Bunléitheoireacht Ghalach le Mícheál Rhodes

Bunléitheoireacht Ghalach a Deich le Mícheál Rhodes

Páidín O Ceallaigh agus an Easóg

I bhfad ó shin bhí fear darbh ainm Páidín O Ceallaigh ina chónaí i ngar do Thuaim i gcontae na Gaillimhe. Aon mhaidin amháin d'éirigh sé go moch agus ní raibh a fhios aige cé an t-am a bhí sé, mar bhí solas breá ón ngealaigh. Bhí dúil aige le dul go haonach Chathair-na-Mart le hasal a dhíol.

Ní raibh sé níos mó na trí mhíle ar an mbóthar go dtáinig dorchadas mór air, agus thosaigh cith trom ag titim. Chonaic sé teach mór i measc crann timpeall cúig chéad slat ón mbóthar agus dúirt sé leis féin, "Rachaidh mé chun an tí sin, go dté an cith thart." Nuair chuaigh sé chun an tí, bhí an doras oscailte, agus isteach leis. Chonaic sé seomra mór ar thaobh a láimhe chlé, agus tine bhreá insan ngráta. Shuigh sé síos ar stol le cois an bhalla, agus níor i bhfada gur thosaigh sé ag titim ina chodladh, nuair a chonaic sé easóg mhór ag teacht chun na tine agus leag sí giní ar leic an teallaigh agus d'imigh. Níor i bhfada go dtáinig sí ar ais le giní eile agus leag ar leic an teallaigh é, agus d'imigh. Bhí sí ag imeacht agus ag teacht go raibh carnán mór giní ar an teallach. Ach faoi dheireadh nuair a d'imigh sí, d'éirigh Páidín agus chuir sé an méid óir a bhí cruinnithe aici ina phóca, agus amach leis.

Ní raibh sé i bhfad imithe gur chuala sé an easóg ag teacht ina dhiaidh agus í ag screadach chomh hard le píobaibh. Chuaigh sí roimh Páidín ar an mbóthar agus í ag lubarnaíl anonn agus anall agus ag iarraidh greim scornaí a fháil air. Bhí maide maith darach ag Páidín agus choinnigh sé í uaidh go dtáinig beirt fhear suas. Bhí madra maith ag fear acu, agus ruaig sé isteach i bpoll insan mballa í. Chuaigh Páidín chun an aonaigh, agus in áit é a bheith teacht abhaile leis an airgead a fuair sé ar a sheanasal, mar shíl sé ar maidin go mbeadh sé ag déanamh, cheannaigh sé capall le cuid den airgead a bhain sé den easóig, agus tháinig sé abhaile agus é ag marcaíocht. Nuair a tháinig sé chomh fada leis an áit ar chuir an madra an easóg insan bpoll, tháinig sí amach roimhe, thug léim suas, agus fuair greim scornaí ar an gcapall. Thosaigh an capall ag rith, agus níor fhéad Páidín a cheapadh, nó go dtug sé léim isteach i gclais mhóir a bhí líonta d'uisce agus de mhúnlach. Bhí sé ag a bháthadh agus ag a thachtadh go luath, go dtáinig fir suas a bhí ag teacht as Gaillimh agus dhíbir siad an easóg.

Thug Páidín an capall abhaile leis, agus chuir sé isteach i dteach na mbó é, agus thit sé ina chodladh.

Ar maidin, lá ar na mhárach, d'éirigh Páidín go moch, agus chuaigh sé amach le huisce agus féar a thabhairt don chapall. Nuair a chuaigh sé amach chonaic sé an easóg ag teacht amach as teach na mbó, agus í folaithe le fuil. "Mo sheacht míle mallacht ort," arsa Páidín, "tá faitíos orm go bhfuil anachain déanta agat." Chuaigh sé isteach, agus fuair sé an capall, péire bó bainne, agus dá lao marbh. Tháinig sé amach agus chuir sé madra a bhí aige i ndiaidh na h-easóige. Fuair an madra greim uirthi agus fuair sise greim ar an madra. Ba madra maith é, ach b'éigean dó a ghreim scaoileadh sula tháinig Páidín suas, ach choinnigh sé a shúil uirthi go bhfaca sé í ag dul isteach i mbotháin beag a bhí ar bhruach locha. Tháinig Páidín ag rith, agus nuair a bhí sé ag an mbotháinín beag thug sé croitheadh don madra agus chuir sé fearg air, agus chuir sé isteach roimhe é. Nuair chuaigh an madra isteach thosaigh sé ag tafann. Chuaigh Páidín isteach agus chonaic sé seanchailleach insan gcoirnéal. D'fhiafraigh sé dhi an bhfaca sí easóg ag teacht isteach.

"Ní fhaca mé," arsa an chailleach, "tá mé breoite le galar millteach agus muna dté tú amach go tapa glacfaidh tú uaim é."

Chomh fada agus bhí Páidín agus an chailleach ag caint, bhí an madra ag teannadh isteach, nó go dtug sé léim suas faoi dheireadh, agus rug sé greim scornaí ar an gcailligh.

Scréach sise agus dúirt, "Tóg díom do mhadra a Pháidín Uí Cheallaigh, agus déanfaidh mé fear saibhir díot."

Chuir Páidín iach ar an madra a ghreim a scaoileadh, agus dúirt sé, "Inis dom cé thú, nó cad fáth ar mharbh tú mo chapall agus mo bhá?"

"Agus cad fáth dtug tusa leat an t-ór a raibh mé cúig chéad bliain ag a chruinniú i measc cnoc agus gleann an domhain?"

"Shíl mé gur easóg a bhí ionat," arsa Páidín, "nó ní bhainfinn le do chuid óir, agus ní eile, má tá tú cúig chéad bliain ar an tsaol seo, tá sé in am duit imeacht chun suaimhnis."

"Rinne mé coir mhór i m'óige, agus táim le bheith scaoilte óm fhulaing má thig leat fiche punt íoc ar son céad agus trí fichid aifreann dom."

"Cá bhfuil an t-airgead?" ar Páidín.

"Éirigh agus rómhair faoi sceich atá os cionn tobair bhig i gcoirnéal na páirce sin amuigh, agus gheobhaidh tú pota líonta d'ór. Ioc an fiche punt ar son na n-aifreann agus beidh an chuid eile agat féin. Nuair a bhainfeas tú an leac den phota, feicfidh tú madra mór dubh ag teacht amach, ach ná bíodh aon fhaitíos ort; is mac domhsa é. Nuair a gheobhas tú an t-ór, ceannaigh an teach ina bhfaca tú mise i dtosach, gheobhaidh tú saor é, mar tá sé faoi cháil go bhfuil taibhse ann. Beidh mo mhacsa shíos insan tsiléar. Ní dhéanfaidh sé aon dochar duit, ach beidh sé ina chara maith dhuit. Beidh mise marbh mí ón lá seo, agus nuair gheobhas tú marbh mé, cuir splanc faoi an mbothán agus dóigh é. Na hinis d'aon neach beo aon ní ar bith de mo thaobhse, agus beidh an t-ádh ort."

"Cad é an t-ainm atá ort?" arsa Páidín.

"Máire ní Ciarbháin," arsa an chailleach. Chuaigh Páidín abhaile agus nuair a tháinig dorchadas na hoíche, thug sé láí leis agus chuaigh sé chun na sceiche a bhí i gcoirnéal na páirce, agus thosaigh sé ag rómhair. Níor i bhfada go bhfuair sé an pota, agus nuair a bhain sé an leac dé, léim an madra mór dubh amach, agus as go brách leis, agus madra Páidín ina dhiaidh.

Thug Páidín an t-ór abhaile agus chuir sé i bhfolach i dteach na mbó é. Timpeall mí ina dhiaidh sin, chuaigh sé go haonach i nGaillimh agus cheannaigh sé péire bó, capall agus dosaen caora. Ní raibh a fhios ag na comharsanaibh cé an áit a bhfuair sé an t-airgead. Dúirt cuid acu go raibh roinn aige leis na daoinibh maithe.

Aon lá amháin a ghléas Páidín é féin agus chuaigh sé chun an duine uasail ar leis an teach mór, agus d'iarr air, an teach agus an talamh do bhí ina thimpeall, a dhíol leis.

"Tig leat an teach a bheith agat gan chíos, ach tá taibhse ann, agus níor mhaith liom thú a dhul a chónaí ann, gan a insint; ach ní scarfainn leis an talamh gan céad punt níos mó ná tá agatsa le tairiscint dom."

"B'fhéidir go bhfuil an oiread agamsa 's atá agat féin," arsa Páidín, "beidh mé anseo amárach leis an airgead má tá tusa réidh le seilbh do thabhairt dom."

"Beidh mé réidh," arsa an duine uasal.

Chuaigh Páidín abhaile agus d'inis dá mhnaoi go raibh teach mór agus gabháltas talún ceannaithe aige.

"Cé an áit a bhfuair tú an t-airgead?" arsa an bhean.

"Nach cuma dhuit?" arsa Páidín.

Lá ar na mhárach, chuaigh Páidín chun an duine uasail, thug céad punt dhó, agus fuair seilbh an tí agus an talún, agus d'fhág an duine uasal an troscán aige isteach leis an margadh.

D'fhan Páidín insan teach an oíche sin, agus nuair a tháinig an dorchadas chuaigh sé síos insan tsiléar, agus chonaic sé fear beag lena dhá chois scartha ar bhairille.

"Dia dhuit, a dhuine chóir," arsa an fear beag.

"Go mba hé dhuit," arsa Páidín.

"Ná bíodh aon fhaitíos ort romhamsa," arsa an fear beag, "beidh mé i mó charaid maith dhuitse má tá tú in ann rún a choinneáil."

"Táim go deimhin. Choinnigh mé rún do mháthar, agus coinneoidh mé do rúnsa mar an gcéanna."

"B'fhéidir go bhfuil tart ort," arsa an fear beag.

"Níl mé saor uaidh," arsa Páidín.

Chuir an fear beag lámh ina bhrollach, agus tharraing sé corn óir amach, agus thug do Pháidín é, agus dúirt leis, "Tarraing fíon as an mbairille sin fúm."

Tharraing Páidín lán coirn agus sheachaid don fhear beag é. "Ol tú féin i dtosach," ar seisean. D'ól Páidín, tharraing corn eile agus thug don fhear beag é, agus d'ól sé é.

"Líon suas agus ól arís," arsa an fear beag, "is mian liomsa a bheith go súgach anocht."

Bhí an bheirt ag ól go rabhadar leath ar meisce. Ansin thug an fear beag léim anuas ar an urlár, agus dúirt le Páidín, "nach bhfuil dúil agat i gceol?"

"Tá go deimhin," arsa Páidín, "agus is maith an damhsóir mé."

"Tóg suas an leac mhór atá insan gcoirnéal úd, agus gheobhaidh tú mo phíoba fúithi."

Thóg Páidín an leac, fuair na píoba, agus thug don fhear beag iad. D'fháisc sé na píoba air, agus thosaigh sé ag seinm ceoil bhinn. Thosaigh Páidín ag damhsa go raibh sé tuirseach. Ansin bhí deoch eile acu, agus dúirt an fear beag:

"Déan mar dúirt mo mháthair leat, agus taispeánfaidh mise saibhreas mór duit. Tig leat do bhean thabhairt anseo, ach ná hinis di go bhfuil mise ann, agus ní fheicfidh sí mé. Am ar bith a bheas leann nó fíon ag teastáil uait, tar anseo agus tarraing é. Slán leat anois, agus téigh i do chodladh, agus tar chugamsa an oíche amárach."

Chuaigh Páidín ina leaba, agus níor i bhfada go raibh sé ina chodladh.

Ar maidin, lá ar na mhárach, chuaigh Páidín abhaile agus thug a bhean agus a chlann go dtí an teach mór, agus bhíodar go sona. An oíche sin chuaigh Páidín síos insan tsiléar. Chuir an fear beag fáilte roimhe, agus d'iarr air "An raibh fonn damhsa air?"

"Níl go bhfaigh mé deoch," arsa Páidín.

"Ol do sháith," arsa an fear beag, "ní bheidh an bairille sin folamh fad do bheatha."

D'ól Páidín lán an choirn agus thug deoch don fhear beag, ansin dúirt an fear beag leis:

"Táim ag dul go Dún na Sídh anocht, le ceol a sheinm do na daoinibh maithe, agus má thagann tú liom, feicfidh tú greann breá. Bhéarfaidh mé capall duit nach bhfaca tú a leithéid riamh roimhe."

"Rachad agus fáilte," arsa Páidín, "ach cé an leithscéal a dhéanfas mé le mo mhnaoi?"

"Téigh a chodladh léi, agus bhéarfaidh mise amach óna taobh thú, gan a fhios dí, agus bhéarfaidh mé ar ais thú an chaoi chéanna," arsa an fear beag.

"Táim umhal," arsa Páidín, "beidh deoch eile agam sula dté mé as do láthair.

D'ól sé deoch i ndiaidh dí, go raibh sé leath ar meisce agus chuaigh sé ina leaba ansin lena mhnaoi.

Nuair a dhúisigh sé, fuair sé é féin ag marcaíocht ar scuaib i ngar do Dhún na Sídh, agus an fear beag ag marcaíocht ar scuaib eile lena thaobh. Nuair a tháinig siad chomh fada le cnoc glas an Dúin, labhair an fear beag cúpla focal nár thuig Páidín. D'oscail an cnoc glas, agus chuaigh Páidín isteach i seomra breá.

Ní fhaca Páidín aon chruinniú riamh mar bhí insan dún. Bhí an áit líonta de dhaoinibh beaga. Bhí fir agus mná ann, sean agus óg. Chuireadar uile fáilte roimh Dómhnal agus roimh Páidín O Ceallaigh. B'é Dómhnal ainm an phíobaire bhig. Tháinig rí agus banríon na sí ina láthair agus dúirt siad:

"Táimid uile ag dul go Cnoc Matha anocht, ar cuairt go hard-rí agus go banríon ár ndaoine."

D'éirigh an t-iomlán acu, agus chuaigh siad amach. Bhí capaill réidh ag gach aon acu, agus an Cóiste Bodhar le haghaidh an rí agus an banríon. Chuadar isteach insan gcóiste. Léim gach duine ar a chapall féin, agus bhí cinnte nach raibh Páidín ar deireadh. Chuaigh an píobaire amach rompu, agus thosaigh ag seinim ceoil dóibh, agus as go bráth leo. Níor i bhfada go dtángadar go Cnoc Matha. D'oscail an cnoc agus chuaigh an slua sí isteach.

Bhí Finbheara agus Nuala ansin, ard-rí agus banríon Shlua Sí Chonnacht, agus mílte de dhaoinibh beaga. Tháinig Finbheara ina láthair agus dúirt:

"Táimid ag dul báire a bhualadh in aghaidh Slua Sí Mhumhan anocht, agus muna mbuailfimid iad, tá ár gclú imithe go deo. Tá an báire le bheith buailte ar Mháigh Túra faoi shliabh Bealgadáin."

"Táimid uile réidh," arsa Slua Sí Chonnacht, "agus níl amhras againn nach mbuailfimid iad."

"Amach libh uile," arsa an t-ard-rí, "beidh fir Chnoic Néifin ar an talamh romhainn."

D'imíodar uile amach, agus Dómhnal beag agus dá ar dhéag píobaire eile rompu ag seinm ceoil bhinn. Nuair a thángadar go Máigh Túra, bhí Slua Sí Mhumhan agus sí-fir Chnuic Néifin rompu. Anois, is éigean don tslua sí beirt fhear beo a bheith i láthair nuair a bhíonn siad ag troid nó ag bualadh báire, agus sin é an fáth a rug Dómhnal beag Páidín O Ceallaigh leis. Bhí fear darb ainm an Stangaire Buí ó Innis i gcontae an Chláir le Slua Sí Mhumhan.

Níor i bhfada gur ghlac an dá shlua taobha, caitheadh suas an liathróid agus thosaigh an greann dáiríre.

Bhí siad ag bualadh báire agus na píobairí ag seinm ceoil, go bhfaca Páidín O Ceallaigh Slua Mhumhan ag fáil na láimhe láidre, agus thosaigh sé ag cuidiú le Slua Sí Chonnacht. Tháinig an Stangaire i láthair agus d'ionsaigh sé Páidín O Ceallaigh, ach níor i bhfada gur chuir Páidín an Stangaire Buí ar a thar an airde. O bhualadh báire, thosaigh an dá shlua ag troid, ach níor i bhfada gur bhuail Slua Sí Chonnacht an slua eile. Ansin rinne Slua Mhumhan priompalláin díobh féin, agus thosaigh siad ag ithe uile ní glas dá dtáinig siad suas leis. Bhíodar ag scrios na tíre rompu, go dtangadar chomh fada le Conga, nuair a d'éirigh na mílte colm as pholl mór agus shlog siad na priompalláin. Níl aon ainm ar an bpoll go dtí an lá seo ach Poll na gColm.

Nuair a ghnóthaigh Slua Chonnacht an cath, thángadar ar ais go Cnoc Matha, lúcháireach go leor, agus thug an rí Finbheara sparán óir do Pháidín O Ceallaigh, agus thug an píobaire beag abhaile é, agus chuir sé ina chodladh lena mhnaoi é.

Chuaigh mí thart ansin, agus ní thárla aon ní a bhfiú a insint. Ach aon oíche amháin chuaigh Páidín síos insan tsiléar agus dúirt an fear beag leis, "Tá mo mháthair marbh, agus dóigh an bothán os a cionn."

"Is fíor duit," arsa Páidín, "dúirt sí nach raibh sí le bheith ar an tsaol seo ach mí, agus tá an mhí suas inné."

Ar maidin, an lá ar na mhárach, chuaigh Páidín chun an bhotháin agus fuair sé an chailleach marbh. Chuir sé splanc faoi an mbothán agus dhóigh sé é. Tháinig sé abhaile ansin, agus d'inis sé don fhear beag go raibh an bothán dóite. Thug an fear beag sparán dó agus dúirt, "Ní beidh an sparán sin folamh chomh fhad agus a bheas tú beo. Slán leat anois. Ní fheicfidh tú mé níos mó, ach bíodh cuimhne grách agat ar an easóig. B'ise tosach agus príomh-ábhar do shaibhris."

Mhair Páidín agus a bhean blianta i ndiaidh seo, insan teach mór, agus nuair a fuair sé bás, d'fhág sé saibhreas mór in diaidh, agus muirín mór.

Vocabulary for Bhunléitheoireacht Ghalach a Deich

  • a - (len.) his
  • a - her
  • a - (ecl.) their
  • a - to (with vn.)
  • a - (len.) relative pronoun - who, which
  • abhaile - (adv) home
  • ach - but
  • acu - ag + iad
  • ádh (m) luck
  • ag - at
  • againn - ag + sinn
  • agam - ag + mé
  • agat - ag + tú
  • aghaidh (f) face; front; in aghaidh - against, in return for
  • agus - and
  • aici - ag + sí
  • aifreann (m) mass
  • aige - ag + sé
  • ainm (m) name
  • air - ar + sé
  • airde (f) height
  • airgead (m) money; silver
  • ais - in "ar ais" - back, again
  • áit (f) place
  • am - (m) time
  • amach - (adv) out, away
  • amárach - tomorrow
  • amháin (a) one; only
  • amhras (m) doubt
  • amuigh - out, outside
  • an - the
  • anachain (f) mischance, calamity; harm
  • anall - hither, from the far side; anall agus anonn - to and fro
  • ann - i + sé
  • ann - (adv) there
  • anocht - (adv) tonight
  • anois - (adv) now
  • anonn - over, to the other side; anall agus anonn - to and fro
  • anseo - here
  • ansin - there; then
  • anuas - down
  • aon - one
  • aonach (m) fair
  • ar - on, upon
  • ár - (ecl.) our
  • ard (a) high
  • ard-rí (m) high king
  • arís - again
  • arsa - says, said
  • as - out of
  • asal (m) ass, donkey
  • atá - relative form of tá - who is, which is
  • b' - ba (past of copula) before vowel
  • ba - past of copula
  • bá - pl. of bó - cows
  • bain - dig out; bain de - take away, remove; bain le - to concern, relate to
  • bainne (m) milk
  • báire (m) match, contest
  • bairille (m) barrel
  • balla (m) wall
  • banríon (f) queen
  • bás (m) death
  • báthadh - vn. of báigh - to drown
  • beadh - conditional of tá - would be
  • beag (a) small
  • bean (f) woman
  • beas - future relative form of tá - who will be
  • beatha (f) life; livelihood; sustenance
  • beidh - future of tá - will be
  • beirt (f) two persons; pair
  • Bealgadáin - name of a mountain in Ireland
  • beo (m) living being; life; (a) alive, living
  • bhéarfaidh = tabharfaidh - will give (old future absolute form of tugaim)
  • bheith - vn. of tá - to be
  • bhí - past tense of tá - was
  • bhíodar = bhí siad
  • big - gen. of beag
  • binn (a) sweet (of sound)
  • bíodh - impf. of tá
  • bíonn - present habitual of tá - be habitually
  • bith - ar bith - any
  • bliain (f) year
  • bó (f. pl bá) cow
  • bodhar (a) deaf; Cóiste Bodhar - ghostly funeral coach
  • bothán (m) cabin, shed
  • botháinín (m) little cabin
  • bóthar (m) road
  • brách - go brách - forever; agus go brách leis - off he went
  • breá (a) fine
  • breoite (a) sick
  • brollach (m) breast, bosom
  • bruach (m) bank (of a river)
  • buail - to hit, strike
  • bualadh - vn. of buail
  • buí (a) yellow
  • cá - what; where (with ecl.)
  • cad - what
  • cáil (f) reputation
  • cailleach (f) witch
  • caint (f) speech, talk
  • caith - to wear, consume, spend; to throw
  • caitheadh - past autonomous of caith
  • caitheamh - vn. of caith
  • caoi (f) way, manner
  • caora (f) sheep
  • capall (m) horse
  • cara (m., pl. cairde, g. pl. carad) friend
  • carnán (m) little heap or mound
  • cath (m) battle
  • Cathair-na-Mart - Place name
  • cé - what; who
  • céad - what
  • Ceallaigh - Kelly
  • céanna (a) same
  • ceannaigh - to buy
  • ceap - to conceive, think; to head off an animal
  • ceol (m) music; song
  • chomh - as
  • chonaic - past tense of feicim - saw
  • chuadar = chuaigh siad
  • chuaigh - past tense of téigh - went
  • chuala - past tense of clois - heard
  • chugam = chuigéchun + mé
  • chuireadar = chuir siad
  • chun - to towards
  • Ciarbháin - Kerwin
  • cinnte (a) certain
  • cionn - dative singular of ceann; os cionn - above, over; more than
  • cíos (m) rent; tax
  • cith (m) a shower (of rain, snow, etc.)
  • Cláir - County Clare
  • clais (f) gully, ditch
  • clann (f) children
  • clé (f) left hand; (a) left
  • clú (m) reputation; honor, renown
  • cnoc (m) hill
  • codladh - vn of codail - to sleep
  • coinneáil - vn. of coinnigh - to keep, hold, store, detain
  • coinnigh - to keep, hold, store, detain
  • coir (f) crime, offense
  • cóir (a) just, proper, fair, honest
  • coirnéal (m) corner
  • cois - dative of cos - foot; le cois - along with
  • cóiste (m) coach, carriage
  • colm (m) dove, pigeon
  • comharsa (f, pl comharsana) neighbor; neighborhood
  • comharsanaibh - dative pl. of comharsa
  • cónaí - vn. of cónaigh - to live
  • Conga - Place name
  • Connacht - One of the five provinces of Ireland
  • contae (m) county
  • corn (m) horn (musical or drinking)
  • crann (m) tree
  • croitheadh (m) a shake
  • cruinnigh - to assemble, collect
  • cruinniú - vn. of cruinnigh
  • cuairt (f) circuit, round, course; visit
  • cuid (f) part, share, portion
  • cuidiú - vn. of cuidigh - to help
  • cúig - five
  • cuimhne (f) memory; tá cuimhne agam - I remember
  • cuir - to put, place
  • cuma (a) equal, the same; is cuma liom - I don't care
  • cúpla (m) couple
  • d' = de or do
  • dá - two
  • dá = do + a - to his
  • dá = do + a (relative) to which, to whom
  • dáiríre - in earnest, earnestly
  • damhsa (m) dance
  • damhsóir (m) dancer
  • daoine - pl. of duine - person
  • daoinibh - dative pl. of duine
  • darb - do + present relative of copula - to whom is, to which is
  • darach - gen. sing. of dair (f) oak
  • darbh - do + past relative of copula - to whom was, to which was
  • de - from, of
  • dé - de + sé
  • déag - ten
  • déan - to do, make
  • déanamh - vn. of déan
  • déanfas - future relative form of déan - who will do
  • déanta - done
  • deimhin (a) sure, certain; go deimhin - certainly
  • deireadh (m) end; ar deireadh - finally
  • den = de + an (def. article)
  • deo - go deo - forever
  • deoch (f) drink
  • dí = de + sí or do + sí
  • Dia (m) God
  • diaidh - i ndiaidh - after, behind
  • díbir - to drive out, drive away
  • díobh = de + siad
  • díol - to sell
  • díot = de + tú
  • díom = de + mé
  • do - to, for
  • dó = do + sé
  • dochar (m) harm, hurt, injury
  • dóibh = do + siad
  • dóigh - to burn
  • dóite - burned
  • dom = do + mé
  • domhan (m) world
  • Dómhnal - Donal
  • domhsa = do + mé + -sa (emphatice suffix)
  • don = do + an
  • doras (m) door
  • dorchadas (m) darkness
  • dosaen (m) dozen
  • dtí - go dtí - to, towards, until
  • dubh (a) black
  • dúil (f) desire, liking; tá dúil agam - I want
  • duine (m) person, human being
  • dúirt - past tense of deirim - said
  • dúisigh - to wake, awake, rouse
  • duit = do + tú
  • dul - vn. of téigh - to go
  • dún (m) fort, fortress
  • é - him
  • easóg (f) weasel, stoat
  • éigean (m) necessity, compulsion; is éigean dom - I have to
  • eile (a) other
  • éirigh - to rise
  • faca - past dependent of feicim - saw
  • fad (m) length, distance; i bhfad - distant, far, long; i bhfad ó shin - long a go
  • fada (a) long, far
  • fág - to leave
  • faigh - to get
  • fáil - vn. of faigh
  • fáilte (f) welcome
  • fáisc - to squeeze, press
  • faitíos (m) fear
  • fan - to wait
  • faoi - under
  • fáth (m) cause, reason; cén fáth? Why?
  • féad - to be able
  • fear (m) man
  • féar (m) grass, hay
  • fearg (f) anger; fearg a bheith ort le - you are angry with
  • feicim - I see
  • féidir - b'fhéidir - maybe, perhaps
  • féin - self; even
  • fiafraigh - to ask
  • fiche (gen. fichid) twenty
  • Finbheara - Queen of the Fairies
  • fíon (m) wine
  • fíor (f) truth
  • fios (m) knowledge; tá a fhios agam - I know
  • fir - pl. of fear - men
  • fiú (a) worth
  • focal (m) word
  • folach (m) hiding; i bhfolach - in hiding, hidden
  • folamh (a) empty
  • folaithe (a) hidden; covered
  • fonn (m) desire, wish
  • fuair - past of faigh - found, got
  • fuil (f) blood
  • fúithi = faoi + sí
  • fulaing - to bear, endure, suffer
  • fúm = faoi + mé
  • gabháltas (m) capture; occupancy; holding (gabháltas talún - holding of land)
  • gach (a) every
  • Gaillimh - the County Galway
  • galar (m) sickness, disease
  • gan - without
  • gar - i ngar - near
  • gealach (f) moon (dat. sing. gealaigh)
  • gheobhaidh - future of faighim - will get, find
  • gheobhas - future relative of faighim - who will get, find
  • gine (m, pl. giní) Guinea (coin worth 21 shillings)
  • glac - to take, accept
  • glas (a) green, grey
  • gleann (m) valley
  • gléas - to adjust, arrange; prepare, make ready; to dress
  • gnóthaigh - to work, labor; win, gain, earn
  • go - that
  • go - (makes adverbs of adjectives - go maith - well)
  • grách (a) loving, beloved
  • gráta (m) grate
  • greann (m) fun, humor, mirth
  • greim (m) grip, grasp, hold
  • gur - that (with past tense)
  • i - in (in before vowels)
  • í - her
  • iach - gen. sing. of (m) eo - salmon
  • iad - they
  • iarr - to ask; to attempt
  • iarraidh - vn. of iarr
  • imeacht - vn. of imigh - to go away
  • imigh - to go away, leave
  • imíodar = imigh siad
  • imithe (a) gone away
  • in - i before vowels - in
  • ina = i + a (his, her, their) or a (relative)
  • inis - to tell
  • inné - yesterday
  • Innis - Place in Ireland
  • insan = i + an
  • insint - vn. of inis - to tell
  • íoc (m) payment
  • iomlán (a) full, whole, complete
  • ionat = i + tú
  • ionsaigh - to attack
  • is - copula - is
  • ise - emphatic form of pronoun í - her
  • isteach - inside
  • ithe - vn. of ith - to eat
  • lá (m) day
  • labhair - to speak
  • láí (f) spade
  • láidir (a) strong
  • lámh (f) hand (dat. sing láimh)
  • lán (a) full
  • lao (m) calf
  • láthair (f) place, spot, location; presence; i láthair - in the presence of
  • le - with (leis before an and na)
  • leaba (f) bed
  • leac (f, dat. sing leic) flat stone, slab, flagstone
  • leag - to knock down; lower;lay, set; leag ar - to place on
  • leann (m) ale
  • leat = le + tú
  • leath (a) half
  • léi = le + sí
  • leic - dat. sing. of leac
  • léim - to leap
  • léim (f) a leap
  • leis = le + sé
  • leis - form of le before the definite article an and na.
  • leithéid (f) like, counterpart, equal
  • leithscéal (m) excuse, apology
  • lena = le + a (his, her, their)
  • leo = le + siad
  • leor - go leor - enough, plenty
  • liathróid (f) ball
  • libh = le + sibh
  • liom = le + mé
  • líon - to fill
  • líonta (a) full
  • loch (m, gen. locha) lake
  • luath (a) quick, fast
  • lubarnaíl (f) twisting, writhing, wriggling
  • lúcháireach (a) joyous, glad
  • m' - mo - my
  • má - if
  • mac (m) son
  • madra (m) dog
  • maide (m) stick
  • maidin (f) morning
  • máigh = má - plain
  • mair - to live, last
  • Máire - Mary
  • maith (a) good
  • mallacht (f) curse
  • mar - like, as
  • marbh (a) dead
  • marcaíocht (f) horseback riding
  • margadh (m) market
  • Matha - Place name
  • máthair (f) mother
  • mé - me
  • measc - i measc - in the midst of
  • méid (m) amount, quantity
  • meisce (f) drunkeness; ar meisce - drunk
  • mí (f) month mian (f) desire; is mian liom - I want
  • míle (m, pl. mílte) thousand; a mile
  • millteach (a) destructive, baneful
  • mise - emphatic form mé
  • mná - gen. of bean - woman
  • mnaoi - dat. of bean - woman
  • mo - my
  • mó - comparative of mór
  • moch (a) early
  • mór (a) large, big
  • muirín (f) family
  • Mumhan - the province of Munster
  • muna - if not, unless
  • múnlach (m) putrid water, sewer water
  • na - the (pl. and gen. sing. f.)
  • ná - than
  • nach - that not; which not
  • nár - that not, which not (past tenses);
  • neach (m) being, person; aon neach - anyone
  • Néifin - Place name
  • ní - not
  • níl - is not
  • níor - not (with past tenses)
  • níos - used with comparitve - níos mó - larger
  • nó - or
  • nó - nó go - until, so that
  • nuair - when
  • Nuala - name of the Fairy high king
  • ó - from
  • ó (m) grandson, decendent
  • óg (a) young
  • oíche (f) night
  • óige (f) youth
  • óir - for
  • óir - gen. sing. of ór - gold
  • oiread (f) amount, quantity, number
  • ól (m) drink; vn. of ól - to drink
  • óm = ó + mo - from my
  • ón = ó + an - from the
  • óna = ó + a (his, her, their)
  • ór (m) gold
  • orm = ar + mé
  • ort = ar + tú
  • os - out of
  • oscail - to open
  • Páidín - Paddy
  • páirce (f) field
  • péire (m) pair
  • píb (f, pl. píoba, dat. pl. píobaibh) pipe
  • píobaire (m) piper
  • póca (m) pocket
  • poll (m) hole; pool
  • pota (m) pot
  • príomh-ábhar (m) chief cause
  • priompallán (m1) May beetle
  • punt (m) pound
  • rabhadar = raibh siad
  • rachad = rachaidh mé
  • rachaidh - fut. of téigh - will go
  • raibh - past of tá - was
  • réidh (a) ready
  • rí (m) king
  • riamh - ever
  • rinne - past of déan - made
  • rith - to run
  • roimh - before
  • roimhe = roimh + sé
  • roinn (f) share, portion; dealing, trading
  • romhainn = roimh + sinn
  • romham = roimh + mé
  • rómhair - to dig
  • rompu = roimh + siad
  • ruaig - to chase
  • rug - past tense of beir - bore
  • rún (m) secret
  • 's - shortened form of agus
  • -sa - emphatic pronoun ending for verbs, nouns, and pronominal preps.
  • saibhir (a) rich
  • saibhreas (m) riches, wealth
  • sáith (f) fill (ith do sháith - eat your fill)
  • saol (m) life, time, world
  • saor (a) free
  • scaoil - to loosen, release
  • scar - to part, separate, spread; scar le - part with
  • scartha (a) spread
  • sceach (f, gen. sing sceiche, dat. sing. sceich) thornbush
  • scornach (f, gen. sing. scornaí) throat
  • scréach - to shriek, screech
  • screadach (f) scream
  • scrioseadh (vn, m) destroying, destruction
  • scuab (f) broom
  • -se - emphatic pronoun ending for verbs, nouns, and pronominal preps.
  • sé - he
  • seachaid - to deliver, hand over
  • seacht - seven
  • sean (a) old
  • seanasal (m) old ass
  • seanchailleach (f) old witch
  • seilbh (f) possession
  • seinim - I sing
  • seinm - vn. of seinim - to sing
  • seisean - emphatice form of sé
  • seo - this
  • seomra (m) room
  • sí - she
  • sí (m) fairy mound; (gen. sing. as adj.) fairy
  • sí-fir (m) fairy man
  • siad - they
  • Sídh (m) fairy mound (old spelling)
  • síl - to think
  • siléar (m) cellar
  • sin - that
  • síos - down
  • sise - emphatic form of sí
  • slán (a) sound, healthy, safe
  • slat (f) rod, stick
  • sliabh (m) mountain
  • slog - to swallow
  • slua (m) host, force, army
  • solas (m) light
  • son - ar son - for the sake of, on behalf of
  • sona (a) happy, lucky, fortunate
  • sparán (m) purse
  • splanc (f) flash, spark
  • Stangaire - person's name
  • stol - to tear, rend
  • suaimhneas (m) peace, tranquility
  • suas - up
  • súgach (a) mellow with drink, tipsy
  • suigh - to sit
  • súil (f) eye
  • sula - before (conj.)
  • tá - is
  • tabhairt - vn. of tugaim - to give; take
  • tachtadh - vn. of tacht - to choke, strangle
  • tafann - vn. of tafainn - to bark
  • tagaim - I come
  • taibhse (f) ghost
  • tairiscint - vn. of tairg - to offer, bid; attempt
  • taispeáin - to show
  • talamh (m & f, gen. sing. talún) earth, ground
  • talún - gen. sing. of talamh
  • taobh (m) side
  • tapa (a) quick, ready, active
  • tar - imperative of tagaim - come!
  • tarraing - to pull
  • tart (m) thirst
  • té - present subjunctive of téigh
  • teach (m, gen. sing. tí) house
  • teacht - vn. of tagaim - to come
  • teallach (m) fireplace, hearth
  • teannadh - vn. of teann - to tighten, pull tight
  • teastáil - vn. of teastaigh - to be wanted or need (ó - by)
  • téigh - to go
  • tháinig - past tense of tagaim - came
  • thángadar = tháinig siad
  • thar - over, by, past, beyond
  • thárla - past tense of tarlaigh - happened, occurred
  • thart - round, about, by, past
  • thú - objective form of tú
  • Tuaim - Place name
  • tí - gen. sing. of teach - house
  • tig - tig leat - you can (old form of tagann)
  • timpeall - around
  • tine (f) fire
  • tír (f) land
  • tit - to fall
  • tobar (m) well; fountain, spring
  • tóg - to lift, raise, take
  • tosach (m) beginning
  • tosaigh - to begin
  • trí - three
  • trí - through
  • troid - to fight (vn. also troid)
  • trom (a) heavy
  • trascán (m) furniture
  • tú - you
  • tuig - to understand
  • tuirseach (a) tired
  • Túra - place name
  • tusa - emphatic form of you
  • uaidh = ó + sé
  • uaim = ó + mé
  • uait = ó + tú
  • uasal (a) noble
  • úd - that (yonder)
  • uí - gen. sing. of ó - grandson, decendent
  • uile (a) all
  • uirthi - ar + sí
  • uisce (m) water
  • umhal (a) humble, obedient
  • urlár (m) floor

  • Paddy O'Kelly and the Weasel

    Long ago there was a man whose (1) name was Paddy O'Kelly, living (2) near Tuaim in County Gallway. One morning he got up early and he did not know what time it was, since there was a fine light from the moon. (3) He hoped to go to the Cahar-na-Mart fair to sell a an ass.

    He was no more than three miles on the road when a great darkness came upon him, and a heavy rain began to fall. He saw a large house in the middle of some trees about five hundred yards from the road and he said to himself, "I'll go to this house, until the rain goes away." When he came to the house, the door was open, and he went in. (4) He saw a large room on his left, and a fine fire in the grate. He sat down on a stool near the wall, and it was not long before he began to fall asleep, when he saw a large weasel coming to the fire and it placed a guinea on the hearth stone and went away. It was not long before it came back with another guinea and placed it on the hearth stone and went away. It was going and coming until there was a large pile of guineas on the hearth. And at last when it went away, Paddy got up and put the great amount of gold which it had gathered in pocket, and off he went.

    He was not long gone when he heard the weasel coming after him screeching as loud as bagpipes. It went in front of Paddy on the road writhing here and there and trying to get a grip on his throat. (5) Paddy had a good oak staff and he kept it (the weasel) away from him until two men came up. One of the men had a good dog, and it (the dog) chased it (the weasel) into a hole in the wall. Paddy went to the fair, and instead of coming home with the money he got from his old ass, as he thought that morning he would going to do, he bought a horse with part of the money he got from the weasel, and he came home riding on horseback. When he came as far as where the dog had chased (literally "put") the weasel into the hole, it came out in front of him, leaped up, (6) and got a hold of the horses neck. The horse began to run, and Paddy couldn't head it off, (7) until (8) he jumped into a large ditch which was full of water and *******. He was ****** and strangling quickly, until some men came up who were coming from Gallway, and they drove off the weasel.

    Paddy took the horse home with him, and he put it into the barn, and fell to sleep. In the morning of the next day, Paddy got up early, and he went out to g ive some water and hay to the horse. When he went out, he saw the weasel com ing out of the barn covered with blood. "Seven thousand curses on you!" said Paddy, "I'm afraid that you have done some harm." He went in, and he found the horse, a pair of milk cows, and two calves dead. He came out and set a d og which he had after the weasel. The dog got a hold of it and it got a hold of the dog. It was a good dog, but it had to let go before Paddy came up, b ut he kept his eye on it so that he saw it go into a small cabin which was on the shore of a lake. Paddy came running, and when he was at the little cabi n he gave the dog a shake and made it angry, and sent it in befor him. When the dog went inside it began to bark. Paddy went in and saw an old hag in th e corner. He asked her if she had seen a weasel come in.

    "No I didn't," said the hag, "I am sick with a terrible disease and if y ou don't go away quickly, you will catch it from me."

    While Paddy and the hag were talking, the dog was drawing nearer, until it finally leaped up, and got a hold of the the hag by the throat.

    She screamed and said, "Get your dog off of me, Paddy O'Kelly, and I wil l make you a rich man."

    Paddy put a salmon on the dog to loosen its hold, and he said, "Tell me who you are, or why you killed my horse and my cows?"

    "And why did you take the gold which I have been gathering from every hi ll and valley in the world for five hundred years?"

    "I thought you were a weasel," said Paddy, "or else I would not have tak en your gold, and another thing, if have been in the world for five hundred y ears, it's about time for you to go to your rest."

    "I commited a great crime in my youth, and I am about to be released fro m my suffering, if you can pay twenty pounds for 160 masses for me."

    "Where is the money (to pay for it)?" said Paddy.

    "Get up and dig under a thornbush which is hanging over a small well i t he far corner of this field, and you will find a pot full of gold. Pay the t wenty pounds for the mass and the the rest will be your own. When you lift t he stone from the pot, you will see a large, black dog coming out, but don't be afraid; it is a son of mine. When you get the gold, buy the house you fir st saw me in, you will find it is cheap, because it is rumored that there is a ghost in it. My son is down in the cellar. He will not do you any harm, b ut he will be a good friend to you. I will die in a month from this day, and when you find that I have died, set fire to the cabin and burn it. Don't te ll anyone anything about me, and you will have good fortune."

    "What is your name?" said Paddy.

    "Mary O'Kerwin," said the hag.

    Paddy stayed in the house that night, and when darkness came he went down into the cellar, and he saw a small man with his legs spread over a barrel.

    "God be with you, my good man," said the small man.

    "May he be with you (also)," said Paddy.

    "Don't be afraid of me," sad the small man, "I will be a good friend to you if you can keep a secret."

    "I can, certainly. I kept your mother's secret, and I will keep your secret in the same way."

    "Perhaps you're thirsty," said the small man.

    "I'm not free of it," said Paddy.

    The small man put his hand in his bosom, and took out a gold cup, and gave it to Paddy, and said to him, "Draw some win from that barrel underneath me."

    Paddy drew a full cup and handed it to the small man. "You drink first yourself," he said. Paddy drank, drew another cup and gave it to the small man, and he drank it.

    "Fill up and drink again," said the small man, "I feel like getting tipsy tonight."

    The two of them were drinking until they got half drunk. Then the little man leaped down on the floor, and sad to Paddy, "Do you like music?"

    "Yes, certainly," said Paddy, "and I am a good dancer."

    "Lift up the large slab that's in that corner over there, and you will find my pipes under it."

    Paddy lifted up the slab, found the pipes, and gave them to the small man. He squeezed the pipes against himself, and he began to play a sweet song. Paddy began to dance until he was tired. Then they had another drink, and the small man said:

    "Do as my mother told you, and I will show you great riches. You can bring your wife here, but dont't tell her that I'm here, and she wil not see me. Any time you want some ale or wine, come here and draw some. Goodbye for now, and go to sleep, and come to me tomorrow night."

    Paddy went to bed, and it was not long before he was asleep.

    In the morning, the next day, Paddy went home and brought his wife and his children to the large house, and they were happy. That night paddy went down into the cellar. The small man welcomed him, and asked him, "Do you want to dance?"

    "Not till I get a drink," said Paddy.

    "Drink your fill," said the small man, "that barrel will not be empty as long as you live."

    Paddy drank a cupfull and gave a drink to the little man, then the little man said to him:

    "I'm going to the Fairy Mound tonight, to play a tune for the Good People, and if you come with me, you will see fine bit of fun. I'll give you a horse the like of which you have never seen before."

    "Thanks, I'll go," said Paddy, "but what excuse will I give my wife?"

    "Go to sleep with her, and I will take you from her side without her knowing, and I will bring you back in the same way," said the small man.

    "I'm ready," said Paddy, "I'll have another drink before I leave you."

    He drank drink after drink, until he was half drunk and he went to bed then with his wife.

    Notaí Gramadúla

    (1) darbh ainm - the preposition "do" + past relative form of the copula, literally "to whom was a name--".

    (2) Verbal nouns for sitting, standing, lying, sleeping, waking and dwelling, and the word "tost" (being silent) use the preposition "i" with a possessive adjective for the progressive tenses that are normally expressed with "ag" and the verbal noun. E.g.

    Tá sé ag caint. He is talking.

    but

    Tá sé in sheasamh. He is standing.

    (3) "Gealaigh" rather than standard Irish "gealach" for the dative case of 2nd declension feminine nouns. The earlier language had a separate dative which was like the genetive with the final "-e" removed.

    (4) Literally, "inside with him."

    (5) Literally "trying to get a grip of a throat on him."

    (6) Literally "gave a leap up."

    (7) "Ceap" usually means "to think, intend", but when used with an animal it means "to head off, control".

    (8) "Nó go" a conjunction meaning "until".

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