name of the John Smith/John Doe variety. Pronounced / :n o: ro'di:/.
Sen S: 1. The name of the man in whose house in Bthar na Sop PUL lodged while studying in Macroom. 2. The name of the
son of the former, still living in Bthar na Sop when PUL wrote Mo Scal Fin. Bthar na Sop may be St. Nevilles Terrace, a
road that continues into Masseytown Terrace, and two John OSheas are shown in the 1911 Irish census as living in Mountmassy
Road, Macroom, but neither appears old enough to be the right Sen S.
Sen: the name of a crippled beggar in Ch27.
Shakespeare: William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the English playwright.
Sle N Bhuachalla: the daughter of Pdraig Buachalla who lived on PULs familys land. Her death in the workhouse in Macroom
is recounted here.
Siobhn N Bhuachalla: the name of someone living at Bawnatanaknock while PUL was growing up.
Siobhn N Laeire: mother of PUL and wife of Diarmaid Rua Laeire.
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Index of Persons
Siobhn N Thuathaigh: sister of PULs paternal grandmother, Mire N Thuathaigh.

Smith OBrien: William Smith OBrien (1803-64), a native of Co. Clare and an Irish Protestant Member of Parliament for the
Conservative Party and leader of the Young Ireland movement. While being an Irish nationalist, and advocating Catholic
Emancipation and the use of the Irish language, he initially supported the union with Britain, in the belief that the British
Parliament could be persuaded to move towards more enlightened rule of Ireland. In 1843, he joined Daniel OConnells Repeal
Association, which advocated repeal of the Union. He was sentenced to be hanged for sedition owing to his part in the 1848
Young Irelander Rebellion, leading to a petition for clemency signed by 70,000 people in Ireland and 10,000 people in England,
whereupon his sentence was reduced to deportation to Van Diemens Land (now Tasmania in Australia). He was eventually
pardoned, returning to Ireland in 1856. Irish was introduced into a number of schools in Co. Clare in 1863 on the back of his
support for the language.
Socrates: the Greek philosopher, briefly mentioned in Ch8.
Tadhg Mac Crthaigh: one of the United Irishmen informed upon by Malachy Duggan in connection with the murder of Robert
Hutchinson. He was hanged, drawn and quartered in Macroom.
Tadhg mhac Aindriais hIc: great-grandfather of PUL who lived at Dromahane, Co. Cork. Note the pronunciations of Tadhg and
Aindrias, /tig/ and /ain'dris/ respectively. He is also referred to here as Tadhg ach Aindriais, with mhac, ac and ach all found
in such names.
Tadhg na nUbh: Tadhg of the Eggs, someone mentioned as living in Glendav. Someone of the same appellation is mentioned in
PULs novel Sadna (p36).
Tadhg hArrachtin: Timothy Harrington (1851-1910), the lawyer defending William OBrien in the Mitchelstown case.
Harrington, a native of Castletownbere, Co. Cork, served as member of Parliament for Dublin Harbour from 1885 to 1910, and
was secretary of the Irish National League and one of the brains behind the Plan of Campaign agrarian unrest in the mid-1880s.
Tadhg Laeire: the son of Mchel Laeire who was sentenced to transportation for killing someone elses cow during the Famine
period.
Thomas Ellis: Thomas Edward Ellis (1859-99), usually known as T. E. Ellis, was a Welsh Liberal MP who supported home rule for
Wales and also supported Home Rule for Ireland.
Toiralach Goil: headmaster of a Latin school in Macroom. The Christian name is pronounced /tre:lx/.
Toiralach Siadhail: a boy living near Mitchelstown who attended PULs Latin classes in Rathcormack and Charleville and
subsequently became a missionary in America, serving with the Jesuits. This appears to refer to Terence J. Shealy (1863-1922),
the Jesuit, born at the base of Galteemore near Mitchelstown, who established the Mount Manresa retreats in Staten Island, New
York State (see his obituary in The Journal of the American Irish Historical Society, Vol XXI, pp259ff). Siadhail was among
the first intake of eight boys to join Rnins Apostolic School near Limerick in September 1880.
Toms Dubh Wentworth: Thomas Wentworth (1593-1641), 1st Earl of Strafford, who served in 1632-39 as English Lord Deputy of
Ireland. He was said to have offered Irish troops to suppress the opponents of King Charles I in England, and was subsequently
hanged for treason in the run-up to the English Civil War. Also known as Black Tom Tyrant.
Toms Mac Muiris: the Mitchelstown priest mentioned here.
Toms Laeire: the first cousin of PULs mother who took PUL in in Derrymona while he was studying in Kanturk.
Toms Mrdha: a boy, noted for his intelligence, who attended PULs Latin classes in Rathcormack.
Toms Muirithe: the ageing parish priest in Kilshannig.
Washington: George Washington (1732-99), the first US president.
Index of Places
Abha Bheag (an Abha Bheag): the River Awbeg (the little river) in Co. Cork, a tributary of the Blackwater.
Abha Mhr (an Abha Mhr): the River Blackwater (the big river) in Co. Cork.
Aifric (an Aifric): Africa. GCh has an Afraic. PUL uses Africa in Lcin (p159), indicating that such geographical terms were
likely to be used in English, or in an Anglophone form, by native speakers of Irish in the nineteenth century.
Alba: Scotland, pronounced /lb/. The dative is Albain.
Alminn (an Alminn): Germany, generally an Ghearmin in GCh. Pronounced /l'm:/.
America: this would be found as Meirice in GCh. Many words for which there is now an Irish equivalent were traditionally more
likely to be found in an anglophone form. PUL had America, although modern Munster Irish has Meirice, i.e. /meriki/.
Araiglinn: Araglin, Co. Cork. This placenamethe name of both a townland and river in north-east Corkis normally found as
Airglinn. PUL may have been more familiar with the placename in English, accounting for his giving a broad r here.
rd Phdraig: Ardpatrick (St. Patricks Height). 1. A minor hill in Co. Cork. 2. A famous hill in Co. Limerick, where a monastery is
said to have been founded by St. Patrick.
th an Dallin: Ahadallane (the ford of the standing stone), Co. Cork. Dalln in this placename is thought to be a corruption of
galln.
Athn (an Athn): Dromahane (where athn meansfir-tree), Co. Cork. Also Drom Athin.
Baile tha Cliath: Dublin (town of the ford of the hurdles), named after an ancient crossing point over the River Liffey.
Pronounced /bla: 'klih/, the spelling Bltha Cliath is found in Ch16-17 here. An Caislen i mBltha Cliath, Dublin Castle,
the administrative centre of the British state in Ireland.
Baile Dubh (an Baile Dubh): Ballyduff (the black town), Co. Cork.
Baile Mhistala: Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, historically associated with the Anglo-Norman St. Michel family. Pronounced /bli
vi'te:l/.
Baile Mhirne: Ballyvourney, in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. Also spelled Baile Bhirne. Sen Ua Silleabhin explains in Pobal na
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Index of Places
Gaeltachta that Baile Bhoirne, which contains the genitive of the word boireann, a stony district, seems to be the older form,
but the spelling Baile Mhirne began to be used in the 17th century (pp653-654) and this is the form more frequently encountered
in dialectal literature.
Baile na mBodach: Ballymuddagh (the town of the louts/churls), Co. Cork.
Baile na Mna: Ballynamona (the town of the bogland), Co. Cork.
Baile na Pirce: Ballynaparka (the town of the field), Co. Cork.
Baile-idir-dh-Abhainn: Ballyderown (town between two rivers), Co. Cork. Pronounced /bli dir : (a)u/.
Bn an tSeanachnuic: Bawnatanaknock (the meadow of the old church), a minor placename in the Muskerry Gaeltacht.
Baoi Bharra: Dursey Island, off the Beara peninsula in Co. Cork, named after an ancient cow-goddess. The English name of the
island derives from the Viking jrrsey, meaning bull island. The estuary of Baoi Bharra referred to in Ch12 here is known as
Berehaven Harbour in English.
Brr an Chrthainn: Barrahaurin (the top of the rowan tree), Co. Cork. Crthann, rowan tree, is a variant of caorthann
generally found in WM Irish. Pronounced /b:r x:rhi/.
Brr an tSeanachnuic: Barrantanaknock (the top of the old church), a minor placename in the Muskerry Gaeltacht.
Brr Dubh (an Brr Dubh): Barraduff (black top), a townland and a mountain in Co. Kerry, found here in the dative as Barra
Dubh.
Barra na R: a minor placename (the moorlands edge).
Bal an tha Bu: Yellowford, the site in Co. Armagh of a battle in 1598 during which Hugh ONeill and Hugh Roe ODonnell
defeated the English.
Bal an Gherrtha: Belingarrha (the mouth of the cutting), Co. Cork.
Beann Bhorb: Benburb (rough peak) is a village in Co. Tyrone that saw a famous battle in 1646 where the Irish defeated the
Scottish Covenanters army. The dative is edited here as ag an mBnn mBorb (from ag an mBeinn mBorb in the original text), in
line with the pronunciation shown on p1 of the LS edition of Mo Scal Fin, /eg mi: morb/.
Beanntra: Bantry, a port on the coast of Co. Cork.
Berna Dhearg (an Bherna Dhearg): Barnaderg or Redchair (red gap), Co. Limerick.
Berna na Gaoithe: this placename, meaning windy gap, doesnt appear to be a town or settlement, but a reference to a part of the
road from Kilworth to Mitchelstown adjacent to Caherdrinny. PUL wrote elsewhere:
I gContae Chorcaighe, timcheall leath-slighe idir Mhainistir Fhearmuighe agus Baile Mhistala, t it ar a dtugtar Cathair
Druinne. Ar sheana chnocn, at timcheall fiche pirse n mar sin siar n it den bhthar ar a dtugtar Bearna na Gaoithe, is eadh
at an ainim Cathair Druinne, le ceart. Bh seana chaislen ar an gcnocn san fad , agus t aon cinne amhin den tseana
chaislen n-a sheasamh fs. Dheabhrchadh an sgal gur ar an gcaislen a tugt an chathair, agus gur bh an cnocn an
druinn, agus gur bhas san a thrla Cathair Druinne mar ainim ar an seana chaislen agus ar an mbaile. [ r nDithin Araon,
p35.]
As an Irish perch was 21-foot long, it seems Berna na Gaoithe is just a reference to the part of the road around 400 ft away from
the ruins of Caherdrinny.
Bnn na Leacht: Beenalaght (peak of the grave-mounds/grave monuments), Co. Cork. Bnn is a calcified dative, from Beann, in
this (and other) placenames.
Bnn na Mol: Beennamweel (the peak of the hares), Co. Cork.
Bthar Bu (an Bthar Bu): Boherboy (the yellow road), Co. Cork.
Bthar Massy: possibly Masseytown Terrace, Macroom.
Bthar na Cathairneach: a street leading up to Macroom, Co. Cork.
Bthar na Sop: Sop Road (the road of the wisps). PULs description of the location, at the other end of the bridge across from
Macroom Castle, would locate it where St. Nevilles Terrace is today.
Cairbre: Carbery, Co. Cork. This is the name of a barony in south-west Cork spelt Cairbrigh in GCh. Pronounced /kribiri/.
Caislen Liathin: Castlelyons (castle of the U Liathin dynasty), Co. Cork. Pronounced /ki'l:n o: li:'ha:n/.
Carraig an Adhmaid: the rock of the wood, a minor placename in Ballymakeera, Co. Cork. Local tradition has it that the wooden
roof was taken down from St. Gobnaits church in Ballyvourney and hidden behind a rock to prevent Cromwells troops from
taking shelter in the church.
Carraig an Ime: Carriganimy (the rock of the butter), Co. Cork. Probably the location of an ancient milking station, and also the
place where Art Laeire was shot in 1773.
Carraig an Stca: Carrigastaca (the stake-like rock), Co. Cork.
Carraig an Staighre: Carrigastyra (the staircase-like rock), a placename in Co. Cork and the place where the poor who died in the
Famine were buried in a large hole. Pronounced /krig stiri/.
Carraig Clona: Carrigcleena (Clonas rock), Co. Cork. This placename is found as Caraig Clodhna in the original text, with no
lenition on the personal name Clona. While Carraig Chlona is the accepted form of the placename, it seems Carraig Clona can
be justified in terms of delenition between the homorganic consonants g and c.
Carraig na Cora: Carrignacurra (the rock of the weir), the location of a castle in Co. Cork originally held by the Laeire family.
Carraig na Madra: Carrignamadry (the rock of the dogs), a minor placename in Co. Cork. Pronounced /k rig n m d'ri:/.
Carraign an Easaigh: Carriginanassey (the little rock of the waterfall), a minor placename in Co. Cork.
Carraign an Radhairc: the little rock of the view, a minor placename in Co. Cork.
Cathair Druinne: Caherdrinny (ridged stone fort), Co. Cork, where the ruins of a castle can be found. This placename is generally
given as Cathair Dhroinge, but there is no lenition on the d in PULs text. Lenition of a noun in the genitive after a feminine noun
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Index of Places
is one of the most unstable aspects of Irish grammar; consequently, PULs form can be accepted. See also under Berna na
Gaoithe for further explanation.
Cathairn Dubh (an Chathairn Dubh): Caharinduff (the little black fort), Co. Cork. The gender of the base word determines the
gender of diminutives in -n (other than in cases, like riltn, where the connection with an original baseword has been lost).
Ceann Tuirc: Kanturk (boars head), Co. Cork.
Ceapach Chunn: Cappoquin (Conns tillage-plot), Co. Waterford. Pronounced /k'px xi:/.
Cim Carraige: Camcarrigy (rock ravine), Co. Cork.
Ciarra: Co. Kerry.
Cll irne: Killarney (church of sloes), Co. Kerry, with Cille irne in the genitive.
Cll Chainnigh: Kilkenny (the church of St. Cainnech), a town and county in Ireland and the site of an independent Irish
government (the Confederation of Kilkenny) in the 1640s. Pronounced /k i:l xi i/, as if spelt without the final gh.
Cll Chaoi: Kilkee (the church of St. Caoi), a famous bathing resort in Co. Clare.
Cll Chirne: Kilcorney (the church of the weir), Co. Cork.
Cll Dara: Kildare (church of oak), a town and county in Ireland. Note machaire Chille Dara in Ch24 here, where Cll is
separately declined in the genitive.
Cll Ghobnatan: Kilgobnet (the church of St. Gobnait), a site of monastic ruins in the Muskerry Gaeltacht, where St. Gobnait built
a convent around AD 550.
Cll Mde: Kilmeedy (the church of my Ita, after St. Ita), Co. Cork, the location of a castle.
Cll Mocheallg: Kilmallock (the church of St. Mocheallg), Co. Limerick.
Cll na Mullach: Buttevant, Co. Cork. The English placename derives from boutez-en-avant, the battle cry of the Norman de Barry
family who settled here in the 12th century. A number of derivations for this placename are advanced, and PULs spelling shows
the word mullach, producing a placename that appears to mean the church of the summits. By contrast, the Irish Placenames
Commission has adopted the form Cill na Mallach (church of the cursings, although mallacht should have a final t), yet P. W.
Joyce in his authoritative survey of Irish placenames rejected such a derivation as a later invention (see The Origin and History
of Irish Names of Places, Vol 1, p392). Pronounced /ki:l n m'lx/.
Cll Pheadair: Kilpadder (the church of St. Peter), Co. Cork.
Cll Sheanaigh: Kilshannig (the church of St. Seanach), Co. Cork.
Cll ird: Kilworth (the church of the order), to the north of Fermoy, Co. Cork.
Cionntsile: Kinsale (the head of the brine), Co. Cork, pronounced /k u:n-'t :l i/. The location of a battle in January 1602 that saw
the defeat of the Gaels. As with a number of other placenames, the noun appears to be in the dative ( cionn is an old dative of
ceann): placenames are so frequently used in the dative that this often becomes the general form of the placename.
Claeideach: Cleady (possibly meaning muddy river bank), in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, with Claeidigh in the dative.
Clrach (an Chlrach/Cnuc Clra): Claragh (flat-topped mountain), a mountain in Co. Cork.
Cluain Tairbh: Clontarf (bull meadow, or meadow of bulls), Co. Dublin, the scene of a major battle in AD 1014 that saw the
death of Brian Br and many Irish leaders. The placename is usually found as Cluain Tarbh, but PUL generally has Tairbh in his
published works. The genitive is found in Ch24 here as Cluana Tairbh, with concatenation of genitives. Pronounced /klun
triv, klun triv/.
Cluain: Cloyne (meadow), Co. Cork. Cluain gave its name to the Roman Catholic diocese of Cloyne and Ross, covering much of
Co. Cork, before Cloyne and Ross were separated in 1850. PUL refers to it here as diseas Chluanach agus Rosa, whereas on the
titlepage of PULs An Teagasg Crosdaidhe, Uilliam Ua Cathain is referred to as Easbog Chluana, giving the expected genitive
singular of Cluain. Cluanach appears to be an adjectival form.
Cluan Droichead: Clondrohid (meadow bridge), Co. Cork. The standard spelling of this placename is Cluain Droichead. PULs
spelling (Cluandrochad) has a broad n, which might be thought to indicate that the n is broadened by the following d, with the
placename thus pronounced /klun'drohd/. However, this principle is not employed in PULs historical novel, Niamh, where
Clontarf, normally Cluain Tarbh in Irish, is given as Cluain Tairbh (see p348 there; the nominative of this word is not found in
Mo Scal Fin), with no attempt to show a broadening of the n. Moreover, PUL wrote Cluan Droichead as a single word,
indicating that it was not a noun phrase, with the second noun in the genitive, for him. It seems, therefore, that Cluan Droichead
does not mean the meadow of the bridges, with droichead in the genitive plural, but rather meadow bridge. Cluan- is a prefix
qualifying droichead, which stands in the nominative singular. Such prefixation is not a productive element in the modern
language, but was found in older forms of Irish (see tadbhnn, etc).
Cnuc an Eireabaill: Knockanerribul (the hill of the tail), Co. Kerry.
Cnuc an Iir: Knockanure (yew-tree hill), Co. Cork.
Cnuc Bu (an Cnoc Bu): the Knockboy (yellow mountain), Co. Cork.
Cnucn (an Cnucn): Knockaun (hillock), Co. Limerick.
Cnucn Rua (an Cnucn Rua): Knockroe (the red hill) near Kilnamartery in the Muskerry Gaeltacht.
Coliste Cholmin: St. Colmans College, Fermoy, Co. Cork, founded in 1856 and opened in 1858. Pronounced / kl:ti
xol'm:n/.
Coliste Mhaghe Nuat: Maynooth College, or St. Patricks College, Maynooth, the national seminary and pontifical college
founded in 1795. The genitive of mgh is rarely found, as this word has been generally replaced by machaire, but PUL uses
maghe here, transcribed (in the lenited context of Coliste Mhaghe Nuat) as vy in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (see p25
therein and elsewhere). See under Mgh Nuat.
Coliste Phdraig Naofa: St. Patricks College, Maynooth. See under Coliste Mhaghe Nuat.
Connachta: Connacht, the western province of Ireland. Note that, as a plural noun, the genitive is Connacht and the dative given
here is Connachtaibh. CFBB (p110) shows that later speakers of WM Irish, including AL, had i gConnacht in the dative. PUL
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Index of Places
consistently uses the historically correct dative plural in his works.

Corra Liath (an Chorra Liath): Curraleigh (the grey enclosure), Co. Cork. Pronounced / xur l ih/.
Corrn Tuathail: Carrauntoohil (Tuathals sickle), Co. Kerry, the highest mountain in Ireland. Pronounced /kr :n tuhil/.
Cil Aodha: Coolea (Aodhs nook or refuge), Co. Cork. Pronounced /ku:l 'e:/.
Cil Mchan: Coolmoohan (possibly meaning nook of the old ruin), Co. Cork, normally spelt Cil Mhchin.
Cuilinn U Chaoimh: normally referred to just as Cullen, meaning holly-tree, this placename in Co. Cork has a connection with
the OKeeffe family.
Cm na nag: Coomnaneage (the coomb of death), Co. Cork. This is generally written Com na nag, but PULs spelling of cm
(coomb, mountain recess) shows the pronunciation more clearly.
Currach (an Churrach): Curragh (the marsh), Co. Kildare, where an army base was founded in 1855 on a military site with a
history going back centuries. An Currach, pronounced /n krx/, is the form generally found, but PUL shows a lenited form, as if
it were feminine. It is unclear if this is a typographical error in the original text or an idiosyncratic form.
D Ch (an D Ch): the Paps, a mountain in Co. Kerry, also called na Cocha Danann, the Paps of Danu, referring to the ancient
mother goddess Danu associated with the Tuatha D Danann, a mythological tribe said to have conquered Ireland. The Paps are a
breast-shaped mountain range, accounting for their name. PUL writes both an D Chch and an D Ch in the original here, with
an apostrophe supplied in the case of the latter in this edition. While the correct nominative of the noun is coch, this toponym
uses the dual, which is declined like the dative, and the final consonant of the dative cch may be elided in pronunciation and thus
in PULs spelling too. Where one of the Paps is referred to as an Ch sin in the nominative here, we note calcification of the
dative dual, although later in the passage it is referred to as an choch ba ghiorra dhom. See under coch in the Foclirn.
Pronounced /n d: xi:(h)/.
Daingean (an Daingean): Dingle (fortress), Co. Kerry. More accurately known as Daingean U Chis, the fortress of the
Husseys, referring to a Flemish family that flourished in the area in the 12th century.
Daingean na Saileach: Dangansallagh (the fortress of the willow-trees), in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. Pronounced /dan n si'lax/.
Doire Liath (an Doire Liath): the Derryleigh (the grey oak wood), Co. Cork.
Doire na Gra: Dernagree (the oakwood of the stud of horses), Co. Cork.
Doire na Mna: Derrynamona (the oakwood of the bogland), Co. Cork, a townland in Duhallow to the west of Kanturk.
Pronounced /diri n mo:n/.
Doirn na Grine: the little sunlit oakwood, a minor placename in Co. Cork.
Domhnach Dia: Donaghadee (Daois church), Co. Down, the easternmost point of the Irish mainland. The original text of Mo
Scal Fin had Domhnach Diagh, an incorrect rendering of the placename, which should be Domhnach Daoi. PULs spelling of
this placename varied over the years, including Dhonchadh D go Tigh Mhire (Niamh, p52) and Dhonchadh Dghe go Tigh
Mhire (Seanmin is Tr Fichid, Vol 2, p25). The phrase from Donaghadee to Tigh Mhire refers to the eastern and western
extremities of Ireland. See also Tigh Mhire.
Dmhnach Mr (an Dmhnach Mr): Donaghmore (great church), a parish in East Muskerry. Co. Cork. Pronounced /dounx
mur/.
Drisean: Drishane (place abounding in brambles), Co. Cork. This placename is normally given as An Drisen, with the article and
with a long vowel in the second syllable, but the pronunciation indicated by PULs spelling and the transcription in LS is / drin/.
No article is shown here in this placename.
Droichead an Chaoil: Keale Bridge (the bridge of the narrow place), Co. Cork. Pronounced /drohd xi:l/.
Dn ar Aill: Doneraile (fort on a cliff), Co. Cork.
Dth Ealla: Duhallow (land of swans), Co. Cork.
ire: Ireland, with na hireann in the genitive and irinn in the dative.
Echaill: Youghal (yew wood), Co. Cork.
Faill na bhFiach: ravens cliff, a minor placename in Co. Cork.
Fleisc (an Fhleisc): the River Flesk (the hoop), in Counties Cork and Kerry.
Frainnc (an Fhrainnc): France, pronounced /fraik/.
Funsean (an Fhunsean): the River Funshion, a tributary of the Blackwater in Co. Cork.
Firnis (an Firnis): Furnace, an alternative name for na Mianacha (q.v.), Co. Cork. A modern placename corresponding to
Firnis has not been identified, but there was an iron foundry near the border between Cork, Tipperary and Waterford in the
18th century. The GCh word for furnace is foirnis. PULs spelling indicates the pronunciation is /fu:r'ne:/. Also note the lack
of lenition in an Firnis, possibly because the placename was generally known in English, and also possibly because of the way
in which f sometimes resists lenition.
Gleann Daimh: Glendav (stag valley), Co. Cork.
Gleann na hAithr: Glenaharee (the valley of repentance), Co. Cork.
Gleanntn (an Gleanntn): Glantane (little glen; dale), Co. Cork.
Gort na Sceiche: Gortnaskehy (the field of the whitethorn bush), Co. Cork.
Grig (an Ghrig): Greece.
Guagn (an Guagn): also known as An Guagn Barra, or Gougane Barra, a scenic spot in the Muskerry Gaeltacht where St.
Finbarr built a monastery in the 6th century. Guagn means retreat enclosed by mountains, and so An Guagn Barra means
St. Finbarrs mountain retreat.
Hamburg: the city in Germany, whither Napper Tandy fled after the 1798 Rebellion.
Indiatha (na hIndiatha thoir): the East Indies. Pronounced /n hih hir/, as shown in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (see ins
na hIngiehiv hir on p7); the // in the pronunciation is also indicated in PSD (p594).
Iniscairthe: Inniscarra, Co. Cork. This placename is normally found as Inis Cara. This may be a placename more familiar to PUL in
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Index of Places
English, accounting for the incorrect rendering of it.

nse an Chlampair: a minor placename in Co. Cork, meaning the water-meadow of the contention. This placename has not been
identified: it may be that PUL is giving a garbled form of the parish name Cll Chruimthir, or Kilcrumper, which is where
Ballyderown Castle (possibly identifiable with An Rtheaghlach or Rathealy here) is located.
nse an Lime: Inchinleama (the water-meadow of the leap), Co. Waterford.
nse Charraig an Ime: the watermeadow of Carriganimy, the location in Co. Cork where Art Laeire was shot in 1773.
Irip (an Irip): Europe, or Eoraip in GCh. PUL told Osborn Bergin the pronunciation was /u:'ro:p/ (see Comhfhreagras idir
an Athair Peadair agus an tAimhirgneach, by Sen Ua Silleabhin, in Celtica, Vol 24, 2003, pp281).
Leaba Dhiarmada: Labbadermody (Diarmaids bed or grave), a minor placename in Co. Cork. AL had Leabaig Dhiarmada (so
spelt in Seanachas Amhlaoibh, p22), reflecting the general use of leabaidh, the historical dative, in nominative contexts in WM
Irish. The placename Leaba(idh) Dhiarmada is a reference to the tale of the pursuit of Diarmaid and Grinne in the Fenian Cycle
of Irish myths. Leabaidh Dhiarmada is on the other side of the valley from Leabaidh Ghrinne, near Glendav.
Leitir Cheanann (an Leitir Cheanann): Lettercannon (speckled hillside), Co. Kerry, a placename that incorporates the word
ceannann (literally white-headed or with white spots), but the standard spelling of which only has a single medial n.
Lios Caragin: Lisscarrigane (enclosure of rough ground), Co. Cork. Caragn appears to be a corruption of carrachn, rough
ground.
Lios Mr: Lismore (great enclosure), Co. Waterford.
Loch an Bhogaigh: Lochavogy (the lake of the boggy ground), Co. Cork. Fan Loch an Bhogaigh in Ch11 here uses an apostrophe
to show elision of the a of the genitive. PUL had a masculine loch, with locha in the genitive, where other speakers of WM Irish
had a feminine loch, with loiche in the genitive (see Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p7). In any case, it is acceptable to allow loch to
stand in the nominative as part of a longer noun phrase and so fan Loch an Bhogaigh could be accepted without an apostrophe.
Los Angeles: the city in the US where Eugene OGrowney was original buried.
Luimneach: Limerick, the city and county. Note the genitive and dative here are Luimn and Luimnigh, which indicate
pronunciations of /limi'ni:/ and /liminig/, but other speakers of WM Irish had Luimne in all cases of this word (see CFBB,
p16, for an instance of Luimne in the dative).
Lndain: London, or Londain in GCh.
Magh Chromtha: Macroom, Co. Cork, also known in English as Macromp in the early 19th century, possibly reflecting the /mh/
pronunciation in the Irish name, which may have struck English speakers as resembling a p. While this placename appears to
mean crooked plain in modern Irish, it is thought that it refers rather to the Celtic god Cromm Craich, or Crom Cruach, whose
worship included human sacrifice. Worship of Crom Cruach is said to have been put a stop to by St. Patrick. PUL said in NIWU
(p75) that Magh Chromtha is never lenited, by way of an exception, and this usage is adhered to here ( Magh Chromtha, etc).
IWM 148 shows the pronunciation to be /m 'xroumh/. Most placenames beginning mgh (see Mgh Nuat) have a long vowel.
Magh Chromtha appears to be exceptional, possibly explaining why PUL wrote this as one word, with the spelling found as both
Mghchromtha and Maghchromtha in the original text here. The accepted spelling of Magh Chromtha is Maigh Chromtha, but
this would yield the wrong pronunciation in WM Irish.
Mgh Nuat: Maynooth (plain of the Celtic god Nuada), Co. Kildare. Pronounced /m : nut/. The accepted spelling of Mgh Nuat
is Maigh Nuad, but this would yield the wrong pronunciation in WM Irish. Both i Magh Nuadhat and i Maigh Nuadhat are found
here in the dative in the original text: in this edition i Mgh Nuat has been used in both cases, to avoid a spelling that might imply
a slender g should be inserted in the pronunciation of this placename.
Mainistir Fhear Maghe: Fermoy (monastery of the men of the plain), Co. Cork. This placename is generally written Mainistir
Fhear Ma, but as maghe in the genitive is used elsewhere here (in the genitive of Mgh Nuat) the full spelling is retained in this
edition here too. Pronounced /mnitir r mi:/. Note istigh sa Mhainistir here, showing that an Mhainistir on its own can refer
to Fermoy (as can na Mainistreach in the genitive).
Mala: Mallow (the plain of the rock), Co. Cork. This placename derives from the older form Magh nAla, and not from the false
etymology sometimes cited, Magh Ealla (plain of swans).
Manchester: a city in north-west England noted for its Irish population in the 19th century.
Mangarta (an Mhangarta): Mangerton, a mountain in Co. Kerry. With Mangartan and Mangartain in the genitive and dative.
Known in poetry as Mangarta an Cheigh, Mangerton of the mist.
Meall na hErnan: Maulnahorna (the barley knoll), Co. Cork. Pronounced /maul n ho:rnn/.
Melbourne: the city in Australia that was a key centre of Irish immigration in the 19th century.
Mianacha (na Mianacha): a location in Co. Cork near Gortnaskehy, meaning ores, mines. A modern townland corresponding to
this name has not been identified, but the location is in the corner of Co. Cork at the junction of the tripartite border with
Counties Tipperary and Waterford, where there was an iron foundry in the 18th century. See also under Firnis.
Milln na Mna: Mileenamona (the knoll of the turf), Co. Cork.
Muileann (an Muileann): the Mills in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, currently the site of a public house and hotel.
Muisire: Mushera, a mountain in West Muskerry, possibly named after the Mscraige people who inhabited the area in ancient times.
Mullach an Ois: Mullaghanish (the deer ridge), Co. Cork. Pronounced /m'lx n 'i /.
Mullach Rua (an Mullach Rua): Mullaghroe (red ridge), Co. Cork.
Mmhain (an Mhmhain): Munster, pronounced /mu:n/. The genitive is na Mmhan. The dative Mmhain has replaced the
historical nominative Mmha.
Nead an Fhiolair: Nadanuller (the eagles nest), Co. Cork. This is found as Nead an Iolair in GCh.
Neidn: Kenmare, Co. Kerry. The English name is derived from the townland Ceann Mara, or Kenmare Old. Neidn means little
nest/comfortable spot. Pronounced /ne'di:n/.
Pirc Dhronnach (an Phirc Dhronnach): the humped or arched field, a field mentioned here.
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Index of Places
Pirc na Coise: the field of the cutting in the bog, a field mentioned here.
Pirc na dTulchn: the field of the hillocks, a field mentioned here. Pronounced /prk n dul'x :n/.
Pirc na Gainmhe: the field of the sand, a field mentioned here. Pronounced /prk n g'ni/. Gainimh is feminine in WM Irish
(compare the masculine gaineamh used in GCh).
Pirc na gCloch: the field of the stones, a field mentioned here.
Pirc na hAbhann: the field of the river, a field mentioned here.
Pirc na Luachra: the field of the rushes, a field mentioned here. Pronounced /prk n luxr/.
Pircn Chinne na R: the paddock at the corner of the moorland, a field mentioned here.
Pruthas: Prohas (cave), Co. Cork. This placename, in Kilnamartery, was given as Prothus in the original text, but its standard
spelling is Pruchas. PULs spelling indicates the pronunciation is /prohs/.
Rth Bhoth: Raphoe (fort of huts), a town in Co. Donegal that has given its name to a diocese that covers most of Co. Donegal.
The genitive is given as a single word, Rthabhoth, on the titlepage of the original edition of Mo Scal Fin, but the placename is
properly written as two words. The writing of the placename as a single word by PUL or the editor of the original work may be
connected with the lenition of the b; Rth Both might have been expected.
Rth Chormaic: Rathcormack (Cormacs fort/earthern rampart), Co. Cork. Pronounced /r:(h) xormik/.
Rth Luirc: Charleville, Co. Cork; the English name refers to Charles II, who was restored to the throne in 1660, with Charleville
being founded in 1661. The Irish name means Lorcs fort. Also referred to simply as An Rth.
Rtheaghlach (an Rtheaghlach): Rathealy (royal household), the name of a castle near Ballyderown, Co. Cork. This has not been
identified, but may be Ballyderown Castle. Pronounced / ri:-hilx/.
Rimh (an Rimh): Rome; na Rmha in the genitive. Pronounced /ro:v/, with /ro:/ in the genitive.
Ros: Ross (wood, wooded headland), the name of a Roman Catholic diocese, centred on Rosscarbery (Ros Cairbre or Ros
gCairbre) in south-west Cork. Ross was united with Cloyne until 1850, but is now a separate diocese. Ros becomes Rosa in the
genitive.
Sasana: England.
Scibirn (an Scibirn): Skibbereen, Co. Cork. This placename is an Sciobairn in GCh, but has a slender b in PULs works. The
placename may be derived from the word skiff, meaning little harbour.
Seanamhacha (an Seanamhacha): the old cattle-field, an area of land not claimed by any family in Lisscarrigane.
Soln (an Soln): the river Sullane in Co. Cork.
Spinn (an Spinn): Spain, pronounced /sp:/.
Srid an Chaislein: Castle Street, Macroom, Co. Cork.
Srid an Mhuilinn: Millstreet, Co. Cork.
Tigh Mhire: this appears to be PULs incorrect rendering of Tigh Mhire, a place on Dunmore Head, Co. Kerry. The phrase from
Donaghadee to Tigh Mhire refers to the eastern and western extremities of Ireland. See also Domhnach Dia.
Tiobraid rann: Co. Tipperary, a placename meaning well of the River Arra.
Tobar an Dna: a well near Ballyderown, Co. Cork meaning the well of the fort.
Tobar na hOla: Tobernahulla (the well of the oil), more generally Tobar na hUla, Co. Waterford. Also known, for reasons given in
Ch17 here, as Tobar na Fola (the well of blood). Holy oil and penance were often associated, and so this placename is
sometimes translated as the well of the penitential station (FGB has an entry for a word ula, meaning stone or mound marking
a penitential station). The notes on this placename at logainm.ie show the pronunciation to be /tobr n hol/, which could match
either of the derivations na hOla or na hUla. A pattern used to be kept at this well on September 29th each year.
Tchar (an Tchar): Togher (causeway, raised embankment), a townland in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork.
Tr L: Tralee (strand of the River Lee), Co. Kerry. Trigh L is found in the dative of this placename in the original text, but as
trigh loses its final consonant in this placename, the accepted spelling Tr L is used in this edition.
Tuaim: Tuam (funeral mound), a town in Co. Galway also known as Tuaim D Gualann which gives its name to the archdiocese
of Tuam. This becomes Tuama in the genitive.
Tuath na Droman: Toonadrome, possibly meaning ridged district, an earlier name for the parish of Cll na Martra or
Kilnamartery, Co. Cork.
Tirn an Chasrlaigh: Casserleys Tower, a minor placename in Co. Cork.
Tulach Lias: Tullylease (hillock of calf pens), Co. Cork. The standard version of this name is Tulach Lis, where Lis is genitive
singular; PULs Lias is genitive plural. The version of the placename given here would be pronounced /t'lx lias/.
Ubh Laeire: Iveleary, Co. Cork, a placename associated with the Laeire family. Laeire (calfkeeper), laoire in GCh, was
originally spelled laoghaire; the pronunciation is /le:ri/. As with many placenames, Ubh Laeire is a calcified locative dative.
Ulaidh: Ulster, pronounced /ol/. The genitive is Uladh.
Ulin (na hUlin): Ullanes, a placename in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. Na hulin refers to stone boulders that were ancient Druid
tombs.
Foclirn
-na, -ne: an emphatic suffix appended to first-person plural prepositional pronouns. Usually written as one word with the pronoun, as
in linne, here, the pronunciation is with a separate syllable with a broad n, /li-n/, and often written as linn-na in PULs works
(see, for example, Sgalaidheachta as an mBobla Naomhtha, Vol 4, p412). Similarly, dr dtighne in Ch3 here is /d:r dig-n/.
In the single instance where the suffix was spelt -na in the original, this is retained, as it shows the pronunciation better: this
relates to chun r dtna in Ch8, spelt chun r dtghe-na in the original text.
na, nar, narbh: PUL frequently uses i as the helping preposition in relative clauses, producing na where go (etymologically
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Foclirn
derived from the use of ag as the helping preposition) would be more common in Munster Irish today.
a: from, or as in GCh. The preposition as historically appeared with an s only before the singular and plural articles (as an, as na),
the relative pronoun (as a), possessive adjectives (as mo), and before gach, but this usage was not always adhered to in late WM
Irish. A prefixes an h to a vowel, as in a hirinn. As Gaelainn, in Irish, a phrase that, as PUL pointed out in a letter to Gearid
Nuallin dated April 4th 1914, only refers to the spoken language: Fach, Abair as Gaoluinn , ach sgrbh i nGaoluinn .
N deirtear as Gaoluinn ach le caint. Deirtear i nGaoluinn le sgrbhinn n le cldhbhualadh, n le haistriughadh. Deir Eoghan
Ruadh le Cailbhin i n-it igin, An masluightheach a dhaistrigh i mBarla an Phis (.i. the Mass) (Beatha Dhuine a Thoil,
p145; bold as given in the original). However, other good speakers of Munster Irish have not maintained such a distinction.
abairt: sentence, expression, with the plural here abartha where abairt stands in GCh.
abha: river, with abhann in the genitive and abhainn in the dative and dual. The dative abhainn has replaced the nominative in
GCh. Pronounced /au/, /aun/ and /au/. The plural here is aibhn, corresponding to aibhneacha in GCh, pronounced /i'i:/.
abhaile: home, pronounced /'vli/.
abhar/bhar: bhar in GCh. WM Irish distinguishes between abhar (originally spelt adhbhar, now pronounced /aur/), material,
and bhar (sometimes written dhbhar, pronounced /:vr/), amount. N bheadh aon bhar acu ann, there would not be that
many of them. Abhar an tsagairt, clerical student; the makings of a priest. Abhar tine, fuel. Gan chis gan abhar, for no
rhyme or reason.
abhcidocht: debating, discussing, or abhcideacht in GCh. This word is used to refer to rhetoric, as a subject on the 19th-
century educational curriculum, in Ch15 here.
abhus: on this side, pronounced /'vus/.
Abrn: April, or Aibren in GCh, pronounced /b'r:n/.
acfuinn: capacity, means, or acmhainn in GCh. Acfuinn aigne, intellectual ability.
acfuinneach: capable, substantial, well-to-do, or acmhainneach in GCh.
ach: but. Notice the use of ach with a verbal noun construction in ach bhualadh ann in Ch7, when/as soon as it is struck there.
Ach chmh beag, either (after a negative clause). Ach chmh beag agus, no more than, any more than, followed by a relative
clause. Ach chmh beag leis fin, no more than him himself.
achrann: fastness, depths; quarrelling, strife, pronounced /xrn/. In achrann im aigne, in the depths of my mind.
adhaircn: little horn. Pronounced /ir'ki:n/.
adharc: horn. Pronounced /irk/.
adhmad: wood, pronounced /imd/.
admham, admhil: to admit, pronounced /d'vi:m, ad'v:l/.
aduaidh: from the north, pronounced /'dug/. thuaidh, northwards. Soir thuaidh, to the north-east. Siar thuaidh, to
the north-west.
aeininneach: one inside the other, concentric. This word, not found in dictionaries, was spelt aoninneach in the original text.
Pronounced /e:nix/.
aeire: shepherd, or aoire in GCh. Traditionally written aodhaire, the spelling change of the mid-twentieth century has produced a
GCh spelling that yields the incorrect pronunciation for speakers of Munster Irish. Pronounced /e:r i/.
fach: however. PUL has the standard form of this word, which is found in other speakers of the WM dialect as faigh (see
Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p23).
ag: at. Ag mo is edited here as ageam from agam in the original, pronounced /igm/ (see for example the transcription of this as
igam on p13 of the LS edition). The combination ag , corresponding to ag a in GCh, is pronounced /i'g:/.
agent: a landlords agent is generally referred to here by the English word, although reachtaire is used in one passage. The plural
agent is used here.
aghaidh: face, pronounced /ig/. In aghaidh, against; for (each). Aghaidh may lose its final consonant in pronunciation (in
aghaidh an lae, by the day, daily, /nin le:/). The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p5) shows that ar aghaidh an dorais isteach,
opposite the door, is pronounced /er in dori i'tx/. Aghaidh a thabhairt ar it, to make for a place, head for it. Note that
the genitive of aghaidh is also aghaidh (ag tabhairt aghaidh soir, etc), where FGB has aghaidhe for the genitive. Aghaidh bhil,
a scolding. Rud do leogaint ar aghaidh, to let something continue, let it go ahead.
aicillocht: agility, adroitness, or aclaocht in GCh. Pronounced /aki'li:xt/.
aicme: sort, class, particularly in aicme daoine, a group or class of people.
adhe: aye. Ach adhe, pronounced /'x 'i:/, goodness me!
aidhm: desire, inclination, pronounced /im/.
Aifreann: Mass, pronounced /afirn/. Pobal Aifrinn, the congregation at a Mass. Note ag gach aon Aifreann dobh in Ch17
here: FGB shows that both ag and ar are found, but PUL uses ag.
aighneas: contention, argument, pronounced /ins/.
aigne: mind, pronounced /agini/. Taigne bheag, your personal point of view.
il: desire, please. Usually found in copula phrases: d mbil le, if they would only (do something).
ailili: goodness gracious! Note the stress on the first syllable: /'al il u:/ (see CFBB, p5).
Aimhirgneach (an tAimhirgneach): someone with the surname hAimhirgin.
aimhleas: disadvantage, mischief, pronounced /ails/. Duine sheladh ar aimhleas, to steer someone into mischief. Cmhairle
aimhleasa, misguided advice.
aimsm, aimsi: to find, to get or to hit, with both meanings being used in Ch4 here. Pronounced /aim'i:m, aim'u:/.
ainbhios: ignorance, possibly pronounced /'anivis/.
aindleathach: illegal, unlawful, pronounced /'n-'dlahx/.
ainm: name, with ainmneacha in the plural, pronounced /anim, animnx/. This noun is feminine in PULs works, but
130
Foclirn
masculine in GCh, and consequently has ainme in the genitive singular. Ainm an nirt air, with a reputation for strength. Ainm
na Gaelainne orm, I had a reputation for speaking Irish.
ainmh: animal, pronounced /ani'vi:/.
ainmnm, ainmni: to name, specify, pronounced /anim'ni:m, anim'nu:/.
ainnein: unwillingness. In ainnein, in spite of. Pronounced /i'o:n/. D n-ainnein, in spite of them; against their will.
FGB indicates that de is used in this phrase (de mainneoin is listed there), but PUL has dom ainnein here, which is retained
here, as the derivation may be from do.
airc: greed.
irde: height, generally found in the phrase in irde, up on high; compare aoirde, the general word for height. Talamh in irde,
land to be let, land put up for rent.
aireachas: care, attention, pronounced /i'raxs/.
airgead: silver, pronounced /arigd/. Airgead mr, a great deal of money. Airgead fola, blood money.
airm, aireachtaint: to hear, or airm, aireachtil in GCh. Pronounced /a'ri:m, i'raxtint/.
irm, ireamh: to count, reckon. N irm, let alone, never mind.
irithe: certainty. Is eagla na hirithe dhi , its fear is justified; it has reason to fear it.
airi!: why! really! indeed!, or ar in GCh.
ais: will, consent, generally in ar ais n ar igin, willingly or unwillingly, by consent or by compulsion.
aisir: resurrection, pronounced /a'iri:/.
aiteann: furze.
aithbhlian: the new year, the following year, or athbhliain in GCh, which regularly writes ath- regardless of the quality of the
succeeding consonants. However, the quality of the a in aith is different in WM Irish to that in ath: pronounced /af'lin/.
aithis: infamy, disgrace.
aithlite: re-read, or athlite in GCh. The original spelling here was ath-lighte, but it seems the pronunciation is with the front
allophone of a, /a-hle:ti/.
aithne: acquaintance, pronounced /ahini/. Aithne chur ar rud, to get to known something, a phrase often used of getting to
know people, but used of getting to know a hill here.
aithne: commandment, pronounced /ahini/.
aithnm, aithint: to recognise, discern, pronounced /an'hi:m, hint/.
itm, iteamh: to argue, establish, persuade, prove. A dhiteamh ar dhuine go..., to persuade someone that...
allas: sweat.
allta: wild, fierce, pronounced /aulh/. Beithoch allta, wild beast.
alltacht: amazement, pronounced /aulhxt/. Usually found in inadh agus alltacht.
Alminneach: German, or Gearmnach in GCh, pronounced /l'm:x/.
Alminnis (an Alminnis): the German language, or Alminis in GCh, pronounced /l'm:i/.
amach: out, pronounced /'mx/. Amach also means onwards in time expressions: n gcad bhliain amach, from the first year
onwards. Dimigh s an cnuc amach, he went over the hill.
amireach: tomorrow, or amrach in GCh. Amireach a bh chinn, the following day. Amireach na dhiaidh san also found
here has the same meaning.
amas: aim. Amas crunn a ghabhil ar rud, to take careful aim at something.
ambasa: indeed, or ambaiste in GCh. This appears to mean, literally, by my hands, but the alternative form ambaiste indicates a
more likely derivation from an oath meaning upon my baptism. Pronounced /m'bs/. Often followed by ach in a construction
meaning I can assure you (that).
Americnach: American, or Meiricenach in GCh. It seems that PUL used an anglophone version of this word.
mhara: luck, chance. Ar mhara an tsaeil, as luck would have it; with the best luck in the world.
amhastram, amhastrach: to bark. Pronounced /aust'ri:m, austrx/. As a feminine verbal noun, amhastrach becomes ag
amhastraigh in the dative, /g austrig/.
amhlaidh: thus, so, pronounced /aulig/, but often reduced to /aul/.
amhrn: song, pronounced /v'r:n/. Amhrn a ghabhil, to sing a song.
amhras: doubt; suspicion over something, pronunced /aurs/.
amhscarnach: daybreak, or amhscarthanach in GCh. An chad amhscarnach de sholas an lae, the first dawning of daylight.
Pronounced /auskrnx/.
amu: outside, or amuigh in GCh. PUL here used the spelling amuich, probably to forestall a pronunciation in /g/, as the
pronunciation is /'mu(h)/. Amu agat, outstanding, of a debt.
an-, ana-: very. Ana- is frequently found before a vowel in the original (ana fhada, etc), reflecting PULs view that ana was a
separate word and not a prefix (see NIWU, p3). These have been edited as an-fhada, etc, here.
anacair: uneven, probably derived from an-shocair, unsteady, pronounced /nkir/. Ciscim anacair was glossed in PULs
NIWU (p5) as a step on a stone [that] tends to cause a fall or a sprain.
anl: breath, or anil in GCh, which uses the historical dative. This word is generally feminine in PULs works, but we read do
tharraig gach inne anl bre fada in Ch24 here, and anl bre fada is also found in PULs Lughaidh Mac Con (p9). Eleanor
Knott, who edited Lughaidh Mac Con, queried this, and was told in a letter by PUL dated February 6th, 1914, now held in the
Royal Irish Academy, that anl could be either masculine or feminine.
anall: over here, over from the other side, pronounced /'naul/.
anamil: lively.
aneas: from the south, pronounced /i'nas/. dheas, southwards, pronounced /o: 'jas/. Soir dheas, to the south-east. Siar
131
Foclirn
dheas, to the south-west.

aniar: from the west, from behind, but used also in the meaning of over, e.g. over the shoulders, pronounced /i'n ir/.
anos: up (from below), pronounced /i'ni:s/.
annr: hardship, or anr in GCh. Pronounced /au'ro:/.
annscian: terror, fury, wildness; a wild or violent person, or ainscian in GCh. Pronounced /aunkin/. FGB doesnt list a plural,
but the plural is given in Ch23 here as annsciain.
annspianta: grotesque, abnormal, or ainspianta in GCh. Pronounced /aunspint/.
anoir: from the east, pronounced /'nir/.
anois: now. A broad n is shown in IWM (142), but Brian Cuv uses the spelling anis in CFBB (p11), and the LS version of Mo
Scal Fin uses insh (p3 therein). It seems likely a slender n is used in this word, /i'ni/.
anonn: over there, to that side, pronounced /'nu:n/. Curtha anonn, sent off.
ansan: then; there, or ansin in GCh, pronounced /n'son/. Sometimes used to mean and then; in addition, as in ansan, d
dtaispenadh an triail nr gh dho na seacht mbliana do chaitheamh istigh in Ch13 here.
anso: here, or anseo in GCh, pronounced /n'so/.
ansd: there (more distant), or ansid in GCh, pronounced /n'su:d/.
anuas: down (from above), pronounced /'nus/.
aoibhinn: pleasant, delightful, with aoibhne as the comparative. Pronounced /i:vi, i:vini/.
aoibhneas: bliss, delight, pronounced /i:vins/.
aoirde: height, or airde in GCh.
aon bhall: anywhere, usually pronounced /e: vl/.
aon n: anything, generally inn, /e:'i:/, in WM Irish, and this is the pronunciation shown for aon n on p14 of the LS version of
Mo Scal Fin.
aon rud: anything, usually pronounced /e: rd/.
aondag: eleven, pronounced /e:iag/.
aon: first, used with dag to mean eleventh: an t-aon l dag. This is generally pronounced /e:u:/ in WM Irish, but the
omission of the n is not indicated in PULs spelling.
aoraim, aeireacht: to shepherd, herd, or aoirm, aoireacht in GCh. Traditionally written aodharaim, aodhaireacht, the spelling
change of the mid-twentieth century has produced GCh spellings of that would yield the incorrect pronunciation for speakers of
Munster Irish. Pronounced /e:rim, e:rxt/.
aoth: crisis in sickness, i.e. a turn for the better, beginning of a recovery. Aoth in GCh. The original has aoithe, and Shn
Cuvs LS edition of Sadna transcribes this as yh (see Shina, p70), but CFBB (p14) shows the pronunciation to be /e:'ho:/.
ar fad: entirely, altogether. Thoir ar fad, way over in the east.
ar fuaid, ar fuid: ar fuaid, ar fuid, /er fud, er fid/, throughout, or ar fud in GCh. PUL wrote in NIWU (p54) that ar fuaid
should be used for broad areas (ar fuaid na pariste) and ar fuid for small areas (ar fuid an t), but it is clear that this distinction
is not always adhered to in his works, and Brian Cuv states in CFBB that he had never heard ar fuid (p273).
ar: on, pronounced /er/, reflecting a general tendency for prepositions to become aligned with the third-person singular
prepositional pronoun (air). Note orm, on me, /orm/. Ar often means judging by or by looking at someone/something: gur
dh le duine air, you would think by his manner, you would think by looking at him.
Note that ar does not lenite definite placenames, although the original edition of Mo Scal Fin, as edited by Norma
Borthwick, contains some errors in this respect. For example, in Ch1, the original edition had ar Charaig na Madra and ar
Ghleann Daimh, which are adjusted in this edition to ar Carraig na Madra and ar Gleann Daimh. Ar Chill Ghobnatan in Ch2 is
adjusted in this edition to ar Cll Ghobnatan. PUL wrote in NIWU (p8): Ar does not aspirate the initial of a word beginning a
definite place name. T Sen Grobhtha n-a chmhnuidhe thuaidh annsan ar Cathair Druinne (Mo Sgal Fin, p. 180).
Similarly, ar Cnoc ine; ar Carraig na Madra, etc. Cnoc, etc., in these expressions is part of the proper name. Hence it is not
aspirated. This principle only applies when the meaning is in/at a place; such phrases as thugas aghaidh siar dheas ars ar
Chll ird show correct lenition of the placename. In Ch3 we read, bhodh radharc agam thuaidh ar an gCnuc mBu, agus ar
an gCaol, mar ar maraodh ganndal eile i bhfad na dhiaidh san, agus ar Ghleann Daimh, mar a raibh Tadhg na nUbh na chna;
agus suas ar Charraign an Radhairc, agus ar Thirn an Chasrlaigh, agus sos ar Phirc na gCloch, agus ar Phirc na Coise, agus
ar Phirc na hAbhann agus ar Phirc na Gainmhe, and all the listed placenames are lenited, as they follow radharc agam ar.
araon: both, pronounced /'re:n/.
arbhar: corn, pronounced /'ru:r/.
rd: high, tall, with the comparative here aoirde where airde would stand in GCh.
rdchmhachtach: mighty; of great power, or ardchumhachtach in GCh, pronounced /:rd-xo:xtx/.
rdeaspag: archbishop, pronounced /:rd-spg/.
argint: argument, pronounced /r'go:nt/.
ars: again. PULs original spelling, airs, indicated that he used a slender r in this word, /i'ri:/. Ars means in turn in the
following sentence: cuireadh Fnn mar Ghaelainn ars ar an bhfocal Barla Fenians.
arm: army or weapon. Pronounced /rm/. This word can be used as a collective singular to refer to weapons. Arm tine, fire
arms. Alternatively, the declined plural, airm, can be used to refer to weapons in the plural.
armil: army; armaments, pronounced /r'm:l/.
as: see under a.
asachn: reproach, insult, or achasn in GCh. Rud do chasadh mar asachn le duine, to fling someone in someones face as a
reproach.
aspaltach: apostolic, or aspalda in GCh.
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Foclirn
ataim, at: to swell. This verb is generally in the first conjugation (see ataid siad in PULs Lcin, p62), but the past participle here
is ataithe, where GCh has ata.
athair: father, with aithreacha in the plural. Pronounced /ahir, ahirx/.
athnuaim, athnuachaint: to renew, renovate, or athnuaim, athnuachan in GCh. Pronounced /nhum, nhuxint/.
athrach: alteration, pronounced /hrx/.
athram, athr: to change, pronounced / h'ri:m, h'ru:/. Athr saeil, change in circumstances. Athr aimsire, change in
times/change in the social climate.
atrnae: attorney, solicitor, with the long u indicated. Atrnae corinneach, Crown attorney.
bac: hindering. Gan bac do, never mind, let alone. Gan bac le, irrespective of, paying no attention to, regardless of. N raibh
aon bhac in aon chor orthu gabhil tmpall, there was nothing to stop them from going round.
bacach: beggar, cripple. Pronounced /b'kx/.
bacla: the arms, as in to hold something in the arms, with the dative baclainn replacing the nominative in GCh. Ar a baclainn,
in her arms. Pronounced /bkl, bkli/.
bcs: pot-oven.
bagraim, bagairt: to shake; beckon, nod, wink; threaten, or bagram, bagairt in GCh. Pronounced /bgrim, bgirt/. Bagairt ar
a chile, to nod or gesture to each other. An tslinte bhagairt ort, for your health to be threatened.
bidh: sympathy, liking. This word is b in GCh, but the final -idh in the historical spelling is audible in the nominative/dative
singular in WM Irish, /b:g/.
bidhiil: sympathetic, well-disposed, pronounced /b:'gu:l/.
bim, b: to drown.
bainim, baint: to cut; to reap. Pronounced /binim, bint/. In the meaning to reap, this was often buaint in WM Irish, but the
distinction is not always adhered to in PULs works. Rud do bhaint duit, for something to happen to you, come over you: n
dreileacht neamhchrga do bhain dom finig, it was no timid feebleness that came over me. Baint le, to touch; to concern or
be connected with something; to have something to do with something: dh r le muntir Shasana gan baint le h chur chun
bis, telling the people of England not to have anything to do with putting him to death, i.e., telling them on no account to put
him to death. Rud do bhaint amach, to exact, get or gain something.
bairille: barrel. PUL here uses an identical form to that adopted in GCh. Scalaocht Amhlaoibh (p143) shows a broad r in the
pronunciation, but PUL may have had a slender r in this word.
baitn: little stick.
balcais: rag, garment.
ball: place, spot; limb. Trom ballaibh, through my limbs. Ball bheatha, vital parts.
banna: band. Banna pris, brass band. Banna airm, army band.
bannc: bank, or banc in GCh. The historically correct nn in the spelling is used in this edition to show the diphthong: /bauk/.
Bannc do bhriseadh, to break into a bank.
banncaire: banker, or bancaire in GCh. Pronounced /baukiri/.
baoch: grateful, or buoch in GCh. The original spelling here was buidheach, but the pronunciation in WM Irish is /be:x/.
baochas: thanks, pronounced /be:xs/; buochas in GCh. The original spelling here was buidhchas. Do bhaochas a ghabhil le
duine, to thank someone, give your thanks to someone.
baol: danger. N baol n go, you can be sure that, as an intensifying phrase.
baolach: dangerous. Is baolach, Im afraid; unfortunately.
brr, barra: top. Barra, /br/, is a Munster colloquial form of brr, /b:r/. Both forms are found in WM Irish, with barra more
common in the dative, as indicated in PULs authorised Foclir do Shadna (p15). Brr a thabhairt do rud, for something to be
give prominence. D bhrr, on account of it, as a result of it. Thar brr, excellent, to an exceeding degree. Ar brr/barra
means on top (of), atop, with ar bhrr/bharra meaning on the top of, at the tip of something. Mo Scal Fin has examples
only of the lenited variant, ar bharra (ar bharra na druinne, ar bharra gach slaite acu, ar bharra an chnuic, ar bharra chla an
bhthair, ar bharra an tseanachaislein, ar bharra a theangan). However, note ar bara rghtheighlaigh Shitric in PULs
historical novel Niamh (p325). PULs comments (see here under bruach) on the difference in nuance between ar bruach na
farraige and ar bhruach na farraige apply to ar brr and ar bharra too. PULs usage of most similar generic phrases, including
ar bruach, ar bun, ar caibideal (priests at chapter), ar deireadh, ar fad, ar faid, ar muin, ar sil and ar tosach, shows that the
key point is whether barra, bruach and muin, etc, are assigned to the adverbial phrase or to the succeeding noun phrase. Given
the variation in the spelling of such forms in PULs works, all instances have been retained as given in the original published text
of Mo Scal Fin.
barrac: barracks; police station, or beairic in GCh. The genitive singular, barraic, and the dative plural, barraicibh, are also found
here. Yet beairic is given as the Munster form of the word in McCionnaiths Foclir Barla & Gaedhilge under barrack, but it
seems that PUL may have been more familiar with the English word or based his spelling on the English word. A feminine form,
bearaic, with a broad r, is found among other writers of Muskerry Irish, including ag danamh bearraice in Dnall Bn
Cileachairs Aodh de Riste (p12).
Barrach (an Barrach): this generally refers to someone with the surname de Barra, but is used in Ch26 here to refer to Barry the
Rake. In the preface to r nDoithin Araon, the same person is referred to as Barney the Rake (pv), implying his Christian name
was Barnab. Pronounced /b'rx/.
brthann: check, hitch, or brthainn in GCh. Gan aon bhrthann, without a hitch.
barntacht: barony, a subdivision of a county in Ireland, of which West Muskerry is one.
bas: palm of the hand, or bos in GCh.
bascaim, bascadh: to crush, with the verbal adjective bascaithe where GCh has basctha.
133
Foclirn
beacht: precise, exact, perfect.

beachtam, beacht: to perfect, complete.
beag: small, pronounced /bog/. The spelling has not been altered in the editing process to show the pronunciation better here, as
this is a common word. Used in the copula construction n beag leis to mean it is sufficient to him, he thinks it enough. An
beag libh den sprt?, is that enough fun and games for you? Is beag n go, almost. A bheag n a mhr, to a greater or lesser
extent; to some extent. The masculine and feminine genitive singulars are big and bige. The dative singular feminine adjective
big is generally not used here (being replaced by beag), apart from a single instance, ar an mung mbig, in Ch10.
bal: mouth, but also edge, opening. Bal an chorcin, the opening of the pot, the open side of the pot.
bean t: housekeeper. The original text has arsan bhean-tghe, hyphenated, in Ch26 here, possibly drawing a very slight
distinction between an bhean t, with or without a hyphen, and bean an t, the lady of the house. That an bhean t is an
employee who looks after the house, and not the lady of the house, is shown by NIWU (p47) where PUL states an fear t is a man
who has complete charge of the house itself as opposed to fear ts, a house steward; a man who has charge of the food of the
house.
bean: woman, with mnaoi in the dative singular.
beann: regard, with binne in the genitive. Gan beann ar fhuacht, paying no attention to the cold. Pronounced /baun/.
beannacht: blessing, pronounced /b'nxt/.
berna: gap. The dative plural, given in the original text as bearnachaibh, has been edited here as berthnachaibh, corresponding
to bearna in GCh. This is because PUL stated in NIWU (p10) that the plural was berthnacha, showing a devoiced n,
/ba:rhnx/. Note the dative bernain. CFBB (p27) shows that bernainn was also found in the dative singular.
bearraim, bearradh: to shave, trim.
beart: move, deed, act, which is feminine here, but masculine in GCh. Thar na beartaibh, beyond expectation, i.e.
exceedingly.
beartam, beart: to wield or brandish a weapon, as well as to decide, plan, think, estimate.
berthnach: gapped, with gaps in. This was found as bearnach in the original, but has been edited here with a medial th, showing
the pronunciation /ba:rhnx/. Compare berthnach found in PULs Sgalaidheachta as a mBobla Naomhtha, Vol 7, p788.
basach: well-behaved, good-mannered.
beatha: life, with the dative beathaidh found in the phrase na bheathaidh, alive, pronounced /n vahig/. Other than in this
phrase, the dative is generally beatha. A bhreith (or bhreith) im beathaidh orm go, to live to see the day (that).
beathaithe: well-fed.
bile: meal, feminine here, but masculine in GCh. Often used in the tautological phrase bile bhdh.
beirim, breith: to bear, take, carry; to give birth, and numerous other meanings. Note that the r of the preterite rug is pronounced
slender in lenitable circumstances, e.g. do rug, /d rug/. The LS edition of Mo Scal Fin transcribes do rugadh as do rugag (e.g.
on p9 therein), showing that in the autonomous form, which is generally not lenited, the r would be broad. However, do riugag in
Seanachas Amhlaoibh (p217) shows that not all speakers of WM Irish observed this distinction. Breith isteach ar dhuine, to get
to grips with someone. Oiread agus bharfadh saor me tr gach scrd, as much as would get me through each exam.
Beirim na cosa liom as an it, I get away from the place. Beirthe, the past participle of beirim, is pronounced /berh/, with a
broad r, and is accordingly edited as bertha here. Do chuir an chuirt varntas amach chun bertha orthu, the court issued a
warrant for their arrest. Nl aon bhreith agam ar, I have no way of (doing something).
beithoch: beast, pronounced /be'hi:x/. Beithoch cnuic, a huge hill, a monster of a hill.
be bocht: miserably poor.
be: alive. Go be, in a lively fashion.
beil: lips, or bil in GCh.
bhuel: well, well then. This is a borrowing from Englishcorresponding to sea or sea anois in good Irishand was spelt bhail in
the original text of Ch26 here. Pronounced /wel/.
bia: food. Bdh, the genitive singular, is pronounced /bi:g/ in WM Irish. This form reflects the pre-Standardised spelling of biadh
in the nominative. The genitive is bia in GCh.
bnn: peak, a calcified dative from beann, used in placenames.
binneas: sweetness.
bnse: bench, used here in the judicial sense.
Bobla Gallda (an Bobla Gallda): the translation of the Bible into Irish overseen by the Church of Ireland in the 17th century. This
term literally means the foreign/Protestant/English Bible, referring to an Irish-language version of the Bible at a time when the
Roman Catholic Church in Ireland used a Latin version. Pronounced / bi:bl gaul/.
bior: spit, such as one would roast meat on.
biornach: sprat (type of fish); pin-cushion; lad, fellow. Used in the meaning of lad in Ch4 here.
biotille: spirits, liquor, pronounced /bi't:li/.
bith: existence. Bh an las roinnt blianta ar bith, the lease had been in existence for several years.
bithinach: scoundrel.
blthach: buttermilk.
blineann: white-loined, of an animal.
bliain: year. This word often takes eclipsis after sa. The original text of Mo Scal Fin makes a distinction between sa bhliain, in
the year, and sa mbliain, per year, as in s pint sa mbliain in Ch9 here. Uair sa mbliain, once a year.
b: cow, with b in both the genitive singular and plural, and boin, /bin/, in the dative.
bodach: churl, lout, pronounced /b'dx/.
bodhar: deaf, and by extension bothered by, tired of something. Pronounced /bour/.
134
Foclirn
bithrn: lane, pronounced /bo:r'hi:n/.

bollg: loaf.
bonn: sole of the foot/shoe. Duine scuabadh d bhonnaibh, to sweep someone off his feet. Pronounced /bu:n, buniv/.
brd: table, or bord in GCh. Note the genitive singular and nominative plural bird (boird in GCh). An Brd, the Board of
Education in Ireland. Brd na mBocht, the Poor Law Board, or the board of guardians that administered the Poor Law, with
functions including public health provision, in Ireland until 1948.
borraim, borradh: to swell, increase.
bothn: hut, shed.
bthar: road, with bithre in the plural. Pronounced /bo:hr, bo:rhi/.
braithim, brath: to judge. Chun an scil do bhrath, to judge the matter.
braon: drop, often used in reference to alcohol. An braon uasal a bheith ionat, to be of noble breeding.
brat: mantle, cloak; covering.
breac: trout.
breacarnach: variegation; speckled appearance, or breacachan in GCh.
brag: lie. Is brag dhuit sin, thats a lie!
breall: fool, foolishness. T breall air, hes making a fool of himself.
brealln: blunderer, fool, idiot.
brecfaist: breakfast, or bricfeasta in GCh. As a loanword, this word does not have to conform to Irish orthographical rules. PULs
spelling indicates a pronunciation of /brekfit/. Elsewhere, PUL used the spellings brecfaist (in the genitive context of chun a
mbrecfaist a chaitheamh) in his Ag Sideadh agus ag Ithe (p1), briocfaist in his Don Cocht (p4) and briocbhaist in his Mion-
chaint Cuid a II (p21). The glossary at the back of Ag Sideadh agus ag Ithe, compiled by Norma Borthwick, claims that
brecfast, with a broad st, is the nominative. Nevertheless, taking all these spellings together, it seems the nominative of this word
should have a slender s in it in PULs Irish (see ithtear an briocbhaist in Mion-chaint). Some of these spellings would support a
pronunciation of /brikfit/.
breis: addition, increment. This word is usually found with eclipsis after sa: sa mbreis, in addition.
breith: bearing, seizing, catching. Nl aon bhreith agam ar ( dhanamh), I cannot possibly (do it). Nl aon bhreith agam gan
( dhanamh), I cannot possibly not (do it).
breith: judgement. Breith drag, judgement by a jury of 12 men.
breitheamh: judge.
breithintas: judgement, or breithinas in GCh.
breithnm, breithni: to consider, examine, breathnam, breathn in GCh. Pronounced /bren'hi:m, bren'hu:/. However,
Seanachas Amhlaoibh (p335) has do bhreathnaos; both forms may have co-existed in WM. Breithni ar scal, to consider a
matter.
breite: sick. Note that the traditional distinction between breite, sick, and teinn, sore, is maintained in WM Irish. GCh only
has the latter, spelt as tinn. Do buaileadh breite , he fell sick.
breiteacht: sickness.
br: meaning. This word is masculine here, but feminine in GCh. An bhrgh in the original text of Ch7 is adjusted to an br, as an
brgh stands earlier in the same sentence and all other instances of this word in the original text of Mo Scal Fin are masculine,
and the LS edition of Mo Scal Fin transcribes both an brgh and an bhrgh as an br in this passage (see p20 therein).
Brianach (an Brianach): someone with the surname Briain.
briogadn: the pricky stump of a plant.
bromhar: strong, vigorous, powerful, forceful.
briseadh: defeat. Also briseadh catha in the same meaning.
briste: broken. Aimsir bhriste, bad weather.
brg: shoe, with brige and brig in the genitive and dative.
broiceall: nape of the neck, or braiceall in GCh. The original text had bhraiceal, but the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p23)
transcribes this as vroiceal, and bhroiceal is found in PULs Seanmin is Tr Fichid (Vol 2, p215), showing the pronunciation
is /brokl/.
brollach: breast, bosom. Pronounced /br'lx/ according to IWM 420, and spelt borlach in PULs Cath Ruis na R for Binn (p2).
The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p18) transcribes bhrollach as vorlch.
brn: grief, sorrow. Is brn liom in Ch18 here is a relatively rare example of usage of brn with the copula.
brothall: sultry heat.
brothallach: warm, sultry, used in Ch11 here to describe a person and in Ch29 to describe a convivial dinner.
br: crushing, but also used in reference to a crush or closely packed crowd of people, as in br sagart here.
bruach: bank, shore. Ar bruach Abhann Mire, by the River Blackwater, with no lenition of the b in generic reference. This
principle was adumbrated by PUL in NIWU (p144), where he draws a distinction between ar bruach na faraige (so spelt), on
the sea-shore, and ar bhruach na faraige, on the shore of the sea. Ar bruach just means by, and not literally on the bank
of, creating a distinction between (ar bruach) (na farraige) and (ar) (bhruach na farraige), with the latter rarely required, save
in very specific contexts. Compare the context in Sadna, p239, where we read ar bhruach abhan, which can be parsed as (ar)
(bhruach abhan), i.e. on a riverbank, rather than by a river. The difference in nuance in such instances is exceedingly slight.
bruon: quarrel. Bruighean fochmhar stands in the original text of Ch17, but this has been edited here as bruon fhochmhar, as
bruon is generally found as an bhruighean in PULs works.
buacach: lofty, towering, buoyant. Go buacach is generally translated as in fine fettle, but the instance at the end of Ch20 here
may be glossed as spiritedly, vibrantly, unremittingly.
135
Foclirn
buachaill: boy. Buachaillibh and buachaillbh are both found in the dative plural here. Buachaill aimsire, servant boy.
buailim, bualadh: to strike. Arbhar do bhualadh, to thresh corn. Buailte amach, exhausted, literally punched out.
buailteir: thresher.
buile: madness, rage. Buile feirge, mad rage.
buon: group, company, with bun in the dative.
bun: bottom, base. De bhun, in pursuance of, aimed at (a certain object). Bun an aeir, the horizon. I mbun na hoibre,
attending to/in charge of/engaged in the work. S ba bhun leis, he was behind it, he started it up.
bunadh: origin, with the genitive, bunaidh, used as an adjective meaning basic, original, fundamental, essential.
Pronounced /bun, bunig/.
bunoscionn le: at variance with. Pronounced /bini ku:n/ according to IWM 202, although a slender n is not shown in PULs
works.
bntiste: advantage. Note the long vowel in the first syllable, /bu:n't:ti/. This word is feminine here, but masculine in GCh.
Nos m bntiste in Ch27 could be translated more advantageous concessions, better terms.
bunsach: solid, reliable, worthy.
c: where? C bhfios?, who knows?, generally has two short vowels, /kvs/, although PUL does not indicate this in his works.
Similarly, c bhfuil? is found here. Compare Scalaocht Amhlaoibh Lunse, which has ca bhfios? (p11) and ca bhfuil? (p20).
Some of PULs works use the spellings ca bhfhios (Lcin, p16) and ca bhfuil (Lcin, p22). GCD indicates that c is
pronounced short in Corca Dhubhne Irish when combined with the present tense of the verb bheith (see 533, where c bhfuil
can be /kavl/, /kal/ or /koul/).
cabhram, cabhr: to help, used with le. Pronounced /kou'ri:m, kou'ru:/.
cad na thaobh?: why?, or cn fth? in GCh. Pronounced /kn 'he:v/. Cn fth? is not found in PULs works, but cad fth?, cad
chuige?, cad an chis?, cad f nder ?, cad ar a shon?, cad uime? and cad on its own (e.g. cad ba gh?) are all attested.
cad mar: how, but generally used in exclamations or rhetorical utterances, as in Ch24 here: cad mar athr ag teacht sa tsaol!,
what a change in the world was afoot!
caibideal: chapter, or caibidil in GCh. PUL consistently uses the spelling caibidiol in his works, and so seems to have pronounced
this word with a broad l, /kabidl/, although a slender l is more common in other writers of WM Irish (na caibidle on the
contents page of Diarmuid Ua Laoghaires An Bhruinneal Bhn implies he had a feminine caibidil in the nominative singular),
and a slender l is shown in all of the LS editions of PULs works (e.g. Eshirt, p1). Ar Caibideal, at chapter, as of priests
convening.
caidhsar: gullet, i.e. a stream issuing from a fence or a hole in the ground or river. Pronounced /ki' e:r/.
caileann: calends; the first of the month. The genitive has a double l, caille, through assimilation of the n to the l (cailne>caille).
Hence, L Caille, New Years Day, which is spelt in the original text L Coille. This spelling is retained, as it shows the
pronunciation and was a traditionally accepted spelling of this word given in PSD (although coille may be confused with the
genitive of coll, wood). The nominative and genitive are accordingly pronounced /kaln, kili/.
cailleach: old woman, hag, with caill in the genitive, pronounced /ki'lax, k'li:/.
caillim, cailliint: to lose; to spend, or caillim, cailleadh in GCh. Cailliint leis, to spend money on him/on it. Cailliint ar
dhuine, to let someone down.
cailliint: loss. Cailliint aimsire, a waste of time.
cin: tax, with cnach in the genitive.
cainnt: talk, talking, or caint in GCh. The traditional double n is shown here to indicate the diphthong, /kaint/.
caora: sheep, or caora in GCh. The plural here is caoire (caoirigh in GCh) and the genitive singular caeireach. Pronounced /ki:r,
ki:ri, ke:rx/.
caislen: castle, pronounced /ki'l:n/.
caismirt: conflict, contention. Pronounced /kmirt/.
calma: splendid, pronounced /klm/.
cam: bend, pronounced /kaum/. Cor in aghaidh an cham, tit for tat; giving as good as you get, pronounced /kor nin xi:m/.
camastaol: crookedness, fraud, or camastal in GCh. It is generally the case that verbal nouns in -al (-ghail in the older spelling)
have a broad l in WM Irish (see also osnaol). The dative singular is also camastaol (see ar an gcamastaol in Ch25 here), as
such nouns tend to be masculine in PULs works.
camshileach: crooked-eyed; squinting, pronounced /km-'u:lx/.
canad: where?, or c hit? in GCh.
canil: canal, with canile in the genitive here, where GCh has canla.
canaim, canadh: to chant.
canncar: canker, anger, spleen, or cancar in GCh. The traditional double n is given here to show the diphthong, /kaukr/.
canncrach: cantankerous, or cancrach in GCh. The traditional double n is retained here to show the diphthong: /kaukrx/.
cannta: chunk, or canta in GCh. The traditional nn shows the diphthong here: /kaunt/.
cannach: canon (in the church hierarchy).
caoi: opportunity, pronounced /ke:/.
caoineadh: keening; lament.
caoinim, caoineadh: to keen, lament, with caointe in the genitive of the verbal noun. Bean chaointe, keening woman.
caoireil: mutton.
caol: something slender; wrist, ankle. Ceangal na gcig gcaol, binding of hands and feet, and thus ceangal na gcig gcaol ar a
n-aigne, intellectually crippled. In one passage in Ch3, caol refers to a strip of green pasture land. See the notes for Ch3.
capall: horse. Note that the dative plural has a slender l in Cork Irish: capaillibh.
136
Foclirn
captaen: captain. This word is found both as captaen and captain in the nominative singular in PULs works (see, for example,
Niamh, p143). The spelling in Mo Scal Fin is with a broad n, but the slender n pronunciation seems more authentic, as the word
is a loanword likely to be better known to Irish speakers in its English form and the English n is closer to the Irish slender n.
cara: friend; ally, with caraid in the dative singular and a long vowel in the plural, cirde. Note that this was until recently a rare
word in native Irish speech, as friends, whether relatives or not, were generally daoine munteartha (see PULs comments in
NIWU, p81). The context here (na charaid ag namhdaibh na hireann) requires the use of cara and not duine munteartha.
Since PULs day, the word cara has been adopted by modern speakers of Irish as a one-for-one equivalent of the English word
friend.
carra: wagon; carriage, or carr in GCh. Carra trucaileach, side-car.
carraig: rock, with the plural here carraigreacha (and carraigreach in the genitive plural) where carraigeacha would stand in
GCh. Pronounced /krig, krigirx/.
carriste: carriage, pronounced /kr:ti/.
Crthach (an Crthach): someone with the surname Mac Crthaigh.
cs: case. An cs na rabhadar, the state they were in.
casaim, casadh: to turn. Casadh le, to endeavour to (do something). Castar orm , I meet him.
casg: coat (used in preference to cta in WM Irish). Fear na casige deirge, a redcoat, a soldier in the British army.
casr: hammer.
cathain: when?, pronounced /k'hin/.
cathair: city, with cathrach in the genitive. Pronounced /khir, khrx/.
cathaoir: chair, with cathaoireach in the genitive. Fear na cathaoireach, chairman. Sa cathaoir againn, our chairman.
cad: one hundred. We read cad blian in Ch15 here. Cad takes the nominative singular (e.g. cad bean, as stated by PUL in Irish
numerals and how to use them, p11). Such usage historically reflects the fact that the genitive plural and nominative singular of
first- and second-declension nouns are often identical, yet cad bean shows it is the nominative singular and not the genitive
plural that should be used. Nevertheless, PULs works regularly have cad blian, and not cad bliain, either as a calcified form or
as a general exception that applies where the genitive plural of a noun is identical to the nominative singular save for its having a
broadened ending. It is difficult to find attestation of cad gln and cad sl, but these should operate in a similar fashion.
ceanglaim, ceangal: to bind, tie, or ceanglam, ceangal in GCh. Pronounced /kalim, kal/.
ceann f: shame, or ceann faoi in GCh.
ceann: head. I gcionn/i gceann, at the end of, after (a period of time), where cionn is an archaic dative; both forms are found in
Mo Scal Fin. F cheann also found here has the same meaning. cheann ceann den bhliain, from one end of the year to
another. The use of de after cheann ceann was commented on by PUL in NIWU (p19), where he explained the phrase
cheann ceann den tr, and said, cheann ceann na tre would not be correct. The full expression is, cheann den tr go dt an
ceann eile den tr. In ceann na tre there is question of only one end, whereas in the text there is question, not of the countrys
end, but of two ends of the country. The genitive in this case is a partitive genitive. Yet FGB gives only cheann (go) ceann na
tre with ceann followed by the genitive case (see under ceann) and other speakers of WM Irish seem to accept the genitive here.
See, for instance, cheann ceann na bliana in Seanachas Amhlaoibh Lunse (p99) and cheann ceann na bliadhna in Diarmuid
Ua Laoghaires An Bhruinneall Bhn (p123).
ceanna: merchant.
ceannann: white-faced.
ceannas: leadership, headship, authority.
ceannatha: facial features, or ceannaithe in GCh. This was spelt ceannacha in the original text, but this word is pronounced
/k'nh/, as stated by PUL in NIWU (p60).
ceannphort: prelude; foreword.
ceannrach: halter, or ceanrach in GCh. The traditional nn is preserved here to show the diphthong: /kaurx/.
ceap: block, object, or leader; body of men. Ceap le cad, someone who could take on a hundred foes.
ceapaim, ceapadh: to assign, appoint, with ceapaithe as the verbal adjective here where GCh has ceaptha.
cerda: artisan, craftsman.
cernach: square.
ceathrar: four people, pronounced /kahrr/.
ceathr: fourth, pronounced /'karhu:/. An ceathr pingin, a quarter of a sum of money; every fourth penny thereof. Note the
stress on the first syllable of ceathr (and other ordinals), contrasting with the stress on the second syllable when ceathr is a
noun meaning quarter; thigh.
ceathr: quarter; thigh, pronounced /kar'hu:/. Ceathr dheiridh, hind quarter, of an animal. With ceathrin in the dative and
dual.
cile: partner, spouse, but used in phrases to create the meaning each other. As a chile, one after another (aon d l as a
chile, any two days in a row). Seochas a chile, compared with each other: n raibh aon cheart ag inne seochas a chile
chuige, no one had more right to it than anyone else. N a chile, compared with each other, used in conjunction with a
comparative: ins gach cmhairle le ba dhiamhaire agus ba dhiscrid n chile, discussing with them things that were ever
more obscure and secret. See also under tr chile.
ceistichn: interrogation, asking questions. This is a verbal noun, but listed in FGB only as a noun meaning interrogation.
ce: fog, mist, with ceigh in the genitive.
ceocu: which? which of them?; whether From c acu or ccu. Pronounced /kuk/. Often followed by a relative clause.
celmhar: musical, melodious, often used to described someones command of a language.
cheithre: four, or ceithre in GCh. Pronounced /xerhi/.
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Foclirn
chm, feiscint: to see, or feicim, feiceil in GCh. Bfherr liom n a bhfeaca riamh, I would rather that than anything in the
world, literally I would rather it than anything I ever saw. Note the dependent autonomous form in the past tense, feacthas,
pronounced /fakhs/, as well as feiceadh, found in one passage in Ch15 here.
chmh: as, so, pronounced /xo:/. Chmh maith do dheineas, I did so; I did accordingly; thats exactly what I did.
chig: five, generally found lenited in WM Irish, other than in counting. Note ceathair n cig de mhltibh sl in Ch2 here, where
the context four or five calls for an unlenited variant (a ceathair n a cig de mhltibh sl would have been possible here).
Chig, as with other numerals above two, is generally used with the plural of the noun in PULs Irish, and is frequently used with
lenition: cf. chig phint in Ch8 here.
chun: towards. The combined forms of this preposition are distinctive in WM Irish: chm, cht, chuige, chithi, chinn, chibh,
chthu. GCh has chugam, chugat, chuige, chuici, chugainn, chugaibh, chucu. Note that chm often means, somewhat elliptically,
coming towards me.
ciall: sense. Ciall cheannaigh, wisdom bought by experience. Bh ag dul d chiall, he was losing his senses, where the dative
singular, chill, is not given here. The dative singular feminine is not always used in PULs works. In the case of ciall, i gcill is
generally found in PULs works, but other constructions tend not to decline the dative of this word.
ciapaim, ciapadh: to harass, torment.
cigire: inspector. This is a word invented in an 18th-century dictionary through a misunderstanding, but now accepted in native
Irish speech.
cimedaim, cimed: to keep, or coimedaim, coimed in GCh. This word has a broad c in the classical spelling, which PUL used
in the original here. The spelling cimed is used in PULs Aithris ar Chrost (e.g. chimedfair on p2)and elsewhere. Also note that
the GCh distinction between coimed, keep, and coimhad, watch over, does not obtain in WM Irish: coimhad is an Ulster
word. Coliste/scoil do chimed suas, to keep up, in the sense of financing/maintaining, e.g. a college or school.
coch: breast, pap, with cche in the genitive and cch in the dative. Pronounced /ki:x, ki:hi, ki:h/.
cion: share, amount. Mo chion den obair, my share of the work.
ciontach: guilty. PUL uses both cionntach and ciontach in his works, and IWM 401 shows the pronunciation can be either
/ku:ntx/ or /kuntx/.
ciotg: left hand. An-urchair ciotige, a great left hook.
ciscim: step, or coiscim in GCh. In aghaidh gach ciscim in Ch11 can be parsed either as a truncation of in aghaidh gach
ciscime, or as an instance where gach ciscim stands as a bracketed off noun phrase in the nominative absolute.
ciste: chest, coffer; parish funds.
cimhais: edge, margin, pronounced /ku:/.
clabhtg: clout, a light rap with the knuckles, pronounced /klau'to:g/.
cladhaire: rogue, pronounced /kliri/.
cla: fence. Note the plural here is clathacha (with clathach in the genitive plural), whereas claocha is found in GCh.
Consequently, the pronunciations /kli:, kl'hx/ could be recommended. GCD has /klahx/ in the plural in Corca Dhubhne
(277), but IWM 236 states that AL regularly shifted the stress in such words. The definition of cla is wider than the English
word fence: PUL glossed this in NIWU (p22) as any sort of rampart of earth or of stones or of both.
claomh: sword, with claimhte in the plural. Scalaocht Amhlaoibh U Lunse (p16) and the LS version of PULs Sadna (see
cluitiv in Shina, p85, for claidhmhtibh in Sadna, p210) both show the vowel to be short in the plural: /kli:v, kliti/.
clais: trench, furrow, with clasa in the plural here where GCh has claiseanna.
clampar: wrangling, pronounced /klaumpr/. Clampar dl, a legal dispute.
clann: children (not family), with clainne in the genitive and clann in the dative. Pronounced /klaun, klii, kli:/. Clann mhac,
sons. Clann inon, daughters.
clr: board. Clr adain, forehead.
cleite: feather.
cliabh: bosom, chest, with clibh in the genitive. thas clibh, delight; joy in ones heart.
cliabhn: cradle.
cliathn: side, flank, pronounced /kli:'h:n/.
cliste: clever. This word may be pronounced gliste in WM Irish, but the variant gliste is not given in PULs works.
clisteacht: cleverness, dexterity.
cl: print, impression. Cl den Freemans Journal, a copy/edition of the Freemans Journal.
cloch: stone, with cloiche in the genitive and cloich in the dative/dual. Pronounced /klox, klohi, kloh/. See Brian Cuvs note in
CFBB (p276) on the need to transcribe a slender h at the end of words like luaith (/luh/). While the h itself is not patalalised
and is usually absent, other than before a following vowelthe quality of the vowel preceding it is centralised and/or
diphthongised. See also Cloich, Cruaich and Similar Forms in Munster Dialects by Diarmuid S, in igse, Vol XXXVII,
p123-133.
cloign: little bell, pronounced /kli'gi:n/.
cluas: ear, with cluais in the dative.
clmh: fur, down.
cluthar: cosy, comfortable.
cnib: hemp; hangmans noose.
cnmh: bone, with cnmha in the plural. Pronounced /kn:v, kn:/.
cnapign: little lump, little hillock.
cneasta: gentle, mild-mannered.
cnuc: hill, or cnoc in GCh. Pronounced /knuk/. Similarly, cnucn, hillock, for cnocn and cnuicn for cnoicn.
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Foclirn
caditor: coadjutor priest, curate, the assistant of a priest holding a benefice. FGB has an entry for ciditar, but PULs spelling
here indicates this word had not been nativised in his day, and he was simply using a word more frequently used in the Roman
Catholic hierarchy in its English/Latin form. Curideach is also given in FGB for curate.
cbach: clown, churl, or caobach in GCh.
codlaim, codladh: to sleep, or codlam, codladh in GCh. Pronounced /kolim, kol/. The preterite given in Ch11 here is choidil,
with a slender d. PUL generally writes chodail, but choidil is also found in PULs Sgothbhualadh (p86) and Lughaidh Mac Con
(p2). Note the genitive of the verbal noun, codlata. PUL commented on ag dul chun codalta (so spelt) in Mion-chaint, Cuid a III
(p46), this word is also very generally pronounced codlata with the d silent. It is the easier of the two to pronounce.
cogar: whisper. As an interjection, listen! here! a word with you!
cognarnach: whispering. Note that as a feminine verbal noun, the dative is ag cognarnaigh / kogrnig/. This distinction is not
observed in GCh.
coigroch: stranger, or coigrochach in GCh. Pronounced /kogi'ri:x/.
coilgsheasamh: na choilgsheasamh, bolt upright, or ina cholgsheasamh in GCh. Pronounced /n xilig-'hsv/.
comhdeacht: accompaniment. Diabhal comhdeachta, an evil genius (the opposite to aingeal comhdeachta, a guardian
angel). Pronounced /ki:nlxt/ according to IWM (see the note to 409); this pronunciation is not shown in PULs works, and
PUL may have had a d here.
comheascar: struggle, mle. Pronounced /ki:skr/.
coimirce: protection, patronage. PUL used the older spelling comairce in the original, but this has been adjusted to coimirce, the
form accepted in GCh, as IWM shows the pronunciation to be /kimirk/, with loss of the final vowel (see the note to 351). F
choimirce, under the patronage of.
conleach: stubblefield.
conln: cut cornstalks; stubble.
coinne: meeting. Na coinnibh ar an mbthar, towards her, coming in the opposite direction towards her/to meet her on the road.
Cur i gcoinnibh ruda, to oppose something. Cur i gcoinnibh is fully substantivised in n raibh aon chur na choinnibh ag
inne, there was no opposition from anyone.
coinnoll: condition; with coinnll in the dative. This word is pronounced /ki'ni:l/, as if with a single medial n, reflecting a
tendency to eschew // following an earlier c or g in the word.
consias: conscience, pronounced /ki:ns/.
coir: crime, pronounced /kir/.
cir: equipment, means; proper provision. Cir a chur ar dhuine, to provide for someone, give him accommodation/treatment.
Cir chodlata, sleeping accommodation.
coirce: oats, pronounced /korki/.
coire: cauldron, pronounced /kiri/. Its possible this word, transcribed by PUL from a poem in Ch14, should really be coirm,
/kirim/, ale drunk during a feast.
coirim, cor: to tire, exhaust, pronounced /korim, kor/. The verbal adjective, given here, is cortha (de rud), tired (of something).
cois: besides, originally the dative of cos. Lena chois, along with him. Pronounced /ko/.
ciste: coach, carriage. Note ar an gciste here. PUL elsewhere has sa chiste (see Don Cocht, p68ff).
coiteann: common, general.
coitianta: regular, habitual. Pronounced /ko'tint/.
coitiantacht: the general run of things; people in general. Thar an gcoitiantacht, out of the ordinary, beyond the norm.
Pronounced /ko'tintxt/.
col: impediment.
coladh grfn: pins and needles. According to IWM 205, this is pronounced /kol kri'fi:n/; the LS edition of Mo Scal Fin has
cola grifn (p21). The spelling in the original text, with a long vowel in the first syllable of grfn may be a typographical error.
coliste: college, pronounced /kl:ti/.
colistenach: collegian, college student, pronounced /kl:'t:nx/.
colan: heifer. This word is given in FGB as colann, but was traditionally spelt colan (see PSD), and the introduction of a second n
confuses this word with colann, body. A single n is preferable, as the genitive singular in WM Irish is not the colainne of GCh,
but colain, with /n/ and not //, requiring the single n spelling: see NIWU, p24, where PUL states the genitive to be colain. He
also states that the nominative plural of this word is colna (pron. colla), but the dative plural is spelt (in lenited context)
cholanaibh in the original text of Ch11 here. While Shn Cuv transcribes this in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin as choluiv
(p31), it seems probable PULs original spelling intended an epenthetic vowel here, and thus, contrary to what is the case in the
nominative plural, with no elision of the original n: /xolniv/. Colan is masculine in PULs Irish, as stated in NIWU, thus
providing a point of distinction from the feminine word colannsee the following entry for colann, which is found as colainn in
GCh. The nominative plural of colann, body, doesnt appear to be attested in PULs works; this probably rare form is possibly
also colla (compare the somewhat theoretical GCh form colainneacha), although cuirp would seem preferable in most contexts,
and the dative plural of colann is also spelt colanaibh in PULs works (see na sgileana so a dheinean solus na grine n-r
gcolanaibh and n sgaraid siad choidhche le n-r gcolanaibh in Lcin, p94). Consequently it seems likely that both nominative
plurals are colla and the dative plurals could rather be spelt colanaibh in the case of heifers and colannaibh in the case of
bodies. The DIL has collaid for heifer and colainn, with a note saying this later became colann, for body.
colann: body, with colainn in the dative, which form is used in GCh.
colm: dove, a word that has been largely replaced by colr in WM Irish. Pronounced /kolm/. Both PSD and FGB have a slender l
in the genitive (and therefore vocative) of this word (cuilm and coilm respectively), but PUL consistently writes a broad l in the
genitive (coluim), both for the noun itself and for the related personal name Colm. The vocative/genitive is therefore
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Foclirn
pronounced /kolim/.
colr: pigeon, dove, pronounced /klu:r/.
cominim, comint: to drive, or tiominim, tiomint in GCh. Both cominim and tominim (with a broad t) are found in WM
Irish. Do chomineadar an dl ar sil, they set the law in motion. Chomin s leis, he carried on.
cmhacht: power, authority, or cumhacht in GCh, pronounced with a long o in WM Irish: /ko:xt/. Cmhachta Shasana, the
English (British) authorities, where cmhachta is nominative plural, contrasting with cumhachta in GCh.
cmhaimsir: the same time, pronounced /ko:-aimir/. Lucht a chmhaimsire, contemporaries of his.
cmhaireamh: count, calculation, pronounced /ko:rv/.
cmhairm, cmhaireamh: to count, or comhairim, comhaireamh in GCh. Note the preterite here, do chmhairimh, reflecting a
general tendency in WM Irish for the preterite to have -mh rather than -gh where the verbal noun ends in -mh (compare
sheasaimh). Pronounced /ko:'ri:m, ko:rv, d xo:riv/.
cmharsa: neighbour, pronounced /ko:rs/. This is a feminine word, even when referring to a male neighbour. The plural here is
cmharsain where GCh has comharsana. Note the genitive (singular and plural) cmharsan and the dative cmharsain.
cmharsanacht: neighbourhood, vicinity, pronounced /ko:rsnxt/.
cmhartha: sign. D chmhartha san fin, similarly, by the same token, as confirmation of that. Pronounced /ko:rh/.
cmhchrunn: perfectly round, spherical, pronounced /ko:-xri:/.
cmhra: coffin, or cnra in GCh, with cmhrainn in the dative, pronounced /ko:r, ko:ri/.
cmhrac: fight, fray, pronounced /ko:rk/.
cmhthaln: pattern (a gathering around a holy well), or comhthionl in GCh. The spelling cmhchaln was shown in the original,
but CFBB (p69) gives the pronunciation as /ko:h'l:n/.
comrda: comrade. Pronounced /kum'r:di:/.
cngar: short cut. Cngar a dhanamh, to take a short cut. I gcngar dom, close to me.
cngaracht: nearness, proximity. Sa chngaracht, in the vicinity.
connradh: agreement; league/association, or conradh in GCh. The double n shows the long vowel. Pronounced /ku:r/ (AL had
/ku:rv/, according to CFBB, p80).
cor: throw, cast. In aon chor, at all, pronounced /'ne:xr/. Cor a thabhairt do dhuine, to treat someone in a certain way. Cor a
chur dot, to stir, move. N chuirfidh an cs cor eile dhe, the case will proceed no further.
crach: well-shaped; well-proportioned.
cordon: the English word cordon is given here. Trdam is recommended in this sense in FGB.
corinn: crown (including in the monetary sense of five shillings in predecimal coinage), or corin in GCh, pronounced /kro:/,
with corinneach in the genitive. An Chorinn Mhuire, the Rosary. Corinn fn bpnt, five shillings in the pound; 25% of a
sum of money.
corp: body. An Corp Naofa, the Host, the Eucharist.
corrabhuais: uneasiness, embarrassment.
corram, corra: to move, stir in both transitive and intransitive senses. Do chorraigh mo chuid fola, I felt a stirring of the blood,
as when moved to sudden anger.
corrn: jaw; sickle, reaping hook, pronounced /kr:n/.
cos-ar-bolg: brutal oppression. Note this word is generally masculine herein line with grammatical rules whereby the final unit
of a compound word governs the genderbut is feminine in one instance in the original text (an chos-ar-bolg in Ch25, but an
cos-ar-bolg in chapter 1 and 15), possibly by way of a typographical error, being adjusted in this edition to an cos-ar-bolg.
Pronounced /kos-er-bolg/.
cos: foot, with cois, /ko/, in the dual/dative. Cos ar chois, step by step. Lena chois, along with him. Ar cos in irde, at a
gallop, where the final a of cosa is elided. Note that the dative/dual, cois, is normally pronounced /ko/, but the phrase na chuis,
on foot, is pronounced /n xu/ (see CFBB, p286). N-a gcois in the original text of Ch29 is edited here as na gcuis.
coslomrachta: barefoot, or cosnochta in GCh, pronounced /kos-lomrxt/. Also found in WM Irish as cosnochtaithe.
cosnaim, cosaint: to defend. This would be cosnam, cosaint in GCh and CFBB (p68) also has cosnam. PUL has this verb in the
first conjugation in most tenses, but cosnd and cosndh in the future and conditional, although no instances of the future or
conditional are found in this work. Also note that both cosnamh and cosaint are found as the verbal nouns in PULs works,
although only cosaint is used in Mo Scal Fin. PUL explained in NIWU (p29) that there is a difference in meaning: cosnamh
means protecting, shielding and cosaint defending. Pronounced /kosnim~kos'ni:m, kosint/. Do chosnadar an dl, they
defended the lawsuit. Om chosaint orthu, defending me from them. Obair chosanta na Gaelainne, the defence of the Irish
language.
costas: cost. Mrn costais, great cost. Tuilleadh costais is worth noting in Ch27; this would be more costs (more legal costs,
in the context given) in English. Yet a plural (costais?) is not attested in PULs works, and it seems this word is best used in the
singular in Irish.
costasil: expensive, costly, or costasach in GCh.
coslacht: resemblance, likeness. This is pronounced /kosvlxt~ko'su:lxt/ in WM Irish; as the original text had cosamhlacht, and
not cosmhalacht, the GCh form coslacht has been used in this edition.
cothrom: a sufficiency of something. Cothrom uisce, supply of water. Pronounced /korhm/.
crite: pained, tortured.
crampa: cramp, pronounced /kraump/.
crapaim, crapadh: to shrink. The verbal adjective is crapaithe here, where GCh has craptha.
creach: ruin, loss. A chreach lidir !, I am ruined!
creachaim, creachadh: to plunder, despoil.
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Foclirn
crch: end, fate; territory, region, or croch in GCh, which retains the historical nominative. Pronounced /kri:h/. Duine chur i
gcrch: to get someone settled in life (including in the sense of marrying off ones daughters). An chrch a rug , how he
ended up, what became of him. B crch an scil (go), the upshot was (that), the final result was (that).
criostal: crystal. Chmh glan le criostal, as clear as crystal.
crith: trembling. Crith chos agus lmh, trembling in all the limbs, a phrase always so given, with lenition on the word cos.
cr: byre. Cr beithoch, cowshed.
croch: the gallows.
crochaire: hangman; villain.
croiceann: skin, or craiceann in GCh. Pronounced /krekn/ or /krokn/ in traditional WM Irish.
croithim, crothadh: to shake, or croithim, croitheadh in GCh.
cromaim, cromadh: to stoop, bend down. Ar a chromadh, bending over.
cros: cross, with croise in the genitive and crois in the dative. Pronounced /kros, krii, kri/.
crosaire: crossroads.
crosta: crosswise. Thinig bithrn crosta air, a lane cut across it.
crot: appearance. This word is distinguished from cruth, form, shape, although the difference is not made in GCh. See also under
cuma.
cruach: heap, stack. Na chruachaibh, in heaps.
cruachs: predicament, dilemma.
cruachosa: rackrents.
cruaidh: hard, severe, or crua in GCh. Pronounced /krug/ in WM Irish. The plural, originally spelt cruadha, is crua in this
edition.
cruiceg: beehive, cone, or coirceog in GCh.
cruinne: world, globe.
cruinnithe: gathered, and by extension pithy, to the point.
cruinnitheacht: pithiness.
cruinnichn: an act of gathering, and, by extension, a gathering, a meeting.
cruithneacht: wheat, with cruithneachtan in the genitive where GCh has cruithneachta. Pronounced /kri'hxt/.
c: dog, especially a greyhound, with con in the genitive. Fiacal chon, a hounds tooth (see under Proverbs and sayings).
cuaird: visit, or cuairt in GCh, with cuarda in the genitive where GCh has cuairte.
cuallacht: company, band. Cuallacht osa, the Society of Jesus, the formal name of the Jesuit organisation.
cu: fitting, proper.
cuid: share, portion. The genitive is coda, often losing its final vowel. Fiacha a gcod fola, the price on their heads, a phrase that
illustrates the use of cuid to denote possession.
cuideachta: company, the people present. PULs spelling indicates a pronunciation of /ki'daxt/, but /ki'laxt/ is also found (see
IWM 409); that the pronunciation with /l/ is more common in Munster Irish today is indicated in GCD 253 (the Corca
Dhubhne pronunciation is /klaxt/).
cuideachtanas: company, pronounced /ki'daxtns~ki'laxtns/. CFBB (p75) shows that, whereas some Muskerry speakers used
an l in this word, more careful speakers such as AL kept a d here. PUL explained the difference in nuance between this word
and cmhluadar in a letter to Risterd Plimeann dated February 27th 1918, catalogued under G1,277 (1) in the Shn Cuv
papers held in the National Library of Ireland: i gcmhluadar a chile means in each others company, whereas i
gcuideachtanas a chile places more stress on the enjoyment of each others companionship.
cige: province, often losing its final vowel, as in cig in Ch1 here.
cilith: ligament at the back of the neck; power of reflection, a good mind. Pronounced /ku:'l e:h/.
cuireadh: an invitation, pronounced /kiri/.
cuirim, cur: to put; sow. The autonomous forms of this verb are edited as curf and curt here, as PUL was generally consistent in
his use of cur-; these would be cuirf and cuirt in modern-day WM Irish. Gcurfa, cuirf/gcuirf and gcurf are all found in the
original text here. These are uniformly edited in this edition as curf (and gcurf where appropriate) in line with the general usage
of PULs works. PUL wrote in an undated letter to Risterd Plimeann dated February 27th 1918, catalogued under G1,277 (1) in
the Shn Cuv papers held in the National Library of Ireland, I say curf with r broad and f slender, or cuirf, with r and f
slender. I could never say curfa. I must have the f always slender. The single instance of sar a gcurfadh in the original text of
Ch29 is edited here as sara gcuirfeadh, in line with the majority usage of PULs works. Note that the verbal noun is often
pronounced /kir/, but is always /kur/ when it means to sow, e.g. of potatoes here ( ag cur phrta), as indicated in GCD (564)
for the similar Munster dialect of Corca Dhubhne. Rud do chur ort, for something to affect you adversely, used, for example,
of a stomach complaint here. Gan aon namhaid ag cur orthu, with no enemy troubling them. Guth a chur asat, to let out a
sound. Cur chun, to set about (doing something). Cur de, to accomplish something, get through it, get it done: do chuireas
an cnuc (suas) dom, I went on up the hill. Rud do chur rmhat, to aim to do something. Duine chur amach (as it igin),
to turn someone out, evict him. Duine chur am, to lead someone astray. Duine chur ag danamh ruda, to get someone to
do something. Le cur, to let, of a property.
cuirpeach: malefactor, villain, or coirpeach in GCh. Pronounced /kiripx/.
cis: cause, reason, but also used in reference to a court case.
cuisle: forearm, wrist; arm, with the plural cuisleanna, where GCh has cuisl.
citm, citeamh: to compensate, requite. Ag cur s ag citeamh, to argue, weigh the pros and cons.
cl le cine: contrary to ones heritage, non-traditional, against the race, referring adjectivally in Ch1 to a name not previously
found in a family tree, and by extension to a non-Gaelic name.
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Foclirn
cl: back, especially the back of the head.

culaith: suit, pronounced /klih/. Note the use of lenition in culaith pholiceman, a police uniform. Gearid Nuallin advanced
the view in his New Era Grammar that culaith shagairt would mean vestments for a particular priest according to the principle
of dynamic lenition (see p113). However, Nuallins explanation contrasts with the entry under culaith in FGB showing that
culaith mairnalaigh means a sailors uniform, whereas culaith mhairnalaigh means a sailor uniform. PULs Niamh (p113)
has culaith manaigh, whereas An Craos-Deamhan (p44) has culaith chlirigh, and so it seems lenition gives the following noun
an adjectival nuance as opposed to a possessive nuance (clerical vestments, but a monks habit), although the difference in
nuance is slight.
clchraos: back of the throat.
cm: coomb, mountain recess; waist, with cum in the genitive. This corresponds to com in GCh in the meaning of coomb and
coim (with coime in the genitive) in the meaning of waist.
cuma: appearance, form. Ar aon chuma, anyway, pronounced /er e: xum/. P cuma, however, in whatever way. Is cuma n
watch , or is cuma n watch, it is just like a watch. Is cuma dho, its all the same to him, it makes no difference to him. Is
cuma liom, I dont care/I dont mind. Is cuma liom sa diabhal, I dont give a damn. Cuma without qualification means a
good appearance in n fhadfainnse blas n cuma n crot fhil air sin, meaning, approximately, that didnt look good to me.
cumaim, cumadh: to form, shape; to compose (of verse or of a song). Declined forms of this verb that are either monosyllabic or
where the m precedes a consonant have a long u in WM Irish: do chm, cmfad, cmtha, /d xu:m, ku:mhd, ku:mh/.
cumann: association, society. An Cumann chun na Gaelainne do chimed be, the Society for the Preservation of the Irish
Language, founded in 1876.
cumar: ravine, hollow.
cmparid: comparison, or comparid in GCh. Pronounced /ku:mp'r:d/.
cmprd: comfort, or compord in GCh.
cmtha: well-formed, handsome, pronounced /ku:mh/. GCh has cumtha, but most parts of the verb cumaim, cumadh have a
long /u/ in WM Irish (see under cumaim). Dea-chmtha, well-built, attractive.
cntae: county, or contae in GCh. This word is generally written with a t in PULs words, but examples with d are also found.
Pronounced /ku:n'te:/.
cntar: counter, as in a shop. GCh has cuntar, but the long vowel in the first syllable is shown in PULs spelling.
cntas: account, or cuntas in GCh. Leabhar an chntais, the account-book, ledger.
cntirt: danger, or contirt in GCh.
cpla: couple, pronounced /ku:pl/, used with the nominative singular. Cpal uair sa tseachtmhain in the original text of Ch20 is
edited here as cpl uair sa tseachtain.
d, dh: d and dh are combinations of the preposition ag governing the verbal noun and a third-person pronoun object. PUL used
d in passive senses (d dhanamh, being done) and dh (gh in the original) in a transitive context (dh dhanamh, doing
it). Where the latter is given in the original as , this has been edited here as . Both would be likely to be written and
pronounced /:/ by later speakers of the WM dialect, and is also the usage of the GCh in both meanings.
d: if, but often with the additional nuance of even if, as in an cos dfhscadh astu d bhfisct an t-anam astu in ineacht leis
in Ch27 here.
dabht: doubt, pronounced /daut/. This word is generally dabht in gan (aon) dabht, without (any) doubt, but dabhta is also found
in PULs works (e.g. n dhanfainn dabhta dhe in Sadna, p116).
daichead: forty pronounced /dhd/. Note the use of the genitive plural after daichead in daichead blian in Ch1.
daingean: garrison, fortress. Talamh gan daingean, unenclosed land.
dirribh: actually, really, or dirre in GCh. PUL stated in NIWU (p35) that in earnest is dirribh, not i ndirrbh, although
the latter form is given in PSD as a variant. Yet at least one instance of i ndirribh is found in PULs works, iad labhairt i sult
agus i bhfeirg, i magadh agus i ndirrbh, i n-aighneas agus i sothchin in Sgothbhualadh (p21), where the context is slightly
different, and the phrase means not in earnest, actually, seriously, but rather in circumstances where you are in
earnest/serious.
daitheacha: rheumatism. IWM 236 shows the pronunciation to be /dhx/, but adds that AL preferred /d'h x/. This word is
etymologically the plural of daigh, pang, pain, although CFBB (p83) shows there is back-formation of a new singular dathach
in WM. PULs Cmhairle r Leasa has Ca bhfhios duit n go mbrisfadh an gad, n go sgoilfadh an buailten, n go dtiocfadh
dathach i gcuislinn an bhuailtera? (p24).
daoraicme: unfree class, one of the social classes into which the ancient Irish population was divided (the others being an t-aos
dna, the professional class, and an saoraicme, the free class). The daoraicme included slaves, prisoners of war and descendants
of prisoners of war.
daorbhreith: conviction; condemnation; harsh sentence. The plural of breith is generally breitheanna, but we find le
daorbhreithith dl, with harsh judicial sentences, in the dative plural here, from an older plural breithe.
daorsmacht: oppression, bondage, tyranny.
dar fia!: by Jove! Fia means Lord, God, but the word was frequently confused with the word fia, meaning deerthe former
was fiadha and the latter fiadh in the old scriptproducing the Hiberno-Irish form, by the deer!
drag: twelve (people), pronounced with a broad r, /d:'riag/.
dsachtach: daring, audacious, presumptuous.
de: of, from. This simple preposition is pronounced in the same way as do in WM Irish, /d/, and the two prepositions are therefore
often confused in PULs works, but it has been thought better to edit these with the historically correct prepositions, as they
would stand in GCh. PUL was particularly insistent on writing do rir, which he held was either pronounced /d re:r/ or /dre:r /
in other words the slender d only appeared when run together as a single wordbut this has been edited as de rir here. The
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Foclirn
alignment of do and de in pronunciation only applies to the simple preposition; the prepositional pronoun de is pronounced
/d~di/.
dea-aigeanta: right-minded; well-intentioned, pronounced /da-'(h)ag nt/. It is worth noting that CFBB (p83) shows that AL
had no intervening consonant between the prefix dea- and a following vowel, whereas Eibhls, Bean Shein U Chrinn, inserted
an h; the example given there relates to the pronunciation of dea-elas.
dea-chrooch: good-hearted.
dea-shlinteach: in good health.
dag: the teen suffix. Dag is lenited after a singular noun ending in a vowel (s dhuine dhag). Compare tr bliana dag, where
bliana is plural. Dag is eclipsed in the genitive plural following a noun that is also eclipsed: garsn cheithre mblian ndag.
dealbh: destitute, poor, pronounced /dalv/.
dealg: thorn, pronounced /dalg/.
deallram, deallramh: to appear, or dealram, dealramh in GCh. The traditional ll is given in the editing here, indicating the
diphthong; the original text contains spelling such as dheabhrch, showing the deletion of the l after the diphthong: /dau'ri:m,
daurv/. Do dheallrdh an scal (go), it would appear (that).
deallramh: appearance; likeness, or dealramh in GCh. Pronounced /daurv/. Deallramh a bheith ag rud le rud eile, for
something to look like something else. A dheallramh, the appearance of it, the way it appeared to do so. Deallramh daonna,
human appearance.
deals: destitution. Deals aigne, intellectual impoverishment.
danamh: making, structure, form. Chmh cmtha chmh crach san na dhanamh, so handsome and well-built. Danamh na
ndlithe, the ability to make the laws, the power of legislation.
dearbham, dearbh: to affirm, swear, attest. Dearbh ar dhuine, to testify against someone. Pronounced /d ar'vi:m ,
dar'vu:/.
dearg: red, with deirge in the genitive, pronounced /darg, derigi/.
deargbhuile: rage, fury, pronounced /darg-vili/. Ar deargbhuile, raging mad, furious.
deard: mistake, or dearmad in GCh. Deard a dhanamh, to make a mistake.
deasca: gleaning; result. D dheascaibh sin, for that reason.
deatach: smoke. CFBB (p272) shows this is pronounced /d'tx/, with a broad d. However, the word is consistently written with a
slender d in PULs works.
deichnir: ten people, pronounced /den'hu:r/.
deifrocht: difference, or difrocht in GCh. The pronunciation shown in CFBB (p85) is /def'ri:xt/, but the original spelling here
was deifrigheacht, and it seems possible that PUL had a slender r in this word, where AL had a broad r. This is supported by the
transcription of dheifrocht in the LS version of Ch12, ghefirocht.
deighleil: dealing, transaction, or dileil in GCh. Pronounced /di'la:l/.
deighlim, deighilt: to separate, pronounced /dilim, dihl/. Ruda do dheighilt amach ruda eile, to separate things out from
other things.
deimhin: certain, sure, pronounced /din/.
deimhnm, deimhni: to prove, pronounced /di'ni:m, di'nu:/.
deimhnitheach: certain, or deimhneach in GCh, used with de. Pronounced /dinihx/.
deinim, danamh: to do, make, or danaim, danamh in the GCh. Danamh ar, to head for, make for: ag danamh ar bheith
aon bhliain dag, getting on for eleven years of age, coming up to eleven. Danamh duit fin, to fend for yourself. Danamh
le rud, to make do with something. Danamh amach, to make out, figure out. Ag danamh amach ar uair an mhen oche,
getting on for midnight. Danamh suas, to raise, of money.
dirc: alms, charity, with darca in the genitive.
deireadh: end. Dul chun deiridh, to fail, to fall behind. Gan bheith aon leathphinge chun deiridh, not to be out of pocket. F
dheireadh thiar thall, at long last. Cosa deiridh, back legs. Pronounced /deri, derig/.
deirim, r: to say. Note that in the combinations r, a r, do r the r is slender in WM Irish, /: ra:, ra:, d ra:/. Indication of
the slender r does not form part of either the classical or modern orthographies. The past-tense forms are edited here as duart,
duairt s, dradh, (generally dbhart, dbhairt and dbhradh in the original) but the vowel is /u/ in each of these, and not /u:/.
Dbhrais in Ch26 is edited as dras, in line with the majority usage in PULs works. The past subjunctive form abrainn found
here is pronounced /bri/ (d n-abrainnse). Also note d n-abarth, if it were said. Outside of the subjunctive, the
imperative and the indirect relative (see san it na n-abradh Eibhln Mo ghr go daingean tu! in Ch28 here), PUL does not
use the dependent forms in ab(a)r-. Use of a r go is often counterintuitive to English speakers: bh s ar buile, a r (go): he
was furious to think (that), to consider (that); nch ait an scal a r n fadf gn dhanamh ar shl n fgfadh ar chumas aon
informer dochar a dhanamh do?, isnt it odd that (odd to think that/consider that) the business could not be done in a way that
did not give any informer the ability to ruin it?. Mar adarf, so to speak; something like.
deirineach: last, final, or deireanach in GCh. Pronounced /derinx/. PUL explained in NIWU (p38) that deirineach means
final, whereas danach means late.
deisbhala: wit, repartee.
deiseacht: niceness, elegance.
distineach: disgusting, nauseating, or disteanach in GCh.
deocair: difficult, or deacair in GCh. Pronounced /dokir/, with the comparative deocra, deacra in GCh, pronounced /dokr/.
PUL used the spelling deacair in the original text here.
deoch: drink, with digh in the dative (although the dative is not always given; see gach deoch meisciil in Ch21 here, where the
failure to decline the noun in the dative may be explained by its standing in a longer noun phrase). Deoch is generally masculine
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Foclirn
here, but feminine in GCh. See, for example, deoch bre and deoch meisciil (the latter repeatedly) in the original text here. The
single instance of deoch mhaith in Ch19 herethe single identifiable instance in PULs published workshas been corrected to
deoch maith, in line with the majority usage in PULs works. Its possible the hand of an editor was at work in adding in lenition
here. See also an dghe (not na dghe) in the genitive in PULs novel Sadna (p231).
deir: tear, with deracha in the plural here, where GCh has deora.
desc: desk, or deasc in GCh. As this is a loanword, PULs spelling of this word (desganaibh, edited here as descannaibh) does not
adhere to Irish spelling rules: the spellings deisc or deasc fit the Irish orthography, but yield the wrong pronunciation in both
cases. Pronounced /desk/.
diabhal: devil, pronounced /dil/. The writing out of this word in imprecations was traditionally avoided as in go mbrisidh an
D-- -l do chosa, mar asal! in Ch12 here. See under comhdeacht.
diabla: diabolical, or diabhla in GCh, pronounced /dib'li:/. The original spelling here was dobladhe.
diagacht: theology, divinity.
diaidh: wake, rear, pronounced /dig/. The -dh- ending is not always pronounced, particularly before the singular and plural
definite articles. Na dhiaidh san, after that, loses the final consonant: /n ji son/. Note i ndiaidh a cheile, one after the other;
gradually, pronounced /i ni xe:li/, and i ndiaidh lmha, behind or in arrears (e.g. with the rent), /i ni l:/. Im dhiaidh,
after me, but also following me, in pursuit of me. I ndiaidh ar ndiaidh, gradually. Liireach i ndiaidh dhuine, to yell at
someone.
diamhar: dark, secluded, obscure, or diamhair in GCh. Pronounced /divr/.
dian: hard, tough. Nor chuaigh s rdhian orthu, he didnt go too hard on them.
dias: ear of corn. IWM 409 shows this was often las in Cork Irish, one of several words where d gave way to l. CFBB (p143)
also shows the pronunciation to be /lias/. However, PUL consistently spells this word with a d, and this is left as is, as it is
impossible to know what pronunciation PUL used.
dbrim, dbirt: to banish, drive out, or dbrm, dbirt in GCh. Pronounced /di:birim, di:birt/. Note the verbal adjective
dbeartha.
dcheall: ones best efforts, pronounced /di:hl/. Do dhcheall bhis agus bheatha, your utmost endeavours, all you could
possibly do. Bis agus beatha is usually lenited in phrases: see also ag cruinniughadh a neart chun aon iaracht amhin eile,
bhis agus bheatha, do dhanamh ar oilen na h-irean do shealbhughadh dhibh fin agus d sliocht (Niamh, p211); bh
cumas bhis agus bheatha ag an mighistir ar na daone (Sgothbhualadh, p55); and cluiche bhis as bheatha (Niamh, p233).
dlis: faithful, loyal. Brian Cuv wrote in IWM that the comparative dlse could be pronounced /di:lii/ or /di:li/ (see 415).
dlse: loyalty. Ag dul isteach na bhal le dlse dho, feigning that their loyalty to him knew no bounds. Pronounced /di:lii/ or
/di:li/.
dnnar: dinner. Dinnar in GCh. Pronounced /di:'e:r/.
dochlaonadh: declension (of a noun in grammar).
dog: ditch, trench, with dg in the dative.
dogras: zeal, passion, or dograis in GCh.
dol: sale, an act of selling, but also recompense, reward. The latter sense is used in the idiom is maith an dol ort !, you are
well worth it!, well do you deserve it!
dolaim, dol: to sell, but also to betray.
doltas: vengence, revenge.
diom: disappointment, or dom in GCh.
domhaoin: idle, but also unused, going to waste, used of money in Ch21 here, and fallow, of land.
don: roof. F dhon t, under the roof, in the house.
dscm, dsci: to destroy, exterminate.
discrideach: discreet; secret.
dth: loss or lack of something. Dth cille, lack of common sense.
dithneas: haste, urgency, pronounced /dihins/.
diltam, dilt: to refuse, used with do. Pronounced /du:l'hi:m, du:l'hu:/.
dl: law, with the plural here dlithe, where GCh has dlthe. Do chosnadar an dl, they defended the lawsuit. Dl is feminine here,
but masculine in GCh.
dlite: compact, compressed. An mdh dlite, the synthetic mode of conjugation of Irish verbs.
do: to. Note that the classical spelling of the prepositional pronoun d is adopted in GCh, but this form is pronounced /do/ in the
dialect and so edited as do here. The second-person plural prepositional pronoun, found in the original text as daoibh, is edited
here as dbh in line with the dialectal pronunciation, which aligns this form with the corresponding prepositional pronoun of de.
Note that the emphatic form dmhsa has a long vowel, /do:s/.
d: hope, expectation; source of expectation, or digh in GCh. This was given as dich in the original, but is edited as d here, in
line with the pronunciation. Is d liom, I think. Is d, well, however, indeed. Ar ndin and dar ndin: of course, variants
of ar ndigh/dar ndigh.
dbair: it nearly happened, originally the preterite of the verb fbraim. Ba rdhbair, it was a close-run thing. Dbair go is
followed by the conditional or past subjunctive (ba dhbair go dtiocfadh or ba dhbhair go dtagadh).
dchaint: a variant of digh (see under d), found in dar ndchaint in a poem in Ch18 here. Dar ndchaint is therefore equivalent
to dar nd and ar ndin, etc, of course. The metre in the poem in Ch18 requires an additional syllable, thus explaining the use
of dchaint.
dochar: harm.
doicheall: inhospitality, pronounced /dohl/.
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Foclirn
doilbh: gloomy, melancholy, pronounced /doliv/.

doimhinn: deep, domhain in GCh, with doimhne in the plural. Pronounced /di, dei~doi/.
din: given in PSD as a corruption of digh. Ar ndin/dar ndin, of course, no doubt, corresponding to ar ndigh/dar ndigh in
GCh. These forms were spelt ar nin and dar nin in the original text. See also under d.
doircheacht: darkness, or dorchacht in GCh. The LS transcription, doirihacht (p29), shows this is pronounced /dorihxt/. PUL
told Risted Plimeann in a letter dated March 10th 1918 held in the G 1,277 (1) collection of manuscripts in the National
Library of Ireland that this was the colloquial word for darkness, the pedantic word being dorchadas.
doirch: darkness, pronounced /dori'hi:/. Dul i ndoirch, to get darker/hazier, used of knowledge of Latin here.
doirchm, dorch: to darken. Pronounced /dori'hi:m, dor'xu:/. These forms are interesting, because PUL has dorch for the
verbal noun, but conjugated forms of the verb are usually derived from doirchm, with a slender rch, as with do dhoirchodh in
Ch15 here, pronounced /d ori'hi:x/. GCh has dorcham, dorch. Impersonally, used with ar: do dhbhadh agus do dhoirchodh
ar na gniseannaibh acu, their faces glowered and darkened.
doire: oak grove, pronounced /diri/.
doirtim, dortadh: to spill. Pronounced /dortim, dort/.
diseas: diocese or deoise in GCh.
Domhnach: Sunday. L Domhnaigh, one Sunday, pronounced /l: dounig/.
donas: misfortune. An donas le fuaire, dreadfully cold.
dorcha: dark, pronounced /dorx/.
dorn: fist, with duirn in the genitive. Pronounced /dorn, dirin/. CFBB (p273) shows that the genitive can be durainn. PUL
generally writes duirn, but may have pronounced it /duri/, as ln duruinn de mhin is found in PULs Sgalaidheachta as an
mBobla Naomhtha, (Vol 4, p501).
drnn: fistful, handful. A drnn of ears of corn was equivalent to four teadhaill.
dosaen: dozen, pronounced /d'se:n/. The original spelling of dosan here has been adjusted, lest it appear to indicate a slender s.
dothos: churlishness.
dothosach: churlish, pronounced /do'hi:sx/. The vowel in the prefix do- is not reduced to a neutral vowel in this and other words.
dreileacht: feebleness, or dearileacht in GCh.
dreim, dre: to rot away.
dridim, dridim: to get close to, approach, move near, but often more generally simply to move; druidim, druidim in GCh.
Dridim amach ( rud), to move away from something. Dridim isteach (ar rud), to move up onto something. Dridim sos, to
move down. The original spelling here was druidim, but some of PULs works use dridim (see Aithris ar Chrost, p14), which is
the pronunciation shown in IWM (407), and so this is likely to have been PULs pronunciation too.
driothir: brother, or dearthir in GCh, with driothr in the genitive singular. Mac driothr, nephew, and driothir athar,
uncle, are the natural Irish forms found here, and not nia and uncail. Note also that the genitive plural used with beirt is
driothr too; the form driothracha (as both nominative and genitive plural) was a later development.
drochaicme: bad set of people, pronounced /dro-hakmi/.
drochaigeanta: malevolent, ill-disposed, pronounced /dro-hagnt/.
drochaigne: evil disposition, pronounced /dro-hagini/.
drochainm: a bad reputation, including the reputation a place has for being haunted, pronounced /dro-han im /.
drochbhliain: a bad year, pronounced /dro-vlin/.
drochbhreiteacht: serious sickness, pronounced /dro-vro:txt/.
drochdhl: a bad law, pronounced /dro-li:/.
drochfhachaint: a nasty look, pronounced /dro-'hiaxint/.
drochfhliuchadh: a good soaking/drenching, pronounced /dro-lux/.
drochghaoth: severe wind, with drochghaoith in the dative. Pronounced /dro-e:h/.
drochghoile: bad appetite, pronounced /dro-ili/.
drochgnomh: evil deed, pronounced /dro-ni:v/.
drochintaoibh: distrust, lack of confidence, or drochiontaoibh in GCh. Pronounced /dro-hu:n'ti:v/.
drochmheas: a poor opinion (of something), pronounced /dro-vas/.
drochmhinte: ill-mannered, pronounced /dro-vu:nti/.
drochobair: mischief, pronounced /dro-'hobir/.
drochscal: a bad piece of news, pronounced /dro-kial/.
drochshaol: bad times, a phrase used to refer to the famine period of the 1840s. Pronounced /dro-he:l/.
drochthalamh: poor quality land, pronounced /dro-hlv/.
drom: back, or droim in GCh. In his works, PUL uses drom (in both the nominative and dative) for the actual back of something (a
person, an animal, a book, a range of hills), but drum for more derived usages, as in drum lmha, the back of a hand, i.e.
rejection of something; drum na taln, the face of the earth. Pronounced /droum/.
dronn: ridge, hump, with druinne in the genitive, pronounced /dru:n, drii/.
dronnach: humped, ridged, arched, with dronna in the genitive singular feminine here. Pronounced /dr'nx, dru'ni:/.
drum: back (in metaphorical uses), or droim in GCh. De dhrum, over (de dhrum an chnuic, over the hill); because of, on
account of (d drum, on account of it, referring to the pithiness of a verse in Ch26 here).
dua: trouble doing something. Roinnt d ndua dhfhil, to go to some trouble for them.
duais: prize. Duais aonair, a single prize.
dual: natural, to be expected of someone, used with do.
dbailt: double, pronounced /du:bihl/. Bhodh dbailt faid iontu, they were twice as long, twice the distance.
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Foclirn
dubh: black, with dbha in the plural, pronounced /duv, du:/.

dubh: something black; a potato blight; black ink. dhubh go dubh, from dawn till dusk. An dubh do chur na gheal ar dhuine,
to pull the wool over someones eyes, to fool him, paint him a false picture.
dbhaim, dchtaint: to darken, or dubham, dchan in GCh. Dbhadh is found as the verbal noun in PULs historical novel,
Niamh (dubhadh na gcnuc agus na gcoillte den uile shaghas daoine cruinnighthe rompi ann, p347). Pronounced /du:m,
du:xtint/. Impersonally used with ar: do dhbhadh agus do dhoirchodh ar na gniseannaibh acu, their faces glowered and
darkened.
dchalacan: a strict fast, including abstention from milk. Ar dchalacan, on a strict fast; having had nothing at all to eat.
duine: person. An duine is sometimes to be translated as someone or a person, as in Ch4 here: ag breith a bhaochais le Dia
nrbh an duine a bh marbh aige in inead na seanachaeireach. Duin uasal, gentleman, is found as one word, duinuasal, in
the original text, but is edited here as two words.
Duinerdach: someone with the surname Doinnerd or Donnarde, a rare surname now found as Uniacke in English.
dire: rigidity. Dul i ndire, to become rigid, inflexible.
dul uaidh: substantivised in the meaning escape, a way out.
dn: fort.
dr: grim, dour, sollen.
dthaigh: land, region, district, with the genitive singular dtha and the plural dtha. Pronounced /du:hig, du:h, du:'hi:/. These
forms correspond to diche, dich in GCh.
adach: clothes, but also a cloth.
adan: front, face. adan an chnuic, the brow of the hill. adan dna bheith ort, to have some front, display effrontery.
adrom: light, pronounced /iadrm/. Is adroma cleite n in Ch7 has adroma in the comparative where adroime is used in
GCh.
eagal: fear. This form of eagla tends to be used before prepositional pronouns using le and ar: is eagal liom, t eagal orm.
eagar: arrangement, order. Fear eagair, editor, used here to refer to people who are newspaper correspondents and not the
editors themselves.
aghmais: absence, lack, or agmais in GCh, pronounced /iami/. D aghmais sin, in spite of this, furthermore. In aghmais,
besides, other than, as well as.
eagla: fear, masculine here (an t-eagla), but feminine in GCh. Pronounced /gl/.
agir: injustice. The plural here is agrtha, where agracha stands in GCh.
agrtha: unjust, or agrach in GCh.
agruas: infirmity, malady.
eala: science, skill, or ealan in GCh, where the historical dative is used. The genitive plural is ealaon.
alam, al: to escape, make off. The verbal noun is al in GCh, but the pronunciation here is /ia'lo:/.
ealaondacht: skillfulness, or ealaontacht in GCh. As a subject in Maynooth College, this refers to philosophy or metaphysics of
some kind.
earrach: spring, pronounced /'rx/.
asca: easy, free, fluent, pronounced /e:sk/. PUL wrote in NIWU (p43) that asga would be better spelt aosga.
eascaine: curse, pronounced /skini/.
easln: sick person, invalid. Tigh na n-easln, infirmary.
easnamh: want, shortage. Pronounced /snv/.
easpag: bishop, pronounced /spg/.
eastt: estate, pronounced /'st:t/.
ide: vestments, uniform, armour. Glasta in arm s in ide, equipped with arms and accoutrements.
eidiraisnis: parenthesis; a remark made as an aside, or idiraisnis in GCh. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p38) shows this
word is pronounced /edir-a'ne:/. A spelling eidirfhaisnis would show the etymology in a clearer way (idir+faisnis) than the
Standardised spelling.
ifeacht: effect. In the plural, ifeachta means effects, i.e. things, goods, in a usage that appears to reflect English influence.
igean: violence, force. This word is masculine, but seems to be feminine in the dative, producing forms such as ar igin (barely,
hardly). The variant igint, found in ALs Irish (see ar igint in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p50), is not found in PULs published
works. See under ais for ar ais n ar igin. Note dob igean dibh, they had to.
igin: some. PUL doesnt use the colloquial form igint found in the Irish of other speakers of WM Irish, including AL (see l
igint in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p1)
ilm, ileamh: to demand, claim, with ar of the person something is demanded from.
im, amh: to cry out, pronounced /e:m:, e:v/.
ineacht: found in the phrase in ineacht, together, and in ineacht le, together with. This is adjusted from aonfheacht in the
original text. However, AL had aonacht in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh (e.g. p2). Pronunciations of /in e:nxt/, /in e:nxt/ and /n
e:nxt/ are found.
inne: anyone, or aon duine in GCh. This word was found as aoinne in the original text, probably to show the connect with the
word aon.
ir amach: uprising.
irm, ir: to rise. This word is pronounced /i'ri:m , i'r i:/ in WM Irish, and all cognates have /i/ too. ir as, to give
something up, stop doing it. ir amach, to rise up. ir suas, to grow up (of a child). ir sometimes has the simple
meaning of to go, as in irigh go dt tigh an tsagairt in Ch26 here.
irim: intelligence.
146
Foclirn
irleach: slaughter, havoc.

eisean: he, the disjunctive emphatic pronoun. Pronounced /in/.
istim/eistim, isteacht: to hear. Note that ist is normally /e:t/, but a byform eist is pronounced /et/. This form is used only in
the phrase eist do bhal, hold your tongue, or as an imperative meaning hush.
itheach: falsehood. Thugais ditheach, that was a lie; you are lying, where the s of thugais appears to delenite the following
titheach, producing ditheach.
eitm, eiteach: to refuse. Duine dheiteach, to refuse someone, turn him down.
elas: knowledge. An t-elas is pronounced /n to:ls/, with a broad t according to CFBB (p270), indicating that the e does not
slenderise a preceding consonant. On p41 of the LS version of Mo Scal Fin in elas is transcribed as a n-las.
fabhar: favour (i.e. a request performed for someone), pronounced /faur/. I bhfabhar do, in favour of.
fad: long ago.
fgaim, fgilt/fgaint: to leave, or fgaim, fgil in GCh. Both verbal nouns are found here. An gn fhgaint f dhuine, to
leave the matter up to someone to decide/to handle.
fibre: notch, groove; wrinkle, or firbre in GCh. Pronounced /f:biri/ in WM Irish.
faiche: green, lawn, pronounced /fh/ and spelt fatha in the original text.
faid: length, or fad in GCh. Ar a fhaid, lengthwise. Ar faid, in length. An fhaid, while, equivalent to fad or a fhad in GCh.
Cad an fhaid uait, how far away from you.
faill: cliff, or aill in GCh, with faille in the genitive. This appears to indicate pronunciations of /fail, fali/, although the
transcription fuelle in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh (p31) shows the genitive is more generally pronounced /feli/ in WM Irish.
faire: to watch, keep a lookout. Faire cht, to keep an eye out, be watchful or cautious. Lucht faire, look-outs. Lucht faire
aimsire, people who observe the course of events. Faire is used with fachaint in a usage similar to to wait and see in
English, although often better translated as just to see: bhodh s ag faire fachaint an dtiocfadh fear na sainnte chuige chun na
feirme do thgaint, he would (wait and) see if a greedy man would approach him to take the farm.
fairseag: wide, extensive, or fairsing in GCh. The original text had fairsing, but this is pronounced /frg/. See the spelling in
PULs Cmhairle r Leasa (p201) for evidence that he did have a broad g here.
fiscim, fscadh: to squeeze, press, tighten, bind. D bhfiscth a thuilleadh mise, if you had squeezed me anymore, with the
past subjunctive (corresponding to d bhfiscte in GCh). Where verbal endings starting with t become lenited, an epenthetic
vowel is often developed, and bhfiscth is transcribed in LS as vishgih (p39). See also /tughr/ and /tughi:/ as variant
realisations of tugtar and tugt for a similar process.
falla: wall, or balla in GCh.
fltas: a little supply of something, and by extension a fair amount of something, pronounced /f :lhs/.
fan: throughout, along, with the genitive. Fan lae, throughout the day. Fan is a corruption of ar feadh an. Also notice that fan
can take a pronoun directly: fan , along it. Fan a chile, parallel to each other.
fn: wandering, vagrancy. Imeacht le fuacht agus le fn, to be reduced to vagrancy.
fnaidh: slope, or fna in GCh. Fnaidh, pronounced /f:nig/, is found in the dative here (rith le fnaidh, to run down the
slope, or just to run down as English idiom will not always require a literal translation of fnaidh). The usage in PULs Crost
Mac D (Vol 1, p116) shows that he had fnaidh in the nominative of this word too: t tuitim an tailimh, n an fhnaidh, sos
chnoc Carmeil, agus Nasaret, go Caphrnum.
fanaim, fanint: to wait, stay, or fanaim, fanacht in GCh. Fanint siar ( rud), to get behind with something.
fann: weak, feeble.
faobhar: sharp edge. Pronounced /fe:r/. Arm faobhair, bladed weapons. The genitive can be pronounced /fi:r / according to
CFBB (p270). However, the original spelling is retained here, as PUL may have had /fe:r /. Faobhar ar do chainnt, speaking
sharply (as of someone raising his voice or becoming impassioned).
faoistin: confession.
f mar: just as, according as. The f here is derived from fibh, precisely, just as, and not from f, although the GCh form is faoi
mar, as if this were derived from f. F mar takes a direct relative clause.
f nder, f ndeara: cause, reason. Cad f nder ?, what is the reason for it? Cad f ndeara dhuit (rud a dhanamh)?, why did
you (do something)? There is an additional unrelated meaning also found here: thug s f ndeara, he noticed (thug s faoi
deara in GCh). Gearid Nuallin points out in his A Key to the Exercises in Studies in Modern Irish Part I, pp3-4, that in
Munster Irish it is usual to say tabhairt f ndeara for to notice, but f nder for cause, but in any case f ndeara may also be
found in the meaning of cause on the analogy of ferr/fearra. Pronounced /fe: na:r, fe: nar/.
f: under, or faoi in GCh. F dhin, towards, to meet, in aid of. Note the use of f to denote fractions: corinn fn bpnt, a
crown in the pound; a cig fichid fn gcad, 25%.
feabhas: excellence, pronounced /faus/. A fheabhas, how good, how well.
fachaim, fachaint: to look (at). Fachaint lom, to look thin. Fach air sin mar tharcaisne!, just imagine the insult!
Fachaint cht, to watch out, be careful, a phrase not adequately glossed in Irish dictionaries, such as FGB.
fachaint suas: prospect.
fachaint: cur fhachaint ar dhuine, to force or compel someone. This would be cur iallach or iachall ar dhuine in GCh. In his
notes to his Cath Ruis na R for Binn, PUL gives an explanation: cur fhiachaint ortha, to force them. We have also cur
fhiachaibh and chur iacholl. I have heard cur fhiachaint oftener than I have heard any of the others. I have always felt that the
fhiachaint is simply seeing, i.e. to put its seeing upon you, i.e. to let you see that you will do it. Any of them is better than
the ridiculous English Ill make you (p61). PUL uses this phrase without an intervening de, but the phrase generally occurs as
cur dfhachaint ar dhuine rud a dhanamh. Nor thuig Gladstone go raibh fhachaint ar inne cnamh a thabhairt dibh chun
an chosa san do bhaint amach, Gladstone didnt think anyone had to help them get that rent.
147
Foclirn
fead: whistle.
fadaim: I can. With regard to the final in chmh minic agus dfhadadar , see PULs comments on another passage in NIWU
(p145): this final is quite common in Irish where there seems to be nothing to represent it in English. Osgail an dorasn
fhadfinn . The omission of the in such a sentence would destroy the sense. The represents the thing which the speaker says
he cannot do.
feadar: I know, usually found in negative or interrogative contexts, with n fheadar meaning I dont know, I wonder. While this
verb is spelt n fheadair s in both the present- and past-tense meanings in GCh, there was traditionally a distinction between n
fheadair s, present tense, and n fheidir s, past tense, pronounced /ni: edir e:/. This distinction is found here, but Scalaocht
Amhlaoibh Lunse (e.g. n fheadair s on p25) shows that AL didnt have it.
feadh: ar feadh, throughout, during, pronounced /er fag/.
feall: deceit, evil, betrayal.
fearg: anger, with feirge in the genitive and feirg in the dative, pronounced /farg, ferigi, ferig/.
feargach: angry, pronounced /fargx/.
ferr, fearra: better. Fearra, /far/, is a colloquial form of ferr, /fa:r/. Fearra is more commonly used before dhuit, dho and
related prepositional pronouns: norbh fhearra dhom rud a dhanfainn n..., the best thing I could do would to be to...
fearthainn: rain, with fearthana here in the genitive where GCh has fearthainne. AL had fearthainne (see Seanachas Amhlaoibh,
p60).
feasta: from now on, henceforth.
feidhm: force, effect. Pronounced /fim/. Dul i bhfeidhm ionam, to affect me, have an impact on me, where the choice of
ionam rather than orm shows the deep level of impact that bad schooling has on a child. Rud do chur i bhfeidhm, to implement
something, bring it into effect.
fidir: possible. Note the difference between n fidir liom, I cannot, and n fidir dom, there is no way I can, suggesting a
more objective assessment of somethings possibility or impossibility.
file: vigil; feast-day, a word that originally referred to the vigil of the feast on the evening before the feast-day, but which later
came to denote the feast-day itself. L Fhile Brde, February 1st, St. Bridgets Day. L Fhil Pdraig, March 17th, St. Patricks
Day. While this is the only instance identified of L Fhil in PULs worksL Fhile Pdraig is more frequently run together as
L le Pdraig (Sgothbhualadh, pp6-8; Cmhairle r Leasa, pp238-239)PULs comments in NIWU (p112) show that uim
Fhil Brde, uim Fhil Pdraig (and also uim Fhil Mchl) were all found.
fin: self; own, pronounced /fe:n/ in WM Irish, or sometimes /he:n/, which form is prevalent in the rest of Ireland.
finig: self, a Munster colloquial variant form of fin.
feirm: farm, pronounced /ferim/.
feirmeir: farmer, pronounced /feri'mo:r/. Both feirmeirbh and feirmeiribh are found in the original text and retained here as
given.
feirmit: elements. I bhfeirmitbh, at great speed, pronounced /i verimiti:v/. Note: this word is always used in the plural. FGB
claims feirmit is a variant plural of firmimint, but PSD clarifies that feilmeint, elements historically became confused with
fiormaimeint, firmaments, producing the current form of this phrase in WM Irish.
feisire: member of Parliament, used with reference to members of the British Parliament in Westminster.
fith: sinew. Fith na foghlama, a natural inclination towards study.
feitheamh: to wait, a verbal noun pronounced /fihv/. Feitheamh is used with fachaint in a usage similar to to wait and see in
English, although often better translated as just to see: do stad an mistir ar feadh tamaill ag feitheamh fachaint cad
darfadh an tinenta, the master stopped for a while to see what the tenant would say.
fechaim, fechadh: to decay, or feoim, feo in GCh. Pronounced /fo:xim, fo:x/.
feil: meat, flesh. Feil do chur suas, to put on weight.
feirling: farthing.
fellta: this word is given in PULs transcription of a poem in Ch18 here. However, Riserd Foghludhas transcription in Amhrin
Phiarais Mhic Gearailt (p53) shows the word should be fltha. See flta in PSD, quiet, unspirited, stealthy. The meaning of the
original line a igfhir, nach fltha do chanair bharsa would be young man, who chanted a verse with such spirit. PULs form
seems to misunderstand the meaning, giving fellta, which he may have intended as the verbal adjective of felam, fel (i.e.
felaithe), which should mean wounded, cut, but which PUL may have regarded as meaning wounding, cutting here.
fiacal: tooth, or fiacail in GCh. This word is masculine here, but feminine in GCh. Note the epenthetic vowel in the plural, fiacla,
pronounced /fikl/.
fiach: debt, but sometimes cost, price. Fiacha a gcod fola, the price on their heads.
fiach: cur fhiachaibh, to force or compel someone. This would be cur dfhiacha in GCh. PUL uses this phrase without an
intervening de, but the phrase generally occurs in traditional Munster Irish as cur dfhiachaibh ar dhuine rud a dhanamh.
Fiacha literally means debts, and the use of fiacha reflects some kind of confusion with the related phrase cur dfhachaint.
PUL claimed in NIWU (p135) that there was a manifest difference between dfhiachaibh and fhachaint, with the former
meaning bound to do something, and the latter made to do something.
fiaclach: toothed, pronounced /fiklx/.
fiafram, fiafra: to ask (a question of someone), used with de. Pronounced /fir'hi:m, fir'hi:/.
fiain: wild. As the pronunciation is /fian/, there seems no reason for the GCh spelling, fiin, other than that the original spelling
was fiadhain. Imeacht fiain, to run wild, e.g. of unruly children.
fial: generous, liberal.
Fiann (an Fhiann): the roving band of warriors celebrated in the Fenian cycle of myths, becoming Fianna ireann in the plural.
fiaradh: the skyline, top of a hill, or for in GCh.
148
Foclirn
fiche: twenty. The classical genitive was fichead, with fichid in the dative. PUL usually uses fichid in the genitive, probably
reflecting an underlying noun fichead, which is attested in PULs authorised Foclir do Shadna (p57), explaining luach an
fhichid pnt in PULs novel Sadna (p64). However, PUL does use fichead once here in the genitive, in cheithre bliana fichead in
Ch5. This may reflect the hand of an editor, as well as a broadening of the d before the following word, n. Also note fichid in
the genitive plural here (ar feadh na bhfichid gln).
The large number of typographical errors in all of PULs works produced during his lifetime is problematic, as the
original texts are therefore unreliable. Fichid should be lenited following all singular nouns, and following plural nouns that end
in a slender consonant. In Ch9, deich gcinn fichid stood in the original text, but this has been edited here as deich gcnn fhichid,
which is backed up by the transcription deh gng ihid in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p25). Similarly, deich pbint fichid,
which occurs three times in that chapter has been edited here as deich bpint fhichid. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin altered
this to deh bint ihid in one of the three instances, but not in the other two (see pp27-28), but the preponderance of evidence in
PULs published works shows that lenition of fichid after a plural noun ending in a slender consonant is correct.
We read tr fichid blian in Ch17 here. Fiche takes the nominative singular (e.g. fiche bean, as adduced by PUL in Irish
numerals and how to use them, p12). Such usage historically reflects the fact that the genitive plural and nominative singular of
first- and second-declension nouns are often identical, yet fiche bean shows it is the nominative singular and not the genitive
plural that should be used. Nevertheless, PULs works regularly have tr fichid blian, and not tr fichid bliain, either as a calcified
form or as a general exception that applies where the genitive plural of a noun is identical to the nominative singular save for its
having a broadened ending . It is difficult to find attestation of tr fichid gln and tr fichid sl, but these should operate in a
similar fashion.
filocht: generally poetry, but found here in Ch15 and elsewhere to refer to an individual poem or verse.
Fnn (na Fnn): Fenians, a term that refers to clandestine groups who sought to achieve an independent Ireland by armed
revolution. Fenians is, in turn, derived from the Fianna ireann, warrior-bands celebrated in Irish mythology.
fnn: witness.
finneg: window, or fuinneog in GCh, with finneige in the genitive and finneig in the dative. Pronounced /fi'o:g/.
fionnn: course mountain grass, pronounced /fi'n:n/.
foruisce: spring water.
fios: knowledge. Fios a chur ar rud, to send for something.
flaitheas: heaven; kingdom. The original spelling here, flathas, has been adjusted to the accepted spelling, as it yields the same
pronunciation.
flaithiil: munificent, generous.
fliuchaim, fliuchadh: to wet (transitive); to get wet (intransitive).
fliuchra: wetness, wet weather, or fliuchras in GCh. F fhuacht agus f fhliuchra, out in the cold and wet. Pronounced /fluxr/.
fliit: flute.
flirseach: abundant, plentiful.
fo-: a prefix meaning sub-, under-; the odd one. Fochrta, in Ch19 here, the odd card. PULs spelling was foth chrta: the
spelling foth can be justified in cases such as foth-uair, found in PULs Aithris ar Chrost (p266): FGB has fo-uair, but PSD has
fo-huair, showing that the pronunciation is /fo-hur/.
focal: word, with foclaibh in the dative plural. Pronounced /fokl, fokliv/.
fochair: proximity, presence. I bhfochair, together with, in the presence of.
fd: sod of earth. An fd do sheasamh, to stand your ground.
foghla: highwayman, pillager.
foghlamam, foghlaim: to study, or foghlaimm, foghlaim in GCh. Pronounced /foul'mi:m, foulim/.
foghlamanta: learned. This is a variant of the verbal adjective foghlamtha, but tends to be used only in the phrase daoine
foghlamanta, educated/learned people.
fgra: announcement. Pronounced /fo:gr/.
foighne: patience, pronounced /fii/. Do bhris ar an bhfoighne aige, he lost patience. The Irish word foighne is broader in
meaning than the English word patience, including connotations of longsuffering and forbearance. This is clear from PULs
statement in Papers on Irish Idiom that the Irish for forgive and forget is is bre an fhoighne (p90).
firim, firithint: to succour, relieve, save, used with ar.
folir: excessive, superfluous. Pronounced /fl:r/. N folir dhanamh, it must be done.
folamh: empty, with folmha in the plural. Pronounced /folv, fo'lu:/.
follin: healthy, wholesome, pronounced /fl:n/.
fmhar: autumn, pronounced /fo:r/. As a noun starting with f, this takes eclipsis in the phrase sa bhfmhar, in the autumn.
fonn: desire, willingness, pronounced /fu:n/. Dfhonn, with a view to; in order to. Fonn lmhaigh air, he had an
inclination/mind to shoot.
fonnmhar: willing, desirous. Go fonnmhar, gladly. Pronounced /funvr/.
frleitheadil: expansive, broad.
formhr: majority, pronounced /for'vo:r/.
fosaocht: grazing, and by extension the grazing land itself.
fothain: shelter.
fothram: noise, din, pronounced /fohrm/.
Frainncis (an Fhrainncis): the French language, pronounced /fraiki/.
Franncach: Frenchman, where the traditional double n shows the diphthong: /fraukx/.
fraoch: heather.
149
Foclirn
freagairt: answering, replying. I bhfreagairt, in response, in retaliation.

freagra: answer, pronounced /fragr/.
freagraim, freagairt: to answer, reply to, or freagram, freagairt in GCh, pronounced /fragrim, fragirt/. An fhaid a fhreagair
an fheirm in Ch6 here means as long as the farm was productive in the sense of responding to cultivation. Glaeite do
fhreagairt, to meet demands (for rent).
fuadar: rush, hurry. Fuadar a bheith ft, to be up to something, bent on something.
fuafar: hateful, odious.
fuaimintiil: resounding, resonant. The chief meaning of fuaimintiil listed in FGB is fundamental, with fuaimintiil in the
meaning of resounding, resonant listed as a variant of the recommended form, fuaimneach. CFBB (p71) shows fuaimeatil (i.e.
/fum'tu:l/) as the correct dialectal form of this word.
fuarma: bench, or forma in GCh.
fuasclaim, fuascailt: to redeem, save, or fuasclam, fuascailt in GCh, pronounced /fusklim, fuskihl/. Lucht fuascalta,
rescuers.
fuiligim, fulag: to suffer, endure, or fulaingm, fulaingt in GCh. Pronounced /filigim, folg~fulg/.
fuilteach: bloody. This word has a short vowel in the first syllable, /filtx/.
fuinneamh: energy.
fuinniil: energetic.
funseg: ash tree.
fuollach: left-overs, remnants, or fulleach in GCh. PUL generally uses the spelling fughleach, but that he had the broad l more
generally found in WM Irish is shown by by gan oiread agus brsgar fuolaigh fhgil in his An Craos-Deamhan (p30).
fuiriste: easy, or furasta in GCh. See under uiriste.
fuirm: form, or foirm in GCh. Pronounced /firim/. Aon n i bhfuirm tabhairt suas, anything that resembled an education. Such
use of i bhfuirm probably reflects the influence of similar phrases in English.
fusaide: all the easier. This is a second comparative form, similar to ferrde, miste, dinide, meaning all the more X for it. PUL
normally has uiriste, usa and usaide in his works. Forms with f, as with gurbh fhusaide here, are normally found lenited,
showing that the form without f is preferable in the WM dialect.
gabhaim, gabhil: to take; go and a large range of other meanings, pronounced /goum , gv :l /. The original meaning of this verb
was to take, take possession of, receive, and it seems it has also come to mean to go following confusion between the lenited
forms of the verbal nouns gabhil and dul. However, use of gabhil to mean to go is of very long standing, and is not a new
development. Gabhil amach is frequently found here. Gabhann s f droichead in Ch30 here uses gabhil to indicate the course
of a river. It seems that gabhil cannot replace dul in all contexts. In Ch27, f mar a bhodh an cluiche ag gabhil le n ag
gabhil na gcoinnibh, just as the game went in their favour or against them, is an example of a use of gabhil that comes quite
close to being an equivalent of dul. Yet a nuance of distinction can be drawn between going in a purposeful sense (dul ar scoil,
to go to school, where gabhil cannot be used) and proceeding on your way in a more general sense (gabhil thar an scoil,
to go past the school).
The preterite is adjusted in this edition from ghaibh in the original to ghoibh, corresponding to ghabh in GCh, as the
pronunciation is /ov/ in WM Irish. Note the conditional autonomous do gef go maith air in Ch4: gabhil ar means to take
someone on, give him a beating, and it can be seen that the future and conditional forms of gabhaim, gebhad and do
ghebhainn, are aligned with those of the verb gheibhim (ghebhad or gebhad and do ghebhainn); compare gabhfaidh m and
ghabhfainn in GCh. PUL generally maintains a distinction between do gef and do ghef, the conditional autonomous of
gheibhim (q.v.).
Duine ghabhil na phrosnach, to take someone prisoner. Na focail d ngabhil ar dtis de ghlanmheabhair,
reciting/chanting the words by rote first (see FGB under gabh, I.4, speak, sing, recite). Gabhil do Chaesar, doing/working
on Caesar. Abha do ghabhil, to cross a river. Gabhaimse orm, Ill warrant; I bet. Gabhil de chosaibh i rud, to kick
something, and, by extension, to spurn something.
gabhar: goat, pronounced /gour/.
gach re: every other. With eclipsis: gach re mbuille, every other blow, every second blow (in the context of gach re mbuille i
gcoinnibh buailtera eile, taking it in turns with another thresher to strike a blow); gach re dturas, by turns. IWM 407
shows the pronunciation occasionally becomes /gaxiri/, but the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p29) indicates /gxr/, and so the
original spelling is maintained here.
gach: each, every. Gach aon, every, pronounced /g 'he:n/. Gach aon rud, everything, pronounced /g 'he:rd/. Gach inne,
everyone, pronounced /g 'he:i/. Gach aon bhall, everywhere, pronounced /g 'he:vl/.
gadhar: dog, pronounced /gir/.
Gaelainn (an Ghaelainn): the Irish language, or Gaeilge/an Ghaeilge in GCh, which has generalised use of the genitive.
Pronounced /ge:li/, with Gaelainne, /ge:lii/, in the genitive. Use of the definite article with language names is inconsistent in
Irish, and both usages are found here. While PUL normally writes Gaeluinne in the genitive, he does use Gaedhilge in the
phrases an buidhean/an Cuman chun na Gaedhilge do choimed be, probably reflecting the use of the spelling Gaedhilge in the
proper noun, which PUL, in any case, renders incorrectly, as the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language was known in
Irish as Cumann Buan-Choimedta na Gaedhilge. Both Gaeluinne and Gaedhilge in the original are edited in this edition as
Gaelainne.
gairbhal: gravel, pronounced /gri've:l/.
gire: a laugh, with both gir and gire found in GCh. Gire Shein dite, a hollow laugh. Gire is feminine here, but masculine
in GCh.
gairid: short, near. Gaol gairid, a close relative. This is pronounced /g r id / or /g ar id / according to CFBB (p119). The LS
150
Foclirn
version of Mo Scal Fin (p24) has geairid. Dhanfainn scal ana-ghairid do dhe, I could have cut the story very short for
him, used in Ch22 in reference to PULs temptation to tell the Charleville parish priest to keep his fee-paying school and find
another teacher.
girim, gir: to laugh, or girim, gire in GCh. In WM Irish, gire is a noun, meaning a laugh, whereas gir is the verbal
noun; GCh has gir/gire for the former and gire for the latter. Cis ghir, a cause of laughter, something to make you laugh.
gairithean: rough ground, rough pasture, or gairfean in GCh. Pronounced /grihn/.
gairm: call, vocation, pronounced /grim/. Gairm beatha, ones occupation, ones calling in life, where the b is not lenited on
account of the coincidence of homorganic labials (GCh has gairm bheatha). The nominative pluralgairmeacha in GChis not
attested in PULs published works, but gairmibh is found here in the dative plural, derived from a variant nominative plural
gairme.
gaisce: exploit.
gal: puff. Gal tobac, a smoke of tobacco.
galnta: decent, pronounced /gl:nt/.
Gall: foreigner, generally used of the English. Pronounced /gaul/.
Gallda: foreign; English; Protestant, pronounced /gaul/.
galinn: small can.
galn: a gallon; a gallon can.
gamhain: calf, with gamhna in the plural. Pronounced /gaun, gaun/.
gan: without. Gan lenites b, c, g, m and p (i.e., lenitable consonants other than dentals and f). However, gan does not lenite when it
governs whole phrases, including gan beann ar fhuacht and gan clampar den tsrd san here. Compare gan Bharla gan
Ghaelainn. A rule to clarify every single instance of lenition after gan seems difficult to devise, however. In this regard, note
PULs comments quoted in NIWU (pp140-141): chuadar abhaile gan creach gan cath, they went home without battle or spoils.
In this form the words creach and cath are taken in a generic sense, and the English is without spoil, without battle. Aspiration
of the words would signify that they were used in an individual manner, and the English would be without a spoil, without a
battle. The use of the initial aspiration in the Irish has the effect which the use of the indefinite article has in English. It turns
battle in general to an individual battle. For example, gan teas gan cmprd in Ch19 here seems to be a use of cmprd in a
generic sense (without any comfort), and all instances of gan+cmprd in PULs works are without lenition.
gannachiseach: scanty, or gannchiseach in GCh.
ganndal: gander, pronounced /gaundl/.
gaobhar: nearness, proximity, pronounced /ge:r/ and spelt gaor in the original text. N raibh in aon ghaobhar don ghustal
riachtanach ageam athair in Ch6 appears to be a slightly confused construction, combining n raibh mathair in aon ghaobhar
don ghustal riachtanach and n raibh aon ghaobhar ageam athair ar an ngustal riachtanach.
gaol: relationship; relative. P gaol a bh le Malachi aige, whatever relationship he had to Malachi. With gaolta in the plural in
the meaning of relative.
garbh: rough, uneven, pronounced /grv/.
garnishee: a legal term for an order served on a third party to settled a debt, as where a bank account is garnisheed by court order.
FGB has gairnis, but it seems clear this is merely the English loan word adapted to the Irish orthography and PUL uses the
English spelling here. Such terms are likely to have been used in English in 19th-century Irish-speaking communities.
garra: garden; potato patch.
gas: stalk; potato-stalk.
gasra: band, group of people, pronounced /gsr/. Such collective nouns in -ra (originally -radh) were once feminine, and an
ghasra is found in Papers on Irish Idiom (p46), but it is not known what alterations T. F. ORahilly introduced in his editing there
of a text by PUL. Gasra mr in Ch19 here shows the word was masculine in PULs Irish, which usage is adopted in GCh.
gastacht: cleverness, cunning.
gealacn: the central point of something prominent, as in gealacn a dh ghln, his knee-caps.
gealach: moon, pronounced /g'lx/.
geallint: promise, pledge, with geallna in the genitive; gealltanas in GCh.
gearn: complaint. Gearn a dhanamh, to complain. Gearn ar dhuine, to complain about someone. Pronounced /gra:n/.
gearnaim, gearn: to complain, pronounced /gra:nim, gra:n/.
gearradh: cutting (i.e., a channel or passage).
gearraim, gearradh: to cut. Gearradh amach, to reduce: laciste ghearradh amach do dhuine, to give someone a reduction.
gearrchaile: young girl, pronounced /garxli/.
gillsine: allegiance. Americnach ghillsine, American by nationality. PUL wrote in a letter to Sr. Mirghrad Mhuire dated
August 10th 1916 held in the G1,278 collection of manuscripts in the National Library of Ireland that gillsine was not a living
word but that PUL was seeking to revive it.
gemhreadh: winter, pronounced /gi:ri/.
gheibhim, fil: to get, find. This is the absolute form of the verb faighim; the distinction is not observed in GCh, which has
faighim alone. The past participle used here is generally flta, /f:lh/ corresponding to faighte in GCh. Fachta is sometimes
found in WM Irish with the same meaning, as in Ch19 here. C ghebhadh dul ann?, who would get to go there?, a
construction that appears to be influenced by English. Marbh a gef ann me in Ch10 here is the conditional autonomous of
gheibhim although PUL generally has ghef as the conditional autonomous of gheibhim and gef as the conditional autonomous
of gabhaim (the latter being unlenited in lenitable circumstances). See for example is mo thuairim lidir go bhfaighf nos m
daoine dlse ar Ghaelaibh n mar a ghef i nisinaibh eile in Ch15 here. Seanachas Amhlaoibh shows that AL had a lenited
ghef (pp48, 83 and elsewhere), but other speakers of the WM dialect have gef in the autonomous of both verbs. However, do
151
Foclirn
gef is retained here, because there is a further instance of the unlenited form in PULs works: nuair marbhchthaidhe Mac Con
an uair seo nr bhaoghal gur bh Dodara gebhfaidhe marbh i n-inead Mhic Con (Lughaidh Mac Con, pp52-53). It is possible
that this too is a typographical error.
giobal: rag. Na ghioblaibh, in pieces, in tatters, in rags. Pronounced /gubl, gubliv/.
giolla: groom, guide, gillie, pronounced /gul/. See the note under Ch14 for An Giolla Rua.
giorracht: shortness, of a period of time. Pronounced /gi'r xt/. Giorracht faid, range. D ghiorracht a bhos ann, however
short was my time there.
giorrae: hare, or giorria in GCh. The plural giorraithe is found here, where GCh has giorriacha. Pronounced /gi're:, girihi/.
giists: district justice, magistrate, with giists in the plural.
glac: handful, with glaice and glaic in the genitive and dative. Lan a ghlaice de, a handful of. Na ghlaic, in his grasp, in his
hands. Pronounced /glk, glki, glk/.
glacaim, glacadh: to accept. This word takes a direct object in traditional WM Irish (rud a ghlacadh), whereas GCh has glacadh
le rud. The verbal adjective here is glacaithe, where GCh has glactha.
glaise: rivulet, stream, pronounced /gli/.
glan: clean. Dh fhrinne ghlan, two plain/clear truths (see the notes to Ch21). As a meabhair glan, totally out of their minds.
glanaim, glanadh: to clean. Iarann do ghlanadh i bhfirnis, to purify iron in a furnace. Also to clear, of an account.
glao: call, vocation. Note this word is feminine here, but masculine in GCh.
glaoch: call, including demands made by creditors. With glaeite in the plural, equivalent to glaoite in GCh, which spelling would
yield the wrong pronunciation in WM Irish. Pronounced /gle:x, gle:t i/. Glaoch ola, a priests sick-call, i.e. the summoning of a
priest to anoint the sick or administer the last rites. Glaoch is masculine here (and in PULs Cmhairle r Leasa, p154), as it is in
GCh; yet the word is feminine in PULs Sliabh na mBan bhFionn (p16), possibly by way of an editorial confusion, influenced by
the fact that glao is feminine in PULs Irish.
glas: green/grey, with glais in the masculine singular genitive. Pronounced /gls, gli/.
glasta: equipped. IWM 283 indicated that the verb glasaim, glasadh was pronounced with /e:/, and not /ia/, whereas the
cognate noun had /ia/ (compare IWM 130), but it seems this may have been a presumption made by Brian Cuv based on a
number of poetical forms found. The spelling found in the original here is glasta, but the spelling used in PULs Niamh (gleusta
on p256) shows the verb did have /ia/ in PULs Irish.
gleic: struggle, contest, pronounced /glek/.
gligeal: brilliant white; dear. An original medial -gh- has become delenited in WM Irish.
glineach: lucid.
glire: glory, or glir in GCh.
glr: sound, voice, with glrtha in the plural.
gluaisim, gluaiseacht: to proceed, move, go. In PULs works, this verb is generally in the first conjugation in the present tense
(gluaisim, gluaiseann s) and the past tense (do ghluaiseas, do ghluais s). Ghluais, ghluaiseas and ghluaiseadar are all found in
the text of Mo Scal Fin. The future (gluaised, gluaiseidh s), conditional (do ghluaiseinn, do ghluaisedh s, and the past
habitual (do ghluaisnn, do ghluaisodh s) are in the second conjugation, with a mixture of forms (gluais in the singular and
gluaisidh/gluaisdh in the plural) in the imperative in PULs works. Ghluaisodh is found in Ch27 here (f mar a ghluaisodh an
cluiche le n na gcoinnibh, according as the game went in their favour or against them). Extraneous forms that do not fit this
pattern are also found, including ghluaisighean (Sgothbhualadh, p50), ghluaiss (Na Cheithre Soisgil, p274) and ghluaisids
(Sadna, p50).
glin: generation; knee. PUL uses the historical dative for the nominative here, but the historical nominative, gln, nevertheless
reappears in his Irish for the genitive plural: ar feadh na bhfichid gln. Also note gealacn a dh ghln, where gln stands in the
genitive dual (the dative dual being dh ghlin).
gn: business, affair. Daon ghn, deliberately, on purpose. Lucht gntha poibl, people who concern themselves with public
affairs, has the genitive singular.
gnis: face, countenance. PUL glossed this word in NIWU (p60) as the face as giving expression to the mind and its passions or
energies; the equivalent of the Latin vultus. The dative plural is found both as gniseannaibh and gnisibh here.
go leith: and a half, pronounced /gili/.
goblach: choice morsel, used with especial reference to a mouthful of butter fresh from a churn. Pronounced /goblx/.
goile: stomach; appetite, pronounced /gili/.
goillim, goilliint: to adversely affect or goillim/goilleadh in GCh, used with ar.
goinim, goin: to wound, with the verbal adjective gunta, wounded. Both gunta and gonta are found in the original text, where
GCh has gonta. Pronounced /ginim, gin, gunt/.
goirgeach: rough, severe, pronounced /gorigx/. Compare gairgeach in GCh.
gonadh: so that, a literary word formed from go and the dependent form of the copula (gur and gura are also so formed, but this is
a rare calcified form). Gonadh sin mo scalsa go nuige sin, so that is my story up till that point. Pronounced /gun/.
gort: field; crop.
gorta: hunger, famine.
gortam, gort: to hurt, injure.
grabber: the use of the English word here to refer to tenants who grabbed the land, at low rents, of those evicted by the landlords
indicates this English word was in widespread use among native speakers of Irish in the 19th century. De Bhaldraithes English-
Irish Dictionary suggests graibela taln for grabber.
grd: grade, class. Duine chur f ghrd sagairt, to ordain someone as a priest.
grin: hatred, disgust.
152
Foclirn
grinnilacht: abhorrence, or grinilacht in GCh.

grnna: ugly. This word is indeclinable in GCh, but the comparative is found as grinne here. Pronounced /gr:n, gr:i/.
grsaeireacht: cattle dealing, adjusted from grsireacht in the original text. CFBB (p129) shows grsaeir has a broad s:
/gr:'se:r/.
grathain: swarm, rabble, a collective noun with a pejorative nuance. Grathain slibhte, a group of pesky, tiny mountains.
greadaim, greadadh: 1. to scorch. Greadadh cht!, confound you: this phrase is derived from greadadh tr lr do scairt!, may
your entrails be scorched!, but the authorised Foclir do Shadna (p66) explains that the force of this expression was much
weakened. 2. to strike, attack. Greadadh na mbas, slapping/clapping the palms of your hands, used here of clapping to
welcome someone, but also used as a gesture in expression of grief.
greannr: funny, or greannmhar in GCh, pronounced /gra'nu:r/. PUL clarifies in NIWU (p61) that this word means queer,
comical, peculiar, but not witty.
greas: a turn, a bout, or dreas in GCh. Greas codlata, a nap.
Grigis (an Ghrigis): the Greek language.
greim: grip (or an obligation on someone), with greamanna in the plural, pronounced /grim, gramn/. Greim do bhogadh, to
loosen a hold that someone has on someone.
grosach: hot ashes, embers, also given in FGB as an adjective meaning glowing. This is the name given to a horse in Ch17 here.
grosaim, grosadh: to inflame, incite; to set someone off, corresponding to grosam and gros in GCh.
grua: brow (of a hill).
gruaim: gloom, surliness.
gruama: glum, dejected.Spelt gruamdha in the original, this word is, or can be, pronounced /grumh/.
gruth: curds, as in curds and whey.
guagadh: an act of wobbling, moving to and fro.
guala: shoulder, with gualainn in the dative, which form has replaced the nominative in GCh.
gunna: gun.
gunta: wounded, but also sharp, incisive, subtle, as in Ch26 here. This would be gonta in GCh.
guntacht: sharpness, incisiveness, subtlety, or gontacht in GCh.
gurb, gurbh: the combination of the conjunction go and the copula, pronounced /gurb~grb, gurv~grv/.
gustal: means, wealth, resources.
guth: voice; sound. The plural found here is gutha, where GCh has guthanna, which form is also found in PULs works.
i ganfhios: unbeknown, unawares. Pronounced /'gns/. I ganfhios dom, without my knowledge. I ganfhios dinne be,
unbeknown to anyone at all. PUL original spelling was a gan fhios dom, but this is better written as one word, as gan does not
generally lenite an f.
i gcmhair: for, in store for. This phrase was uniformly spelt i gcir in the original, in line with PULs view (see NIWU, p24) that
this phrase derives from cir, proper arrangement (among other meanings) and not cmhair, presence. He indicated he did
not have a nasal vowel in this phrase, but the issue is complex, as his etymology seems faulty ( The Dictionary of the Irish
Language has i gcomhair) and it is possible that i gcmhair has become conflated with a separate phrase i gcir, ready in WM
Irish. In any case, nasalisation is not a noted feature of modern-day WM Irish, and so the GCh form produces the correct
pronunciation. Im chmhairse, for me, ready for me.
i: in. I becomes ins before the article (in san, in sna), and before gach in WM Irish. I n-r in the original is edited here as nr, and
i nbhr is edited here as nr. For a similar approach, see pp6-7 of Aithris ar Chrost (the LS edition, which was published in
1930 with LS and the normal spelling on opposite pages), where Shn Cuv transcribes i n-r mbeatha as nr meaha, and
pp106-107 of the same work, where Shn Cuv transcribes i nbhr gcroidhe as nr gry. At aigne is edited here as it aigne,
with ad fhear in Ch24 being adjusted to it fhear; spelling of such forms is somewhat haphazard in PULs published works. In
PULs works, ina is nearly always found either as n-a or (before a vowel) as i n, showing the monosyllabic pronunciations /n/
and /n/. This usage is retained here (as na and in); rare counterexamples are adjusted in this edition, such as n-a aturnae
corinneach in the original text of Ch29, which is edited here as in atrnae corinneach. Similarly i n-a inead san in Ch29 is
edited here as in inead san. Chuirfids neart i n-a chile in Ch31 is edited here as chuirfids neart na chile.
iallait: saddle, or diallait in GCh. Pronounced /ilit/.
iarann: iron. Bthar iarainn, railway.
iarracht: attempt, try.
iarraim, iarraidh: to ask; to attempt. This verbal noun is used, not as ag iarraidh, but a diarraidh.
iarsma: remnant, remains.
iasacht: loan. The genitive, iasachta, is used as an adjective meaning borrowed; foreign, strange, from outside.
idir: between, among. The transcription idr in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p2) indicates that the pronunciation of this word
is often /dir/, losing the initial syllable. Note eadrainn, between us, and eatarthu, between or among them,
pronounced /dri, trh/. Idir lenites a following noun, but in the idir... agus..., both... and..., construction, only the nearest
noun is lenited, e.g. idir Bharla agus Gaelainn. Idir chorp ceart in Ch15 shows omission of the agus that would be expected
before ceart. See PSD under idir for a mention of the omission of the agus in the idir.. agus... construction. Idir chorp ceart is
possibly influenced by idir chorp anam, both body and soul, and appears to mean both them and their justice. An scal
eatarthu, the case at issue between them.
m: butter, with the length of the vowel shown here. The genitive has a short vowel: ime.
imbriathar: really! upon my word! PUL used the spelling ambriathar in the original.
imeall: edge. Ar imeall an tsl, at the edge of the crowd.
imeallach: bordering. R-imeallach ar an mbruach, too close to the edge.
153
Foclirn
imiginiil: remote.
imm, imeacht: to go, go away. Note that the participle, imithe, is stressed on the second syllable: /i'mihi/. R-imithe, too far
gone. Imigh ort, go on. Imeacht gan teacht, to go for good and never come back. Gur imigh s agus gur dhol s iad, that
he went and betrayed them, an idiom that parallels and may reflect the influence of the English to go and do something.
imreas: strife, discord, pronounced /imirs/.
imrim, imirt: to play, or imrm, imirt in GCh. Pronounced /imirim, imirt/. Imirt ort, to affect or trouble you, of an illness.
in: a form of the demonstrative pronounce sin used after the copula (bin, nch in, etc). Often incorrectly written shin. As the s of sin
derives from the present-tense copula, there should be no s when used with forms of the copula that do not end in s. Correct
spelling of this word also yields the correct pronunciation.
inbhear: estuary, pronounced /invr/.
inead: unit; place, or ionad in GCh. Pronounced /ind/ in WM Irish. In inead, instead of, in the place of. Inead folamh, a spare
place, as in a college. Inead cnaithe, dwelling place, dwelling.
informer: this word is given in English here, indicating that Irish speakers generally used the English word in the context of someone
who gave information to the authorities on Irish radicals and their activities.
inon: daughter, with inn in the dative. The dative plural inonaibh is used here, in contradistinction to the plural inonacha of
GCh. Note also that the genitive plural used with beirt is inon too.
inichaim, inichadh: to scrutinise.
inn: yesterday, pronounced /i'ne:/, as if with a single n. Inn roimis sin, the previous day.
innor: act of grazing, or inor in GCh. Pronounced /i'i:r~i'e:r/. Ag innor ar, grazing on (some kind of grass).
inniu: today, /i'nuv/. The final consonant heard in the pronunciation is left untranscribed, as it was not indicated in the historical
orthography and is not indicated in the spelling adopted in GCh. The spelling aniogh was found in the works of Seathrn Citinn.
nse: inch, watermeadow.
nsim, nsint: to tell, or insm, insint in GCh. Inis and innis are both found in the preterite in the original text: the single instance of
innis, in Ch8, is amended to inis in this edition. IWM shows that /i'ni/ and /i i / (as well as /n i /) are both found. The future is
nesfad, where GCh has inseoidh m.
ntinn: intention, spirit, mind. Ar an ntinn gcanna, with the same intention, for the same purpose.
iomln: full, whole, entire, pronounced /um'l:n/.
iompam, iompil: to turn, change, or iompam, iomp in GCh. Pronounced /u:m'pi:m, u:m'p:l/. Iompil ar dhuine, to turn to
or on someone.
ionin: dear, beloved, pronounced. A chirde ionine!, my dear friends! my dear people!.
iothla: granary, barn, with iothlann in the genitive and iothlainn in the dative, which form has replaced the nominative in GCh.
Pronounced /ihl, ihln, ihli/, although IWM 321 points out that AL pronounced this word /i'he:l/.
isteach: inside (with motion), pronounced /i'tax/. Isteach thar cla an bhthair, over the fence/rampart in the road, where
isteach adds a sense of motion to the preposition thar.
istigh: inside, pronounced /i'tig/. Bheith istigh is used as a noun meaning lodgings/shelter for the night: bheith istigh
thabhairt do dhuine, to give someone lodgings for the night; to allow someone to stay; to afford him shelter.
inadh: wonder, surprise, or ionadh in GCh. Pronounced /u:n/. This word slenderises the n of the article: an inadh, /in u:n/
(see CFBB, p270). Inadh is consistently feminine in PULs works, but feminine in GCh. N nch inadh, unsurprisingly, or
simply, of course.
intach: wonderful, or iontach in GCh. Pronounced /u:ntx/.
intaoibh: confidence, trust, or iontaoibh in GCh. Pronounced /u:n'ti:v/.
July: the month of July was traditionally referred to as July, even by Irish speakers. In the modern period, the formerly obsolete word
Iil has been revived and popularised.
l: day, with l in the dative in the phrase de l agus doche, by day and by night, /d lo: gs di:hi/. Note nor thinig l d
chumhneamh riamh chm, I never thought for a moment, literally, a day of its thought never came to me. See under
caileann, file and samhain for L Coille, L Fhile Brde, L Fhil Pdraig and L Samhna. L saoire, holy day, church
festival. Go l, until daybreak.
labhairt: speaking, but, as a noun, labhairt cheart (ar fhocal) is used in Ch30 here to mean the correct pronunciation (of a
word). Pronounced /lourt/.
labhraim, labhairt: to speak, or labhram, labhairt in GCh. Pronounced /lourim, lourt/.
laciste: discount, rebate.
lacha: duck, with lachan in the genitive.
lagachar: weakness, faintness. Pronounced /lgxr~l'gxr/. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p18) has lagchar.
lagam, lag: to weaken; grow weaker; fade, in both transitive and intransitive meanings.
Laidean (an Laidean): Latin, or Laidin in GCh, which uses the historical dative. The original spelling in Ch5 here was Laidion.
The genitive is Laidne and the dative Laidin, but the original text sometimes gives the nominative for the dative. Note the
pronunciations /ladn, lai, ladin/.
lidir: strong, with lidre in the plural. Pronounced /l:dir, l:diri/.
laige: weakness, pronounced /ligi/. Dul i laige, to grow weak/faint.
limhselaim, limhseil: to handle, wield.
lir: mare.
laisteas: to the south, pronounced /l'tas/.
laistiar: to the west, behind, pronounced /l'tir/.
laistigh: inside, within, pronounced /l'tig/.
154
Foclirn
laistos: beneath, pronounced /l'ti:s/.

lithreach: presently, without delay; present, pronounced /l:rhx/. Lithreach bonn, /l:rhx boun/, on the spot, instantly.
lithren: ground, site. Lithren arbhair, corn threshing-floor. Pronounced /l:r'h:n/.
lmh: hand. Note that the nominative singular (and genitive plural) is pronounced /l :v/ with the genitive singular ( lmha) and the
nominative plural (lmha) both pronounced /l:/. PUL stated in NIWU (p70) I never see lmha written as the genitive of lmh. I
have always heard it spoken. Consequently, in his works the genitive is generally given, not as limhe, but as lmha. Where, as
in Ch11, limhe is found in the original, this is adjusted here to lmha. The dative singular (limh) and the dative plural
(lmhaibh) are both pronounced /l:v/. PUL was insistent that this word had a nasal vowel, and thus was audibly distinct from
l, day, but such nasalisation is not a feature of modern-day WM Irish. I ndiaidh lmha, behind or in arrears (e.g. with the
rent), /i ni l:/. Duine thabhairt chun lmha, to capture/arrest someone, bring him to justice. Rud do theacht chun lmha,
for something to come to hand. Lmh do chur i rud, to play a part in something, have a hand in it, and thus, in Ch24, s me
chuir an chad lmh ann, since I was the first one to take an interest in him. Rud do thgaint ar do limh fin, to take
something into safe keeping, look after it, take charge of it.
lmhach: shooting, with lmhaigh in the genitive. Pronounced /l:x, l:g/.
lmhaim, lmhach: to shoot. Pronounced /l:m, l:x/. The future form lmhfad is shown in the LS version of PULs Sadna as
pronounced /l:d/ (ldsa on p52 of Shina), but /l:fd/ is indicated in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (lfad on p11). A
pronunciation of /l:hd/ could be recommended here.
lamhlaim, lamhil: to grant, remit. Pronounced /l'v:lim, l'v:l/.
landlord: the English word is given with a dative plural ending, landlordibh, in Ch16 here, in an indication that the English word was
in common use among native speakers of Irish in the late 19th century. In Ch27 the nominative plural is given as landlorda, with
a broad d before the ending.
lann: blade (of a spear). Lbadh lann, clashing of spears. Lann is found in the dative singular here.
ln: couple, or lnin in GCh, where the dative has replaced the nominative. The dual form an d lnin is found here.
lasmu: outside, or lasmuigh in GCh. Pronounced /ls'mu/, the spelling lasmuich was used in the original, probably to indicate that
there is no slender g in this word. Lasmu dhom in Ch4 here means beyond me, farther out from the fire than where I was.
lastoir: to the east, pronounced /ls'tir/.
lastuaidh: to the north, pronounced /ls'tug/.
lastuas: above, pronounced /ls'tus/.
lthair: spot, location. Ar an lthair, on the spot.
leabaidh: bed, or leaba in GCh. The traditional dative has replaced the nominative in WM Irish. Pronounced /l abig /.
leabhairn: little book, booklet, pronounced /lou'ri:n/.
leabhar: book, pronounced /lour/. Thabharfainn an leabhar go, I could have sworn that ....
leac: flagstone, with lic in the dative. Pronounced /lak/. Leac an tntein, hearthstone.
leacht: grave-mound, monument over a grave.
leagaim, leagadh: to knock down, fell, or leagaim, leagan in GCh. Cos a leagadh do dhuine, to lower/reduce someones rent.
leamhnacht: new milk, pronounced /launxt/.
leanbh: child, with linbh in the genitive. Pronounced /lanv, liniv/.
lann: learning; branch of studies. This word is not often found in the plural, but lannaibh is used in the dative plural here to refer
to the literatures of various European countries.
leas: good, well-being. Do leas a dhanamh, to do what it is in your interest to do, to do the right thing for yourself.
las: lease (on land/property), pronounced /le:s/. Las i bpirt, a lease held jointly and severally, where each leaseholder is
separately liable for the whole amount of the rent. Las a thitim, for a lease to run out and come up for renewal. Las a
bhriseadh, to break a lease.
las: ray, glimmer. Las elais, a glimmer of knowledge, pronounced /lias o:li/. The pronunciation of this word contrasts with
/le:s/ for the unrelated word las, lease.
leasam, leas: to manure.
leasainm: nickname, pronounced /las-anim/.
leataoibh: i leataoibh, or i leataobh in GCh, to one side. Pronounced /i la-'ti:v/. This word uses an old dative of taobh, taoibh,
which is not often found with the noun taobh itself in PULs works. Margadh an leataoibh, a one-sided bargain.
leath: half. N dhanfadh an chainnt fhada Bharla an d mholadh leath chmh deas agus dheineann an d fhocal sa Ghaelainn
iad, the long English phrase would not express praise for the two things half as nicely as do the two words in Irish.
leath: side, with leith in the dative. F leith, separate, special, remarkable. I leith do lmha deise, to your right. Anso i leith go
tigh Mhchl, over here to Michaels house. Rud do chur i leith dhuine, to accuse someone of something.
leathacra: half an acre, pronounced /lah-kr/.
leathaim, leathadh: to spread, widen. The verbal adjective leata is found here: leata amach fm shilibh, laid out in front of me.
leathbhfabhar: half-favour, pronounced /la-vaur/.
leathbhliain: half a year; six months, pronounced /la-flin/.
leathchorinn: half a crown, or 2/6 in the old coinage. Pronounced /la-xro: /.
leathghlin: one knee.
leathlmhach: one-handed, and by extension distressed, wretched, of the weather. Pronounced /l ah-l :x/.
leathlomrachta: half-naked, pronounced /lah-lomrxt/. Leathlomrachta would be leathnocht or leathlomnocht or a number of
other phrases in GCh.
leathnam, leathn: to spread out, widen, pronounced /lah'ni:m, lah'nu:/.
leathphinge: hapenny, or leathphingin in GCh. Pronounced /lafii/. Often with a further attribute: leathphinge cosa,
155
Foclirn
leathphinge dolaochta, leathphinge airgid.

leathscal: excuse, or leithscal in GCh. Pronounced /la'kial/.
leathshobhran: half a sovereign, or 10 shillings in the old coinage. Pronounced /la-hovrn/.
leibhal: level, the noun. Pronounced /li've:l/. Ar aon leibhal, on one level. Agus a phiostal ar leibhal aige, with his pistol
drawn/levelled.
leibhalta: level, the adjective, pronounced /li've:lh/.
lic: failing, weakness.
leice: sickly, delicate, spelt leicthe in the original, but pronounced /leki/ according to the transcription in the LS version of Mo
Scal Fin (p9). Leice was originally the participle of leogaim, meaning, fundamentally, laid out.
leiceacht: sickness, delicacy, spelt leictheacht in the original. Pronounced /lekxt/.
leighim, leaghadh: to melt, dissolve, or leim, le in GCh. Pronunced /lim, li/ in WM Irish.
leighsim, leigheas: to remedy, cure, leigheasaim, leigheas in GCh. Pronounced /liim, lis/.
lim, l: to read, or lim, lamh in GCh. The verbal noun was historically ligheadh and was so spelt in the original text here.
lirm, liri: to make clear, explain. Lirodh dom, it became clear to me.
lirscrios: destruction, devastation.
leithid: the like; something like it. A leithid seo, its like this as an introductory statement.
leitir: letter, pronounced, or litir in GCh. This word means both a letter as in a written form of communication and a letter of the
alphabet. Found as both leitir and litir in the original text, the plural is leitreacha. Pronounced /letir, letirx/.
leitir: side of a hill. The pun in an leitir n litear refers to the fact that the loanword litir, letter, has fallen together with leitir,
side of a hill, in WM Irish, with both pronounced /letir/.
leogaim, leogaint: to let, allow, or ligim, ligean in GCh. PUL uses the spelling leigim in the original, influenced by classical
norms, but the WM pronunciation of this word is /l ogim , l ogint /. Leogaint ort, to make out, let on, pretend. Do shile
leogaint ar rud, to set your eyes on something. Tu fin a leogaint sos, to lower yourself down. Rud a leogaint uait, to let go
of something. leogaint le duine, to let someone have his own way in a matter.
len: lion. Note that PUL has len bu here for lion and len breac for cheetah; siot would be the GCh word for the latter.
lerghnomh: restitution, compensation. A slender r (leirghnomh) is shown in this word in PULs Sadna (p153). Such
assimilation to the slender ghn may be inferred, but is not explicitly shown in the spelling found in the original text here.
liathrid: ball. Pronounced /lir'ho:d/. Liathrid coise, football. Liathrid lmha, handball.
liathridn: little ball, pronounced /lir'ho:di:n/.
ln t: household, or lon t in GCh. The n appears to be slenderised owing to the slender t that follows. PUL hyphenates this as ln-
tghe in the original.
lne: line, with lnte in the plural. While PUL normally uses the plural after numerals over two, occasional use with the singular is
found, as with cheithre lne here.
lnn: period, or linn in GCh. Lena lnn sin, meanwhile, just then. Note the long vowel here, /li:/, whereas linn, with us, has a
short vowel, /li/.
lofa: fluent, polished, as of someone with a skilful use of language.
lofacht: fluency, polish.
lomhaim, lomhadh: to smooth, polish. Pronounced /li:m, li:/.
lon: flax, linen. Strice ln, a strip of linen.
lonaim, lonadh: to fill, or to reload, of a gun in Ch29 here.
li: shout, howl. Li do dhul amach ort, to be the object of some kind of cry or accusation, to be labelled or called something.
liim, liireach: to yell, shout. Liireach i ndiaidh dhuine, to yell at someone: in Ch27 we read do lif Grabber! na dhiaidh,
he would be called a Grabber; people would shout Grabber at him. Note that, as a feminine verbal noun, liireach becomes
ag liirigh in the dative, /i lu:rig/, a distinction not observed in GCh.
lobhaim, lobhadh: to rot, decompose, pronounced /loum, lou/.
loch: loch, lake. An loch amach, transportation, as a penal sentence. Loch is masculine in PULs works and in the GCh, but
generally feminine in the Irish of other speakers of the WM dialect (see Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p7). Consequently, we have loch
here in the dative, where loich is found in ALs Irish.
locht: fault, flaw.
loiloch: milch-cow, a cow kept for milk, pronounced /lo'li:x/.
loingeas: ships, pronounced /lis/. This word occurs as an loingeas, a collective word meaning shipping in GCh, but is
regularly used as the plural of long, ship, in WM Irish. PUL stated in NIWU (pp16, 74) I have never heard any plural for long
but loingeas and in some parts of the country the word is singular and means shipping.
loirgim/loirgm, lorg: to search, seek, or lorgam, lorg in GCh. Pronounced /lorigim~lori'gi:m, lorg/.
listn: lodgings, accommodation. Listn a thgaint, to take lodgings, a phrase that appears to be influenced by English, as the
fundamental meaning of tgaint in Irish is to lift.
loitim, lot: to spoil, ruin, pronounced /lotim, lot/.
lom: bare; exact. Lom dreach, straight, directly, at once. Lom dirribh, actually, in dead earnest, totally serious.
l: smaller, smallest, the comparative of beag. N l n, with a relative clause, neither, much less: n l n mar ab fhidir aon
locht fhil ar an arn, neither could anything be found wrong with the bread.
luasc: oscillation, tremor.
luascadh: swinging, oscillating. Luascadh taln, earthquake.
luascaim, luascadh: to swing.
luascarnach: an act of oscillating. As a feminine verbal noun, this becomes ag luascarnaigh when used with ag in the dative.
156
Foclirn
luath: quick. Luath lidir, strong and active.

luathacht: speed, especially in d luathacht, how fast. Note that this would be d luaithe in GCh: d luaithe is also used in WM
Irish (e.g. Sadna, p119), but d luathacht is many times more frequently encountered in PULs works.
lucht: people, e.g. lucht na scoile, the people at the school; lucht machnaimh, thinking people; lucht gntha poibl, people
who concern themselves with public affairs. Pronounced /loxt/.
lughead: smallness; fewness, or laghad in GCh, pronounced /li:d/ in WM Irish. D lughead , however small. A lughead d
fhios a bh ag an sagart bocht d go, how little that poor priest knew (that).
lum, lu: to lie. Im lu, lying, and, by extension, ill in bed.
luochn: lying down, confinement. Thiocfadh luochn trom orm, I would be laid up with a serious illness.
Lnasa: August. Oche Lnasa, August 1st, Lammastide.
ltlaim, ltil: to cringe, fawn.
m: if. Note idiomatic uses in sentences such as thinig an writ; m thinig nor chuir Carey aon tsum ann, where m thinig
means something like even so.
mac mic: grandson, a more natural Irish word than the garmhac recommended in GCh. Garmhac is not attested in PULs works.
macnta: meek, honest. T go macnta, it is, indeed, an expression of humble assent.
machaire: plain.
macshamhail: copy, or macasamhail in GCh, which form is referred to by PUL as a possible variant pronunciation in NIWU
(p74). On p75 therein, he wrote macleabhar is also used for a copy of a book. I have never heard the word cip used except in a
disparaging sense for a class of people. Pronounced /m'kaul/.
madra: dog, pronounced /mdr/.
maidean: morning, or maidin in GCh, where the historical dative has replaced the nominative. PUL generally maintains the
distinction between the nominative and the dative, but we read maidin bhre shamhraidh in Ch 8 and an mhaidin in Ch16 where
an mhaidean might have been expected. Ar maidin, in the morning.
mairg: woe. Is mairg don r a shanntaonn elas at os cionn a thuisceana, woe betide the king who covets knowledge beyond
his understanding. Pronounced /mrig/.
mairim, maireachtaint: to live, or mairim, maireachtil in GCh. Pronounced /mrim, m'raxtint/. An d l s n fhaid a
mhairfead, for as long as I live.
mistir: master, with mistr in the plural. Pronounced /m:tir, m:tiri:/. Mistir taln, landlord.
maith: good. Go maith, in addition to meaning well, can be an intensifier, as in dh mhle go maith uainn in Ch11, fully two
miles away from us.
maithim, maitheamh: to forgive, remit, cancel. Used in reference to exemption of years of study in Maynooth in Ch13 and for the
cancellation or remission of a portion of debts in Ch27.
mithriil: maternal; like a mother, pronounced /m:r'hu:l/.
mallacht: curse, pronounced /m'lxt/.
mallachta: an act of cursing, pronounced /mlx'ti:/.
mm: a handful.
maol: dense, stupid.
maolam, maol: to become soft; to lower, abate.
maor: a term that originally referred to the mediaeval office of steward (as in the mormaers of Scotland and the like), but used here
to refer to a city mayor.
mar dhea: a phrase meaning as if, supposedly, as it were. Triail mar dhea, a farce of a trial. Probably derived from mar bhea.
Pronounced /mr 'ja:/.
mar sin: like that. Agus mar sin, and so on. Mar sin dibh, and so on and so forth; and things like that. Mar sin fin,
nevertheless, even so, notwithstanding, that said: this is the true Irish version of the garbled droch-Ghaelainn phrase sin rite.
maram, mar: to kill. The preterite mhairbh given here has a slender r, /vriv/, where GCh has mharaigh. Sometimes, with a
less literal meaning, as in sin a mhairbh iad, thats what really infuriated them; that was the last straw for them.
maraitheach: deadly, lethal, or marfach in GCh, pronounced /mrhx/.
marbh: dead, pronounced /mrv/.
marcach: horseman, rider, pronounced /mr'kx/.
marcaocht: a ride, a lift.
marclaim, marcil: to mark, as in the marking of a passage to be read out.
marcshlua: cavalry. Pronounced /mrk-hlu/.
margadh: market; deal, pronounced /mrg/. Margadh do dhanamh, to make a deal. Margadh do sheasamh, to stand by a
deal. Ar a mhargadh a mhaireann gach inne, everyone lives by his word.
matalanng: calamity, disaster. PUL consistently spells this word with an m (matalong in the original text of Mo Scal Fin), as it
appears in GCh (matalang), and so he may have had an m in this word, but IWM 409 and CFBB (p26) both indicate that a b is
the dialectal pronunciation: /bt'laug/, with /mt'laug/ a variant. A double n is inserted in this word in this edition to show
the diphthong.
mthair: mother, with mithreacha in the plural. Pronounced /m:hir, m:rhx/.
me: disjunctive form of the first-person pronoun, pronounced /me/ (or /mi/ through the raising of the vowel in the vicinity of a nasal
cononant). Always m in GCh.
meabhair: mind, pronounced /maur/. As a meabhair glan, totally out of their minds.
madam, mad: to increase, in both transitive and intransitive meanings. Used impersonally with ar: do mhadaigh air, it
increased. Rud do mhad, to exaggerate something.
157
Foclirn
meadar: churn, wooden pail, with meidre in the genitive. Pronounced /madr, mediri/.
meadhg: whey, as in curds and whey; pronounced /mig/.
men: middle. I men aois, middle-aged.
menach: in the middle; in a central location.
meann: clear, limpid. This is an unusual word to describe mrtha in the poem quoted in Ch14 here, and it may be that mbeann or
beann would have been better transcriptions of the poem. See the note to Ch14.
meara: bewilderment, distraction. See meascn.
marg: pebble; also marg chloiche. The implication of this word is that a pebble is the size of a finger. Lenition of the initial c
of cloiche is shown here, but NIWU (p78) has marg cloiche, and it may be that cloiche is better across the homorganic word
boundary here.
measa: worse. Is measa liom, I prefer.
meascn: muddle. Meascn meara, bewilderment.
meatacht: cowardice, pronounced /m'txt/.
meathn: sapling, pronounced /mi'h:n/.
meathlam, meathl: to decline, deteriorate, pronounced /mah'li:m, mah'lu:/.
mid: amount. Mid resists lenition in PULs Irish (sa mid prta). Often corresponding to what/that in English: sa mid aduart,
in what I said; thuigeas an mid sin, I realised that. PUL explained the gender of this word in a letter to Risterd Plimeann
dated November 29th 1917 and held in the G1,277 (1) collection of manuscripts in the National Library of Ireland: An mhid =
the bigness or the size, where mid is a definite thing. An mid seo = this much or thus much, where mid expresses, not
size in itself, but the amount or degree of magnitude in something. Dul i mid, to get bigger. P mid, however much. Cad
mhid aimsire, how much time, probably a truncation of cad a mhid aimsire.
meisciil: intoxicating, of drink.
Meitheamh: June, pronounced /mihv/. Also, as in Ch15 here, Meitheamh an tSamhraidh. In Ch32 here Meitheamh an Fhmhair
means September.
mhuise: well, indeed, usually lenited in WM Irish, but listed as muise in FGB.
m-mharach: unlucky, inauspicious.
m: month, is masculine in WM Irish, with the genitive also m. The word is feminine in GCh with the genitive mosa.
mianach: material, ore, stuff. Mianach fnta bheith ionat, to be of fine calibre.
mchothromach: uneven, unequal, or mchothrom in GCh. Pronounced /mi:'xorhmx/.
mchuosach: immoderate, extreme, or mchuibheasach in GCh.
mfhoirtin: bad luck, misfortune, pronounced /mir'tu:n/. This would be mfhortn in GCh.
mfhollin: unwholesome.
mltheach: pale, sickly in appearance.
millen: blame.
mllteach: destructive, pernicious, baleful, pronounced /mi:lhx/. Also often pronounced /m e:l hx/ according to NIWU (p79).
min: meal, flour.
mn: smooth; courteous, the antonym of both garbh and borb.
minic: often. Note the comparative here, minic, where GCh has minice.
mol: animal, creative. Mol-mhaghe, hare, literally critter of the plain, pronounced /'mi:l-'vi:/, with stress on both syllables.
This was given in the original text as mol mhaighe, but if this be interpreted as a noun phrase made of up two words, the use of
lenition across the word boundary here becomes problematic: PUL has ml mhuighe in the plural in his An Cleasaidhe (p26), the
glossary to which (compiled by Eleanor Knott) gives mol muighe as the nominative singular. Yet it seems the form with mh is
correct, as McCionnaiths Foclir Barla & Gaedhilge gives molmhuighe as a word for hare, interpreting it as a single word
with medial lenition. PSD gives both mol maighe and mol mhaighe.
mion: small, mean, pronounced /mun/.
mionairgead: petty change, pronounced /mun-arigd/.
mionuasal: minor noble, pronounced /mun-usl/.
misin: mission, or misean in GCh. Misin do thabhairt uait, to conduct missionery work.
mslen: sweet, or milsen in GCh. Pronounced /mi:'l:n/.
misneach: courage, pronounced /mi'nx/. bheith de mhisneach agat (rud a dhanamh), to have the courage (to do
something).
miste: all the worse. This is a second comparative form, similar to ferrde, usaide, dinide, meaning all the more X for it. N
miste dhom, I may as well. Nor mhiste dhom san, I might as well do that, in the sense of I had to do it, it was a good job I
did do it. N miste liom, I think it no harm, I dont mind. Nor mhiste liom, I wouldnt have minded. Bfhidir nr mhiste
dhnsint anso, it would probably do no harm to relate it here. N miste Mangarta an Cheigh a thabhairt air, you may well
call it Mangerton of the mist, i.e., theres no wonder they call it Mangerton of the mist.
mithid: high time. Ms maith is mithid , better late than never; its about time too.
moch: early, pronounced /mux/.
mdh: mode, manner, pronounced /mo:/.
min: moor, turf, peat, with mna in the genitive.
mr: large, pronounced /mur/. Chmh mr in many contexts means so often, so much, as in toisc me bheith as baile chmh
mr in Ch10. N mr dom, I must.
mril: pride, vanity, pronounced /mu'r:l/. Bhain s an mhril dom, he took me down a peg or two, he knocked the pride out
of me.
158
Foclirn
mrn: many, pronounced /mu'r:n/.

mrchrooch: big-hearted, magnanimous, pronounced /mur'xri:x/.
mrga: august, exalted, pronounced /murg/.
mrsheisear: seven people, pronounced /murir/.
mrshlua: multitude, pronounced /mur-hlu/.
mrthmpall: circuit; all around, or mrthimpeall in GCh. The broad p in WM Irish is preserved here: /mur-hi:m pl/. This is
sometimes found as mrdtmpall in other writers of WM Irish.
mtar: motor car.
muileann: mill.
muin: the upper back; the shoulders and neck. Ar muin capaill, on a horse, riding a horse.
muinel: neck. CFBB shows this word has a slender m (p272).
mung: mossy fen; thick vegetation, or moing in GCh, pronounced /mi:g/.
munteartha: friendly, familiar, pronounced /mi:ntrh/. PUL pointed out in NIWU (p81) that daoine munteartha means both
friends and relatives in traditional Irish.
minteir: teacher. Note that the dative plural is generally given here as minteiribh, with a short vowel in the ending, with
minteirbh found in Ch13. Both forms are retained here, as dative plural endings were unstable.
muiron: encumbrance, generally meaning family, or muirn in GCh.
mullach: summit, ridge, pronounced /m'lx/. Ar mhullach a chnn, headfirst, with his head downwards: na daoine ar mhullach
a gcnn ag obair dhubh go dubh, with the people toiling away, with their heads down, from dawn till dusk.
mnlach: puddle, dirty water, mire. Mnlach is generally masculine (both in GCh and in PULs Cmhairle r Leasa, p95), but
dealg mnla is found in Ch21 here, meaning a thorn in muddy water, apparently showing a feminine genitive singular.
mr: wall, rampart, enclosing fence, with mrtha in the plural. Note that this word is not an equivalent of falla, and cannot be used
to describe an internal wall in a dwelling.
mura: if not, unless. Mura and mara are found in PULs works, where GCh has muna. Similarly, murab, murar and murarbh are
found here for munab, munar and munarbh. Murarbh occurs once in the original text as murabh in Ch3 here, probably indicating
the second t is apt to fall out of the pronunciation: /mur(r)v/; this has been adjusted here to murarbh. Mura mbeadh san, but for
that, if it hadnt been for that.
msclaim, miscilt: to stir, arouse, or msclam, mscailt in GCh. The present tense is found in PULs works with a broad sg
(msglan s in the original here), whereas the verbal noun is found invariably in PULs works as misgilt. Pronounced
/mu:sklim, mu:kilh/.
nch: the negative subordinating conjunction, or nach in GCh, pronounced /n:x/.
nisinta: national. Both nisinda and nisinta are found in PULs works. The latter is attested only in Cmhairle r Leasa,
pp40-41, with nisinda (or nisnda, with a typographical error) found in the original text of Ch19 here, as well as in
Cmhairle r Leasa (pp5, 12), r nDithin Araon (p35) and Sgalaidheacht na Macabach (Vol I, p18). However, it seems PUL
may have been influenced in his spelling by the etymological derivation of the ending -da, and the pronunciation shown in r
Nhin Arn, the LS edition of r nDithin Araon, is nshnta (see p28). For this reason, the spelling accepted in GCh, nisinta,
is used in this edition. Scoileanna nisinta, national schools, the primary schools in the state system first established in the
19th century.
namhaid: enemy, pronounced /naud/. Traditionally nmha, the dative has now replaced the nominative. Namhaid is also used in
the plural, where naimhde would stand in GCh. With nominative singular and plural both namhaid and genitive singular and
plural both namhad, it is only morphologically apparent when the plural is being used with the dative plural, namhdaibh.
naoi: nine, pronounced /ne:/.
neambalbh: forthright, outspoken, or neamhbhalbh in GCh. Neamh lenites the second item in a compound word, but where that
second item itself begins with a labial sound, following directly on the final labial of the neamh- prefix, a single delenited labial
is produced, as if by eclipsis. Pronounced /na'mlv/.
neambroch: ineffectual, weak, impotent, or neamhbhroch in GCh. Pronounced /na'mri:x/.
neamhanngarach: carefree; free of want, pronounced /nav-augrx/. A double n has been introduced here to clarify the
diphthong (cf. neamhangarach in GCh).
neamhchiontacht: innocence pronounced /na-xuntxt/.
neamhchoitianta: unusual, extraordinary, pronounced /na-xo'tint/.
neamhchrga: timid, cowardly, pronounced /na-xro:g/.
neamhchruinneas: inaccuracy, inexactitude, pronounced /nax'ri s/. Dul i neamhchruinneas, to become inexact.
neamhghtarach: unnecessary, uncalled for. This word is glossed as not needy, comfortable in FGB, but that meaning does not
suit the context in Ch29 here. Pronounced /na-gtrx/.
neamhn: nothing, pronounced /nav-ni/. Rud do chur ar neamhn, to bring something to naught; to ruin it.
neamhoirinach: inappropriate, unsuitable, pronounced /nav-i'ru:nx/.
neamhscfar: fearless, pronounced /na-sk:fr/.
neamhshlacht: untidiness, pronounced /na-hlxt/.
neamhsplech: independent; with money or independent means, pronounced /n a-spl :x/.
neamhthuairimeach: light, casual. Pronounced /na-hurimx/.
neamhthuiscint: incomprehension, want of understanding, thoughtlessness, pronounced /n a-hi k int /.
neart: strength. Neart duit, able to do something. Le neart, by force of, by dint of: le neart gir, with laughter. Neart sl,
military strength, military forces or manpower.
neartam, neart: to strengthen. Neart (san aois), to grow up. Used impersonally with ar: neartathear an solas ar an
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machnamh, more light is shed on the thought.

nemat: minute, moment, with nemata in the plural, equivalent to nimad and nimid in GCh. The various words for minute
in Irish are all corruptions of the original mimeint.
nm, n: to wash. Note that the verbal adjective, nite, has two short vowels.
nimh: poison. Nimh a thabhairt do dhuine, to poison someone.
nochtaim, nochtadh: to uncover, reveal, disclose. Note the past participle nochtaithe here, where GCh has nochta.
Nollaig (an Nollaig): Christmas, often used with the definite article.
nsmhar: famous, celebrated.
n: or, or n in GCh, pronounced /nu:/. Ba mhar a chile dhibh n Grigis, it was like Greek to them.
nua: new, pronounced /no:/.
nuige: found in such phrases as go nuige sin, until then.
obair: work, with oibre in the genitive. Pronounced /obir, ebiri/.
obann: sudden, or tobann in GCh.
ochn: alas! oh dear! Pronounced /u'xo:n/.
ocrach: hungry, pronounced /okrx/.
ocras: hunger, pronounced /okrs/.
odhar: dun-hued, khaki-coloured. Pronounced /our/.
ofril: offering, offertory; the offertory money, with ofrla in the genitive. Pronounced /of'r:l, of'r:l/.
oh: oh! well, now!
oificeach: officer, or oifigeach in GCh. Pronounced /ofikx~ofigx/.
igfhear: young man. Note that the GCh spelling gfhear poorly indicates the slender quality of the g. Pronounced /o:gr/.
oilte: nurtured, bred. Oilte ar, versed in. Pronounced /ilhi/.
inseach: foolish woman.
oiread: amount, pronounced /ird/. A dh oiread, twice as much. Oiread agus focal, as much as a (single) word. Lena sheacht
n-oiread cainnte, in seven times as many/many more words.
oirearcas: eminence, distinction, or oirirceas in GCh. PUL told Osborn Bergin that this word had a broad rc in the middle of the
word in WM Irish (see Comhfhreagras idir an Athair Peadair agus an tAimhirgneach, by Sen Ua Silleabhin, in Celtica, Vol
24, 2003, pp281). Pronounced /erirks/.
oirirc: distinguished, eminent, illustrious. Pronounced /eririk/.
oirinaim, oirinadh: to suit, fit, or orinam, orin in GCh. Pronounced /i'ru:nim, i'ru:n/. PUL has first-conjugation forms,
but second-conjugation forms were used by other speakers of WM Irish, including Dnall Bn Cileachair (see Sgal mo
Bheatha, p30).
ola: oil, as used in the sacrament of extreme unction. Ola dhanach, extreme unction; last rites.
lachn: drinking. Staonadh n lachn, abstinence from strong drink; temperance.
laim, l: to drink, but popa dhl, to smoke a pipe.
olc: evil, a bad thing with uilc in the plural. Pronounced /olk, ilk/.
olcas: badness, bad state. Dul in olcas, to get worse, to deteriorate.
ollamh: professor.
ollamh: ready, or ullamh in GCh. Pronounced /olv/ in WM Irish.
ollmham, ollmh: to prepare, or ullmham, ullmh in GCh. Pronounced /o'li:m, o'lu:/.
rd: order, with ird in genitive singular and nominative plural. These would be ord and oird in GCh, but the pronunciation is
/o:rd, u:rd/. The reference in Ch15 here is to holy orders, i.e. the orders of a deacon and a priest, etc. De rir ird, in an orderly
fashion.
rd: sledgehammer.
rd: ordering; an order rd ar bhannc, an order on a bank.
os cionn: above. Pronounced / ku:n/. Gearid Nuallin commented in his Studies in Modern Irish Part 1 that the preposition
os is mostly pronounced as, except in s rd, s seal (p171). Os cionn a thuisceana, os cionn a chumais, beyond his
understanding, beyond his power.
os cmhair: in front of. Pronounced /s ko:r/. See the comment on pronunciation under os cionn.
oscall: armpit, with the dative singular (and dual) oscaill. Fn oscaill, under his arm. Note the nominative/dative distinction is
not observed in GCh, where the word appears as ascaill. Pronounced /oskl~uskl/.
osclaim, oscailt: to open, or osclam, oscailt in GCh. Pronounced /osklim, oskilt/.
osnaol: sighing, or osnal in GCh. It is generally the case that verbal nouns in -al (-ghail in the older spelling) have a broad l in
WM Irish (see camastaol and many others in CFBB, p48 and elsewhere).
paidir: prayer, with paidreacha in the plural, pronounced /pdir, pdirx/.
pipar: paper, including a newspaper. Pronounced /p:'pe:r/.
parallelogram: PUL uses the English word here. GCh has comhthreomharn; in Cadnithe an Chruinne-thmhais, PULs translation
of Euclid included in Papers on Irish Idiom (pp95ff), the word cmhfhanach is used.
Prlimint: Parliament. As a foreign word, this does not have to respect Irish spelling rules. The pronunciation indicated is
/p:rlimint/. GCh has Parlaimint, with a broad l.
pariste: parish, pronounced /pro:ti/. This word is feminine here, but masculine in GCh. Sagart pariste, parish priest. Cormac
Cadhlaigh drew a distinction in Gns na Gaedhilge, 267, between an sagart pariste, which he indicated meant the parish
priest, a particular priest of that type, and sagart na pariste, which he said meant the parish priest, in the sense of referring to
a class or type of priest. However, it is difficult to read such a distinction into PULs works. It seems an sagart pariste is much
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more common in Munster Irish. A rare example of sagart na pariste is found in PULs Don Cocht (p4); all other identifiable
instances in PULs works use an sagart pariste. PULs works generally have tigh an tbhairne (and not an tigh tbhairne),
contrary to the presentation in Gns na Gaedhilge. See also bean t for a further analogous example.
p: whichever, whoever, etc. Pn irinn , whatever on earth it is/whoever he may be/however that may be/whatever happened,
at all events, etc. Pr domhan , in any case, anyway. P olc maith , however good or bad it may be, regardless of how
good it is. P cuma, however, in whatever way. P scal , anyhow.
peeler: a slang term for a policeman in 19th-century England (and apparently Ireland too), named after Robert Peel, who established
the Metropolitan Police Force in London in 1829 and subsequently served as British prime minister.
peictiir: picture, or pictir in GCh. Pronounced /pek'tu:r/. Peictiir magaidh, a mocking picture, i.e. a cartoon, as found in
the satirical magazine Punch.
peocu: whether, from p acu, or pcu. Pronounced /puk/. Often followed by a relative clause. Gearid Nuallin explained in
his Studies in Modern Irish Part I the difference between ceocu and peocu (see p76). Ceocu is used with substantival clauses (n
fheadar ceocu thiocfaidh s n n tiocfaidh), whereas peocu is used with adverbial clauses (peocu thiocfaidh s n n
tiocfaidh, fanfadsa). Ceocu thiocfaidh s n n tiocfaidh may be replaced by sin (n fheadar sin); peocu thiocfaidh s n n
tiocfaidh may not.
pce: pike, hayfork.
pilar: bullet, pronounced /ple:r/, as indicated by the original spelling plar.
pingin: penny, with pingin as the general plural of this noun.
pinsil: pencil, or pionsail in GCh.
piocaim, piocadh: to pick, peck, pronounced /pukim, puk/. Rud do phiocadh suas, to pick something up, found here in two
senses: 1) to pick something up (off the floor); and 2) to learn something easily.
popa: pipe, used in referring to plumbing. Compare pb for a musical pipe.
posa: piece, coin.
piostal: pistol.
plaosc: skull, with plaoisceanna in the plural, or blaosc, blaoscanna in GCh. Pronounced /ple:k, pli:kn/, as shown in the LS
version of Mo Scal Fin, which has plushgeana here (p23).
plascaim, plascadh: to burst, explode. Plascadh ar ghir, to burst out laughing.
pluc: cheek, with pluic in the plural where GCh has pluca.
poibl: public. This word is often found as puibildhe in PULs works. For example, we read go puibildhe in Na Cheithre Soisgil,
p87, possibly indicating that Gearid Nuallin who edited that work preferred an /i/ in the first syllable. We read gnth puibl
in Papers on Irish Idiom (p40), containing a number of PULs papers edited by Thomas F. Rahilly. Yet PULs other works
(produced by other editors) generally have poibilidhe. IWM 74 shows a pronunciation of /pobi'li:/; it is likely some speakers
had /pibi'li:/.
poiblocht (an phoiblocht): the public, pronounced /pobi'li:xt/.
policeman: the English word is given here. It seems unlikely GCh words such as piln were in use among native speakers in the
19th century.
poll: hole, with pull in the genitive. Pronounced /poul, pi:l/.
poorhouse: the English word is found here in the original text of Mo Scal Fin just once, in Ch6. Where i dtigh na mbocht is found
elsewhere in Ch6, the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (pp17-18) transcribes it as sa phoorhouse, implying that that the poorhouse
was generally referred to in English, even by Irish speakers.
portach: bog, with the plural here portaithe where portaigh stands in GCh, pronounced /pr'tx, portihi/.
prs: brass. Banna pris, brass band.
probhideach: private, secret, or probhideach in GCh, which form is found in PULs Aithris ar Chrost (p212). The original
spelling was promhideach, as if connected with the word mid, vow.
priocaim, priocadh: to prick.
promh-mhinistir: prime minister, especially in reference to the governmental leaders of non-Irish nations (as taoiseach,
chieftain, has been revived in reference to the equivalent position in Ireland). PULs use of this form, rather than the promh-
aire given in FGB, suggests the English word prime minister was in widespread use among native speakers of Irish in the 19th
century to refer to the British prime minister.
pca: hobgoblin, sprite.
pdar: power; gunpowder.
pins: punch, the alcoholic drink, pronounced /pu:n/.
punte: point, or pointe in GCh.
punann: sheaf.
pnc: point, or ponc in GCh. I bpnc uathsach, in a terrible fix.
pnt: pound.
r: as a noun, saying, sentence, utterance.
rabairne: extravagance.
radharc: view, sight, pronounced /rirk/.
rafaireacht: prosperity, a flourishing state.
rafar: prosperous, fruitful.
raffle: PUL uses the English word raffle here, where FGB suggests raifil. It seems likely the word was current in its English form
among native speakers of Irish in the 19th century.
rfla: rumour, pronounced /r:fl/.
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ramhre: thickness, fatness, pronounced /ri:ri/.

rinonn: to reach, a verb without a verbal noun in common use. Usually found impersonally meaning to happen to, transpire.
Do rinig go rabhas-sa ar an mbun sin, I happened to be among that group. Do rinig is transcribed in the LS version of Mo
Scal Fin (p42) as do reinig, showing slenderisation of the r in a leniting context following the perfective particle.
rithe: season; quarter, pronounced /rh/ and spelt rtha in the original text here.
rmhann: spade, with rmhainn in the dative, which form has replaced the nominative in GCh. Pronounced /r:n, r:/.
ramhar: thick, fat, pronounced /raur/. Note ramhir in the masculine genitive singular, /ri:r/. Bainne ramhar, thick milk.
ramharchos: extortionate rent.
ranng: class. A double n has been given in the editing process here to clarify the diphthong, /raug/.
rstlaim, rstil: to stride, race, or rslaim, rsil in GCh.
r: interval, period. Gach aon r sholais, every minute of the day.
rabaim, rabadh: to tear, pronounced /re:bim, re:b/. Rabfadh san an seacht aithne, that would violate the seventh
commandment. Rabfadh is used in this edition where raobhfadh stood in the original text: the original spelling showed the
vowel clearly, but the bhf appears to be a typographical error.
reachtaire: agent, pronounced /rxtiri/. Note: derived from the word rector. PUL also uses the English word agent here.
ridh: moorland, heather plain, or r in GCh. Pronounced /re:g/. The genitive, traditionally written ridhe, but edited here as r, is
/re:/.
ridh: quiet, calm, pronounced /re:g/. Go ridh, slowly, calmly, carefully.
rim: sway, authority.
riail: rule, regulation, with rialach in the genitive and rialta in the plural here, corresponding to rialacha in GCh. Rialta is more
generally an adjective meaning regular.
rialta: regular, pronounced /rilh/. Sagart rialta, priest in a religous order.
rialtas: government. Pronounced /rilts/, with no medial /lh/, as this is a word revived in modern times and not fully aligned with
the phonology of the traditional dialect.
riamh: ever, never. An chad uair riamh, the very first time. I gcna riamh, ever and always. Fad riamh, ever such a long
time ago. An uile dhuine riamh acu, every single one of them.
rian: trace, sign, mark. Bh a rian air, it was obvious; it was evident; it showed (that).
rghneas: slowness, delay. Pronounced /ri:ns/.
rncim, rnce: to dance. Rnce also means to dance as in to move off, go reeling, used of coins dancing over the floor in
Ch27 here.
riocht: guise. Feall i riocht dl, falsehood in the guise of the law. While a number of different transcriptions of this phrase are
found in LS (compare a rocht on p1 of the LS edition of Mo Scal Fin and a riocht on p7 of Shina), it seems PUL had /i ruxt/
with a slender r for i riocht.
rogra: a collective word for royalty, kings, or rora in GCh. Pronounced /ri:gr/, with no epenthetic vowel, according to the LS
edition of PULs Eisirt (see Eshirt, p5).
rithim, rith: to run. The original spelling often shows the quality of the r: in lenitable contexts, such as do rith and do rithinn, a
slender r is shown; in non-lenitable contexts such as ag ruith (edited here as ag rith), a broad r is shown. PUL generally spells the
conditional-tense forms with a broad r in lenitable contexts (e.g. do ruithfeadh in Ch3, edited as do rithfeadh here), possibly
creating an audible distinction between the conditional and the past-habitual form do ritheadh.
rogha: choice. Pronounced /rou/. A rogha cor a thabhairt dbh, to treat you anyway they please. Note that rogha is followed by
the nominative. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p27) shows the r is slenderised in lenitable environments: na rogha scoil, in
any school, is transcribed na reou sgoil.
roilig: graveyard, or reilig in GCh. The spelling of the original text is retained here: the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p19) has
ruilig and it seems the pronunciation is /rilig~relig/. Clocha roilige, gravestones.
roim: before, or roimh in GCh, pronounced /rim/. With the third-person pronoun, this becomes roimis, before him. Roimis is
also used with the definite article. There is occasional use of roimhe sin (in place of the dialectal roimis sin) in the text here. Roim
l, before daybreak. Roim is also used to indicate that something/someone is found waiting for you in the place where youre
going: fuair s an ssa ann roimis, the rug was there waiting for him when he got there.
rimh: hallowed burial place; noble dwelling place.
roinnim, roinnt: to share, divide. Pronounced /riim, rint/. Spellings including roinneadar, rainneadh, rainnf, rainnt and
raint are found in the original text here, but oi is standardised on in this edition.
roinnt: a share, a portion, a lot, and by extension, some. Spelt raint in the original text, this is pronounced /rint/. While roinnt
is a feminine noun, PUL does not lenite a following noun (see roinnt bdh here), although other speakers of the WM dialect, such
as AL, did so (see roint bhlianta in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p20).
ropaire: literally a stabber, but more generally robber, scoundrel.
roth: wheel, but in the context of Ch17, where the discussion is of circles of tombstones, this word clearly has the meaning circle
too. GCh uses the word ciorcal to mean circle, but that word was not found in PULs works. PUL himself advocated the use of
the word in (possibly related to the word finne) to mean circle in the geometrical sense in Cadnithe an Chruinne-thmhais,
his translation of Euclid included in Papers on Irish Idiom (pp95ff).
rua: red, used of people with red hair. Leathphinge rua, a brown hapenny.
ruaigim, ruagadh: to expel, drive out, or ruaigim, ruaigeadh in GCh.
rud: thing, pronounced /rod/. Rud a dhanamh ar dhuine, to obey someone, do what someone says.
rnaire: secretary, or rna in GCh. An Rnaire Mr, the Chief Secretary, the head of the Irish administration during the Union
who also sat as a member of the British cabinet.
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Sacsan: Saxon (and therefore used in reference to the English), a word that provides the origin of the placename Sasana, but which
is used here in its original sense in r Sacsan.
saghas: sort, kind, pronounced /sis/. Note the plural saighseanna, where GCh has saghsanna.
saibhir: rich, wealthy, with saibhre in the plural. Pronounced /sevir, seviri/.
saibhreas: wealth, pronounced /sevirs/.
saighdiir: soldier, pronounced /si'du:r/. Saighdiir dearg, redcoat, i.e., a British soldier.
sile: salt-water. Ag an sile, at the seaside.
saileach: willow-tree, with the genitive sail. Pronounced /si'lax, s'li:/.
sainnt: greed. The traditional double n, not used in GCh, is preserved here to show the diphthong: /saint /. Fear na sainnte, a
greedy person.
sl: heel, or sil in GCh, where the dative has replaced the historical nominative.
salach: dirty, pronounced /slx/.
salachar: dirt, waste, pronounced /slxr/. Salachar may also encompass sewage, as implied in Ch30 here.
Samhain: a Celtic pagan festival that has evolved into Halloween, and hence November, pronounced /saun /. L Samhna,
November 1st, All Saints Day.
san, sin: that. Air-sean and aige-sean were found in the original. In the absence of any direct evidence of PULs own
pronunciation, the normal WM forms air sin and aige sin have been used in the editing here. The LS edition of Mo Scal Fin
has ig shan in one passage (p11), but ige shin elsewhere (p3).
sanntam, sannt: to covet. The double n shows the diphthongal pronunciation, /saun'ti:m, saun'tu:/.
saoirse: freedom. Saoirse na cathrach, the freedom of the city, an honour bestowed by a city corporation.
saol: life, world. The original spelling was saoghal, and the mid-twentieth-century spelling change has introduced inconsistencies:
the genitive is spelt saoil in GCh, which would give the wrong WM pronunciation, and so is edited as saeil here.
saolta: worldly, earthly. Saibhreas saolta, worldly wealth.
saoltas: real estate; wealth, pronounced /se:lhs/.
saorideach: easy, pronounced /si'r:dx/ or /se:'r:dx/both pronunciations are indicated in IWM 281.
saorcheart: equity. Bnse an tsaorchirt, the bench of equity, i.e. a judicial bench supposedly run according to the laws of natural
justice in the common-law system.
saothram, saothr: to labour, cultivate, till (of soil). Pronounced /se:r'hi:m , se:r'hu:/. Gaelainn do shaothr, to develop the Irish
language (note: this usage is preferable to Gaeilge a fhorbairt in GCh, as forbairt has been somewhat artificially adapted as an
all-purpose translation of the English word develop).
sara: before; lest, or sula in GCh.
ss: the very person to do something. Ss ceistichin, someone good at asking questions.
ssam, ssamh: to satisfy. Note that the preterite is shsaimh, reflecting a general tendency for -mh to appear in the preterite and
imperative, instead of the -gh used in GCh (where the form is shsaigh), when the verbal noun ends in -mh.
ssamh: satisfaction; reparation. Ssamh im peacabh, reparation for my sins.
Satharn: Saturday, with Sathrainn in the genitive where GCh has Sathairn. Pronounced /shrn, shri/.
scafaire: a strapping fellow. Scafaire ganndail, a sturdy, audacious gander.
scil: shadow, reflection.
scaipim, scaipeadh: to scatter, dissipate.
scairt: entrails. By extension, the nerve, the balls to do something, used in the form bheith de scairt agat (rud do
dhanamh).
scamall: cloud.
scannradh: terror, scanradh in GCh, pronounced /skaur/ in WM.
scaoilim, scaoileadh: to let loose, release. Scaoileadh le duine, to leave someone be, to let him get on with what hes doing
without further interference. Scaoileadh leis, to let it pass, let it go.
scaraim, scarint: to part, separate, or scaraim, scaradh in GCh.
scth: shadow, shade, veil; reflection. Ar scth, under the pretence (of); under the cover/veil of. Scth agus solas, light and
shade.
sceach: bramblebush; whitethorn, with sceiche in the genitive.
scal: story. Note ag nsint na scal here, where scal is an older genitive plural, replaced in later Irish by scalta.
sceartadh: an act of shouting, bursting, or scairteadh in GCh. Sceartadh gire do chur asat, to burst out laughing.
sceartaim, sceartadh: to shout, burst, or scairtim, scairteadh in GCh. Do scairteadar ar ghir, they burst out laughing. Note
that PULs Sadna uses both sceartaim and scairtim (compare sgeartaid and sgairt on pp28 and 146 therein).
scim, scith: to inform on, or sceithim, sceitheadh in GCh. Pronounced /ke:m, ke:(h)/, with the preterite scigh (equivalent to
sceith in GCh) pronounced /ke:g/. Scim ar dhuine, I inform on someone.
scemhle: terror, dread. Pronounced /ki:li/.
sceinnim, sceinnt: to spring, dart, of something moving quickly out of view. Do sceinneadh deracha m shilibh, tears would
well up from my eyes.
scen: terror, or scin in GCh.
scian: knife, with sciain in the dative.
sciathg: wickerwork potato basket, pronounced /ki:'ho:g/.
scigeadh: an act of giggling, a noun and a verbal noun. FGB has only scige, but PULs spelling sgigeadh, with the -adh ending, is
more appropriate for the verbal noun usage found in Ch29 here. PSD has both scige and scigeadh.
scilling: shilling. The general plural is scilling, but scillinge is the plural used with numerals.
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sciobaim, sciobadh: to snatch.

sciomraim, sciomar: to scrub. Sciomram and sciomradh in GCh. Pronounced /kumrim, kumr/.
sciot: snippet. Sciot scot, cutting something up, ruining it, destroying the best of it. Sciot scot do dhanamh de rud, to mess
something up entirely. Scot here seems to be an alliterative echo of sciot; compare bhrille bhreaille (both words being lenited in
PULs Irish; see Guaire, Vol 2, p185, and NIWU, p13) and mugadh magadh.
sciraim, sciradh: to scour.
sclbhaocht: manual work, toil, drudgery.
scoilim, scoltadh: to split, break apart, or scoiltim, scoilteadh in GCh. Often spelt, as here (sgoilfeadh was the original spelling in
Ch7) without the historical t (sgoiltim), suggesting the pronunciation is /skolhim~skolim, skolh/.
scolire: scholar, pupil. According to AL in Seanachas Amhlaoibh Lunse (p137), both the singular and plural of this word
should have a th. PUL uses the spelling sgolir and sgolirbh here, but sgolirthbh in the dative plural is found in PULs
historical novel, Niamh (p127). The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p24) has sglirh. Consequently, the pronunciation
is /skl:rhi, skl:r'hi:/. The rh pronunciation may have been clearer in ALs Irish, and so the plural is edited as scolir here.
Scolire lae, day pupil, as opposed to a boarder.
scr: score, notch. Bata scir, tally stick.
scrnach: throat, with scrnaigh in the dative.
scortha: broken up. An mdh scortha, the analytical mode of conjugation of Irish verbs. The original spelling here was sgurtha
and the pronunciation is /skurh/.
screadach: screaming, shrieking, pronounced /kr'dx/. Note that as a feminine verbal noun, the dative is ag screadaigh /i
kradig/. This distinction is not observed in GCh.
scrbhinn: writing. Pronounced /kri:vi/. Compare do sgrbhinn, the spelling of the past habitual of the verb scrm, scr in the
original text (=scrobhainn in GCh), edited here as do scrnn.
scrm, scr: to write, scrobhaim, scrobh in GCh. All forms of this word are spelt according to the pronunciation, eg do scrodar
for do scrobhadar. The preterite has a slender v in the singular: do scrbh, /kri:v/. PUL used the classical spellings sgrobh,
sgrobhadar in the original, with sgr and sgr for the verbal noun. The verbal adjective here is scrofa, which is also the form
adopted by GCh, but the LS version of Mo Scal Fin transcribed scrofa as shgrti, i.e. scrte, a form found more widely among
speakers of Munster Irish (see GCD 579). AL also had scrofa (see Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p316).
scriosaim, scrios: to annihilate, blot out, or scriosaim, scriosadh in GCh.
scrdam, scrd: to examine, study, as of lessons. Both first- and second-conjugation forms are attested in PULs works, with
both scrd and scrdadh found here as the verbal nouns. PULs Aithris ar Chrost has both sgrdann (p192) and sgrdchthar
(i.e. scrdfar, p184). PULs Sgalaidheacht na Macabach has sgrduigh s (Vol 2, p211).
seabhca: hawk-like, or seabhcil in GCh. Pronounced /au'ki:/.
seachrn: wandering, pronounced /ax'r:n/. Ar seachrn, wandering, astray.
seacht: seven, but also used as a general intensifier. Nba sheacht measa, seven times worse, much worse. Seacht n-uaire nba
thisce, much more readily. A sheacht n-oiread armla, seven times as many armaments.
seachtain: week, with seachtaine in the plural after numerals and seachtain otherwise. In ar feadh d n tr sheachtainbh in
Ch30, sheachtainbh is governed, not by tr, but by the suppressed preposition dhe, the full form being ar feadh d n tr (dhe)
sheachtainbh.
seacht: seventh, pronounced /'axtu:/, without end-stress. Often without h-prefixation of a following vowel, as with an seacht
aithne in Ch27 here.
sel: shawl.
seana-: a prefix meaning old. Other than before vowels, the prefix is generally seana- and not sean- in WM Irish. See
seanamhthair, grandmother, seana-Ghaelainn, Old Irish, seanashl, old way, and seanascalta, old stories, here. In
some compounds, the nuance is similar to the English same old: an seanadhothos, the same old churlishness.
Seana-Ghall: the Old English, a term used to describe early settlers from England, as opposed to the Nua-Ghall, or English settlers
who arrived from the Tudor period onwards.
seanachainnteir: old speaker (of a language). Note the dative plural here, seanachainnteiribh, with a short vowel in the ending.
Both cainnteirbh and cainnteiribh are found in PULs works.
seanchaocht: telling old stories; gossiping, pronounced /an'xi:xt/.
seanmin: sermon, with seanmna in the genitive, or seanmir and seanmra in GCh. Pronounced /an'mo:n, an'mo:n/.
Seanmin a thabhairt uait, to deliver a sermon.
seans: luck, good fortune. Do sheans do ghlacadh le duine, to take your chances with someone.
seargaim, seargadh: to shrivel, dry up, waste away, with the verbal adjective seirgthe, where GCh has seargtha. Pronounced
/argim, arg, eriki/. A slender r appears in this verb only in the verbal adjective in PULs works.
seasam, seasamh: to stand, or seasaim, seasamh in GCh. Do cheart a sheasamh, to stand up for your rights. Note the preterite
do sheasaimh s, where GCh has sheas s, reflecting a general tendency for -mh to appear in the third-person singular preterite
(and imperative) where the verbal noun ends in -mh in WM Irish. Do shlinte sheasamh, for your health to hold up.
seasamh: standing, but also reliance. Ar an aos g a bh r seasamh, we were relying on the young.
seasc: barren, dry. B sheasc, a dry cow, one that does not give milk.
seasmhach: steady, firm, pronounced /asvx/.
seasmhacht: steadfastness, firmness, pronounced /asvxt/.
seift: plan.
seilbh: possession, with sealbha in the genitive. Pronounced /eliv, a'lu:/. The pronunciation of the genitive was given by PUL in
NIWU (p94). Duine chur a seilbh, to evict someone, turn him out (of a land holding).
164
Foclirn
seile: spit, spittle. Seile tobac, a tobacco-spit.

seinnim, seinnt: to play (music), or seinnim, seinm in GCh. Pronounced /iim, int/.
sipal: church, chapel, pronounced /e:'pe:l/. Sipal has particular reference to a Catholic church, as the older church
infrastructure remained with the Church of Ireland at the time of the Reformation, and smaller Catholic chapels began to be built
from the 18th century onwards, as restrictions on the Catholic Church began to be eased.
seirithean: indignation, or seirfean in GCh. Pronounced /erihn/.
seisean: he, the emphatic pronoun. Pronounced /in/.
seisear: six people, pronounced /ir/.
seochas: besides, or seachas in GCh. Seachas was also the original spelling, but this word is pronounced /oxs/. N raibh aon
cheart ag inne seochas a chile chuige, no one had more right to it than anyone else.
seinn: shoneen, an aper of English ways, derived from the English name Johnny.
selta: well-directed; graceful. Sprt selta in Ch14 here may refer to jousts or tournaments.
semra: room, pronounced /o:mr/. IWM (383) does not show an epenthetic vowel in this word, although some speakers may
have had one. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p25) doesnt show an epenthetic vowel, but the LS edition of PULs An
Chorinn Mhuire has one (shmara; see pp22-23 therein).
s: fairy mound, fairy. Cel s, fairy music. The reference here is to the playing of fairy music in Ch27 of PULs novel, Sadna.
Slua s, fairy host.
siar is aniar: back and forth. Bheith siar is aniar ar an scal, to beat around the bush.
sbhialta: civil, polite, or sibhialta in GCh. Pronounced /i:'vilh/.
sid : this is, here is, corresponding to siod in GCh. Similarly, sid and sid iad correspond to siod and siod iad. The d may be
pronounced either broad or slender; compare IWM 266 and 274 (line 128) for examples of both pronunciations in ALs Irish.
As the d is consistently written slender in PULs works, it seems likely he had a slender d here.
simn: chimney, pronounced /imi'ne:/.
snsear: ancestor; ancestors, or sinsear in GCh. Traditionally spelt sinnsear, the pronunciation is with a long /i:/ in WM Irish. Note
that the singular noun can have collective meaning.
solraim, solradh: to breed, propagate, or solram, solr in GCh. Na saighseanna linn sin a sholraigh n nGrigis agus n
Laidin, those sorts of literature that descended from Greek and Latin. The form sholradar found in Ch24 here appears to
locate this verb in the first conjugation, yet PUL has sholraigh in the singular of the preterite (and not *sholair). As a
syncopating verb, forms such as solrdh are attested in PULs works in the conditional (see solrchadh in Sgalaidheacht na
Macabach, Vol 1, p13). Pronounced /i:lrim, i:lr/. Although IWM 400 shows the l in solrach is not pronounced, the l in the
cognate word sholraigh is shown in the transcription holruig in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p42). It seems solraim,
solradh is a literary word that has largely been replaced by soltham, solth in WM Irish, and so retains its historical
pronunciation where the classical form is found. Compare sholthaodar in Seanachas Amhlaoibh (p3) and go mbeids n-a
gclainn ag braham chmh maith dreach agus d mba ar a shliocht do sholtchaids in Seanmin is Tr Fichid (Vol 1, p71).
soraocht: eternity. Imithe ar an soraocht, gone to his eternal reward, i.e., in heaven.
sos: down. Note sos agus suas, up and down, where the Irish leads with sos. Taobh sos suas, upside down, exhibits the
same idiomatic preference with respect to the placement of sos. Sos go Magh Chromtha illustrates the way in which large towns
(and capital cities) are gone down to in Irish, contrary to the English usage. PUL makes this point in NIWU (p98): In Irish, the
direction towards the capital is sos. We say sos go Corcaigh, sos go Baile tha Cliath. The fall of the land and the fall of the
water are in those directions; cf. thos i gConndae na Midhe (Lughaidh Mac Con, p. 71). In English, people say up when they
mean towards the capital. Sos agus suas is used in Ch27 to refer to changeability of the weather.
sirriamh: sheriff, or sirriam in GCh. PUL may have been more familiar with this word in its English form; the general
pronunciation of /irim/.
sid, sd: that, a demonstrative qualifying a verb here (m bhodar sd, if they were). The use of sid and not sin is more highly
coloured. PUL explains this in NIWU (p120): Fgfad-sa baluith dighte loisgithe sglta ortha sd! There was no possibility of
his saying ortha san nor ortha so. They may have been present listening to him, but the use of the words ortha sd cut them
off from the congregation and treated them as absent. It had also the effect of expressing the bitterness of his condemnation of
their conduct. The second reason for his saying ortha sd was because the action which he was reproving was a past action and
it carried the agents of it with it into the past. Consequently they were iad sd, not iad san nor iad so. For further examples
of the coloured use of sid note also s nr mh aige sid feirling n anam amoinn! in Ch18 and nor thuigeadar sud cad an
saghas ruda Gaelainn bhe in Ch21. In Ch19 a diarraidh a chur fhachaint orthu sd an creideamh do shanadh shows that
the coloured use of sid/sd is not always negative in tone, the coloured nuance, whether strongly positive or strongly negative,
being determined by the context. Sid/sd is used in preference to d in possessive contexts: a chuid sid, something that
belongs to him.
silaim, sil: to walk. Note that whereas PUL usually has this word in the first conjugation in the present tense (see sibhlann s in
his translation of Na Cheithre Soisgil, p33), it is found in the future, the past (see Ch4 here) and the imperative in the second
conjugation: silidh s, do shilaigh s, do shilaodar, silaigh. All forms are first-conjugation in GCh. Sil rmhat is literally
to walk along, but often has implications of begging (see PULs comments in Cath Ruis na R for Binn, p66). Sil can be
transitive, as in sil na gcnuc here.
sladaim, slad: to devastate, destroy, with sladaithe as the verbal adjective where GCh has sladta.
slnaitheir: saviour.
slat: rod; yard (the unit of measurement). Slat droichid, found in Ch9, is a rail or parapet of a bridge.
sleamhnam, sleamhn: to slip. Pronounced /lau'ni:m, lau'nu:/.
slen: turf-spade, pronounced /i'l:n/.
165
Foclirn
sl: way. Note sl bheatha, way of life, here, where beatha is lenited following the feminine noun sl. Lenition after feminine
nouns is one of the most variable elements of Irish grammar, and Seanachas Amhlaoibh Lunse (p4) shows that AL had sl
beatha. D dtugadh na gabhair mo shl fin dmhsa, if the goats had let me have my own way.
sliabh: mountain, with slibhte in the plural. Pronounced /liv, le:ti/.
slnn: slate, tile, with slinne in the genitive, pronounced /li:, lii/.
sliocht: progeny, descendants with sleachta in the genitive.
sloigim, slogadh: to swallow, or slogaim, slogadh in GCh. Pronounced /slogim, slog/.
slua, slite: army. PUL normally forms the plural of this word, sluaite in GCh, with an --. While IWM 92 shows the
pronunciation to be /sluti/, /slo:ti/ is also found in verse. The medial - - is therefore retained wherever it was given in the
original, including in the genitive plural sl (slgh), for slua. This word, masculine in GCh, is feminine in PULs works, yet other
speakers of the WM dialect, such as AL, had a masculine slua (see an slua muar in Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p9). However, this
word seems to become masculine in the genitive singularsee ar imeall an tsl in Ch29 herepossibly to draw a distinction
between an tsl in the genitive singular and na sl in the genitive plural.
sluasad: shovel, with sluasaid in the dative, which form is used for the nominative in GCh.
smachtdl: penal law, with smachtdlithe used in Ch25 here in reference to the late 19th-century Coercion Acts.
smidireacht: sniggering, giggling. Also ag smidireacht ghir.
smsach: pith, pulp.
smut: piece, portion, or smiota in GCh. Smut de gh, a piece of a goose.
snapaim, snapadh: to snatch.
socracht: ease, rest. Pronounced /sokrxt/.
socram, socr: to settle, place. Pronounced /sok'ri:m, sok'ru:/. Tu fin do shocr chun cnaithe, to settle down (in residence
somewhere). Socr ar rud, to decide on something.
socr: decision, pronounced /sok'ru:/.
sodar: an act of trotting. Ar sodar, at a trot.
soineann: good weather, with soininne in the genitive. Pronounced /sinn, sinii/.
slaist: delicacies; desserts, sweet treats of various kinds. This word is usually used, as here, in the plural.
solthram, solthar: to get, procure; to seek out (search and find). Pronounced /sl:r'hi:m , sl:hr/.
srd: sort, or srt in GCh, pronounced /so:rd/.
Spinneach: Spaniard, pronounced /sp:x/.
Spinnis (an Spinnis): the Spanish language, pronounced /sp:i/.
sparra: bar. Sparra iarainn, iron bar.
sps: space, intervening distance.
speal: scythe, with speil in the dative.
spealadir: scytheman.
spis: interest.
spdichn: reviling, abusing.
spota: spot. Ar an spota, on the spot.
spr: dowry.
sprid: sprite, ghost.
sprionnlaithe: stingy, miserly. This word was spelt sprinlaithe in the original text of Mo Scal Fin and is found as
sprionlaitheacht in GCh. The traditional spelling in sprionn- is closer to the GCh form and shows the long vowel. Beart
sprionnlaithe, a mean or shabby trick.
sprionnlaitheacht: miserliness, or sprionlaitheacht in GCh.
srid: street, but also town.
sraith: row, layer. Na sraitheannaibh, in rows.
srian: reins of a horse, with sriain in the dative. Srian a chur le feirg, to control your rage, keep your anger in check.
sroisim, sroisint/sroisiint: to reach, or sroichim, sroicheadh in GCh. Pronounced /sroim, sroint~sro'u:nt/.
sruthn: stream, brook.
stbla: stable, pronounced /st:bl/.
stadaim, stad: to stop, but also to stand still in do stadas ag fachaint air.
staighre: stairs, staircase, pronounced /stiri/.
stailc: strike. Stailc a chur suas, to go on strike, to have a strike.
staonaim, staonadh: to abstain, used with .
starrfhiacal: prominent tooth, fang, or starrfhiacail in GCh. While the dative of fiacal is fiacail, we find an d starrfhiacal here.
See also an d fhiacal in Sadna (p73). It seems the dual was not always declined by PUL like the dative singular where the
general context was nominative. See teanga for a discussion of an d theanga and an d theangain.
steallaim, stealladh: to pour. Fearthainn a stealladh (ar dhuine), to pour with rain. Also to dash, as to dash something against
the wall.
stiall: strip.
stiram, stir: to guide, direct, or stiraim, stiradh in GCh.
stirthir: director.
stracaim, stracadh: to tear, or sracaim, sracadh in GCh. Do strac s siar n bhfinneig , he dragged him away from the
window.
strice: strip.
166
Foclirn
stuaim: level-headedness, self-control.

stuama: sensible, level-headed, variously spelt stuama and stuamdha in the original, with stuama standardised on in this edition.
Pronounced /stumh/, where mh in the transcription system of IWM (see 353) indicates a devoiced m, a feature of the
pronunciation that may have been clearer in some speakers of WM Irish than others.
suaimhneas: peace, quietness, pronounced /suns/. Ar mo shuaimhneas, at my ease.
suaimhneasach: peaceful, pronounced /sunsx/.
suairc: pleasant, agreeable, gay.
suaite: exhausted.
suaithim, suathadh: to shake, toss about, or suaithim, suaitheadh in GCh.
suara: insignificance. FGB recommends suaraocht by preference. D shuara , however trivial or insignificant.
sil-aibidh: keen-eyed.
sil: eye, but also arch of a bridge. Ag cur na sl trom, looking at me intently.
sum, su: to sit. Id shu, up; out of bed. T an ghealach na su, the moon is up; the moon has come out. Su also refers to the
sitting of a court in do shuigh cirt i mBaile Mhistala, a court convened/sat/met in session in Mitchelstown.
sum: sum, amount; interest. Masculine here, but feminine in GCh. Sum beag aimsire, a short while. Pronounced /si:m/. The
genitive suime has a short vowel, /simi/.
siste: flail for threshing.
sult: amusement. Pronounced /suhl/.
sultmhar: pleasant, enjoyable, pronounced /suhlfr/.
ssa: rug, cover.
tabhairt suas: education, upbringing. Tabhairt is theoretically feminine, although it is not often that such noun phrases that include
a verbal noun need to reveal a gender, and so we find tabhairt suas maith here, where maith is not lenited, possibly because it is
not adjacent to tabhairt and the noun phrase is taken as a whole. Tabhairt suas, as a phrasal noun, resists declension in PULs
works (aon n i bhfuirm tabhairt suas).
tagaim, teacht: to come. The past participle here is tagaithe, /tgihi/, where GCh has tagtha. Teacht! as an interjection, yes!
This is so used even when there is no sense of coming where two interlocutors are already face to face, as in Ch6 here. Note
chmh luath agus tnag in Ch11 here: this is a contraction of chmh luath agus a thnag, but once the relative particle is elided,
the s of agus delenites the th of thnag. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p32) transcribes this as ch luath agus hnag, but
PULs original seems acceptable. Teacht cht fin, to come round, as after passing out or, as in Ch17 here, in reference to
recovery from an illness. With le, to be able to: d mba n tiocfadh liom, if I were unable to, if I couldnt. Teacht suas le rud,
to come across something. Note that PUL used the classical spelling tar in the imperative, a spelling that has been adopted in
GCh, whereas the form tair is more generally found in WM Irish, /tr/. T. F. ORahilly used the spelling tair in Papers on Irish
Idiom to transcribe an unpublished manuscript by PUL, Measgra Cainte (see p44 therein), but ORahilly was attempting in his
editing to establish a more phonetically appropriate spelling system for WM Irish and it is not known for sure what pronunciation
PUL had of this imperative. Consequently, the tar given in the original is retained here.
tim, bheith: to be. The second-person singular present-tense form taoi is found here (corresponding to t t in GCh). N bheadh
acu ach (rud a dhanamh), they would just have to (do something). Bh s air agam ( dhanamh), I had a job (doing it), I
found it difficult (to do it). N bheidh tanamsa orm, I wont be responsible for your death.
The use of the particle a with bheith is worth commenting on. PUL insisted there is no infinitival particle in Irish. In
Papers on Irish Idiom (pp74-75), T. F. ORahilly transcribes an unpublished manuscript of PULs explaining that is maith lium
do shil (as it is spelt therein) means, not I wish to walk, but I like your walk. A particle is required where the verbal noun
governs an object (an bthar do shil): when the object is expressed in the Irish there is a certain relation found to exist between
it and the verb. That relation is expressed by do. The moment the object is dropped, that relation, of course, disappears, and as a
consequence the do must disappear. As an intransitive verb, bheith does not govern an object, but a particle is also required
where a noun governs the verbal noun as its subject, and the particle a governing the verbal noun is a worn-down variant of do,
and so the same reasoning applies. Consequently, PULs works do not combine a (or do) with the intransitive verbal noun bheith
unless bheith is governed by a noun subject (rud a bheith ann) or there is some possessive or proleptic reason for the particles
being there. Note usages such as do bh; norbh fhidir gan a bheith in Ch15 here, where gan a bheith is possessive, without its
being, i.e. for it not to be/for there not to be.
While bheith is not transitive, it can be followed by an adjectival complement (bheith go maith), and so bheith may
govern such adjectival complements that precede it with the intervention of the particle a in a manner analogous to a verbal noun
governing a preceding object. For example, in Ch1, we read oilte ar chogadh agus ar ghnthabh cogaidh, ab ea , mar ba dhual
do bheith, where an apostrophe has been inserted after do in this edition.
The verbal noun is generally lenited in the modern language owing to the frequency with which it was found governed
by a leniting particle, and GCD (see 690, but for use of an unlenited beith, see also 531) shows there are Munster dialects
where the particle a is regularly attached to bheith even where it is not governed by a noun or pronoun subject, or where it does
not govern a preceding complement, or where it is not found in a possessive or proleptic context ( t s chomh maith agam a
bheith ag imeacht), but such usages are absent in PULs works. Instances of an unlenited beith in Ch6 and Ch18 in the original
text are adjusted here to bheith on account of the large number of typographical errors in PULs published works, particularly
regarding matters of lenition.
tin: herd of cattle. Tin B Cuailgne, the Cattle-raid of Cooley, a famous tale from the Ulster Cycle of myths. PUL published
his version of the Tin in 1916, the year after Mo Scal Fin. However, his statement in Ch15 here that a gcosa tharrac in
ineacht, referring to boys walking in lockstep with one another, was a phrase found in the Tin cannot be matched up with a
word search of PULs version of the tale. It may be that PUL is referring to a phrase he found in the older version of the original
167
Foclirn
text. Tin B Cuailgne is pronounced /t:n bo: kulni/.

tairbhe: benefit, pronounced /trifi/.
tairbheach: useful, beneficial, pronounced /trifx/.
tairgim, tairiscint: to offer, pronounced /trigim, trikint/.
taispenaim, taispeint: to show. PUL consistently wrote this word with a broad t, as it stands in GCh, but IWM (see the note to
368) shows the pronunciation is /tis'p:nim, tis'pa:nt/ (or /ti'a:nim, t i' a:nt /) in WM Irish. A slender t is shown in the LS
editions of PULs works (e.g. Shina, p43).
taithneann, taithneamh: to please; to shine, or taitnonn, taitneamh in GCh. Generally in the first declension in PULs works,
pronounced /tahn, tahv/. The preterite, thaitin in GCh, is found as thaithn here, pronounced /ha/.
talamh: land. The genitive, talaimh in GCh, is found consistently with a slender l in PULs works: tailimh, /taliv/. Titim an
tailimh, the lie of the land. Note the variant (feminine) genitive, taln, found here in tiarna taln, landlord. N fhadfadh an
fear thos a dhanamh amach thalamh an domhain crbh Madam Anne, the man up there could not make out for the life of
him who Madam Anne was.
taobh: side. thaobh taobh, from one side to the other. This phrase can be analysed in a similar way to cheann ceann (q.v.).
Taobh le, beside them. An taobh san den scal, that side of the story, but often better translated in other ways (do
thuigeadar an taobh san den scal, they realised as much).
taom: fit, period of illness.
tapaidh: quick, or tapa in GCh. Pronounced /tpig/.
tar is: after. This phrase incorporates the rare noun is, track. Generally pronounced /tre:/.
tarna: second, or dara in GCh; dara was also occasionally found in PULs works. An tarna ceist, another question; any other
question in Ch 27 here.
tarraigim, tarrac: to pull, draw, or tarraingm, tarraingt in GCh. Pronounced /trigim, trk/. PUL used the classical spellings
in the originalalbeit with a single r, reflecting his views on the use of double lettersand these have been adjusted in the
editing process here. The LS edition of Mo Scal Fin (p9) shows a slender r pronunciation, and GCD 522 also shows this to be
the more general Munster pronunciation (Corca Dhubhne has tairrigonn in the second conjugation). However, Osborn Bergins
LS edition of PULs Aesop a Thinig go hirinn (p54 of sop a Hinig go Hring, where dtarangthar is transcribed as
dtaruigtear) shows a broad r, and Brian Cuv also uses a broad r in the phonetic spellings he used in CFBB (e.g., p3).
Scalaocht Amhlaoibh shows that forms with both broad and slender rs were used by AL (compare tharraig and thairrig on
pp3, 5). As both forms exist (see Stair na Gaeilge, p489), it seems best to edit here with the broad r that stands in the original. It
is interesting, however, that Foclir do Shadna, the authorised vocabulary to PULs novel Sadna probably drawn up by Norma
Borthwick, confuses tarraigim, tarrac and tairgim, tairiscint, by glossing taraingim and tarang as I offer; an act of offering, as
well as I draw, I pull; an act of drawing, pulling (see p111). Another piece of evidence that could be cited is the Irish of
Diarmuid Ua Laoghaire, PULs second cousin and professor at Coliste na Mmhan in Ballingeary, who wrote thairidh s with a
slender r (in Cogar Mogar, p20). The verbal adjective is tarraicthe (taraingthe in the original text), pronounced /triki/, where
tarraingthe is used in GCh. Rud do tharrac cht, to take something up, referring in Ch20 here to taking up of ones books for
the purpose of study. Abhar cainnte tharrac anuas, to take up a topic of conversation.
tsc: report of someones death.
te: hot. PUL is on record in his NIWU (p127) as insisting this word has a most distinct final -h in the pronunciation. However,
this is likely to be apparent only before a following vowel. Pronunciation /t e~t eh/. See under tur.
teadhall: handful, referring in agriculture to the quantity of ears of corn that can be reaped with a corrn or sickle. Pronounced
/til/.
tagar: substance, bulk.
teagasc: teaching. An Teagasc Crosta, the Catechism.
teampall: temple, church. Often with particular reference to Protestant places of worship. See under sipal.
tanam: come along, part of a defective verb usually found only in the imperative. Tanam appears to be derived from a first-
person plural imperative, but is used as a second-person imperative in the form tanam ort, possibly analogous to the first-person
plural imperative in English lets be having you.
teanga: language, with the genitive singular teangan and the dative singular and nominative plural here teangain and teangthacha
(teangacha in GCh) respectively. The historically correct -this needed in the plural in WM Irish to show the diphthong in the
plural. Pronounced /ta, tan, tain, tauhx/. Fear teangan, interpreter. While the dual should theoretically be declined
like the dative singular in both nominative and dative contexts, it is worth noting that where the dual is found in a nominative
context in Ch14 and Ch31 it is repeatedly found as an d theanga, whereas in a dative context (nor chumhnigh inne ar an d
theangain do chur ar sil in ineacht in Ch31) the correct dual form is given.
teangmhil: contact, or teagmhil in GCh. Pronounced /ta'v:l/.
teannta: prop, support. Na theannta, along with it. I dteannta chile, together, altogether. Na theannta san, in addition to
that; moreover.
tarma: term, pronounced /tiarm/. Tarma aimsire, apprenticeship.
teasa: quick-tempered.
teideal: title; entitlement.
tim, dul: to go. It is worth noting that the dependent form of this verb is not often used in WM Irish in the past tense. PULs usage
is mixed; he normally writes gur chuaigh, although go ndeigheas /nis/, go ndeigh /nig/, and sara ndeigheas are also found in
this work (deigheas was spelt both deaghas and deigheas in the original text, but deigheas is standardised on here). In GCh the
absolute/dependent contrast is observed, as go ndeachaigh. Thighmis in the original text in Ch13 is adjusted here to thims,
with a long vowel in the ending, which usage is the norm in PULs works. Note the conditional tense here, raghainn, /ri/,
168
Foclirn
where GCh has rachainn. Nor chuaigh aon fhocal uaim, I did not miss one word. Dul i ngire, to become more intense, a
construction used in preference to ir gar in WM Irish. An ghrian a dhul f, to set (of the sun). Nor chuaigh an duine bocht
bhalaibh na ndaoine sa ghn, the poor man did not escape public comment about his role in the matter. Impersonally, dul de
means to run out: bh ag dul d chiall, he was losing his senses. The construction dul de was the subject of a letter by PUL
published in The Freemans Journal on March 17th 1915, where he explained that, despite Michael Sheehans view that this was
an obscure and unintelligible construction, it was good Irish.
tim, t: to warm, or tim, tamh in GCh. The verbal noun was traditionally spelt tidheadh, and was given in the original text
here as tidh.
teinneas: soreness, or tinneas in GCh. Pronounced /tes/.
teipim, teip: to fail. Do theip tine, it didnt fire, of a gun. Used impersonally: bh teipithe orthu dhanamh, they failed to do
it. GCh has teipthe for the participle, but that spelling would be unclear as to the pronunciation and so the original spelling here,
teipithe, is retained.
teithim, teitheadh: to flee.
tera: boundary, limit, or teorainn in GCh, where the historical dative has replaced the nominative. The genitive is terann. Nl
aon tera leis le brethacht, there is nothing so beautiful as it; there is nothing like it in terms of beauty.
terannach: bordering, adjoining, or teorantach in GCh. Terannach d chile, adjacent.
thall: over there. Thall is sometimes delenited to tall after a dental consonant, as in sa tigh d tall in Ch11 here. The difference
between thall and tall is hard to hear after a d, and the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p32) has sa tig d haul. Pronounced /haul/.
thar: through, across, past. Thar is sometimes delenited to tar after a dental consonant, as in dhol tar a cheann in Ch4 here and
thiocfainn tar n-ais in Ch20. Isteach tar claidh in the original text of Ch11 here has been edited here as isteach thar cla. Ba
dhich le duine n raibh tar chig nemata sa n-uair a chloig sin in the original text of Ch14 has been edited here as ba dh le
duine n raibh thar chig nemata san uair a chloig sin. Tar is, after, is also found as thar is once in Ch14 here, which
usage seems defensible following a vowel in rud at thar is imeacht orm. Thorm, past me, spelt tharam in GCh;
pronounced /horm/. Thrsu, /ho:rs/, beyond them, equivalent to tharsta in the GCh. Teacht thrsu, mention of them.
Note that thar lenites a following noun in an individualised reference: compare thar brr, excellent in general
reference with thar bharra an chnuic, over the top of the hill. Thar cheann an fhir, on behalf of the man, is therefore an
individualised reference. This principle cannot explain all uses with thar and it seems this area of grammar is poorly described in
grammar books. However, we should note PULs comments quoted in NIWU (pp140-141) on the similar use of gan: chuadar
abhaile gan creach gan cath, they went home without battle or spoils. In this form the words creach and cath are taken in a
generic sense, and the English is without spoil, without battle. Aspiration of the words would signify that they were used in an
individual manner, and the English would be without a spoil, without a battle. The use of the initial aspiration in the Irish has
the effect which the use of the indefinite article has in English. It turns battle in general to an individual battle.
Consequently, when we turn to thar cla, thar droichead, thar glaise, all found here, it seems that lenition of the nouns
in these phrases would correspond to the use of the indefinite article in English. The contexts in which these phrases are found
here are definite (for example, sos liom chun na glaise agus anonn thar glaise in Ch11), and these phrases would therefore be
better translated into English as over the fence, over the bridge, over the stream. Over a fence would be thar chla in Irish,
whereas over the fence can be either thar an gcla or simply thar cla. Compare, for example, nuair a limeadh Iorusn thar
chlaidhe n thar abhainn, , adeireadh Seanachn, nch iongantach an lim at ag Iorusn!, found in PULs Guaire (Vol
2, p142).
thoir: east. Sa domhan toir, the Orient. PUL regularly spells this phrase sa domhan tsoir, but toir here is thoir delenited across
the dental word boundary.
t: point, mark. Ar t, on the point of, intending to.
ticad: ticket, with ticada in the plural, where GCh has ticid, pronounced /ti'ke:d, ti'ke:di:/. Amu ar thicad, out (of prison)
on ticket of leave, i.e. out on licence/probation. Ticad duine do bhriseadh, to cancel someones ticket of leave, cancel his
probation. Ticad raffle, raffle ticket.
tigh: house, or teach in GCh. The historical dative has replaced the nominative in WM Irish. Tigh igin mr in Ch8 means simply
some large building, showing that tigh was traditionally used in the sense of building. See also tigh folamh amu sa chls in
Ch17. Modern use of foirgneamh, which properly refers to building in the sense of the abstract noun construction, to refer to
a single building, is contrary to the natural use of the Gaeltacht. Tigh tbhairne, public house, tavern. Tigh often loses its final
g when qualified. The LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p31) shows this is pronounced /ti t:rni/. Tigh Mhuntir Thuama, the
Twomeys house is similarly transcribed here in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin (p34) as ti Vuntir Huama (but as tig Vuntir
Huama on p33).
tmpall: around, or timpeall in GCh. The broad p in WM Irish is preserved here: /ti:mpl/. As a noun, tmpall means a circuit:
An tmpall a ghabhil, to go the long way round. Sa tmpall, all around.
tinenta: tenant, or tionnta in GCh.
tionnlacaim, tionnlacan: to escort, or tionlacaim, tionlacan in GCh. Tionnlacan is found in PULs Sadna, (pp, 14, 278), and the
transcriptions in the LS edition (see Shina, pp9, 112) variously indicate pronunciations of /tunlkn/ and /tu:nlkn/; GCD
576 has /tu:lkn/, with a broad t and no medial n. It seems likely a pronunciation of /tu:lkim, tu:lkn/ would be preferable
here.
tionisc: accident. This is PULs regular word for accident; timpiste in not found in his works.
tiormacht: drought, or triomacht in GCh. The original spelling is retained here. CFBB (p253) shows that both /ti:rmxt/
and /trimxt/ are attested realisations of this word (p253); the latter would accord with the spelling given, once metathesis is
taken into account.
tirim: dry, pronounced /trim/.
169
Foclirn
titim, titim: to fall. Titim i gceann do chos, to collapse.

titim: lie, slope. Titim an tailimh, the lie of the land.
tiubaisteach: calamitous, disastrous, or tubaisteach in GCh. CFBB (p262) shows tubaist with a broad t, and tubaisteach is found
in PULs Sadna (e.g. p86). However, there are a number of words that are variously spelt with broad or slender t in PULs Irish
(for example, both tionisg and tonisg are found in his works), reflecting a wider issue with the only slightly palatalised nature
of slender t in Munster Irish.
tiubh: quick; plentiful, widespread. Go tiubh referring to the sale of tickets in Ch25 here means plentifully.
tobac: tobacco, pronounced /t'bk/. As this word is a loanword, it is not distinctively declined in the genitive.
tobairn: little well.
tobn: tub.
tobar: well.
tocht: silence.
tgaim, tgilt/tgaint: to lift, or tgaim, tgil in GCh. Clann do thgaint, to raise children. Some usages appear to be
Barlachas, albeit of long standing, in the general sense of to take: do tgadh na crta, the cards were taken; do thgamair
tigh, we took/rented a building; nta thgaint, to take notes. Rud do thgilt ar dhuine, to blame someone for something,
to take it out on him.
togha: the pick of something; choice. Togha drochscil, the very worst news. Pronounced /tou/. Togha means choice in an
objective sense, contrasting with rogha, meaning choice in a subjective sense (see Gearid Nuallins comments in Studies
in Modern Irish Part 1, p278).
toil: wish, with the genitive toile here, in contradistinction to the tola of GCh.
toilm, toili: to agree, with chun. Pronounced /to'li:m, to'lu:/.
tir: pursuit, hunt. Ar a dtir, in pursuit of them.
toirmeasc: mischief, row, pronounced /torimsk/.
tirthneach: thunder, or toirneach in GCh. Pronounced /to:rhnx/. PUL commented in NIWU (p107) that he had never heard this
word pronounced without its medial -th-; nonetheless, the distinction in pronunciation is exceedingly slight, with /rh/ realised as a
devoiced /r/.
toisc: object, purpose, intention, or because. Rud do bheith de thoisc agat, to have some intention/purpose.
tnleathan: broadbottomed.
tonna: ton. Note that FGB shows that tonna is used to denoted the imperial ton and tona to denote the metric tonne.
tor: bush, with the genitive here tuir.
toradh: fruit, yield, but also regard, notice. N tabharf aon toradh orm, no attention would be paid to me. Toradh a chainnte,
the upshot or result of his talk. Toradh n obair, result of the work.
tosach: beginning, front, pronounced /t'sx/. Tosach na hoche, the evening. I dtosach aimsire, long ago, in early days. Ar
tosach, at the head, in the lead.
tosnam, tosn: to start, or tosam, tos in GCh.
tstalach: arrogant, conceited.
traein: train, with traenanna in the plural where GCh has traenacha. While Ch16 has traein, Ch32 has traen in the original, being
adjusted here to traein.
traochaim, traochadh: to exhaust, overcome, subdue.
trap: trap, i.e. a carriage pulled by a horse.
trth: time, occasion. Trth igin, at some point.
trthnna: evening, pronounced /tr:n'ho:n/. Trthnna mr luath, early evening.
treabhaim, treabhadh: to plough, with treafa as the past participle. Pronounced /traum, trau, traf/.
treabhchas: tribe, pronounced /trauxs/. Treabhchas daoine refers, not just to a tribe as such, but to a clan or family of people.
tran: strong, with the comparative here treise where trine stands in GCh. PUL uses both treise and trine in his historical novel
Niamh (see p197 therein, where both forms are used side by side).
treasna: across or trasna in GCh. Pronounced /trasn/.
tre: direction, way. Tre ball, direction.
tr chile: confusion. Trna chile, mixed up, confused.
tr: through. Trd agus trd, all the way through, through and through. Tr also has the extended meaning of for, on account of,
denoting the reason for which something is done: tr gan bheith balta ar ramharchos do dhol, for not being able to pay the
extortionate rent. Note the form trom, through me or through my and the delenition of tr in treabhadh thrd, to plough
through it, in Ch14 here.
triail: trial, test, with trialach in the genitive and trialacha in the plural. Triail comrtais, contest. Triail dl, legal trial. Duine
chur ar a thriail, to put someone on trial. Do thriail do sheasamh, to stand trial.
trialaim, triail: to try, test, including trying someone in the judicial sense, or triailim, triail in GCh. Pronounced /trialim, trial/.
Do trialadh i mar iad, they were tried for murder.
triallaim, triall: to fare, journey. Ag triall ar, with recourse to in various senses, including going to see someone, bringing
something for someone and sending something to someone. Pronounced /trilim, tril/. See also under trialaim.
trian: third, with the plural after numerals treana. Tr treana, three thirds.
tricear: trigger, or truicear in the GCh. The spelling triccer was found in the original, but tricear is given in the LS version of Mo
Scal Fin (p11).
trioblid: trouble, pronounced /trub'lo:d/.
trochad: thirty. PUL generally forms the numbers in tens in -d: i.e. trochad, daichead, caogad. By contrast, GCh uses trocha
170
Foclirn
and caoga as the nominatives, and so on for the higher decades. Triocha, /trux/, is also found in Munster Irish.
trioscn: furniture, or troscn in GCh.
tritheamh: fit (e.g. of laughter), with the plural trith. In sna trithbh gir, in fits of laughter.
trir: three people, with trr in the genitive here where GCh has triir.
troid: quarrel, fighting, a noun and a verbal noun. Pronounced /trod/.
troidim, troid: to quarrel, fight. Pronounced /trodim, trod/.
troigh: foot (measurement), with the plural troithe. Pronounced /trig, truhi/.
tromaocht: denigrating, censuring. Tromaocht ar mhuntir na hireann, running the Irish people down.
trua: pity. Is m de thrua , he is all the more pitiable.
trucail: cart, truck, with trucaileach in the genitive. Carra trucaileach, side-car. The genitive used in GCh, trucaile, is found in
PULs Sadna (p202). IWM 420 shows that this word is often pronounced turcail, but that trucail was said too.
trucailn: little cart.
tu, thu: disjunctive form of the second person pronoun, pronounced /tu, hu/. Always t in GCh.
tuairisc: news, account, description. Tuairisc na gcmharsan a chur ar dhuine, to ask someone about the neighbours.
tuama: tomb.
tuath: the countryside; rural district. Note the genitive here is given as tuatha, where GCh has tuaithe. Either spelling would yield
the pronunciation /tuh/, but PSD shows that PULs spelling was accepted. The dative was given as tuath in the original, but has
been adjusted here to tuaith, which spelling is also found in the dative in PULs works, in line with the general declension
patterns of feminine nouns. Note ar an dtuaith, in the country. PUL explained in NIWU (p46) that fn dtuaith could only be
used in this sense where motion as implied (amach fn dtuaith, into the countryside); in the country cannot be fn dtuaith.
This is because f only means along where motion is expressed.
tugaim, tabhairt: to give. Note the past participle here, tabhartha, /tu:rh/, where GCh has tugtha. Teacht cht fin, to come to,
come round, i.e., after passing out. Tabhairt f, to tackle, undertake, attempt, something. Tabhairt leat, to grasp, get, bring
out the sense of something: conas a thabharfainn liom sa Bharla deiseacht na Gaelainne, how I could convey in English the
elegance of the Irish. Seanmin a thabhairt uait, to deliver a sermon. thabhairt d chile, to give it to each other, in
terms of exchanging insults in Ch27 here. Note that tabhair dhom, give me, is pronounced /trom/.
tuigim, tuiscint: to understand. Tuigeadh dom (go), I got the idea (that), it occurred to me (that). Nuair a thinig an t-am, de rir
mar a thuig an tEaspag, when the time came that the Bishop thought right.
tuilleadh: addition; more. PUL consistently used spellings indicating a pronunciation of /til i/, where AL had teilleadh, /teli/
(see Scalaocht Amhlaoibh, p8). Tuilleadh agus a dhthain, more than enough.
tuirseach: tired, pronounced /tir'ax/.
tuisceanach: understanding, discerning.
tuiscint: understanding. Tuiscint i gcel, an appreciation of music.
tulach: hillock, mound, pronounced /t'lx/.
tur: dry, but also blunt, peremptory. Tur te, immediately. An t-anam a thitim tur te asat le neart gir, to collapse with
laughter.
turas: journey, round, occasion. Pronounced /trus/.
trtg: tussock, clump of grass, or tortg in GCh.
ts: beginning. The dative is tis here (ar dtis), implying this word is feminine in the dative, although it doesnt seem to be used
in WM Irish outside of phrases such as ar dtis and this go deireadh. Munster Irish seems to prefer tosach to ts in most
circumstances.
uabhar: pride. Pronounced /ur/.
uacht: will, testament. Rud dfhgaint le huacht ag duine, to leave someone something in your will.
uachtar: top, surface. An lmh uachtair, the upper hand.
uachtarn: president, head, superior, with na huachtarin in the plural meaning the authorities, the people in charge.
uaigneach: lonely, desolate, pronounced /uginx/.
uaigneas: loneliness, grief, sadness, pronounced /ugins/.
uaill: howl, wail. Uaill ghir, a howl of laughter.
uair: time. Uair a chluig, hour.
uaths: horror, or uafs in GCh, pronounced /u'h:s/.
uathsach: terrible, or uafsach in GCh. Pronounced /u'h:sx/ in WM Irish.
ubh: egg, pronounced /ov/. Note that this word is masculine in WM Irish. Frequently found with a further qualification: ubh circe,
a chickens egg; ubh lachan, a ducks egg.
uchtach: spirit, vigour; the delivery of a speech (or song). Pronounced /x't x/.
dhlta: the exact same way or condition, pronounced /u:':lh/. FGB has an entry for urdhlta, but crossreferenced to dla (i.e.,
dltha).
il: knowledge, or il in GCh. PUL used the spelling i n-il in the original text, showing the n to be broad in this phrase, / nu:l/.
The word mhail, attention, appears to have become confused with the dative of el, producing il. Rud a chur in il do
dhuine, to let someone know something, to make someone realise something.
uiriste: easy, or furasta in GCh. Fuiriste is also found here, but generally only in lenited contexts, and so the form without f- seems
more fundamental to the dialect. The comparative, found here, is usa, where GCh has fusa.
irlis: tool, implement. irlis ceil, musical instrument. Pronounced /u:rli/.
uisce-f-thalamh: intrigue, or uisce faoi thalamh in GCh.
uisce: water. Dul f uisce, to become submerged, to sink. Uisce bird, drinking water.
171
Foclirn
um: about, round. PUL uses the traditional do bhuail s umam in preference to do bhuaileas leis to mean he came cross me, i.e. I
met him, I bumped into him. Chuir s uime na brga nua, he put the new shoes on. PUL stated in NIWU (p112) that um was
not an obsolete word for him, and that he had always heard cuir umat do chasg for put your coat on, and not cuir ort do
chasg (cuir ort would be more appropriate for something like a hat that is literally put on, and not around, a person). Um chile
in the original text is adjusted to um chile in this edition. The preposition is often found as uim or uime, reflecting the general
tendency for the base form of prepositions to become influenced by the third-person singular prepositional pronoun (i.e. uime), as
in air, f, etc, and um chile is therefore transcribed in the LS version of Mo Scal Fin as im chli (see p24 therein), /i'ma:
xe:li/. Note the following instance in Ch18 here: do bhuail s uime dhuin uasal, a gentleman encountered him, where uime is
a preposition and not a prepositional pronoun. The combined forms are umam /'mum/, umat /'mut/, uime /imi/, umpi /i:mpi/,
umainn /'mi/, umaibh /'miv/, mpu /u:mp/. See Stair na Gaeilge, Ch VI: Gaeilge na Mumhan, 6.22, for discussion of the
pronunciation of these forms. Umam is accordingly transcribed in the LS version of Chapter 11 as umm (p33, but note
transcription as umum, with no stress marked on p14). Uime sin, on that account, for that reason.
urchar: shot. Usually pronounced /ruxr/ in WM Irish (see IWM, 421). PULs classical spelling is retained, as Scalaocht
Amhlaoibh shows that /urxr/ is possible here too (compare ruchar and uruchair on pp116, 117 therein) and the LS version of
Mo Scal Fin has urachar (see p11).
rlabhra: speech, pronounced /u:rlour/.
rlr: floor. Note the long vowel in the first syllable.
urra: warranty, security; a man of standing in the community. The genitive is found in ceann urraid, head, chief, leader.
urramil: respectful, or urramach in GCh, which form is also found in PULs works.
urrs: security, guarantee. Dul in urrs do dhuine ar rud, to guarantee someone something.
usa: easier; see uiriste.
varntas: warrant. Varntas cuardaigh, search warrant. FGB has barntas, but this word is found as both bharntas (in Ch6)
and barntas (Ch29) in the original text here. This word should be lenited, as it is related to the English word warrant, and so a
v is standardised on here, including in Ch29, as it is the norm to use v in words that traditionally had bh (compare also varsa
found elsewhere in this work, where the original text had bhrsa).
varsa: verse, pronounced /ve:rs/.
veidhln: violin, pronounced /vi'li:n/.
watch: the English word is used here. The word uaireadir in not found in PULs works, and it seems likely that the English word
was in common use among Irish native speakers of PULs generation.
writ: the English word is used here, implying that the word eascaire was not in common use among Irish native speakers of PULs
generation or that legal terminology was widely used in English.
Proverbs and sayings

beannacht D len anam: may God bless him.
beireann buan bua: if at first you dont succeed, try and try again. Buan is substantivised in this saying.
ce ar Mhuisire s Clrach lom, an cmhartha soininne is ferr ar domhan: mist on Mushera while Claragh remains bare is the
best sign of good weather in the world.
clocha ceangailte agus madra scaoilte: a situation where the unjust have an unfair advantage over the just, literally stones bound
fast and dogs let loose.
dealg mnla, fiacal chon n focal amadin, na tr nithe is gire ar bith: a thorn in muddy water, a hounds tooth or the
comments of a fool: the three sharpest things in the world. This is an example of an Irish triad, a dry and pithy witticism that
generally comes in threes.
gura maith an mhaise d(h) anam : may he be the better for it, a pious utterance on referring to someones death.
(is) fial stiall de leathar dhuine eile: generous with someone elses things, literally, it is a generous strip [that is cut] from
someone elses leather.
roinnt na caill, mar is il li fin : an unfair bargain, a dividing up of something as might be done by a hag in her own interests.
sln (be) mar a n-nstear : God bless the hearers, a pious utterance on mention of a tragedy.
172

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MUSKERRY CRITICAL EDITIONS

An tAthair Peadar Ua Laoghaire

An tAthair Pdraic Ua Dmhnaill, D.D.,

GCD: Gaeilge Chorca Dhuibhne.

Papers, National Library of Ireland, Dublin.

Preface to the 1915 edition

Bliain a daichead beidh aiteann gan sol gan bhlth,

Thnag i bhfad bhaile anso chibh, ar sise, aduaidh Chll Dara.

Ansan dfhach s ar an mnaoi.

II: Lios Caragin

Is cis na dtugt July an chabiste ar an m sin, n soNuair a thagadh drochbhliain n bhodh

Is d liom, leis, gur im sheasamh ar lr na Pirce Dronna a bhos, im sheasamh ar bharra na

Good morrow, Mr. Saunders! arsa mise leis, go filteach.

Do rugadh sos go Magh Chromtha , agus do cuireadh tr p crsa dl a bh riachtanach . Do

Is measa leis mise, arsa Labhrs.

Thugais ditheach, n measa, arsa Mchel; is measa leis mise, ar seisean.

Cuirfidh m geall leat, arsa Mchel, gur measa leis mise.

Sea, a Pheadair, arsa Labhrs, ceocu againn is measa leat?

Is measa liom tusa, arsa mise, agus is ferr liom Mchel*.

Airi, nch garchiseach an biornach ! arsa Labhrs.

, a chreach lidir ! mo ghirdn bre! Beidh s ite! beidh s ite! ar seisean.

gabhair, agus n raibh aon bhlire dobhla danta don ghirdn.

P saghas an Fhrainncis, bh an Barla go bromhar aici, n bfherr go mr agus nba chruinne,

Na daoine is l ciall in irinn

Teacht, a Shle, arsa Con.

Nl aon chainnt agamsa anois, ar sise.

Airi, cad eile cad t agat*, a Shle? arsa Con.

Airi, cad an Barla fhadfsa bheith agat? arsa Con.

Agus ar ndin is cainnt Barla, a Shle, arsa Con.

Bh mthair Shle l agus mm gairbhil aici sa chorcinn tnleathan go ndeineadh s an cste do

, a Mham! arsa Sle, an amhlaidh a chuirfir an gairbhal sa chste?

Is amhlaidh, a Shle, arsan mhthair.

Sid amach Sle. Chonaic s Con.

, a Chon, ar sise, cad a dhanfaimd? cad a dhanfaimd in aon chor?

Cad t anois ort, a Shle? arsa Con.

Driothir beag g a bh ag Sle ab ea Diarmaidn. Sid isteach Con go bhfeicfeadh s cad a bh ag

Cad na thaobh nr cimedadh an t-arbhar? adarfaidh duine, bfhidir.

Cad na thaobh, adarfaidh duine, bfhidir, nr deineadh dl chun na ndaoine do chosaint ar an

agir ar an mistir is ea ceart do thabhairt don tinenta.

VII: Scoil Charraig an Ime

Bh an Ghaelainn go bre againn go lir. Bh s go hlainn ag Cormac fin. Bh an cls a bh ar

Drididh amach uaithi! ar seisean.

Is adroma cleite n , a Chormaic! arsa duine de sna fearaibh.

Sea, a gharsin, arsan sagart, cad t uait?

Agus cad ab il leat den sel san? arsan sagart.

Chun chasadh uirthi, a Athair, arsan garsn.

VIII: Tr Liathrid Dbha

Bh Diarmaid Tuathaigh, athair Mhire N Thuathaigh, athair mo sheanamhtharsa, na chna ar

Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhiarmaid U Thuathaigh! arsa Dnall.

Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhnaill U Dhgin! arsa Diarmaid.

B crch an scil gur shocraigh mathair ar me chur ag foghlaim na Laidne.

IX: Scoil Magh Chromtha agus Coliste Cholmin

Oh, ar seisean, propterea quod is because.

But, arsa mise, what is quod?

Dia s Muire dhuit, a Dhiarmaid.

Dia s Muire s Pdraig dhuit, a Dhnaill.

An bhfuil aon scal nua agat, a Dhiarmaid?

Ach! Dia linn! a Dhiarmaid. Agus cad an saghas scil ?

T go bhfuil invasion ana-mhr go lir ag teacht.*

Agus c inis duit, a Dhiarmaid, go raibh s ag teacht?

T s i mbal gach inne.

Ach! go bhfiridh Dia orainn! Cad a dhanfaid na daoine in aon chor?

Agus cogar, a Dhiarmaid. Cathain at s ag teacht?