A GRAMMAR OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE By Dr. Chas. H. Stanley Davis This Grammar will comprise everything necessary for the stu- dent to acquire, in order to obtain a grammatical knowledge of the Irish language. While it refers more particularly to the modem Irish tongue, yet the ancient forms of the language have not been neglected. [In preparation] An Chéad Leabhar Gaedhilge FIRST IRISH BOOK FOR BEGINNERS IN THE STUDY OF MODERN IRISH BY DR. CHARLES H. STANLEY DAVIS Author of "A History of Eg\-pt," "Greek and Roman Stoicism," "A Grammar of the Old Persian Language," etc. EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY BOSTON New York Chicago San Francisco Copyright, 1912 BY EDUCATIOX.\L PUBLISHING COMPANY PREFACE This book has been prepared to supply the want of a simple text-book for beginners in the study of modem Irish, and contains the essentials which are necessary for every student of the Irish language to know. Particular pains have been taken to fully illustrate every rule by examples. But little attention has been given to grammatical explana- tions, as they would only confuse the learner. When this book has been mastered, the student is better able to enter upon the study of the declensions and conjugations, and to make a more thorough study of the language. Particular attention has been given to pronunciation and the use of idioms, and over five hundred words are explained, which are most likely to be used in conversation. Charles H. S. Davis. CONTENTS PAGE Preface 7 The Alphabet 9 The Vowels 10 Sounds of the Vowels 11 The Consonants 12 Sounds of the Consonants 12 Diphthongs 16 Sounds of the Diphthongs 17 Triphthongs 18 Sounds of the Triphthongs 18 Aspiration 19 Sounds of the Aspirated Letters 20 Rules for Aspiration 26 Eclipsis 27 Snycope 30 Irish Pronunciation 31 The Article 35 Declension of the Article 35 Pronouns 36 Possessive Pronouns 41 Relative Pronouns 42 Demonstrative Pronouns 42 Interrogative Pronouns 43 5 6 CONTENTS Indefinite Pronouns 44 Adjectives 45 Irregular Comparatives 47 The Possessive Adjectives 47 Nouns with Adjectives 49 Formation of Adjectives 50 Numeral Adjectives . . . . . . . 52 Verbs 57 The Verb to he 58 The Forms of ta and bh-fuil 59 The Moods of do bheith 62 The Impersonal Verb is 64 Adverbs 66 Adverbial Phrases ; . . 68 Prepositions 72 Compound Prepositions 73 Conjunctions 75 Interjections and Inter jectional Phrases . . . -76 Prefixes 78 Affixes 78 Conversational Phrases 79 Idioms 90 Vocabulary 95 War Cries of the Ancient Irish 134 *'The Keltic tongue! the Keltic tongue! why should its voice be still, When all its magic tones with old and golden glories thrill — When, like an aged bard, it sings departed warrior's might — When it was heard in kingly halls where throng'd the brave and bright — When oft its glowing tales of war made dauntless hearts beat high — When oft its tales of hapless love drew tears from beauty's eye." An Chead Leabhar Gaedhilge FIRST IRISH BOOK CHAPTER I The Alphabet The Irish Alphabet (aibghitir) consists of eighteen letters, five of which are vowels; the remaining; thirteen are consonants. Irish Letters Equivalents. English Irish Phonetic Names OF THE Letters. aw, a. A, a B, b C, c D, d E, e F, f bay. kay. day. ey, éh (short) fay may enn ell N, n O, o oh, a pay err shay chay 00, Ú hay K, r S, s lO FIRST IRISH BOOK It will be noticed that the Irish letters differ but little from the ordinary English or Roman letters. The only letters which present any difficulty are the small letters, g, r, 5, and t, and the pupil who can distinguish these few from each other has mastered the Irish alphabet. It will be seen that there is no k and no q in this alphabet. There is also no v, w, x, or z. C, always hard, as cold or kill^ has to do duty for itself and the other two. G is never soft, but hard, equal to got and get. The Vowels The vowels are divided into two classes: 1 The broad vowels: a, a, u. 2 The slender vowels: i. A broad vowel must accompany a broad vowel, and a slender vowel a slender one. Thus in saoradh {acquittal) the broad a requiring another broad vowel, 6>, to accompany it. As we shall see, an Irish consonant is broad when- ever it immediately precedes or follows a broad vowel (a, (7, u), and an Irish consonant is slender whenever it immediately precedes or follows a slender vowel (e, i). Each vowel has two sounds — a short sound and a long sound. The long vowels are marked by means of an acute accent (') placed over the vowel, as bás, death; mór, hig; min, fine. FIRST IRISH BOOK II When the vowel has a short sound, there is no mark, as min, meal. Thus min min, -fine meal. But it must be remembered that the broad vowels (a, 0, u) are not always long vowels, neither are the slender vowels (e, i) always short. In modern Irish no vowels are doubled in the same syllable, like ee or oo in English. There are no quiescent final vowels, as in English or French; when such vowels are unaccented they are sounded very short. Sounds of the Vowels á long sounds like a in /ar, as lán, jull; árd, high, a short sounds like a in that, as anam, a soul; glas, green. é long sounds like e in pay, as ré, time; sé, six. e short sounds like e in get, as duine, a man; buile, rage. Í long sounds like ee in eel, as min, -fine; ri, a king, i short sounds like i in mill, as mil, honey; bile, a tree. 6 long sounds like o in old, as mor, great; or, gold. 0 short sounds like a in mother, as corp, a body; olc, evil. Ú long sounds like u in rule, as úr, jresh; cúl, //^ í^ízí:^. u short sounds like w in put, as ucht, //^e breast; ursa, Examples dó, /Tí'í?; do, fós, yet, also; fos, i^a//, a pop. 12 FIRST IRISH BOOK ionánn, jity able; ionann, equals alike. mála, a hag; mala, an eyebrow. sin, weather; sin, that, those. lón, jood, provisions; Ion, a blackbird, súil, an eye; suil, a willow-tree. coiste, a coach; coiste, a jury. sal, a heel; sal, jilth, dirt. té, a person; te, /^í?/, warm. léar, cfear; lear, //^^ sea. tásg, a report, rumor; tasg, a /a^^. The Consonants The consonants are divided into two classes: 1 The liquids: /, w, n, r. 2 The mutes: b, c, d, /, g, p, s, t. A consonant is said to have a broad or a slender sound according to the nature of the vowel which precedes or follows it. If a consonant or any combination of consonants comes between two vowels, both the vowels must be slender, or else both must be broad; thus in solal, light, the 0 and the a are both broad vowels ; and in tinneas, sickness, the i and the e are both slender vowels. We should not write slat in, but slaitin, a twig, a little stick. We should not write solis, because the o and the i are one of them broad and the other slender. We should not write fearin, but firin; not malin, but máilin. FIRST IRTSIÍ BOOK 13 When mór, great, is prefixed to cion, love, the com- pound is not moirchion, but moirchion, greatlove. This rule is called Caol le caol agus leathan Ic leathan: ''Slender with slender and broad with broad." In modern Irish orthography only three of the consonants, viz., the liquids /, n, r, may be doubled. This doubling can take place only at the end or the middle of words, but never at the beginning, as fearr, better. Sounds of the Consonants B B, broad and slender, is pronounced like b in ban. Ex. ball, a limb; bárr, the top; bád, a boat; bach, drunkenness. C C, broad, is pronounced like c in coal. Ex. cu, a dog; cailin, a girl; cuir, put, place; cúl, the back. C, slender, is pronounced like k in king. Ex. cé, who, which, what; cinn, head; ciall, intel- lect, reason. D D, broad, is pronounced like th in those. Ex. dall, blind, dull; dún, a fortress; donn, brown. 14 FIRST IRISH BOOK D, slender, is pronounced like d in cordial. Ex. dian, intense, severe; dileas, loyal; Dia, God. Note The correct sounds of broad and slender, can only be learned by ear. The Irish d is produced by placing the top of the tongue against the upper front teeth. It is not so sibilant as y, nor so hard as d. F F, broad and slender, is pronounced like / in jail or jan. Ex. fear, a man; fag, a wave; fior, honest, jaithful. G G, broad, is pronounced like g in got. Ex. gorm, blue; gall, a foreigner; galar, disease. G, slender, is always hard, like g in give. Ex. géis, a tribute; géar, sharp, sour; guirt, salt, bitter, L L, broad, is pronounced like / in law. Ex. lón, provision; lámh, a hand; lub, a loop. L, slender, is sounded more liquid than / in valiant, or the // in million. Ex. leanbh, a child; mil, honey; file, a poet, a professor. Note This letter can only be learned by ear, as it has no equivalent in English, particularly the //, as in eallach, cattle; balla, a wall. FIRST IRISH BOOK 15 M M, broad and slender, is pronounced like m in mill. Ex. miotog, a bit, a pinch; mire, madness, jury; moin, a mountain. N N, broad, is pronounced like n in no. It has a broad, thick sound, which does not exist in English. Ex. nós, a custom, a habit; náire, shame; bean, a woman. N, slender, is pronounced like n in new. Ex. nead, a nest; neart, strength; muin, ^/^e neck. P P, broad and slender, is pronounced like p in pore, Ex. port, a bank; putog, a pudding; pian, ^am, punishment. R R, broad, is pronounced like r in road. Ex. rod, a ^a^/^, a road; ráth, a ruadh, red. R, slender, is pronounced like r in clarion, but more liquid. E:x;. coir, just; beir, aire, care, heed, attention. S S, broad, is pronounced like s in son. i6 FIRST IRISH BOOK Ex. sona, fortunate, happy; solas, light, knowledge; seilbh, possession. S, slender, is pronounced like sh in she. Ex. sliahh, a mountain; sin, weather; mis, an island, a river bank. S, slender, when followed by the labials b, m, p, or r, is pronounced like í in English. Ex. smeig, the chin; spéir, the sky; srian, a bridle. T T, broad, is pronounced like th in thaw, and is pro- duced by striking the tip and edges of the tongue against the upper front teeth. Ex. torn, a bush, a grove; tonn, a wave; torann, sound, report, noise. T, slender, is pronounced like / in courteous. Ex. teine, 'jire; tirim, dry; tiugh, thick, close, solid. Diphthongs A diphthong is the union of two vowels in one sound, yet each vowel is pronounced and influences the proximate consonant. There are thirteen diphthongs in the Irish language, viz., ae, ao, eu, ia, ua, ai, ea, ei, eo, io, iu, oi, ui. Of these, ae, ao, eu, ia, ua, and eo are always long, and requires no accent; the others are sometimes long and sometimes short. first irish book 17 Sounds of the Long Diphthongs ae is pronounced like ay in slay; as aer, air; laethe, days. ao is pronounced like ea in heart, but shorter; as daor, dear; aol, lime. ua is pronounced like ue in cruel; as fuar, cold; cuan, a haven, a harbor. eo is pronounced like eo in yeoman; as ceol, music; seol, a 5ai/. ia is pronounced like ea in i/^ar; as iasc, a fish; Dia, God. eu is pronounced like ai in lair; sgeul, a story; feur, The variable diphthongs are said to be long when one of the vowels of which it is composed takes a full, long sound, and the other vowel is but slightly pronounced. Sounds of the Variable Diphthongs w^hen Long ai is pronounced like awi in drawing; as scáil, a shadow; cáin, tribute. eá is pronounced like ea in bear; as caisleán, a castle; méar, a finger. éi is pronounced like ei in feign; as léim, a leap; péire, a pair. Í0 is pronounced like e in me; as fion, wifie; miosa, a month. i8 FIRST IRISH BOOK iú is pronounced like ew in jew; as íiú, worthy; diúlaim, to drain out. 6\ is pronounced like owi in owing; as coir, rights justice; mo in, a hog. úi is pronounced like ui in ruin; as súil, an eye; dúil, desire, wealth. Triphthongs There are five triphthongs in Irish, viz., aoi, eoi, iai, iui, uai. These are formed from the long diph- thongs by the addition of i, which merely lengthens still more the sound of the diphthong, and gives the following consonant a slender sound. Sounds of the Triphthongs aoi is pronounced like we or uee in queen; as maoin> wealth, property (pronounced mween); daoi, a dunce; aoibhneas, delight, joy, pleasure. eoi is pronounced like yoi; feoil, flesh; dreoilin a wren. iai is pronounced like eei in seeing; Brian, a man^s name: liaigh, a physician. iui is pronounced like ewi in mewing; the two t's very short; ciuin, calin, gentle (pronounced kewin); ciuir, good, perfect. uai is pronounced like ooi in cooing; uain, time; buailim, / strike (pronounced boo-il). CHAPTER II Aspiration Aspiration is one of the first difficulties of the student of Irish. Aspiration is a peculiar character- istic of all the Celtic dialects, but it belongs particu- larly to the Irish. It is the softening, and, in some cases, the suppres- sion of the sound of an initial consonant. It may also be explained as denoting the action of the breath, by which the primary sounds of certain consonants are changed into softer related sounds. The breath is not completely stopped in the formation of the consonant, but rather, the consonant sound is breathed. For instance, b in bad is pronounced abruptly by forcing out the breath on separating the lips; but when this letter is aspirated, we breathe the whole time whilst trying to form the sound of b, so that we get a sound very much like v, or some- times nearly as soft as w in wool. In this book the aspirate h is placed after all the consonants, as in the Scottish dialect, to mark their aspirated sounds, but in the Irish text a dot is placed over the aspirated letter, as 6, c, m, etc. Nine of the consonants are capable of aspiration, 19 20 FIRST IRISH BOOK namely, b, c, d, f, g, m, p, s, t; these are called mutable or aspirable consonants; the others are called immutable; 1, n, and r do not admit of aspir- ation. Sounds of Aspirated Letters Bh Bh, broad, except at the end of a word, sounds like w in wool; as gabhal, a fork (pronounced gowal); gabhar, a goat (pronounced gower); leabhar, a book (pronounced lower). If the broad vowel preceding or following bh be long, it gets the sound either of w, or v, especially v in Munster. Bh, slender, that is, next to e or i, is pronounced exactly like the English v; as bhi, was, were (pronounced vee). When final, at the end of a word, bh is also pro- nounced like v; as garbh (pronounced gon^. Examples tógbháil, raising, lifting, building. agaibh, at, or Tvith ye. raibh, was, were. breac, a trout. eibhleog, a spark, the lightning flash. dibh, ojj yon. FIRST IRISH BOOK 91 dibheartha, banished, exiled. díoghbháil, harm, injury, damage. Ch Ch, broad, has a deep guttural sound, and corresponds to the English k, but is pronounced without the tongue touching the palate. The gh in lough, Irish, loch, a lake, also the proper name O'Lough- lin, are examples. Ch, slender, has a smooth guttural sound somewhgit like h, as crioch, a country (pronounced creegh) ; Mícheál, Michael (pronounced Meehyaul). Ch, slender, when -final, is pronounced very faintly. Examples deoch, a drink, acht, hut. bocht, poor. seachrán, astray. fiche, twenty. luch, a mouse. bealach, way, road. chuige, to, jor him, for the purpose. Dh Dh, broad, has a deep guttural sound, not in English, though it is something like the initial y. If the English word augur is pronounced without allow- ing the tongue to touch the back part of the 22 FIRST IRISH BOOK mouth it will nearly express the sound, as taráchair, augur (pronounced thorachar). Dh, slender, in the beginning of words, sounds like y in year; as mo Dhia, my God (pronounced mu yeea). Dh in the middle and end of words is silent, but it lengthens the previous vowel, as buidhe, yellow ^ sunburnt (pronounced bwee) ; croidhe, the heart, love, affection (pronounced cree) ; fiadh, a deer (pronounced fee-a). Examples cródha, brave, heroic. diadha, divine, holy, pious. dhiallaid, a saddle. fáidh, a prophet, a learned man. grádh, love, affection. madadh, a dog. ruadh, red. suidhe, a session, a seat. Fh Fh is always silent, but the vowel following it is very forcibly pronounced. Thus an fheadóg, the plover, is pronounced an addoge; m'fhuil, my blood, is pronounced mwil. Fh is never final, and never occurs in the middle of words except compounds, as sean-fhear, an old man, pronounced shanar. FIRST IRISH BOOK 33 Examples a fhios, his knowledge. muic-fheoil, swine, flesh, pork. fadil-fhleasc, the spine. gan fhoghnamh, a useless, idle person, Gh Gh, broad and slender, has precisely the sound of dh, broad. In the middle and end of words gh is silent, but lengthens the preceding vowel; thus tighearna, landlord, proprietor, is pronounced tee-arna: Corcaigh, Cork, is pronounced kurk-ee. Examples arduighim, magnify, exalt, amuigh, outside. dlighe, law. ghealach, the moon. oidhche-ghealaighe, a moonlight night. úghdar, an authority. uaigh, a grave. súgh, juice or sap. Mh Mh is very nearly the same as bh, viz., like v or w, Mh, broad, in the beginning of a word, is pronounced 24 FIRST IRISH BOOK in the south of Ireland like v; thus, a mhias, his dish, is pronounced a vee-as. In the middle and west of Ireland it is pronounced like w. Mh in the middle of words becomes a nasal u or as fearamhail, manly, is pronounced farooil. Mh, slender, is always sounded like v, but is slightly nasal. Examples damhsadh, dancing. lámh, a hand. meadhgamhail, diluted. tamhnach, a green field. a mháthair, his mother. mhala, a brow, eyebrow, brow of a hill. séimh, mild. amhain, only. Ph Ph sounds exactly like ph or / in English, as a phian, his pain, pronounced a fee-an; ceud-phroinn, breakfast (first meal), pronounced kadhe-frinn. Examples pháirc, a field, a park. pháiste, a child, a babe. phasáiste, passage. phríobháid, privacy, secrecy. FIRST IRISH BOOK mór-phian, great pain. long-phort, a camp. sean-phadhail, an old cow. im' phairt, on my behalf. Sh Sh sounds like the English h in hall; as a shál, his heel, pronounced a haul; mo shúil, my eye, pronounced mu-hoo-il. S is never aspirated before h, c, d, g, m, p, t. S is never aspirated at the end of a word, or in the middle of any words except compounds. Examples a shiol, his posterity. mor sheol, a mainsail. árd scoil, a high school, a college. shios, below. shuas, aboi'e. shac, a sack, a bag. shamhna, All-Jmllowtide, scor, a scar, a cut. Th Th sounds also like the English h, as a thoil, his will, pronounced a hu-il. Th, when final, is faintly sounded, except when the following word begins with a vowel. 26 FIRST IRISH BOOK In some parts of Ireland th broad is scarcely heard at all in the middle of words, as bothar, a road; pronounced as if written boar. Examples cruth, shape or form. athair, a father. sruth, a stream. flaith, a prince. leadartha, mangled, torn. tharrac, draw, introduce. thall, out, beyond, over. thamhuigh, to cause, bring about. Rules for Aspiration The following are the more important rules for aspiration : Aspiration is used not only in forming compound words, but also to point out the grades of adjectives and possessive pronouns. The possessive pronouns mo, my, do, thy, and a, his, aspirate the first consonant of the next word ; as, mo bho, my cow; do mháthair, thy mother; a ghort, his garden. The article an, the, causes aspiration of the initial consonant of feminine nouns in the nomina- tive are accusative cases; as, bean mhór, a big woman; an chathair, the city; an phóg, the kiss. FIRST IRISH BOOK 27 This rule does not apply to the letter s, for, as we have seen, the letter s before b, c, d, g, ni, p, /, cannot be aspirated, as an speal, the scythe. The article causes aspiration of the initial conso- nant in the genitive singular masculine; as, an ghuirt, of the garden. In compound words, the initial consonant of the second word is aspirated, except when the second word begins with d, or /, and the first ends in one of the letters d, n, t, I, s. Thus, deagh-dhuine, a good man; sean-bhean, an old woman; sean-teach, an old house. When the latter part of the compound word is in the genitive case no aspiration takes place: as ceol, music; iarann, iran; uisce, water. The interjection a, the sign of the vocative case, causes aspiration in nouns of both genders and both numbers; as a fhir, O man; a mhná, O woman. ECLIPSIS A consonant is said to be eclipsed, or to suffer eclipsis, when its sound is suppressed, and the sound of another consonant which is prefixed to it, substituted. This owes its origin to a desire of euphony, or facility of utterance, and there is usually a great similarity between the eclipsing letter and the letter eclipsed; thus p is eclipsed by h; t is eclipsed by á. 28 FIRST IRISH BOOK The following eight consonants can be eclipsed: f, g, p, s, t. The four liquids, /, w, n, and r, cannot be eclipsed. Each consonant has its o^^Tl eclipsing letter, and it can be eclipsed by no other. B is eclipsed by m; as a m-bárd, their poet; pro- nounced a maurd. C is eclipsed by g; as a g-coU, their hazel tree; pro- nounced a gowl. D is eclipsed by n; as a ndos, //^e^r ^z^^/z; pro- nounced a nuss. F is eclipsed by hh; as i bh-fuil, in blood; pro- nounced a vwil. G is eclipsed by n; as a n-gioUa, their servant; pro- nounced ang illu. P is eclipsed by h; as a b-pian, //^ezV pain; pro- nounced a bee-an. 5 is eclipsed by /; as an t-suil, the eye; pronounced an too-il. T is eclipsed by d; as a d-tir, their country; pro- nounced a dheer. The following are the more important rules for eclipsis : 1 The possessive pronouns plural, ár, our, bhur, your, a, their, eclipse the initial consonant of the next word, as ar bh-iir, our men; bhur g-crann, your tree; bhar g-cosa, your feet. 2 Eclipsis takes place in the genitive plural of FIRST IRISH BOOK 29 nouns when the article is expressed, as na bh-fear, of the men; govt na g-cápall, the field of the horses. 3 When a simple preposition is followed by the article and a noun in the singular number, the initial consonant of the noun is generally eclipsed; as air an d-talamh, on the earth; tar an bh-fairrge, over the sea; ag an m-bain fhéis, at the wedding. 4 The initial consonant of a verb is eclipsed after the particles a or an, whether; cá, where; nach, whether, not, or that . . . not; go, that; muna, unless; dá, ij; and after the relative a, preceded by a preposition; as a m-beireann, se? Does he bear? An d-tuigeann tú? Do you understand? Cá bh-fuil si? Where is she? Muna d-tuitfir, unless thou shall jail; dá n-dearfainn, ij I would say. 5 Nouns beginning with s are eclipsed by /, when the article is expressed as follows: feminine nouns in the nominative, accusative, and dative singular; also, masculine nouns in the genitive and dative singular; as an t-saoirre (feminine) the free- dom; an t-saoghail {masculine), of the world. 6 In every place where the initial consonant is eclipsed, an initial vowel takes as ar n-arán, our bread; bhur n-obair, your work. 7 The cardinal numbers seacht, seven; ocht, eight; naoi, nine; and deich, ten; cause eclipsis of nouns following them, except when the noun begins with s; as seacht m-bliadhna, seven years. Particles which would neither aspirate nor eclipse, 30 FIRST IRISH BOOK and which end in a vowel, prefix h to words begin- ning with a vowel, as le h-Iosa, with Jesus. This is entirely regulated by euphony and is not always subject to grammatical rules. Syncope Syncope is the omission of one or more letters from the body of a word. When a short (unaccented) vowel or diphthong occurs between a liquid (/, m, n, r,) and any other consonant, or between two liquids, the unaccented vowel or diphthong is elided when it is lengthened either by grammatical inflection or otherwise. The syncope generally consists in the omission of the short vowel, but it also often involves slight changes in other vowels in accordance with the rule, ^'Slender with slender and broad with broad." Note The student is referred to the grammar for more definite rules regarding syncope. The following examples exemplify the method of syncopating words. The genitive singular of cathair, a city, is cathrach; not catharach. The genitive singular feminine of áluinn, beautiful, is áilne; not áluinne. From the root labhair, the present indicative is labhraim, / speak; not lab- hairim. CHAPTER III Irish Pronunciation It is very difficult to acquire a correct pronuncia- tion without a teacher. The rational way to acquire the sounds of a new language is by systematic drill upon exercises drawn up in accordance with pho- netic laws. The Irish language is spelled much more phonetically than the English, in fact it is almost strictly phonetic. It is, therefore, difficult to reduce Irish to English phonetics which, practi- cally, do not exist. To acquire a correct pronunciation of Irish, the motion of the lips should be restricted, and the motion of the tongue developed. The following system of pronunciation illustrates the long and short vowels (i to 6), diphthongs (7 to 13), aspirated consonants (14 to 26), broad and slender consonants (27 to 33), certain combination of consonants (34 to 37), and eclipsed consonants (38 to 41). Note This table originates with the Celtic Association, and has been recorded on phonographic cyUnders, which will prove very useful to the pupil who wishes to acquire a correct pronunciation, and has not the aid of a teacher. The words are so carefully chosen that whoever 31 32 FIRST IRISH BOOK can read them all correctly can read practically the Irish language. Words are often differently pronounced in Ulster, ]Munster, and Connaught. Thus ceann is pro- nounced k-yen in Ulster: k-yown in Munster; and k-yann in Connaught. The Connaught pro- nunciation is generally regarded as the standard. 1 Lá, fál, slán; lag, fan, glas. La, fan!, slaun; log, fon, gloss. 2 Or, mor, brog; do, mol, gort. Ohr, mohr, brohg; du, mul, gurt. 3 CÚ, dún, glún; muc, rud, ursa. Kooh, doohn, gloohn; niook, rood, oorssu. 4 Mé, sé, cré; te, le. Meh, shell, creh; cite, le. 5 Si, tir, min; im, min, tinn. Shee, cheer, nveen; im, min, chin. 6 Mála, dúnta, tobar, agus, firinne. Maulu, doohntu, tubur, ogus, feerinyu. 7 Céim, éire; díol, síoda; céad, déanta. Kehm, eiru, jeel, slieedu, kelvd, jehntu. 8 Aer; feur, sgeul; aol,braon. Eir, feir, shgehl; ael, braen. 9 Dia, iasg; cuan, suas; beo, ceol; fiú. Jeeu, eeusg; cooun, soous; byoh, kyohl; jeooh. 10 Saoi, aois; biail, Briain; feoil, beoir; ciúin. See, eesh; beeil, breein; jyohl, byohr, kyoohn. 11 Tais, caillte; bean, geal; leis, creid. Tash, kalchu; ban, gyal; lesh, crej. 12 Coir, gloine; duit, uisge; fios, crios. Kur^ glunu; dich, ishgu; fiss, criss. FIRST IRISH BOOK 33 13 Bainne, sonais; diarmuid, muintir; Horn. Banyu, siinish; jeermuij, mwinchir, lyiim. 14 Bhi, do bhean; dubh, garbh. Vee, du van; doov, gorriiv. 15 Abhaile, ubhall. Awalu, ooul. 16 Fiche, deich, mo cheann; acht, amach. Ficu jeCy mu can; ac'h; amoc'h. 17 Dhia, dhibirt; dhéan, dheatach. Yeeu, yee- birch; yein, yatac^h. 18 Dhoras, a dhuine, a dhaoine, mo dhruim. G'horus, a g'hinu, a g'heenu, mu g'hrim. 19 Ghiall, ghealach, do ghé. Yeel, yalac^hj du yei. 20 A ghort, a ghuth; a gháire. A g^hurt, a g'huh; a g'hauru. 21 Crudh, ruadh, eulodh, réidh; breagh, sighle. Cruh, rooii, aeloh, rei; brah, sheelu. 22 x\dharc, gadhar, aghaidh; oidhche, cruaidh. Aiark, gaiur, aiee; eecu, crooee. 23 Fhear, an-fhada ; a pháiside, mo phian. Ahr^ an-adii; a phaushju, mu pheeun. 24 A mhic, go deimliin ; cuimhne, lamh, Gaillimh. A vik, gu jevin; Kivnyu, laiiv, galyiv. 25 a^>Io mhac, a mhuc, romhat, cumhachtach, Mu wok, a wook; rohf, koohc'htac'h. 26 Mo shál, a sheomra; mo thir, do thobar, mo theine; imthigh. Mu haid, a hyohmm, mu heer, du hubur, 7nu Jtenu, imhee. 27 Bo, bi; cáil, cill; doras, deas; goile, gile. Boh J bee; kauil, kil; dor us , jass, gulu, gilu. 34 FIRST IRISH BOOK 28 Lag, laoi, liath, balla, giolla, file, fillidh. Llog^ ll(w)ee, leeug, bollu, gillu, filu, filyee. 29 NÓS, naoi, neach, ni, neoinin. Nohss, n{w)ee, nyac^hj nyee, nyohnyeen. 30 Sonas, suim; sonais, seacht, sionnach. Sunus, s{w)im; sunish, shac^ht, shunac^h. 31 Tais, toil, túirne; tirim, teine. Tash,tel{tul)^ toohrnyu; chirim, chenu. 32 Ráth, réir, ris, roth, rún. Rau, reir, risk, ro, roohn. 33 Paidir, Peadar; baile, faire, fuil. P(w)ajir, padur; b(w)alu, f(w)aru, fwil. 34 Alba, dealg, colm, balbh; mná, mnaoi. Al- lubUj jallug, kullum, holluv; munau\ munee\ 35 Donnchadh, ainm, banbh; borb, fearg, air- gead, orm, dorn, garbh, dorcha. Dunuc^hooh^ an- yum, honuv; burub, farug, arugud, urum, durun, goruv, duruc'hu. 36 Cnoc, cneas, gno, gniomh. Kunuk\ kunyan\ gunoh\ guneeuv. 37 Fodla, codla, ceudna, maidne, áilne, ande, gránda, teanga. Fohllu, kullu, keinu, m{w)anyu, auilyu, anyeh. 38 A mbás, ár mbealach; a bróca, ár bpian. A mausSy ahr malac^h; a bohku, ahr beeun. 39 A ndoras, a ndibirt; a dtúirne, ár dtir. A nurusSy a nyeebirch; a doohrnyu, ahr jeer. 40 A igort, a ngiolla; a gcás, a gcios. Angurf, angillu; a gauss, a geess. 41 A bhfáilte, a bhfios; an tsáile, an tsil. A waulchu, a viss; an taulyu, an cheel. PART II ETYMOLOGY The Article The Irish language has but one article, an, which has the same meaning as the English definite article the^ as an fear, the man; an bheah, the woman. There is no indefinite article, so that cápall means either "horse" or "a horse"; bo means ''cow" or ''a cow." The article changes its form according to number, gender, and case. In all cases of the singular number the article has the form of an, except the genitive feminine, when it becomes na. In all the cases of the plural in both genders it is always na. The article produces certain changes in the initial letters of nouns, for which see the Grammar. Declension of the Article Singular Nominative and Accusative, Gentive Dative mas. fem. an, an, the. an, na, 0} the. an, an, the. 35 36 FIRST IRISH BOOK Plural mas. and }em. Nominative and Accusative Genitive Dative na, the. na, of the. na, the. Examples an bás, death in general. talamh na Héireann, the land of Ireland. an fear céadna, the same man; the very man, mar an gcéadna, likewise; in like manner. an phroinn, the dinner. There are six kinds of pronouns in Irish: Per- sonal, Possessive, Relative, Demonstrative, Inter- rogative, and Indefinite. There are four personal pronouns : mé, /; tu, thou or you; sé, he, it; and si, she, it. They are declined as follows: Pronouns I Personal Pronouns Mé, /, me. Singular Nam. mé, /. Dat. dom, dam, to me. Acc. mé, me. FIRST IRISH BOOK 37 Plural Nom, sinn, we. Dat. duinn, to us, Acc. inn or sinn, us. TÚ, thou, you. Singular Nom. tú, thou, you. Dat. duit, to the, to you, Acc. thú, thee, you. Plural Nom. sibh, you, ye. Dat. dibh, daoibh, to you, Acc. sibh, you, ye. TÚ {emphatic) Singular Nom. tusa, thou, you. Dat. duitse, to thee. Acc. thusa, thee, you. Plural Nom. sibhse, you, ye, yourselves. Dat. sibhse, to you. Acc, sibhse, you. FIRST IRISH BOOK TÚ (reflexive) Singular Nom. tú-fhéin, tJtou, thyself. Dat. duit-fhéin, to thyselj, Acc. thú-fhéin, thyself. Plural Nom. sibh-fhéin, you, yourselves, Dat. síbh-fhéin, to yourselves. Acc. sibh-fhéin, yourselves. Sé, he, it. Singular Nom. sé, he, it. Dat. do, to him. Acc. é, him. Plural Nom. siad, they. Dat. doibh, daobhtha, to them. Acc. iad, thetn. Sé (reflexive) Singular Nom. sé-fhein, he himself. Dat. dó-fhéin, to himself. Acc. é-fhéin, himself. FIRST IRISH BOOK 39 Plural Nom. siad-fhéin, they themselves. Dat. daobhtha-fhein, to themselves. Acc. iad-fhéin, themselves. Si, she. Singular Nom. si, she^ it. Dat. duithe, oi, to her. Acc. Í, her, it. Plural Nom. siad, they. Dat. daobh, to them, Acc. iad, them. Si, {emphatic) Singular Nom. sise, she, it, Dat. duithese, to her. Acc, ise, her, it. Plural Nom. siadsan, they. Dat. daobhthasan, to them, Acc. iadsan, them. 40 FIRST IRISH BOOK Si, (reflexive) Singular Nom. si-fhéin, she, herself. Dat. duithe-fhéin, to herself, Acc. í-fhéin, herself. Plural Nom. siad-fhéin, they themselves. Dat. daobhtha-fhéin, to themselves. Acc. íad-fhéin, themselves. The word fhéin, self, is postfixed to these personal pronouns for the sake of emphasis. Examples An mé a bhi, ann ? Was it I that was in it? Thainig sé dom bhualadh, He came to strike me. NÍ sinn, We are not. Ar Ó1 tú? Did you drink? Go dé mar tá sibh? How are you? Go soirbhighioh Dia dhuit, May God prosper {all good care for) you. An tusa, Brian O'Domhnaill, And you, Brian O^Dofinell. Más maith na leagha sibh, ar éisíon. // ye are the good physicians, says he. An tú-fhéin atá ann? Is it yourself that is in it? Léim sé thar an mballa, He leaped over the wall. FIRST IRISH BOOK 41 Deun sin do, Do that for him. Bhi siad, They were. Is maith an fear é, He is a good man. Is mor na daoine iad, They are great 7nen. Cha d-tiocfadh si, She would not coim. Ith é sin duit féin, Eat tJiut for your set}, eat an. Ar dteach féin, Our awn house. Note Fein when placed after pronouns is usually as- pirated, as if it formed a compound word with the pronoun, as mé-fhéin, instead of mé féin. Possessive Pronouns The possessive pronouns are mo, my; do, thy; a, his, or Iters; ár, ours; bhar, yours; a, theirs. These pronouns can never stand alone, like the English mine, thine, etc., but must be used with the aid of a noun, and when emphatic, the particle sa comes after the noun. For instance, we cannot say, "this is mine;" is é so mo-sa, but the noun must be expressed, as is é so mo leabhar-sa, "this is my book." The word féin, selj, is postfixed to the possessive as well as to the personal pronouns, for emphasis: as mé féin, / my self; it also means awn when used with a possessive pronoun, as mo chapall mor fhéin, my awn big horse. Examples mo lámh-sa féin, mine own hand. do choiste agus do chapaill, thy coach a)td thy horses. 4a FIRST IRISH BOOK ar g-coisde agus ar g-capaill, our coach and our horses. bhar m-ba, your cows. a n-athair, their father. Relative Pronouns There are three relative pronouns in Irish: a, who, which, that; noch, who, which, that; nach, which, not. Dá sometimes signifies who, which, however; sometimes of which, of what, as da aoirde é, how- ever great his {or its) height. The relative a has sometimes the sense of all which, or all that; as, a bhfuil ó Chorcaigh go Gail- limh, all that is from Cork to Galway. The relative pronouns are not declined. Examples An fear a bhuailim, The man whom I strike. An liaigh noch a deir go bh-fuil tú slán, The physi- cian who says that you are well. An fear nach n-itheann arán, The man who does not eat bread. Na daoine a bhuailfidh sé, The people whom he will strike. Demonstrative Pronouns The demonstrative pronouns are so, or seo, this; sin, that; and súd, that, you, yonder. FIRST IRISH BOOK 43 They are indeclinable, and the same in both numbers. When the English words this and that are equiva- lent to this one and that one, é seo, or es, é sin and é súd are used, as is é seo an ri, this is the king; tóg é sin, lijt that. Examples an fear so, this man. na mná sin, those women. tá sud caithte, yonder thing is used. a chlann súd, his children. Interrogative Pronouns The interrogative pronouns are: cia or cé, who, which; cad, creud, or caidé, what; cé or ceurd, what; cia leis, whose; cia aca (cioca), which of them. All these come first in the sentence. In Irish we do not say, ''With whom (is) the book?" but ''Who with him (is) the book?" Examples Cé thu-fhein? Who are you? Cia leis thú? Who owns you? Whose son are you? Cad atá agat? What have you? Caidé an rud é sin ? What is that? 44 FIRST IRISH BOOK Cia leis é so ? Whose is this? Which of them is the better? Indefinite Pronouns The following are the principal indefinite pro- nouns : Gach uile and gach aon are usually pronounced a chuile and achan. Ceachtar with a negative verb is equivalent to neither, as, Ni fhuil ceachtar aca agam, / have neither oj them. The indefinite pronouns are not declined, with the exception of cách, which becomes cáich in the genitive singular, as a bh-fiadh-naise cáich, in the presence oj all. aon, one, single. éigin, some, certain. eile, oile, other. cách, all, every one. ceachtar, either. uile, uilig, all. a chéile, each other. an té, an ti, the person who. cia b'é, cibé, gibé, whoever. air bith, ar bith, any. aoinneach (aoin'ne), any- gach, each, every. gach uile, every. gach aon, every. body. Examples NÍ-1 agam acht aon scilling, / Jiave but a single shilling. ar chuma éigin, in some way. FIRST IRISH BOOK 45 an la eile, the other day. nach truagh le cách a haicid, tJiat no one pities Iter misjortune. gach re lá, every other day. gach uile nidh, everything. uile dhoibh, to them all. o'n tseachtmhain go chéile, jrom one week to another. cibé fear a thiocfas, whatever man comes. cia ar bith? who at all? x\n dtáinig aoinneach annso? Did anyone come here? Adjectives Adjectives, like pronouns and participles, agree, with a few exceptions, with the noun in gender, number, and case, as fear mor agus bean bheag, a big man and a small woman. Adjectives are declined in much the same manner as nouns. There are, as well as in all languages, three degrees of comparison, the positive, the comparative, and the superlative. The comparative of superiority and inferiority is formed by putting nios before the genitive singu- lar feminine of the positive, as cat nios báine, a white cat; that is, cat nidh a is báine is equivalent to a cat a thing which is whiter. With the verb is, the comparative sign nios is not used, except when the comparative qualifies a noun, as, is cailin nios duibhe Nora, Nora is a darker girl. 46 FIRST IRISH BOOK Examples Is gile sneachta ná bainne, Snow is whiter than milk. Is duibhe Una ná ISIáire, Una is darker than Mary. Is gile an ghrian ná an ghealach, The sun is brighter than the moon. The signification of the adjective is heightened by various particles prefixed, as: an, very flor (or fir), very or truly {as truly good). glé, pure {as piire white). ro, too, excessively sár, exceedingly. úr, very { in a depreciating sense). maith, good. an-mhaith, very good. fior-mhaith, truly good. ro-fhuar, too cold. sár the, excessively hot {warm). ulr-lsiol, very low. úr-ghránda, very ugly. All the above particles cause aspiration. The preposition, de, of it, is often annexed to the comparative form of the adjective, as, ni misde (measa + de) thú sin, you are not the worst of that. Examples gilide, the whiter of. siaide, the longer of. ferrde, the better of. FIRST IRISH BOOK 47 Adjectives ending in a slender consonant form the plural by adding e, as: bean mhaith, a good woman; mná maithe, good women. áit fholláin, a healthy place; áiteacha foUaine, healthy places. The possessive adjectives stand alone, and can- not be used without the aid of a noun, and, when emphatic, the particle, sa, comes after the noun. Irregular Comparatives Comparatives beag, little. mor, large. fada, long. fada, long. geárr, short. maith, good. olc, bad. iomdha, many. furusa, easy. te, hot. treun, strong gránna, hateful^ "^^gly- gar, near. árd, high. lugha, less. mo, larger, more. faide, longer. sia, longer. giorra, shorter. seárr, better. measa, worse. mo, lia, more. fusa, easier. teo, hotter. treise, tréine, stronger. gráinne, uglier. goire, nearer. áirde, aoirde, higher. The Possessive Adjectives 48 FIRST IRISH BOOK The possessive adjectives are as follows: Singular Plural mo, my. ár, our. do, thy. bhur (or bhar) your. a, his or her. a, their. A, a, /^er, and a //^efr, are easily distin- guished by their initial changes in the following words, as: a, his, aspirates; a bho, his cow. 1 b c d f a, her, does not ; a bo, her cow. ( t ' a, their, eclipses; a m-bo, their cow. J a, te, no change; a anam, /^i^ soul | a, /^r, takes h; a h-anam, /^er 5í?í^/. V vowels. a, //^eir, takes n ; a n-anam, //^ezV J a, tó, aspirates; a sháith, his fill. 1 a, her, no change; a sáith, her fill. > s and m. a, //^efr, no change ; a sáith, their fill. ) a, /^ií, no change; a náire.l a, A^r, no change; a náire. V 1, n, r. a, i/jeir, no change; a náire. J The 0 of mo and do is elided whenever they are followed by a word beginning with the vowel or }h, as: d'athair, thy father. m'athair agus m'fhear, my father and my husband. FIRST IRISH BOOK 49 When a simple preposition ending in a vowel comes before the possessive adjective; a, his^ her, their, or ar, our, n must be inserted between them, as: le n-a n grádh, or, le na n-grádh, with their love. Nouns with Adjectives An adjective in Irish generally follows the noun. árd tighearna, a sovereign lord. árd réim, supreme power, chief power, arán geal, white bread. bád caol, a narrow boat. bas obann, sudden death. bean tinn, a sick women. bean uasal, a lady. cailin deas, a pretty girl. cara dil, a dear friend. capall láidir, a strong horse, cuan socair, a safe harbor. daor óglách, a bond slave. doras daingean, a firm door. duinne uasal, a gentleman. ean gorm, a blue bird. fior uisge, spring water, feor úr, fresh grass. focal borb, a violent word. gaireh shion, rough weather. gaol og, a young relation. iasg folláin, wholesome fish, lá fada, a long day. 50 FIRST IRISH BOOK léim árd, a high leap. long láidir, a strong ship. maidin áluinn, a beautiful morning, mil úr, jresh honey. muinntir iosal, low people. nuadh dhuine, a fresh person; an upstart. nos olc, a bad habit. neul soilléir, a bright cloud. páistín fionn, a fair child, ros dearg, a red rose. rud beag, a little thing. sean athair, a grandfather. sean mháthair, a grandmother, sean aois, old age. seod daor, a costly jewel. sgeul suairc, a pleasant story, sráid árd, a high street. treun fhear, a brave mafi. trom luighe, a nightmare. tend teann, a tight string. tinneas garg, a severe sickness, tir áluinn, a beautiful country, tobar glan, a clean well. urlár lorn, a bare floor. Formation of Adjectives Adjectives may be formed from many nouns by the addition of ach or each, which signifies full of, abounding in. FIRST IRISH BOOK Examples fearg, anger; feargach, angry. buaidh, victory; buadhach, victorious. clú, jame; clúiteach, famous. Sacsain, England; Sacsanach, English. bron, sorrow; bronach, sorrowful . neul, a cloud; neulach, cloudy. cúmhacht, power; cúmhachtach, powerful. aire, care; aireach, attentive. toil, a will; toilteach, willing. Some adjectives are formed by adding mhar to nouns. Examples ádh, luck; adhmhar, lucky. ceol, music; ceolmhar, musical. feoil, flesh; feolmhar, fleshy, carnal. gloir, glory; glormhar, glorious. lion, number; lionmhar, numerous. Some adjectives are formed from nouns by the addition of amhail to nouns. If the consonant preceding is slender, eamhail is added. Examples fear, a man; fearamhail, manly. bean, a woman; beanamhail, womanly. greann, fun; greannamhail, funny, gay. gráin, hatred; gráineamhail, hateful. flaith, prince; flaitheamhail, princely. 52 FIRST IRISH BOOK Numeral Adjectives Cardinals 1, aon 2, do, dá 3, trí 4, ceathair, ceithre 5> cúig 6, sé 7, seacht 8, ocht 9, naoi 10, deich 11, aon deag 12, dó (or dá) dheag 13, tri deag 14, ceathair deag, or ceithre deag 15, cúig deag 16, sé deag 17, seacht deag 18, ocht deag 19, naoi deag 20, fiche 21, aon is ( or as) fiche; aon ar fhichid 22, do or dá is fiche; do or dá ar fhichid 23, tri is fiche; tri ar fhichid 30, deich is fiche (triocha) 31, aon deag is fiche 32, do (or dá) dheag is fiche 37, seacht deag is fiche FIRST IRISH BOOK 53 40, dá fhichid (ceathracha) 41, aon is dá fhichid 44, ceathair or ceithre is dá fhichid 50, deich is da fhichid; leithcheud 51, aon deag is da fhichid 60, tri fichid (seasga) 61, aon is tri fichid 70, deich is tri fichid (seachtmhogha) 71, aon deag is tri fichid 80, ceithre fichid (ochtmhogha) 81, aon is ceithre fichid 90, deich is ceithre fichid (nocha) 91, aon deag is ceithre fichid 100, céad (ceud) 101, aon is cead 200, da chead 300, tri chead 400, ceithre chead 800, ocht gcead 1000, mile 2000, dá mhíle 3CXX), tri mile 4000, ceithre mile 1,000,000, milliún Ordinals I St, cead, aonmhadh 2nd, dara, domhadh 3rd, triom.hadh treas 4th, ceathramhadh 54 FIRST IRISH BOOK Sth, cúigeadh, cúigmadh 6th, seiseadh, sémhadh yth, seachtmhadh 8th, ochtmhadh 9th, naomhadh loth, deachmhadh, deicheadh nth, aonmhadh deag 1 2th, dara deag 13th, treas deag, triomhadh deag 14th, ceathramhadh deag 15th, cúigeadh deag 1 6th, seiseadh deag 17th, seachtmhadh deag 1 8th, ochtmhadh deag 19th, naomhadh deag 20th, ficheadh 2ist, aonmhadh ar fhichid 22nd, dara ar fhichid 23rd, triomhadh ar fhichid or treas ar fhichid 30th, deachmhadh ar fhichid 31st, aonmhadh deag ar fhichid 32nd, dara deag ar fhichid 37th, seachtmhadh deag ar fhichid 40th, da fhichideadh 41st, aonmhadh ar dhá fhichid 44th , ceathramhadh ar dhá fhichid 50th, deathmhadh ar dhá fhichid 5 1 st , aonmhadh deag ar dhá fhichid 60th, tri fichideadh 6ist, aonmhadh ar tri fichid FIRST IRISH BOOK 55 70th, deachmhadh ar tri fichid 7 1 st , aonmhadh deag ar tri fichid 80th, ceithre fichideadh 8ist, aonmhadh ar cheithre fichid 90th, deachmhadh ar cheithre fichid 91st, aonmhadh deag ar cheithre fichid looth, ceadadh I Gist, aonmhadh ar chead 200th, dá cheadadh 300th, tri cheadah 400th, ceithre cheadadh Sooth, ocht gceadadh 1 000th, mfleadh 2000th, da mhileadh 3000th, tri mlleadh 4000th, ceithre mlleadh 1, 000,000th, miUiúnadh Whenever any numeral less than twenty is used by itself {i.e. not followed immediately by a noun), the particle a must be used before it. This a prefixes h- to vowels: a h-aon, one; a do, two; a h-ocht eight; Tá se a c eat hair a chlog, // is four 0^ clock. A do and a ceathair can be used only in the absence of nouns, and never when counting in the abstract, Aon, one J when used with a noun almost always takes the word amháin after the noun; as, aon fhear amháin, ofie man. Aon, mte, dá, two, are placed before their nouns, FIRST IRISH BOOK and aspirate their initials, if in the aspirable class, as, aon ctduas, one ear; dhá chluais, two ears. Examples an clog, the hell, the clock; genitive, an chluig. an uair, the time or occasion, the hour; genitive, na huaire. Go dé'n clog a bh-fuil sé ? What o^ clock is it? Go dé'n t-am a bh-fuil sé ? What time is it? an h-aon, one, or one o^ clock. an do, two or two o^clock. an tri, three or three o^ clock. an ceathair, jour or jour o'clock. an cuig, jive or -five o'clock. an h-ocht, eight or eight o'clock. an h-aon-deag, eleven or eleven o'clock, an do-deag, twelve or twelve o'clock. an meadhon lae, noon . an meadhon oidhche, midnight. Tá sé an cúig o chlog, It is jive o'clock. leath-uair, a halj hour, halj an hour; genitive^ leath-uaire. ceathramha-uaire, a quarter oj an hour. ceathradh go d-ti'n tri, a quarter to three. nóimid, or noimeud, a minute; plural, nóimid or nóiméid, minutes. cúig noimid, jive minutes. cúig nóimid deag, jijteen minutes. tar éis or thar éis, or d'éis, past, as: — FIRST IRISH BOOK 57 leath-uair tar eis a do, half-past two. roimh, before, as: — dcich noamidid roimh a deich, ten minutes before {or to) ten, fiche noimid tar éis a ceathair, at twenty minutes past four. dá chapall bhana, two white horses. sé fichid capall ban, one hundred twenty white horses. tri ba fichead, twenty-three cows. ceithre ba fichead, twenty-four cows. cúig ba fichead, twenty-five cows. Cá mhéid atá agat ? How much have you? Cá mhéid? How many? aon bho agus dhá chaora, one cow and two sheep. sé ba agus ocht g-capaill, six cows and eight horses. Go dé an aois ata agad. How old are you, or. What is your age? Ta me cion fiche bliadhain. / am upwards of twenty years. Verbs Verbs in Irish are of four kinds: active, passive, neuter, and impersonal. They have number, per- son, mood, and tense. They have the singular and plural numbers, and the usual three persons. The verb agrees with its nominative in number and person. The conjugation is arranged, not according to the initial changes, but according to terminations. The verbs are conjugated affirmatively and interrogatively. 58 FIRST IRISH BOOK The Verb, to he. In order to form sentences it is necessary to know the verb to he. There is no true verb to have in Irish; the verb to he, in one of its forms, is used as a prin- cipal verb or as an auxiliary. Its place is supplied by the verb tá, followed by the preposition ag. Thus, instead of saying, / have it, the Irish form would be, Tá se agum, the equivalent of which is the French C'est a moi, // is well with me, or to me; Tá leabhar agam, / have the hook, literally is, A hook is at me. The present tense of the verb to he in English is: Singular Plural 1. I am. I. We are. 2. Thou art. 2. You are. 3. H€ is. 3. They are. The present tense, indicative mood of táim, / am, Singular Plural IS 1. táim, / am. i. támaoid, we are. 2. táir, thou art. 2. táthaoi, you are. 3. tá sé, he is. 3. táid, they are. The particle a is often prefixed to the present tense of this verb, for the sake of euphony, or em- phasis, as atáim. The above is called the sympathetic form, because FIRST IRISH BOOK 59 the nominative case when a pronoun is joined to the verb and forms with it one word, as táim, for tá mé; táir, for tá tú, etc. The Forms of Ta and Bh-fuil Present Tense — Primary Form, I. Singular tá mé, / am, tá tú, thou art. tá I I SI, she ts. Plural 1. tá sinn, we are. 2. tá sibh, you are. 3. tá siad, they are. Present Tense — Secondary Form. Singular bh-fuil mé? ami? bh-fuil tú? art thou? 2 is he? 3 is she? 3. bh-fuil Plural I. bh-fuil sinn? are we? bh-fuil sibh ? are you? bh-fuil siad? are they? (Si? w Forms 0} the Past Tense of do bheith. Singular bhi mé, / was. bhi tú, thou wast, he was. she was. bhi 1 1^' I SI, Plural 1. hhi sinn, we were. 2. bhi sibh, ye were. 3. bhi siad, they were. FIRST IRISH BOOK Secondary Form Singular Plural raibh mé? was I? i. raibh sinn? were we? raibh tú? wast thou? 2. raibh sibh? were ye? riabh I ^ '^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ "^^^^ \si? was she? Consuetudinal Past Singular 1. bhidheadh mé, / used to he. 2. bhidheadh tú, thou usedst to he. he used to he. ísé, I si, bhidheadh ^ ^ 7 j ^ r she used to be. Plural 1. bhidheadh sinn, we used to he. 2. bhidheadh sibh, ye used to he. 3. bhidheadh siad, they used to he, BUDH Singular 1. budh mé, // was I. 2. budh tú, tú, it was thou. V 1, Í shé, é, it was he. 3. ^^^^ Ui^i^ ^as she. FIRST IRISH BOOK 6i Plural 1. budh sinn, inn, it was we, 2. budh sibh, ibh, it was ye. 3. budh shiad, it was they. The Conditional Mood of do bheith Singular 1. Bheidhinn, bheidheadh mé, / would be. 2. bheidhtheá, bheidheadh tú, thou woiddst he, 3. bheidheadh sé, si, he or she would he. Plural 1. bheidhmls, bheidheadh sinn, we would he. 2. bheidhthi, bheidheadh sibh, ye woidd he. 3. bheidhis, bheidheadh siad, they woidd he. The Imperative Mood of do bheith Singular 2. bi, be thou. 3. bidheadh sé, si, let him or her be. Plural 1. bímís (biom), let us he. 2. bidhidh, he ye. 3. bídís, he they, let them be. The Imperative Mood has no first person singu- lar. 6a FIRST IRISH BOOK Infinitive Mood and Participle of do bheith Singular do or a bheith, to be. gan a bheith, 7iot to be. chum a bheith, jor the purpose of being. le bheith, in order to be (for to be). ag bheith (at being) being. Plural air bheith ] , . 7 • » air m-beithj ^"'^^' ^^"^ iar m-beith, after being, having been. air ti bheith {o7i the point of being), about to be. Beith is the verbal noun behig, from which are formed the infinitive mood and participles by pre- fixing certain prepositions. Additional Forms of do bheith gur ab, that it was. dar ab, to whom was. gur mé, that it is I. an mé, whether {is it) I. ni mé, it is not I. Examples Tá sé na fhear. He is a man. Táim go maith, / aw well. Tá sé 'n-a chodladh. He is asleep. FIRST IRISH BOOK 63 Tá si ag gol, 5/^^ Z5 crying. an ubh atá me ag ithe, the egg which I am eakng. Bhi me le faghail, / was to be got, a bheith le faghail, to be got. bheith ar foghnamh, to be well. Bh-fuil se shoir go foil ? Is it over yet? Bh-fuil se agat? Tá, Have you it? I have. Bh-fuil an ghreim arain agat ? Have you any bread? NÍ fhuil an ghreim agam, / have not any. Tá siad mor le cheile, They are on friendly terms. da mbéidheadh si fuar, if it should be cold. an bhidheas ag obair, the man who does be working an bhean a bhidheadh ag obair, who used to be working. Go mba slán bhéidheas tú. May it be well that thou shall be {well, may you be well). Biadh siad ag iomaithbhear orra féin, They shall be rebuking themselves. Budh mhaith liom go raibh mé ann, / wish I had been there. Tá sé le bheith ann, He is to be there. Dudh choir dho bheith, He ought to have been. An bhfuil mo pheann agat ? Have you my pen? NÍ bhiadh an madra aige. He would not have the dog. Do bhiodh deich gcapail againn. We used to have ten horses. NÍ raibh an capall ag an bhfear. The men had not the horse. Raibh tuirse ort? Were you tired? Bhidheann sé againn, We usually have it. 64 FIRST IRISH BOOK The Impersonal Verb ts This is the simplest verb in the language. It has no inflection for person, being always used in the third person singular. Is is a verb of simple assertion, as: — Is fear mé, etc., I am a ntan, etc. Is cuma liom, / am indijjerent. Is maith an scealé, It is good news. Is iongnadh liom, / wo}tder. Is is used to express comparison and superlative of adjectives, as: an fear is fearr, the best man. Is feárr or 'ná airgead, Gold is better than silver. Present tense, is, it is. Past tense, ba, it was. Future tense, bhus, it will be. Subjunctive Mood gur ab, that it is. Conditional Mood da m-badh, if it were. ge m-badh, though it were. FIRST IRISH BOOK 65 Present Tense is me, / am; or, it is I. is tú, thou art, it is you, is é, he is, it is he. is 1, she is, it is she. is sinn, we are, it is we. is sibh, you are, it is you, is iad, they are, it is they. The verb is is used whenever in the English sentence the verb to be is followed by: 1. A proper name. 2. A common noun, with the definite article the. 3. Or common noun, with the possessives, my, thy, his, her, our, your, their. Eocamples Is fear og é. He is a young man. Is sé a tá ann. It is he who is there. Is tú Cormac, You are Cormac. Is tú an si. You are the king. Is tú mo mhathair. You are my mother. Is cailin maith a bhi innti. She was a good girl. Is Í Nora atá ann so, // is Nora that is here. Is Í sin mo dheirbhshiur. She is my sister. Is aig an tobar aca me, It is at the well that I am. Nach tú mo chara? Are you not my friend? Is sinn do chuaidh, go Doire indé, He went to Derry yesterday. 66 FIRST IRISH BOOK Is é an fear é, He is the man. Oisin ba threun neart a's luth, Oisin of mighty strength and vigor. Measaim gur ab é sin an fear, / think that that is the man. Ba dheas a rud é, // would be a nice thing. Adverbs There are not many simple adverbs in the Irish language, the greatest number of the adverbs being made up of two or more words. An adverb may be formed from an adjective by prefixing the particle go, which in this application has the same effect as the English postfix ly. It requires an h when the adjective begins with a vowel. Examples olc, bad; go h-olc, badly. dana, bold; go dána, boldly. do labhair sé dána, he spoke boldly. do labhair sé go h-olc, he spoke badly. fior, true; go fior, truly. geal, bright; go geal, brightly. milis, sweet; go milis, sweetly. maith, good; go maith, well. All other adverbs are simple or compound. The compound adverbs are usually formed by a prepo- sition and a noun, as, air g-cúl, behind, literally, on back. FIRST IRISH BOOK 67 The following are the adverbs most commonly in use: anois, now. ann sin, theit» ann so, ann seo, here. ann sud, yonder. nuair, n'hen. ca n-uair? ca nuair? ca h-uair? when? ca n-áit ? ca h-áit ? where? ca h-as? whence? go d-ti, till, until. cor uair, occasionally. a d-toiseach, in front. mar, because, as. mar g-ceudna, in like manner. mar sin de, so that. air d- tús, cheud uair, a cheud uair, -first, at first. fadh o shoin, long ago. air ais, hack, again. ca meud ? ca mheud ? how many? leoga, indeed, really. fosta, also. air an adhbhar sin, hence. amath, out {motion). amuigh, out, outside. asteach, in {motion). astigh, in {inside). arist, again. a g-comhnuidhe, always. a bh-fad, bh-fad, long, far. 68 FIRST IRISH BOOK go foil, stilly yet. fa dheireadh, sa deireach, at last. a roimhe, before, already. a henifin, already, so soon. roimhe ré, already. a n-airde, up, oil high. air deireadh, last behind. na bhaile, a bhaile, home (wards). air g-cul, back, backwards gan mhuill, by and by. go leor, enough. go léir, entirely. go h-iomlan, entirely. go direach, indeed, just. go dearbhtha, indeed, really, truly. go de 'n-mhéid ? /^í?ie; much? air fad, entirely. maise, musha, well. air n-doighe, i?/ course. airiamh, ever. a choidhche, go deó, go bráth, forever, ever. trasna, across, over. Adverbial Phrases Adverbial phrases are formed of nouns or verbs preceded by prepositions. i bhfad, ajar off in space or time. i bhfad as so, far from here. i bhfad roimhe, long before. FIRST IRISH BOOK i gcéin, far off. i gcomhnuidhe, always. ar ais, back; as, come back; tar ar ais. ar gcúl, backwards. i dtosach, ] ar dtús, > first, at first, in the beginning. ar dtúis, J i gcéadóir, immediately, instantly. ann so, here. ann sin, there. ar ball, by-and-by, after awhile, presently. ar an mball, on the spot, immediately. ar aon chor, i n-aon chor, ar aon chuma, } at all, at any rate. ar bith, ar chuma ar bith, J ar éigin, with difficulty, hardly, perforce. i leith, apart, aside, separately; gabh i leith, hither. ar mhodh, in a manner, so that. ar uairibh, sometimes, at times. i n-airde, on high; cosa 'n-airde, at full gallop. i n-einfheacht, together. beagnach, almost. cá h-as, cad as, whence, from what. ca mheud, ] j j . cia mheud ( many, how much, do shior, always. eadhon, that is, id est, i.e. 70 FIRST IRISH BOOK Idheoidll;} fá dhó, twice; fá thrí, tkrice, etc. fá sheach, by turns ^ respectively. go bráth, ever (future), to the judgment. choidhche, for ever (future) riamh, ever (past). go h-áirithe, especially. go deimhin, indeed. go h-iomlán, entirely, altogether. go léir, entirely. go leor, enough. mar an gceudna, likewise, in like manner, 6 shoin i leith, ) . w . . ^ , . i' > that time out. o shorn amach, J ' tuille (adh) eile, 1 , . , tulle fós 1 besides, moreover. fa dheire (adh), a/ /a^/. mar sin de, therefore, thereupon. marata, maratáid, namely, viz., i.e. de ghnáth, usually. de láthair, presently, just now. dá ríribh, really, in fact. láithreach bonn, ) just now, exactly now, lorn láichreach, j immediately. fá thuairim, con jectur ally. go mór-mhór, ) ^ • ;/ ^ 1 r especially. go h-urmhor, j ^ ^ OS isiol, secretely, lowly. ÓS árd, a/c?í^í/, a^í?z^e board, openly. FIRST IRI^H BOOK 71 de lo, by day. d'oidhcfie, 1 , ^ • j . ist' oidhche, j -^' ^ ' Ó chéile (ó n-a chéile), asmider. (d)ár ndóigh, sure, surely. ar maidin, in tJte morning. sa tráthnóna, 1 • w '.1. ' > m the evening. um thratnnona, j ^ ar maidin indiu, morning. ar maidin i mbárach, to-morrow morning, sa tráthnóna indiu, this evening. athrughadh indé, on tJie day before yesterday. athrughadh i mbárach, after to-morrovj. anoirthear, umánoirthear, on the day after to-morrow. la ar n-a bhárach, on the following day. air maidin ané, yesterday morning. trathnona ané, yesterday evening. la thar na mhárach, next day. air amharc lae, at tlie break of day, aniú; ané, to-day; yesterday. amarach, to-morrow. anocht, aréir, to-night, last night. san oidhche amárach, to-morrow night. arthughadh né, ere yesterday. arthughadh réir, ere last night. a nórthaí, aft-er to-morrow. san oidhche northai, the night after to-morrow night. an t-seachtmhain sugainn, next week. an mhi sugainn, next month. an bhliadhain sugainn, next year. 72 FIRST IRISH BOOK an t-seactmhain so thart, last week. an mhi so thart, last month. i mbliadhna, {during) this year. anuraidh, {during) last year. athrughadh anuraidh, {during) the year bejore last. The phrases referring to morning, evening, etc., are strictly adverbial, and cannot be used as nouns. Adverbs dia Domhnaigh, on Sunday. dia Luain, on Monday. dia ^NIáirt, on Tuesday. dia Ceudaoin', on Wednesday. dia Dhardaoin', on Thursday, dia h-Aoine, on Friday. dia Sathaim, on Saturday. Nouns Domhnach, mascidine, Sunday. Luan, masculine, Monday. ]Máirt, feminine, Tuesday. Ceudaoin, feminine, Wednesday. Dardaoin, feminine, Thursday. Aoine, feminine, Friday. Satham, masculine, Saturday. Prepositions Prepositions form one-sixth of Irish conversation. Of the three thousand words of the Irish Bible, FIRST IRISH BOOK 73 508 are prepositions, while the English Bible has only 323. In Irish the verb and prepositions blend in a peculiar manner, and impart to each other and to their combination a fresh force and significance. The number of simple prepositions is small; but there are many compound terms made up of these and nouns which are used in a prepositional sense. The following is a list of the simple prepositions: a, ann, anns, in. gan, without. The prepositions i, inn (or ann), go, le, and tré take 5 when they come before the article, as: leis an mnaoi, with the woman. ins an leabhar, in the book. ins na páirceannaibh, in the fields. ag, aig, at. ansoir, to. as, out of, from. de, fro7n, off, of. do, to. frid, through. fud, through, about. fa, about. faoi, under. ar, air, on. thart, round. tre, through. roimhe, before. thar, over, across. idir, between. le, leis, ndth. mar, as like. o, from. go, to. iar, after. Compound Prepositions Compound prepositions are made up of a simple preposition and a noun, like the English preposi- 74 FIRST IRISH BOOK tional phrases, on account of, in regard to, with respect to, as, a bh-fiadhnaise, in the presence of; from a, in, and fiadhnaise, presence. The following are the most important compound prepositions : a bh-fiadhnuise, before, under the eye (of). a lathair, before, in the presence (of). OS coinne, before, opposite, under the eyes (of). a bh-fochair, with, in the company (of). a n-diaidh, after, in the wake (of). a n-aghaidh, against; a g-cúl, behind. air son, for the sake (of); ameast, amidst. mar gheall air, for the sake of (governs dative). a chois; chois, beside] at the foot (of). a n-aice, naice, next to, close to, on the side (of). fa d-taoibh de, about, concerning (governs dative). fa choinne, fa dhéin, for. go d-ti, to, as far as, till (governs dative). OS cionn, over, above. do reir, according to. an-éadan, a n-éadon, against. a g-cuideachta, in the company (of). a g-cuideachta le, along with (governs dative). a n-dáil, in the meeting (of). ar aghaidh, forward. ar amus, towards. tar cean, besides, for the sake of. FIRST IRISH BOOK Conjunctions The following are the principal conjunctions use at present: acht, but, except. agus (a's, is, 's), and, as. an, whether (interrogative), cidh, gidh, cé, although. gidheadh, however (= gidh eadh, though it is so.) dá, if. de bhrigh go, because. fos, yet, still. go, that. nach, that , . . not. 'ná (ioná), than. ionnus go, so that, in order that. ionnus nach, so that . . . not, má, ij. mar, as. muna, unless, if . , , not. acht go, j maiseadh, well, if so. no, or. ná, nor. 6, since, because. 6 nach, since . . . not, Ó tharla go, whereas. go, no go, 76 FIRST IRISH BOOK oir, for, because. sul, sul má, before. uime sin, therefore, wherefore (these have also an adverbial force). tar cheann, moreover , besides, furtJiernwre. ar an ádhbhar sin, wherefore, therefore. mar sin féin, nevertheless, notvcithstanding, even so. biodh go, although, whether . . . or, as: biodh sé óg no aosta, wJietJier lie be young or old; also with go, for, although; also for admitting, granted, as biodh go ndeaghaidh, admitting tJiat he went. Interjections xst> Interjectional Phrases éist, hush, list, silence. farior! alas! mo léan géar! alas! mo bhron! my grief! mo chreachl woe is rne! f each I behold! lo! uchon, ochon, alas. mo náire thú! my shume art tlwu! = sJiame on you! mo náir él shame! O sJiume! fáilte nómhat! welcome! dia do bheatha! ) , , j -j, > J I r welcome! /tail! se do bheatha! j slán leat (libh)! slán beo agat (agaibh)! y good-bye, beannacht leat (libh)! FIRST IRISH BOOK 77 Dia linn! God he with us! maiseadh! (má'seadh)! mus ha ! ij so ^ then ^ therefore. foighid (foighne)! patience! faire! take care! fie! go dtéidh tú slán! safe home! go soirbhighidh Dia dhuit ! God prosper you! bfdothost! I , • 4. J 1 1 y silence! eist do bheulij mo ghoirm thú! bravo! slinS'} ^^"'^ maith an fear! good man! maith an buachaill! good jellozv! buidheachas leat! ) i , ,i i , Ml VI thanks! thank you! go raibn maith agat ! j go n-éirighidh ádh leat ! good luck to you! nár léigidh Dia sin! God jorbid! go mbeannuighidh Dia dhuit ! God save you! Good- morning! go mailidh tú! } lo^S lije to you! go bhfoiridh Dia orainn! God help us! oidhche mhaith dhuit! may you have a good night! go otugaidh Dia oidhche mhaith dhuith ! may God give you a good night! go mbuadhaidh Dia leat ! God grant you success! slán codalta na h-oidhche! sound nigMs sleep to you! go gcodlair go samh! may you sleep peacefully! bail 6 Dhia ort ! God bless you! 78 FIRST IRISH BOOK cuideachan Dé leat ! may God accompany you! fad saoghail agat ! long life to you! an, not, as, eolach, skilled; aineolach, unskilled. comh, together, as, ceangal, a tie; comhcheangal, union. déagh, good, as, déaghchroidheach, kind-hearted. oroch, bad, as, orochmheas, contempt. do, difficult, as, dódhéanta, difficult to he done. in, -fit, as, indeánta, -jit to he done. so, easy, as, sódheánta, easy to he done. mi, ill, as, mi-adh, ill-luck. neamh, not, as, neamhchomhthrom, uneven. ach, full of, as, briatrach, full of words, talkative. acht, ness, as, milseacht, sweetness. as, ness, as, maitheas, goodness. * amhail, like, as, fearamhail, manly. an, small, as, ardan, a hillock. in, 5ma//, as, coisin, a little foot. og, as, feisteog, a little serpent, i.e. a worm. ach, abounding in, as, coillteach, abounding in woods, lach, abounding in, as, muclach, a piggery. mhar, /w// i?/, as, ceólmhar full of music. success to you! Prefixes Affixes FIRST IRISH BOOK 79 Conversational Phrases May God guide you! Ciannos a bh-fuil tú ? 1 Ciannos tair? o ^-^-^ r How are you? Ciannos ta tu? Cad é mar tá tú? J Táim go maith. / am well. Ciannos a bh-fuil túféin ? How is yourselj? Tá mé go maith, buidheachas leat. I am well, than% you. Go m-beannuighidh Dia dhuit! May God bless you! Go soirbhighidh Dia dhuit ! May God prosper you! Go d-ti tú slán ! Go soirbhigh Dia thú! Go soirbhigh Duit! Go soirbhigh 'n Righ thú! Slán leat air feadh tamaill. Farewell for a while. Rath, go raibh ort. Prosperity, may (it) be on thee. Bail Ó Dhia ort. Prosperity from God ou thee. Tá grádh agam ort-sa. / have love for thee. Tá cion mor aige-sean ort. He has great regard for thee. Slán agat (singular). ^ Slán agaibh (plural). [q^^^_^ Slán leat (singular), j ' Slán libh (plural). J Mile maith. A thousand good returns. Thanks. Is breágh an lá é so. This is a fine day. An mian leat siubhal ? Do you wish to walk? 8o FIRST IRISH BOOK Tá se ag cur. // rains. Tá se cur fearthaine. // is raining. Tá se ag cur sneachta. It is snowing. Tá se ag cur bratog. It is sleeting. Is breágh an aimsir acá. Ifs fine weather we^re havijig. Nach breagh an lá é so? Is not this a fine day? Is breagh, maiseadh {or seadh, maiseadh). It is, indeed. Tá sé ag eirghe fuar. // is getting cold. Fliuchuigheadh go mor mé. / got very wet. Tá sé ag dul i n-olcas. // is getting worse. Tá sé ag dul i bhfeabhas. He is getting better. Ag dul i n-aois. Getting old. Fuaramar anonn tharais. We got across. Eirigh do shuidhe. Get up. Imthigh leat as sed. Get out of this. Ta náire orm leat. / am ashamed of you. Ta fuadh agam ort. / hate you. NÍ fhuil áird agam ort. I don't like you. Droch mhunadh ort. Bad manners to you. Droch chreach ort. Bad luck to you. Go de tá ort ? What is the matter with you? NÍ bhéidhinn gaibhte leat. I would not be bothered with you. Is fiú do shaothair é. // is worth your trouble. Tá an ceart agat. You are right. BÍ do thost. Hold your tongue. Tá se na thost. He is holding his tongue. Ca tuige sin? How is that? FIRST IRISH BOOK 8i Cuir sgeula chuige. Send him n'ord. Leoga maise is fior sin. Indeed that is true. Leoga ta an ceart agat. Indeed you are telling the truth. Na bac leis. Never mind; just wait. Tá cuid de maith. Some of it is good. Tá cuid de sin olc. Some oj it is had. Cad tá ar? What ails? What is the matter with:' Tá tinneas orm. {Sickness is on me.) I am sick. Ar bhuille an bháis. On the point oj death. Tá an slaghdan orm. / Jiave a cold. Tá an déideadh orm. / Jtave a toothache, Tá an fiabhras orm. I have a jever. Tá an-chodladh orm. / am very sleepy. Tá sé ag dul i bhfeabhas. He is getting better. Raibh tu tinn? Bhi. Were you sick? I was. Fuair se bás. {He joiind death.) He died. Ta sé d'éis báis d'fhagháil. He has just died. Bh-fuil fuacht ort? {Is cold on thee?) Art thou cold? Tá fuacht orm. / am cold. Raibh ocras ort? Ni raibh. Were you hungry? No, I was not. Cia mheud a tá ? What is the price? air bhainne, on milk. air arán, on bread. air choirce, on oats. air oma, on barley. air arbhar, on corn. air feoil, on meat. 83 FIRST IRISH BOOK air fhion, on nine. air chruithneacht, on wJieat. air chochan, on straw. air shról, on satin. air bhioda, on silk. air lineudach, on linen. air eudach-cadais, on calico. Is mór Horn an luach. / think the price high. XÍ beag Horn é. / think it enough. XÍ mor liomé. / donH think it enough. Badh mhor a fhiu é. It umild be very valuable. Xi fiú scilling é. // is not worth a shilling. XÍ fiú biorán is é. // is of less value tlmn a pin. Sin é atá uaim. That is what I want. Xi fhuil pighin agam. I have not a cent. XÍ fhuil greim agam. / liave not a taste. Tá cuid bheag agam. I have a little. Tá beagan agam. / Jmve little {i.e., scarcely any). Tá braon bainne agam. / have some milk. Tá grainin siúcra agam. / have some sugar. Tá pighin airgid agam. / h-ave some money. Tá ocras orm. {Hunger is on me.) I am hungry, Tá sé agam. / liave it. Ad. raibh sé aca? Have they it? Beidh sé aicí. She will liave it, Ag beith ag — Belonging to — Is liom-sa é. / own it. Budh leis é. He owned it. X^i raibh agam air. / could not Jielp it. Cé rinne sin? Mise. WJw did tlmt? I did. FIRST IRISH BOOK 83 An tú Seaghan? Ni mé. Are you John? No. An tú Séamus? Is mé. Are you James? Yes. An bhfuil aithne agat air? Do you know him? Tá mhaise, sean-aithne. / do, indeed, know him of old, A mhuimin! My darling! A ghradh! My love! O love! A stor! My store! Asthore! A thaisge! My treasure! My dear! An labhrann tú Beurla? Do you speak English? Nach labhrann tú Gaedilge? Do you speak Irish? Cha n-deanfainn sin. / would not do that. Cha m-béidhinn ag caint. / would not he talking. Is feárr Horn gan seasadh. / prefer not to stand, Abair leis gan suidhe. Tell him not to sit, Tá se le suidhe. He is to sit, Tá se le seasadh. He is to stand, Tá se le siubhal. He is to walk. Is ann a bhionn mo shiubhal. / am in the habit of frequenting that place. Ag siubhal oidhche. Night walking, strolling by night. Thainic se le fannacht. He came to stay, Sud an áit. Yonder is the place. So mise. Here I am. Tá siad ag teacht. They are coming. Táim ag imtheacht. / am going away. Géillim do. / obey. Tugaim ar. / persuade, Tugaim fá. / endeavor. 84 FIRST IRISH BOOK larraim ar. / ask {beseech). Fiafruighim de. / ask {inquire). Cuimhnighim ar. / remember. Léigim do. / allow, permit. Comhairlighim do. / advise. Maithim do. / j or give, pardon, Freagraim do. / answer. Geallaim do. / promise. Tig Horn. / can. Taithnighim le. I please, Fanaim le. / wait jor. Glaoidhim ar. I call jor. Foirim ar. I help. Impighim ar. / beg, I beseech. Labhraim . / speak of. Ceilim ar. / conceal from. Fágaim slán ag. I bid farewell to. Cuid aca. Some of them. Cia againn? Which of us? Sinn araon. Both of us. Sibh araon. Both of you. Siad araon. Both of them. Aon duine aca. Anyone of them. Gach aon aca. Each one of them. Eist Horn. Listen to me. Ó mhaidin go hoidhche. From morning till night. Ó nóin go chéile. From evening to evening. Ó uair go h-uair. From hour to hour. Mi. A month. Meadhon oidhche. Midnight. FIRST IRISH BOOK 85 Do 1Ó is d'oidhche. By day and night, Tá cá bhfuil sé ? Where is he? Tá sé ann so. He (it) is here. Tá sé ann. He is there {in it, i.e., present). Ta sé ar an mbord. // is on the table. Tá sé faoi 'n mbord. // is under the table. Tá sé i mo láimh. // is in my hand. Is mise atá ann. // is I that is there. An tusa atá ann ? Is mise. Is it yon that is there? Yes. Nach tusa atá ag imtheacht? Ni mé. Is it not you that is going? No. Is liomsa an leabhar sin. That book belongs to me. Nach leatsa an peann luaidhe so? Is not this pen- cil yours? NÍ liomsa é, acht léithise. // is not mine, but hers,^ Abair an focal sin. Say that word. Arthuigtúé? Níor thuigeas. Did you understand it? No. Nach dtuigeann tú meud ata mé ag rádh? Do you understand what I am saying? Maiseadh tuigim. / do then. An bhfeiceann tú é? Ní fheicim. Do you see it? No. An bhfaca tú é ? Ní fachas. Did you see it? No. Feicfidh mé amárach tú. / shall see you to-morroiv. Slán leat go bhfeicfidh mé arís tú? Good-bye, till I see you again. Cé an t-am a bheidheas tú ar ais? What time will you be back? 86 FIRST IRISH BOOK Fanfad agus fáilte. / will stay with pleasure. NÍ mian é d'fheicsin. / do not wish to see him. Is maith é sin a chloistin. / am glad to hear that. Da choir dhuit imtheacht abhaile. You ought to go home. Caithfidh mé imtheacht anois. / must go now. Tá sé chom maith duit bheith 'do shuidhe. You might as well he seated. Is docha go bhfuil an deifer ort. / suppose you are in a hurry. Go dtugaidh Dia slán abhaile sibh. May God bring you safe home. Go n-éirighidh do bhothar leat. May your journey thrive with you. Go mba seacht fearr a bheidheas tú bliadhain ó andíu. Afay you be seven times better a year jrom to-day. Dia isir sinn agus an t-olc. God between us and harm. Mo mhallacht ort. Nár eírighidh an lá leat. My curse on you. May the day not thrive with you. Mo naire is m'aithis é. / am ashamed and feel dis- graced at it. Aon neach. Anyone , anybody. Aon eile. Another. Aon nidh. Anything. Cad é an ainm a thug sé ort? By what name did he call you? Cad as é? Where is he from? Where is he? Whence is he? FIRST IRISH BOOK 87 Ar ball. By-and-by, presently. Ar an mball. At once, immediately. Anois beag. Just now, a moment ago. Tá cupla lá o shoin. A jew days ago. Tá cupla bliadhain o shoin. A jew years ago. Caidé an chiall ata leis? What does it mean? NÍ déarfainn id choinnibh. / am inclined to agree with you. Cia an col atá agat leis? What is your blood rela- tion to him? Mo chol seisear. My second cousin. Mo chol ceathar. My first cousin. Dearbhráthair. Brother. Deirbhshiúr. Sister. Aintin. Aunt. Dearbhráthair athar. Uncle. Athair. Father. Máthair. Mother. Sean-mháthair. Grandmother, Sean-athair. Grandfather. Gormach. Nephew. Gairghean. Niece. Eireannach. An Irishman. Sagsanach. An Englishman, Albanach. A Scotchman. Franncach. A Frenchman, Gearmánach. A German. Ceall. A church. Ceallach. Belonging to a church. Ceall-phort. A cathedral church. 88 FIRST IRISH BOOK Sagart. A priest. Sagart parráiste (or parróiste). A parish pri-esU Sagart óg. A curate. Sagart óid. A parish. Uisce coisrighthe. Holy 'water. Altoir. Altar. Bean riaghalta. A nun. ^lná riaghalta. Nuns. Teach namban riaghalta. A nunnery, convent. losa Chiost. Jesus Christ. A dhuine uasail. Sir. A bhean uasail. Madam. A dhaoine uaisale. Gentlemen. A Shaoi dhilis. Dear Sir. 'Athair urramaigh. Reverend Father. A Shaoi urramaigh. Reverend Sir. A Chara ionmhuin. Dear friend. Mise le meas mór. Yours faithfully. Mise le flr-mheas ort. Yours sincerely. Mise le buan-charadas. Always truly yours. Do bhuan-chara go deo. Your faithful friend. Do Sheághan uasal Pleimeannach. To John Flem- ing, Esq. Máire Uasal og Xi Flaithbheartaigh. Miss Mary O'Flaherty. Nora Uasal Bean Ui Bhrian. Miss Nora O'Brien. Micheál Urramach O Duinn. The Rev. Michael Dunne. Fan Horn, a Sheagháin. Wait for me, John. Dia dhuit, a Sheumais. Good morjiing, James. FIRST IRISH BOOK Leabhar Mháire. Mary's hook. Sgian sheoirse. George's knife. Seaghan MacDomhnaill. John McDonnell, Maire Ni Chonaill. Mary O'Connell. Diarmuid O Conaill. Dermot O'ConnelL Nora Nic Domhnaill. Nora McDonnell. Sheumas Ui Bhriain. James O'Brien. Nora Nic an Ultaigh. Nora McNulty. O'Donnchadha. O'Donahoe. Mac Donnchadha. MacDmiough. Mac ^lurchadha. MacMorough, Murphy, O'Raghallaigh. O'Reilly. Mac Aodhagáin. Egan, Keegan, O'Laoghaire. O'Leary. Eoghan. Owen. Maguidhir. Maguire. O'Ceallaigh. O'Kelly. O'Dálaigh. O'Daly. Mac Suibhne. MacSweeney, Dhonnabháin. O' Donovan, Conchubhar. Cofinor. O'Floinn. O'Flynn. Lorcan. Lawrence. Diarmuid. Dermot. Niall. Neil. Donnchadh. Donogh, Dennis, Pheadair. Peter. Pádraic. Patrick. Dómhnall. Donal, Daniel, Mícheál. Michael. 90 FIRST IRISH BOOK Cormac. Charles. Brighid. Bridget. Sighle. Cecilia. Eibhlin. Ellen. Caitilin. Catherine. IDIOMS The most difficult thing to understand in the Irish language is the use of idioms. Mature scholars find themselves at fault in these matters. Verbs and prepositions, when combined, acquire a new signi- ficance, which can only be learned by constant practice. For instance: Rug mé ar fheusoig air. / hore a heard on him, means in English, / caught him by the beard. Tá an leabhar ag an duine, The book is at the man, means in English, The man has the book. To die is very often expressed in Irish by a phrase, meaning to find death. Donall met Fergus is often expressed in Irish, Do casadh Fergus air Domhnall, literally, Fergus was met {turned) on Donall. In English we say What a man," ''What a start," but in Irish we say ''What the man," "What the start," as, Caidé an geit do bhainfeadh sé aistí, What a fright he would give her (he would take out of her). Aonar, alone, originally meant 07ie person, as, Im aonar, / alone, by myself; id aonar, you alone, by yourself; fear aonair, one or a single man. Am FIRST IRISH BOOK 91 donar seal a siubhal bhidheas, / walked alone {alone, of a time, walking I was. If a person is hungry, thirsty, cold, afraid, sick, etc., it is expressed in Irish by saying that hunger, thirst, cold, etc., is on him, the preposition, air, being used: Do bhi tart mor air jheaghan, John was very thirsty, (Great thirst was on John.) Cad é sin ort? What ails you? (What is that on thee?) I know is expressed in Irish by Tá a fhios agam, literally, Its knowledge is at me, i.e., I have its know- ledge. This phrase is some times used transitively, as Tá's agam é. / know it. Agus an bh-fuil a fhios agad fein ? Do you know it? (Is its knowledge with you?) James owes the man one hundred pounds, would be in Irish, The man has a hundred pounds on James — Tá cead punt a aig an fheas air Shéamus. To separate from a person is expressed in Irish by, to separate with a person, the preposition, le or re, being used : Searadar fein agus Diarmaid re n-a chéile — They themselves and Diarmaid separated from each other. Ceann, head, is often used to express the end, limit (in time, place), one single person or object, as in the phrase, the first one, sl g-ceann bliadhna, at the end of a year; go ceann bliadh-na, a year hence; go ceann i bhfad, for a long time. There is no verb in Irish corresponding to the English verb to have as express- ing possession; and the sentence, The man has a book, is expressed in Irish by the verb, tá, and the 92 FIRST IRISH BOOK preposition, ag, in this form : Tá leabhar ag an duine, A book is at (or with) the man; Ta airgead agum, / have mo7tey (money is nith me). I ivant a hook is translated, Atá leabhar uaim, There is a hook from me. Ownership is expressed by the verb, is, and the preposition, le, u'ith: Is leatsa an teach, Tlie house helongs to thee (it is ivith thee the house). I like and / prejer are translated by the expression. Is maith Horn and Is fearr Horn, // is good unth 7ne; and, It is better with fne. Exa:^iples Atáim in mo righ anois. / ant a king now; lit., / am in my king now, i.e., I am at present in a state of kingship. Bidheann ádh ar amadán. A fool usually has luck; lit., luck is on a jool. Atá Cormac in a fhear láidir. Cor mac is a strong man; lit., Cormac Jias become a strong man. Do bhi eolas agam air fad' o, agus mé im' bhuachaill. / know him well, and I a hoy; lit.. When I was. Dia duit. God save you; God to thee. Tá deifir orm. / am in a hurry; lit. , ^ hurry is on me. Is láidir an fear é. He is a strong man; lit.. Is strong the man he. Is deas an cailin í sin. That is a pretty girl; lit., Is pretty the girl she at. Is geur an sgianso. This knije is sJtarp; lit., is sharp the knije this. FIRST IRISH BOOK 93 Is feárr Horn or ioná airgead. / prefer gold to silvers- lit., It is better with me, gold than silver. Is milis Horn. / think it is sweet, lit., // is sweet with me. Ma's maith Icat. Ijyou like; lit., // it is good with thee. An toil leat ceacht liom? Are you willing to come with me? lit., Whether {is it) a will with thee to come with me? Nach cuimhin libh an la sin? DonH you remember that day? lit.. Is not a remembrance with you on that day? An mian leat siúbhal? Do you wish to walk? lit.. Whether {is) a desire with thee to walk? Is ail liom an áit so. / like this place; lit., // is a pleasure with me this place. Badh rogha liom é. / would have chosen it; lit., It would be a choice with me. Cia mheud a tá ort? How much do you owe? lit.. How much is on thee? Bh-fuil mórán air? Does he owe much? lit.. Is there much on him? Cia mheud a tá air bhuaibh ? What is the price of the cows? lit.. How much is on the cows? Cad é a tá ort? What ails thee? lit., What is it that is on thee? Tá tinneas orm. / am sick; lit.. Sickness is on me. Raibh tinneas air d'atliair? Was your father sick? lit.. Was sickness on your father? Tá biseach air, or, Fuair sé biseach. He is better; lit., Improvement is on him. 94 FIRST IRISH BOOK Bh-fuil eagla ort? Art thou ajraid? lit., Is it fear on thee? Tá gean air. He is beloved; lit., Affection is on him. Tá gráin orra. They are disliked; lit., Dislike is on them. Tá slacht mor uirri. She is well favored; lit., There is a very good appearance on her. VOCABULARY This vocabulary contains all of the words in this book with the exception of the numerals. Abbreviations a., adj. — adjective. accus. — accusative. ad. — adverb. cf. — compare. com p. — comparative. dat. — dative. dim. — diminutive. disj. — disjunctive. /. — feminine. g. — genitive. gsf. — genitive singular feminine id. — idem, the same. imper. — imperative. interrog. part. — interrogative particle. intr. — intransitive. lit. — literally. m. — masculine. neg. — negative. nom. — nominative. p. a. — participle adjective. poet. — poetical. pi. — plural. poss. adj. — possessive adjective. pr. pro. — pronoun. prep. — preposition. pron. — pronounced. pronom. — pronominal. s. — singular. subst. — substantive. V. adj. — verbal adjective. V. tr. — verb, transitive. a, prep; out of. A! inter j., ah! oh! Ah! mo thruagh thú, oh! / pity you. a, poss., adj., her, his, its, their. a, rel.pro., who, which, that, in whom, in which, all that, all who. 95 96 FIRST IRISH BOOK a, particle used so^netimes before nwnerals, as a cúig, five. abair, imper. of adcirim. abú, inter]., to victory! Used in battle-cries, as Crom abú. aca, prep, pro., 3 pi., at them, etc. acht, conj., out; prep., but, except with accus. aderim, v. tr., irreg., I say, utter, tell. ádh, ágh, g., áidh, ádha, or áigh, ágha, m., luck, fate. ádhbhar, -air, m., cause, reason; matter, material. ádhmharach, -aighe, a., lucky, fortunate. ag, prep., at, with, by. In pronoun combinatimis, agam, agat, aige, etc. Idiom, tá sé agam, / have it (lit., it is at me). agaibh, prep, pro., 2 pi., at or with ye. againn, prep, pro., i pi., at or with us. aghaidh, g., aighthe, /., the face; opposite, over, against. agam, prep, pro., is, at or with me. agat, prep, pro., at thee, to or with thee. agus (a's, as, 's), conj., and, but. aice, g. id., /., proximity, immediate vicinity, aici, prep, pro., /., with or at her. aicid, -e, /., sickness, disease, misfortune. aige, prep, pro., m., with or by him, or it. ainm, g., ainme, anma, m., a name, reputation. air, prep., on, upon, etc., upon him or it. áird, -e, /., point of compass, direction, region, áirde, g. id., height; anairde, on high. FIRST IRISH BOOK 97 aire, g. id., call, heed, attention', tabhair aire dhuil; féin, take care oj yoiirselj. aireach, -righe, a., heedjiil, attentive, carejul, watch- jid. airgead, -gid, m., silver, money; airgead kuadh, copper money. ais, -e, /., hack, a side; ar ais, backwards. ais, prefix, implying repetition. áit, -e, a place, locality. áiteacha (see áit). aithis, -e, /., reproach, shame, disgrace. aithne, g. id., /., recognition, acquaintance with, knowledge. altoir, g., -óra, /., an altar. áluinn (alainn), gsj., áilne, a., beautiful , handsome, lovely. am, g., ama, m., time, occasion. amach, ad., out, outside. amadán, -ain, m., a fool; amadanách, foolish, .silly. amárach, ad. of time, on to-morrow. ameasc, comp. prep., among, amongst, amid, amhail, a., like, as. amháÍR, adv., only, alone, merely. amuigh, ad., out, outside, without. an, interrog. part., whether? an, def. art., gsf., na, the. an, intrans. prefix, very, when prefixed to adjectives, an-bhog, very soft. an, neg. prefix, un-, in-, not. an, a,, noble; pure, pleasant, elegant. 98 FIRST IRISH BOOK ana, g. id., nobility, prosperity. anam, g., anma, soul, life, vigor, activity. andé (indé) adv., yesterday. andiú (indiú) adv., to-day. ané, anéi, yesterday. aniu, a n-iudh, aniugh, to-day. ann, pron. comp., with \, in it, thee. annsin, annsoin, pr. ad., in that, then, there, there- upon. annsu, p. ad., here; in this. annsud, anonn, ad., thither, yonder, beyond. aoibhneas, -neasa and nis, m., delight, joy, gladness, aoinneach (éinneach), m., anybody, anyone. aol, g., aoil, m., lime; a very bright color. aon, one, a single one, only; the one, the same, anocht, ad., to-night. anois, ad., now. ar, pep., used for iar, to, for. ar, pep., one, on, upon. ar, interrog. part., = an ro, used in past tense for an, whether? if? ar = óir, conj., because, for. arán, aráin, m., bread, loaf, subsistence. araon = ar aon, together, both, each {of two). arbhar, -air, m., corn. árd, gsf., áirde and aoirde, high, tall, noble, mighty, loud. árdan, -ain, m., a height, a hill, hillock, a terrace. arduighim, -ughadh, v. tr., I magnify, exalt, raise, lift, hoist. FIRST IRISH BOOK 99 aréír, ad., last night. ariamh, ad., ever, always; with neg., never. aris, adv., again. as, prep., cad as é? Where is he from, where is he? asteach (isteach), ad., in, into. astigh, ad., in, within, inside. atáim, sub. verb, I am, I live, I stay, there is. athair, g., athar, m., a father, an ancestor. athas, m., joy, gladness; tá áthas orm faoi sin, / am glad of that. athrughadh (arughadh), m., after to-morrow. B ba, pi., of bo, a cow; cows, kine. ba, V. irreg., was. bac, -aic, m., a stop, an impediment. bach, -a, m., drunkenness; a rout, a defeat, bád, g., báid, m., a boat. badh, ba, budh, cond. of assertive v., is. bail, -e, /., success, prosperity, form, effect, issue. baile, g. id., m., a town, a village, a home, ; ag baile, at home; as baile or 6 bhaile, from home. ball, g., baill and boill, m., a limb, a member; ar ball, presently. balla, g. id., a wall, a rampart. bain (ban-) prefix (bean, a woman), makes a noun feminine. baine, g. id., /., whiteness, fairness, bainne, g. id., m., milk. lOO FIRST IRISH BOOK bán, -áine, a., white, fair, pale. bárd, -áird, a poet, a bard. hárr, g., báirr, m., tJie top; an addition. bas, -áis, m., death; 6 aois go bás, during one's life. Idiom — ag faghail bháis, dying {lit., getting death). beadh, -a, m., bad news, injury, flattery. beag, gsj., bilge, little, smalL tiny; is beag orm é, I despise him; ni beag liom é, / think it enough. I am satisfied with it. beagan, -ain, 7;z., a little, few. béal, g., béil, m., the mouth, the lips; béal an tsluaigh, peopk m general. bealach, -aigh, m., a road, way, path. bean, g., niná, a woman, a wife; bean uasal, a lady. beannacht, -a, /., a blessing; beannacht leat, good-bye. beannuighim, -ughadh, v. tr., I bless. béarla, g. id., language, speech, dialect. The Eng- lish language. beatha, g., -adh, /., life, existence; dé do bheatha, welcome, hull. beir (see beirim). beireann (see beirim). beirim, v. tr., and intr., I bear, take, bring, carry. bhais (see bás). bhar, bhur, pass, pro., your. bhi, 3 s. p. f., of ataim, / am. bho (bo, g. id., pi., ba), a cow. bhuailim, -aladh, v. tr., and tntr., I strike, beat, smite; I start, go. FIRST IRISH BOOK loi bhur (see bhar). bile, g. id.y a mast, a tree. biodh, 3 s. imper., of atáim. / aw, used for whether. biorán, -áin, m., a pin, a brooch. biseach, -sigh, m., increase, profit, improvement, convalescence. bith, g., beatha, m., the world; being, life; ar bith, any at all. bliadhain, g., -dhna, /., a year. bocht, gsf., boichte, poor, lean, needy, thin, slight. borb, gsf., buirbe, a., sharp, fierce, violent, severe. bord, -úiard, m., a table, a board; a plain surface. bothar, -air, m., a road, a way, a journey. braon, g., braoin, m., a drop. bráth, judgment, doomsday; go bráth, forever. bratóg, -óige, /., a snowflake. breac, g., brie, m., a trout; any fish taken with a hook. breágh, gsf., breagha, a., fine, lovely, handsome, splendid. breith, -e, /., act of bearing, carrying, choosing, tak- ing, bringing; time. briathrach, -aighe, a., wordy, verbose, talkative. brigh, g., briogh, power, strength; de bhriogh go, because. bród, m., pride, gladness, joy. Tá bród orm faoi sin; / am glad of that. bron, g., broin, m., grief, sorrow. bronach, -aighe, a., sorrowful, grieved. buachaill, -alia, m., a boy, a lad; buachaill báire, a jolly fellow. I02 FIRST IRISH BOOK buadhach, -aighe, a., victorious, valuable, precious. buadhachtáil, -ála, /., gain, success, victory. buaidh, -e, and adha, /., victory, conquest, success. buailim, -aladh, v. tr., and inter., I strike, heat, smite; I depart. Idiom — buail fut, sit down {lit., strike under you.) bualadh, -ailte, m., a striking, a heating. budh, cond. of assertive verb is. buidhe, a., yellow, tawny, sunburnt. buidheachas, -ais, m., gratitude, thanks, thankful- ness. buille, g. id., m., a stroke, a blow; ar buille an bhais, on the point of death. C cá, inter, pro., what? where? whither? how? why? cách, g., cáich, everyone, all in general, the whole. cad, rel. and inter, pro., what? cadas, where, where- fore? cadás, -áir, m., cotton, fustian; humbug, bombast. caidé, inter, pro., what? sometimes cad é. caidhe, inter, part, what? cailin, g. id., m., a girl, a maiden; cailin og, a grown- up girl; cailin aimsire, a servant girl; cailin beag, a little girl. cain, -ána, and cánach, /., a law, a rule; a fine, a tribute. caint, /., talk. FIRST IRISH BOOK 03 caisleán, -leáin, a castle^ a jort, a stronghold. caithréim, -e, triumph, triumphing. cáithte, p. a., winnowed, cleaned. canas, ad., whence? from what? caoi, g. id., f., mode, way, method, manner. caol, -oile, a., narrow, slender, thin, graceful. caol, -aoil, -aolta, m., the smaller or narrower pari. caora, g., -ach, a sheep, an ewe. capall, g., -aill, a horse. cara, g., carad, /., a friend, a beloved one, a relative. casadh, -sta, m., act of twisting, turning, raising. cat, g., cait, coit, cuit, m., a cat. cathair, g., -thrach, a city, a court, a mansion. cé {prop, cia), interrog. pro., who? which? what? cé (see ciodh). ceachtar, distrib. pro., either, one or other, each, any. céad, indie, num., first, choicest. céadna, indie, a., the same, similar. ceall, /., a church (see cill). ceall-phort, -puirt, m., a cathedral church. ceallach, -aighe, a., belonging to a church, a church- man. ceangal, -ail, m., act of binding, tying; a knot, tie, bond. ceann, g., cinn, m., a head; end, limit (in time, place). ceart, g., ceirt, m., right, justice, law, equity. ceathardha, indie, a., belonging to. ceathramha, -mhan, /., a quarter. 104 FIRST IRISH BOOK céile, g. id., m. and a fellow, companion, mate; a chéile, each other. ceilim, vl., ceilt, v. tr., I conceal, hide, defiy. ceol, g., ceoil, ciuil, m., music, melody, singing. ceolmhar, -aire, a., musical, active, vigorous. ceudna (see caoi). cha, neg. part., not, no. cheann, tar cheann, over, besides, beyond, jor the sake of. choidhche, ad., ever, always; with neg., fiever. choinnibh (see coinne). chóiste, g. id., m., a coach. chrich (see crioch). chuaidh, 3 s. indie, past, of téidhim, / go. chugainn, per. pro., 1 pi., to, towards. chughainn, per. pro., to us, toward us. chuige, to., for him, it, for the purpose. cia, interrog. pro., who? what? which? ciall, céille, /., sense, meanhig, intellect, reason, wis- dom. ciannos (cionnas), interrog. pro., how? in what manner? cibé, indef. pro., whoever, whatever. cidh (see ciodh). cill, g., cille, a church, a churchyard; cill Áirne, Killarney. cinn, g., and pi. of ceann, m., head, end. ciodd, conj., though, although, yet, even. cion, g., -ceana, m., a share, division, portion, quota. ciuin, -e, a., calm, gentle, quiet, still, mild, placid. FIRST IRISH BOOK ciur, -e, a., perfect^ faultless, quiet. clog, g.y cluig, m., a bell, a clock; uair an chluig, hour (of the clock). cloistin, g. id., m., a closet, dim., of clos. clós, act of hearing, listening. clú, g. id., m., f., praise, fame, renown. cluas, -aise, -a., /., an ear, a handle. cochán, -áin, m., straw. codlagh, -dalta, m., sleep, act of sleeping, coillteach, -tigh, m., a wooded place. coinne, g. id., /., appointment, a meeting; ós coinne, opposite or over against; ni déarfainn id choinnibh, / am inclined to agree with you. coir, g., cora, a., right, power, justice, authority, honest. coirce, g. id., m., oats. cois {dat. of cos, /., a foot), beside, close by. coisin (see cos), coiste, g. id., m., a coach. coiste, g. id., m., a deliberative body, a jury. coisrighthe, a., blessed, sanctified, consecrated. ^ col, -a, m., prohibition, sin, blood relationship; mo chol ceathar, my first cousin. coll, g., cuill, the hazel tree; the Irish letter c. comh (coimh), prefix, together; as, so, equally. comhairlighim, -iughadh, v. tr., I counsel, advise, consult. comhnuidhe, g. id., /., a dwelling, a rest, an abode. comhthrom, -thruime, a., equal, level, just, even, cor, g., cuirp, m., a corpse, a body. io6 FIRST IRISH BOOK COS, g., -coise, /., a foot; a leg; a handle. crann, g., ainn, m., a tree, mast, stave, a holt. creach, g., creiche, /., plunder, booty; mo chreach, woe is me! crioch, g., criche, /., limit, end, region, boundary, country. crodha Qem., cro, valor), indie, a., brave, valiant, heroic, mighty. croidhe, g. id., the heart, love, affection. croidheachair, -e, a., kind-hearted, clement. cruithneacht, -a, /., corn, wheat. cruth, g., crotha, figure, jorm, shape, appearance. CÚ, g., and dat., coin, a dog, a hound, a greyhound. cuan, -uain, m., a haven, a harbor, bay, coast. cuid, g., coda, /., portion, part, share, some. Idiom — mo chuid airgid, my money (lit., my share of money. cuideachta, g., tan, /., company, a social gathering. cuimhin, /., memory, remembrance, recollection. cuimhnighim, vL, -iughadh, v. tr., I remember, recol- lect. cuir, imper. of cuirim, v. tr., I put, place, fix, send, apply. cuirim (see cuir). CÚ1, g., cuil, m., the back; the back part of anything. cuma, g. id., /., form, shape, way, figure. Idiom — is cuma dhom, it is equal to me, it is no busi- ness of mine. cuma, a., indifferent, equal, all the same. cúmhacht, -a, /., power, might, authority. FIRST IRISH BOOK 107 cumhachtach, -aigh, m., a mighty person. cúpla, g. id. J m., a jew, a pair^ a couple, twins. D dá, conj., any, if. áá, two; do, when used with noun becomes dá. da, whatever, however, of which, of what. daingean, -gne, a., strong, fortified, close, secure, firm. dall, -aille, a., blind, dull, stupid, ignorant, puzzled. dam, prep, pro., to me, for me. damhsadh, g. id., m., a dance; act of dancing. dana, indie, a., bold, brave, intrepid, determined. daoi, g. id., a fool, a dullard, a dunce, a clown. daoine, m., a man, a person, people, mankind; daoine mora, the gentry. daor, -oire, a., dear, costly, expensive. daor, -oir, m., a bondsman, enslaved. deagh (deigh-) good, excellent, pleasing. dean, 2 s. imper. of do-ghnim, / do, etc. déanamh, -nta, m., act of doing, making, performing; ag déanamh tráith, keeping time. déanta, part, adj., done, made, developed. dear- an intensive prefix. déar (see deor). dearbhtha, p. a., approved, tried, certain, sure. deardhráthair, g., bhráthar, a brother. dearfainn (adeirim, v. tr., irreg., I say, utter, tell. dearg, -eirge, a., red, crimson, ruddy; Idiom — ar dearg bhuile, stark mad, in a terrible rage. io8 FIRST IRISH BOOK deas, -eise, a., pretty, haridsomey lovely, pleasant, nice. déideadh, -nidh, m,, a toothache. deifir, g., freach, /., haste, a difference, a dispute. déin, towards. deir (see adeirim). deirbhshiúr, /., sister. deireadh, -ridh, m., the end, the last, the conclusion. deo, g. id., an end, the last. deoch, g., dighe, a drink, a draught. deor, -oir, -a, m., a tear, a drop (of water); ni'l, deor ann, there is not a drop in it. Diag, dé, d., Dia, voc, a Dhe, and a Dhia, God. dia, m., a day. Dia, g., dé, dat., Dia, vac, a Dhe, and a Dhia, God. diallait, -e, /., a saddle. dian, gsj., deine, a., vehement, intense, violent, severe. dibh (dao ibh), prep, pro., 2 pi., to you, for you, by you, of you; emphatic, dibh-se. dibheartha, p. a., banished, exiled, excluded. dil, -e, a., dear, beloved, fond, loyal. dfleas (dflis, gsf. dflse), a., dear, fond, loyal, faith- ful, trustful. díoghbháil, -ála, /., injury, damage, destruction, harm. direach, direct, straight; direach domhan, just ex- actly. dlighe (dligheadh), g. id., m., a law, regulation, ordinance, right. FIRST IRISH BOOK 109 do, prep. to. do- do- (doi), neg. prefix, ill-, un-; ojten implies diffi- ciiUy. do, suhst. form of numeral, two; an do, the tivo. do, prep, pro., to him, to it {m.) jor him, for it. do-bheirim, v. irreg. and tr., I give, cause. do chim, V. irreg. tr., I see; do chíteár dam, seems to me. do ghanim, v. irreg. tr., I make, cause, do, create. docha, -aighe, a., likely, probable, rather. doibh, prep, pro., to them, for tJiem. doigh, -e, /., manner, fashion, method, way. dom, prep, pro., to me, for me. donn, gsf., duinne, brown, brown-Jmired. doras, -ais, m., a door, a gate, an entrance. dos, g., duis, m., a bush, a copse, a tuft; froth, scum. dreolin, g. id., m., a wren. droch (droich), bad {used only in tJie first part of a compound). dtáinig (see tigim). duibhe, g. id., blackness, gloom, darkness, ink. dúil, -e, /., desire, appetite, longing, fondness. duine, g. id., m., a man, person, human being, m., people; a dhuine, choir, honest man; my good sir. dúinn, prep, pro., to us, for us. duit, prep, pro., 2 s., to thee, for thee. dul, -a, and tha, act of going, getting, securing. dún, g., dúin, and dúna, a fortress, castle. no FIRST IRISH BOOK E é, pers. pro., he it; in nom. and accics.; is é, it is he. é! inter] . expressing u'onder, griej. éa, neg. prefix, as éagcóir, injustice. éadach cadáis, in., calico. eadan, -ain, w., face, the forehead; n-éadan, against. eallach, -aigh, nr., cattle of any kind, belonging to a herd. éan, g., éin, ?n., a bird, a fowl. eibhleog, -oige, -oga, /., a spark, the lightning flash; embers. éigin (éicin), some, certain, a sort of. eile, other, another. éirghe (see éirghim). éirghim, v. inter., I rise, mount up. proceed, depart, journey. éirighidh (see éirghim). eolach, -aighe, a., learned, skilled, scientiflc. eolas, -ais, m., knouiedge. skill, information. eis (eas), prefix implying repetition; re- back, again. éist/ hush! list! silence! F fá (fé, fó, fadi), prep., under, about, throughout, concerning, for. faca {see do chim). fad, -aid, m., length, as long as, far. fada, com p., faide, long; far, far off, distant. FIRST IRISH BOOK iii fág, -áige, -ága, a wave. fághail (faghbháil), g., ála, and álta, /., act of finding, getting. faghaim, ^'/., faghail, irreg. v. tr., I get, etc. fagaim, v. tr., and intr., I leave, quit, desert, abandan. faide, g. id., f., length. fáidh, g. id., and -e, m., a prophet, a seer, a poet, a learned man. fáilte, g. id., /., greeting, salutation, welcome. faire, inter j., for shame; also, what a pity. faire, g. id., act of watching, guarding. fairrce, g. id., /., a sea, a wave, brine. fan (see fanaim). fanacht, -a, /., act of remaining, staying, stopping, waiting. fanaim, v. intr., I remain, stop, stay, dwell. faoi, prep, pro., under it, under him. faoil -fhleasc, m., a ridge or verge; the spine. feabhas, -ais, m., excellence, goodness, good, superior- ity. féachaim, -chaint, v. tr., and intr. I look on, look at, examine. feadh, m., space, extent, length, duration, cmitinu- ance. fear, g., fir, m., a nmn, a husband. féar, g., féir, m., grass, hay. fearamhail, -mhla, a., manly, brave. fearg, g., feirge, /., anger, wrath, fury. fearglach, -aighe, a., angry, wrathfid, fierce, passion- ate. 119 FIRST IRISH BOOK fearr, better; comp. of maith, good. fearthain, g., -thana, /., act of raining; rain. fheadog (fiodh, g., -a and feadha), a plover, wood- cock, wood hen. féasóg, -óige, -óga, a beard. feicim (see do-chim). feicsint, g., -e, /., act oj seeing. féin, emphat. pro., own, self; ei'en. feis, -e, /., a festival, a convention, a session. feoil, -ola, -olta, /., flesh; meat. feolmhar, -aire, a., fleshly, carnal. feor, poet, for féar, {which see.) feuch (see féacham) lo! Behold! féur (féar, g., féir), m., grass, hay. feusoig (see feásóg). fiabhras, -ais, m., a fever; fiabhras creathach, an ague. fiadh, g., fiaidh, m., a deer, a stag. fiadhnaise, g. id., f., before {with gen.), witness, presence, testimony. fiche, ad, /., twenty, a score. file, g., leadh, m., a poet, a professor. finn, -fea, -feadh, pass; -fidhe, would. fion, -a, -ta, m., wine. fionn, gsf., fair, pale, pure, white. fior, -ire, a., true, real, honest, faith fid, loyal. fior, -uisce, m., pure, or fresh water, spring water. fios, g., feasa, m., knowledge, information, intelli- gence, idiom — ni fhuil (a) fhios agam. / do not know {lit., its knowledge is not at me). FIRST IRISH BOOK "3 firin, g. id. m., a little nmn, a mannikin. fiu, m.j worth, price, equivalent. flaith, g., flatha, in., a prince, a chief, a lord, a hero. flaitheamhail, -amhla, a., princely, generous. fliuch, -iche, a., moist, wet, damp, juicy. fliuchuigheadh (see fliuch). focal, g., focail, m., a word, a saying, a phrase. fochair, /., proximity, presence, company. foighid (foighne), g. id., f., patience. foil, in., go foil, yet, still. foirim, V. intr., I help, save, deliver, relieve, succor. fóiríor (see fáríor), inter j. also? foUáin, -e, a., sound, wholesome, healthy. fos, ad., also, too, moreover, yet, still, besides. fos, m., a prop., buttress, wall. fosta (fost), ad., also, too, in addition to. freagraim, -gra, v. tr., and inter., I answer, reply to, respond. frid, prep., -tré, though. fuacht, -a, m., cold, chilliness. fuair, 3 s., pf., of do-gheibhim, / find. fuar, -aire, a., cold, chilly, bleak, uninviting, raw, fuaramar (see faghaim). fud, throughout, all over, through, among. full, g., fola, /., blood, gore; a family, tribe. furusa (fura), comp. of furas, easy. fusa, comp. of furas, easy. 114 FIRST IRISH BOOK G gabhaim, v. tr.^ and inter., I take, receive, seize, appre- hend. gabhal, g., gaibhle, m., and j., a }ork, pitchfork, an opening creek. gabhar, -air, m., a goat. gach, g., gacha, adj. pro., each, every; gach uile, every. Gaedhilge, /., the Irish language, Gaelic. gaibhtheach, -thighe, complaining, bothersome, queru- lous. gairghean, niece. galar, -air, m., disease, sickness, illness. gall, g., gaill and goill, m., a foreigner. gan, prep., without, only, neither; gan airgead, with- out money. gann, gsf. gainne, a., scarce, scanty, empty, small, short, tight. gaol, g., gaoil, m., relationship, kindred, family. gar, m., nearness, proximity. garbh, -airbhe, a., rough, rugged, coarse, rude. garg, -airge, a., fierce, rough, cruel. gé, though, although. geal, gsf., gile, a., white, bright, fair, good. ghelach (gealach, -aighe, acha) /., the moon. geall, g., gill, m., a promise, pledge, regard, love. gear, -éire, a., sharp, sour, bitter, acute, severe. gearr, gsf., giorra, a., short, near, abridged. géillim, -leadh, v. inter. I obey, serve, do homage to. FIRST IRISH BOOK géis, -e, -eanna, /., a tribute, a gift. geit, -e, /., fright, start, a jump; dc gheit, suddenly. geur (see géar). gidh, conj., though, although, yet, howbeit. gidheadh, conj., though, although, however, yet. gile, g. id., whiteness, brightness, a fair one. giolla, g. id., m., servant, attendant, lad, page, a guide. giorra, comp. of gearr, nearer, shorter. glan, gsf., a., clean, pure, bright, innocent. glaodhaim, v. intr. and tr., I call, shout, cry, cry out. glas, -aise, a., green, verdant, bright, grey. glé, indie, a., clear, bright, pure, perfect. gloir, -e., /., glory, fame, renown. glormhar, -aire, a., glorious, famous, renowned. go, prep., to, towards, unto, up to, until, during, that. go, prep., with, along with. go, conj., that, so that, until. goire, g. id., /., nearness, contiguity. goirm, -orma, /., choice, a term of endearment; ghoirm thú, bravo! gol, g., guil, m., act of weeping, crying. gorm, g., guirm, m., blue. gormach, g., goirmhic, m., a nephew, grandson. gort, g., guirt, m., a field, garden, cornfield. grádh, a., -a, and áidh, m., love, affection, trust. gráin, g., gránach, /., hatred, dislike, aversion. gráineamhail, -mhla, a., odious, hateful, ugly. gráinne, g. id., m., a small particle; a small quantity, a grain. gránda (gránna), ugly, hideous, hateful, horrid. ii6 FIRST IRISH BOOK granna (see granda). greann, g., grinn, w., fun, mirth, sport, humor. greannamhail, -mhla, a., pleasant. greim, g., greama, m., a hold, grip; a bite, mouthful, piece, slice. grian, g., gréine, /., the sun. guirt, -e, a., salt, sour, bitter, painful. gur, pres. and past of v. is, that it is, that it was. I i, prep., in, into, on, upon; i bhfiadhnaise, in the presence of. Í, per. pro., she, her, it. Í, or UÍ, g., of 6, ua, m., grandson, descendant. iad, they, them; emphat., iad-san, iad-so, these. iar, prep., after. iarann, -ainn, m., iron; a smoothing iron. iarraim, vl., iarraidh, v. tr., I ask, ask for, seek, de- mand. iasc, g., éisc, m., a fish, fish. iasg (see iasc). id', in thy. idir, prep., between, among. .impidhe, g. id., /., prayer, supplication, intercession, entreaty. impighim (see impidhe). imtheacht, -a, /., act of going, departing, proceeding. imthighim, v. intr., I go, go away, set out, depart. in- (ion-), prefix, denoting fitness, aptitude, etc. FIRST IRISH BOOK 117 indé, yesterday. inis, g., inse, /., an island; a river hank. innti (see inte). inte (innte), prep, pro., in her. iomaithbhear, -bhir, m., act of rebuking, reproaching. iomdha, comp., lia, many, much, abundant, numerous. iomlán, -áin, m., the entire, the li'hole of, all. ion- prefix, aptitude, fitness, worthiness. iona, tJmi, nor. ionánn, -ainne, a., the same, identical, equal, alike. iongnadh, g., -aidh, and -ganta, a wonder, surprise, marvel. ionmhain, com p., ionmhaine, a., dear, beloved, cour- teous. ionmhuin (see ionmhain). iosal (see iseal). is, verb of simple assertion. ise, emphatic form of i, she, herself, itself. iseal, -sle, a., low, low-lying, humble, secret. isiol (see islighim). islighim, -iughadh, v. tr., I cast down, humble, lower, ithe, g., ithte, /., act of eating, eating food. L lá, g., lae, m. poet, laoi, m., a day, often one day, once. lá n-aon, aon lá amháin, one day, once upon a time; la saoire, a holiday. labhairt, -bhartha, /., act of speaking, speech, a saying. ii8 FIRST IRISH BOOK labhraim, vL, labhairt, v. tr., and intr., I speak, talk, say. labhrann {see labhraim). laethe (pL, oj lá, g., lae), days. láidir, gsj., láidre, strong, power }id, prm, stout. láimh {ds., oj lamh, a hand), láimh le, near to, at hand. lámh, g., láimhe, /., a hand, an arm, a Jiandle. lán, g., láin, m., abundance, plenty, the jull oj, much. Idiom — a lán daoine, a lot {lit., its jull) oj people. láthair, presence, company; place, site, spot. le, prep., with, along with, by, through, at. leabhar, -air, m., a book. leagha (see leigheas). leadartha (leadrath, -dartha), m., striking, tearing, cutting. léan, g., léin, 7n., woe, griej, sorrow, affliction. leanbh, g., leinbh, m., a child, a baby, a term oj en- dearment. lear, g., lir, m., the sea, the surjace oj the sea. léar (léir, -e), a., visible, plain, clear, open, man i jest. leat, prep, pro,, 3 s., with thee, by thee. leath, g., leithe, /., a halj; part, a piece. leathan, gsj., leithne, a., wide, broad. lei (léithe), prep, pro., 3 s. /., with her. leigheas, -ghis, m., medicine, remedy, cure; fear leighis, doctor. léighidh (see leigim). leigim, V. tr., I let, suffer, permit, allow, leave, give. FIRST IRISH BOOK 119 léim, -e, -eanna, /., a leap, a jump, a hound, a start. léir, an adj. used adverbially; go léir, entirely, alto- gether. leis, prep, pro., 3 s. m., with him, it; at, to or by him. léithise (see léi). leor, indec. a., enough, plenty, sufficient. liagh, g., leagha, m., a physician, a surgeon. linn, prep, pro., 1 pL, with us. línéadach, -aigh, -aighe, m., linen cloth. liom, prep, pro., with me, by me. lion, g., lin, m., a number, quantity, a supply. lionmhar, -mhaire, a., numerous, abundant, plenti- ful. loch, -a, m., lake, lough, pool, sea, inlet. lorn, gsj., luime, a., bald, naked. Ion, g., luin, m., a blackbird. Ion, g., loin, m., store, provision, food, necessaries. long, g., luinge, /., a ship; long-phort, a shore, a camp, a haven. luach, g., luaig and luacha, a price, reward, value. lúb, g., lúibe, /., a loop, an entanglement, a hasp. luch, g., luiche, a mouse; luch fhranncach, a rat. luighe, g. id., act of lying down, reclining. lúth, g., lúith and lútha, m., strength, vigor, activity, power. I20 FIRST IRISH BOOK M má, can]., if. madadh, -aidh, a dog. madra, g. id., a dog, a irmstifj. maidin, -dne, -dneacha, morning. máilin, g. id., m., a Utile bag or sack. mairim, v. tr., and intr., I live, exist; go mairir i bhfad, long life to you. máiseadh, if so, then, therefore, well. mhaise, inter j., well! Yet, wnthout. mhias {mm, g., mé ise), /., a dish, a plate, a platter. mhna (mna, g., and pi., of bean), a woman. maith, -e, comp., feárr, a., good, prime, excellent, well. Idiom — go raibh maith agat, thank you {lit., may good he at you). maitheas, -theasa, m., and f., goodness; a good thing. mala, g. id., f., a brow, an eyebrow; the brow of a hill. mála, g. id., m., a bag, a mail, a budget. mallacht, -a, /., act of cursing; a curse, a malediction. maoin, -e, /., wealth, property, substance, means, goods, riches. mar, pep. conj., adv., like to, as, for, since, how, when, where. márach, to-morrow. más (má is), if it be, if so. máthair, g., -thar, /., a mother; a cause, a source. mé, per. pro., I, me; mé féin, myself, I myself. meadhgamhail, -mhla, a., whey-like, serous, diluted. méar, g., méir and meoir, m., a finger, a toe. FIRST IRISH BOOK 121 meas, -a, m., act of thinking, judging, esteem, regard, respect. measa, worse, comp., oj olc, bad. measaim, v. tr., I think, deem, fancy, judge, consider, value. méid, -e, m., an amount, a quantity, size; cá mhéid? how much? how many? mi (mio), neg. prefix, evil, bad. mi, g., miora, /., month. mian, g., méine, /., desire, wish, mind, a mind to. mil, g., meala, honey; mi na meala, honeymoon. mile, g. id., m., a thousand. milliúm, -úin, a million. milseacht, -a, /., sweetness, enticement. min, -e, /., ineal, flour. min, -e, a., smooth, fine, soft, tame, gentle. mios, g., -a, a mouth. miotog, -oige, -oga, /., a bit, a pinch. mire, g. id., /., madness, fury, vehemence. mis, g.j -e, /., a part, share, a portion. mo, poss. pro., my. moin, g., mona, /., a mountain, an extensive common, a bog. moirchion, m., great love or esteem. mor, gsf., moire, a., great, big, large, much, mighty. mórán, -áin, m., a great deal, much, many, a great many. muic-fheoil, -ola, /., pork, bacon, swine-flesh. muin, -e, -idhe, /., the neck' back. 122 FIRST IRISH BOOK muinntear (muinntir), -tire, /., people, folk, family, tribe. muirnin, g. id., m., a sweetheart; a term oj endear- ment. muna, conj., with, if not, unless, muna mbeadh, but, for. N ná, neg. part., not, do not. ná, conj., nor, neither. 'ná, for ioná, than; used after comparatives. nach, conj., (eclipses), that not; 6 nach, since not. nach, rel. pro., which not. náire, g. id., f., shame, confusion, bashfulness, mod- esty. Idiom — tá náire an tsaoghail air, he is greatly ashamed (lit., the shame of the world is an him. neach, indie, indef. pro., one, some one, any one, any person, with neg., no one. nead, g., nide, m., and /., a nest, a lair. néall, g., neill and neoill, m., a cloud. néallach, -aighe, cloudy. neamh (neimh-), neg. prefix, not. neart, g., nirt, m., strength, might, power, dominion. neul (néall). neulach (see néallach). ní, not; ni maith é, it is not good. nidh, g., nidhe, a jot, a part of anything, a thing. nior (ni + ro), not. FIRST IRISH BOOK 123 nios (nidh-sa), somewhat more, greater, longer, jar- ther. no, conj., or, either, otherwise; no go, until. noch, indec. rel. pro., who, which, that. noimid (nóimit), g. id., a minute, a moment. noin, -ona, /., noon, evening; bruach nóna, evening. nos, g., nois, m., a custom, a jashion, a habit. nuadh (nua), -aidhe, a., new, fresh, recent, modern. nuair, an uair, when, O 0, conj., since, because; 6 nach, since . . . not, obair, g., oibre, /., work, labor, a task. obann, gs}., oibne and obainne, a., sudden, quick, hasty. ocras, -air, m., hunger, greed, starvation. og, gsf., óige, a., young, youthful, junior, small. oglach (oglaoch), -aigh, m., a servant, a vassal; a youth. oidhche, g. id., night. oile, other, another, any other. oir, conj., for, because, since. olc, g., uilc, m., evil, harm, misfortune, spite, bad. olcas, -ais, m., badness, hatred; dul in-olcas, grow- ing worse. or, g., óir, m., gold. orna (eorna), /., barley. ort, prep, pro., 2 s., on thee, 6s (uas), above, over, upon. 134 FIRST IRISH BOOK P padhail, -e, a name for an old cow (sean-phadhail, i. d.) páirc, -e, -eanna, /., a field, a pasture, a park. páirt, -e, -eanna, /., a part, a portion, a piece, a share. páiste, g. id., m., a child, a babe, a little child. paistin (see páiste). párdun, -úin, pardon, forgiveness. pasaiste, g. id., m., a passage, a pathway. peann, g., pinn, m., a writing pen; peann luaidhe, a lead pencil. péire, g. id., m., a pair, a couple, a brace. péisteog, -oige, /., a little worm. pian, g., peine, /., pain, punishment, pang, torment. pighinn, g., pighne, /., a penny. pog, -oige, -oga, f., a kiss. port, g., puirt, m., a shore, a bank. príobhaíd, -de, /., privacy, secrecy. proinn, -ne, -nidhe, /., a meal, a dinner, food; céad phroinn, breakfast. púnt, g., púint, 7n., a pound {in weight), a pound sterling. púnta (see púnt). putóg, -óige, -óga, /., a pudding, an intestine. FIRST IRISH BOOK «5 R rádh, g., ráidh, m., act of speaking, saying, telling, repeating. rath, -a, m., success, good fortune, good luck, pros- perity. ráth, g., ráithe, /., a poet, an artificial mound, a hurroiv. ré, g. id. f., time, a life-time, a period. réim, -e, -eanna, power, authority, fame, a posi- tion. réir, dark, black; darkness; a réir, last night. réir, -e {nom. of riar), rule, authority, will; do réir, according to. ri, g., riogh and righ, a king, a sovereign, a prince. riaghalta, a., regularly, ordered; mná riaghalta, nuns. riar, g., réire, /., will, desire, pleasure; rule, govern- ment, authority. riar, g., -réir and -rtha, m., act of serving, attending, dividing. rinne, righne (do-ghnim). ro, prefix, much, very, great, exceeding, very much. rod, g., roid, m., a road, a way, a path, a passage. rogha, g., -an, /., a choice, a selection, option, the best. roimh, prep., before, in front of, to, for, from. ros, g., rois, m., a rose. ruadh, -aidhe, a., red, reddish, red-haired. 136 FIRST IRISH BOOK rud, g.y ruid and roda, a thing, an affair, a circum- stance. rug, perfect tense, ^ s., oj beirim, / bear, take, carry, being, S sac, g., saic, a sack, a bag; sackcloth. sacsain, -an, /., England. sacsanach {see sasanach). sagart, -airt, m., a priest; sagart og, a curate. sagartoid, -e, -eacha, /., a parish. saith, -e., /., enough of, sufficiency, a sufficient quan- tity. sal, g., sail, m., impurity, pollution, fi^lth, dirt, dross. sál, g., sáile, /., the heel. samhain, -mhna, /., all Hallowtide. san, 's an, def. art., the. saoghal, -ghail m., life, lifetime, age, generation. saoi, g. id., a sage, a scholar, a man of letters, a sav- ant. saoirre, g. id., /., freedom, deliverance, release. saoradh, m., acquittal, act of redeeming, ransoming. saothar, -air, m., toil, trouble, work, labor. sar, prefix, very, most, exceeding, excessive, excellent. sasanach, -aighe, English, Protestant. scail (scáile, g. id.,), /., a cloud, a shadow, shade. scéal, -eil, -eoil, m., a story, a tale, a legend. scian, g., seine, /., a knife, a dagger; scian fhada, a sword. FIRST IRISH BOOK 127 scilling, -e, a shilling; scilling albanach, a penny. scoil, g.^ -e, a school; árd-scoil, high school, acad- emy, college. scor, -oir, w., a scar, a cut, a mark, a notch. sé, per. pro., 3 siyig, m., he, it. sé = is é, it is he, he is, it is it, it is. seachrán, -áin, m., the act oj wandering, straying. seachtmhain, -e, a week, seven days. sean, sine, a., old, aged, ancient; sean-bhean, an old woman. seasadh (seasamh), seasamh, g., -aimh, m., act oj standing, rising up. seilbh, g., bhe, possession, inheritance. séimh, -e, a., mild, delicate, modest, tender, quiet, gentle. seisear, -sir, m., six persons; mo chol seisear, 7ny second cousin. seo (so), this; this place, here. seod, g., oid, m. and /., a jewel, a precious stone. seol, -oil, -olta, m., a sail, a loom. sgeul (scéal, -eil, -eoil, m., a story, a tale, a legend. sgianso (see scian). si, per. pro., /., she, it. siad, per. pro., they, them. siad, so, emphat. pro., these. siad soin, emphat. pro., those. siad súd, emphat. pro., you, yonder {persons or things). sibh, per. pro., pi., ye, you. sin (soin, sain), that, those, used ajter the article and sub. 128 FIRST IRISH BOOK sin (sion, g., sine), weather, a season, storm, rain, sinn, per. pro., we, us; sinne, ourselves, we ourselves, sioda, g. id., silk. siol, g., SÍ1, m., seed, issue, progeny, race, tribe, pos- terity. sion, g., sine, /., weather, a season; storm, rain. sios, ad., down, downward, below, following. sise, sisi, emphat. pro., she, herself. siubhal, -ail, m., the act of walking, moving, a journey, slacht, -aicht, m., good appearance, neatness, trim- ness. slaaghdán (slaodán, -ain), m., a cold, a hoarseness, sláinte, g. id., /., health, healing, soundness, salva- tion. slaitin, g. id., a sprig, a twig, a little stick. slán, g., sláin, m., safety, guarantee, protection, chal- lenge; slán leat (sing.), farewell. slán, -áine, a., whole, healthy, secure, safe, sound, * well, complete. sliabh, g., -sléibhe, m., a mountain. sneachta, g. id., m., snow, sleet, hail. so, this, sometimes, these; ag sed, here, here is, see here. so-, prefix, implying ease, facility, fitness, goodness. socair, -era, a., quiet, safe, easy, comfortable. soilleir (see soillseach). soillseach, -sighe, a., bright, shining, transparent. soin, this, that; 6 shoin, since then. soir, a. and ad., forward, over, east, eastern. soirbhighim, -iughadh, v. tr., I prosper, succeed, thrive. FIRST IRISH BOOK 129 solas, -air, -oillse, WL, light, knowledge^ enlightenment, son, w., sake, account, cause, behalf. sona, indec. a., fortunate , happy, prosperous, lucky. speal, g., -eile, /., a scythe, a mowing hook. spéir, -re, -éartha, /., sky, firmament, heaven. sráid, g., -e, /., a street. srian, g., -riain, -réin, m., a bridle, a bit, a curb. sruth, -srotha, m., a stream, a river, a fountain, a flood. suairc, -e, a., pleasant, civil, kind, gentle. súd, that, you, yonder, lo? iad súd, they. sugainn (see chughainn). súgh, -a, m., juice or sap; a grape or berry. suidhe, g. id., act of sitting, a seat; a couch; op- posed' to lyiftg down. suil, -e, /., the willow tree; the same of the letter s. súil, -e, 3 pi., SÚ1, /., an eye, expectation, hope. Idiom — tá súil agam, / hope; ag súil leis, expecting him. T tá, V. irreg., (see atáim), am, art, is, are; tá se air agam, / have to, I must; tá fúm, / intend to. táim (see atáim). taithmghim (taitnim-neamh, v. intr.), I shine, I please. thainic (see tigim). thainig (see tigim). tall, adv., on the other side, beyond, over, yonder. FIRST IRISH BOOK tamall, -aill, w., a space of time, a while. tamhnach, -aigh, -aighe, m., a green field, a culti- vated spot. tamhuighim, -ughadh, v. tr., I cause, bring about. taoibh (see atáim). tar, prep., beyond, over, across, above, past, by, through. tarrac, -aicthe and -aic, m., act of drawing, pulling. taráchair, -chra, an augur. tart, g., tairt, m., thirst, drought; Idiom — tá tart mor orm, / am thirsty {lit., great thirst is on me.) tart (thart), prep, pro., 2 sing., beyond, over, across ^ round, through. thart timcheall, round about. tasg, a task. tásg, a report, rumor. te, gsj. and comp., teo or teogha, a., hot, warm, passionate. té, an té, he who, the individual who, the person who. teach, g., tighe, m., a house, a mansion. teacht, -a, m. and }., act of coming, arrival, approach. téad, g., téide, /., a string, a rope, a cord. teagaim (obs. tigim), / came. teann, -einne, a., tight, firm, strong, stout. téidhim, vl., dul, v. irreg. intr., I go, proceed. teine, g. id., and teineadh, /., fire. teinneas, -nis, m., pain, ache, sickness, disease. teo, teogha, teotha, comp. and pi. of te, hot, warm. teud (see téad). tharais (see tar). FIRST IRISH BOOK thiocfas (see tigim). thorainn (see tar), thuigeas (see tuigim). tigim, vL, teacht, v. irreg. intr., I come. tighearna, g. id.^ m., a lordy a landlord, a master, a chief. tinn, -e, a., sick, sickly, sore, unwell, ill. tinneas (teinneas, -nis), m., pain, ache, sickness, disease. tiocfadh (see teagaim). tir, -e, -iortha, land, country, nation, region, district. tirim, gsj. tiorma, a., dry, sere, sapless. tiugh, gsj., -a, -ighe and tiuighe, a., thick, thickest, close, solid. tobar, -air, m., a well, a spring. tog (see togaim). togaim, V. tr., I raise, lift, erect, elevate, build. togbhail, building, raishig, etc. (see togaim). toil, g., -e a7id tola, /., the will; a wish, consent. toileach, -lighe, a., willing, voluntary. toilteach (see toileach). toiseach, -sigh, m., a leader, a chief. torn, g., tuim, m., a bush, a tuft; a thicket, a grove, tonn, g., tuinne, /., a wave, a billow. torann, -ainn, m., sound, report, noise. tost, m., silence; bi id' thost, hold your tongue; taim im thost, / am silent. trasna, pep. and ad., athwart, across, from side to side. tráthnona, g. id., m., evening. 132 FIRST IRISH BOOK tre, prep., through, by means of. tréine, g. id. /., strength, might, power. treise, g, id. }., might, power, force, strength, comp. of treas. treun, comp., treis, strong. trom, -mime, a., heavy, oppressive; trom luighe, nightmare. truagh, g., truaighe, /., pity, woe, wretchedness; lament. tú, per. pro., thou, you. tug (see do-bheirim). tugaidh (see tugtha). tugaim, V. tr., I give, etc. (see do-bheirim). tugtha, p. a., given, granted, brought, taken, willing. tuigim, -gsin, V. tr., I understand, perceive, discern. tuigeann (see tuigim), a'dtuigeann tú? Do you understand? tuirse, g. td., /., weariness, sadness, depression, sorrow. tuitfir (tuitim), vl. id. v. intr., I fall, I stumble. tusa, per. pro., thou, thyself., acc. and voc, thusa, thee, U uaigh, g., uaighe, a grave, a tomb, a vault, a deny a cave. uaim, tá uaim, want, tá rud uaim, / want a thing, uain, -e, /., time, moment, opportunity, leisure. uair, -e, /., hour, time, occasion. usal, gsf., uaisle, a., noble, gentle, high-born; bean uasal, a lady. FIRST IRISH BOOK 133 ubh, uibh and uibhe, m. and /., an egg, uhb circe, a hen's egg. uchon (ochón), inter j., alas! ucht, -a, m.j bosom, breast, lap. ughdar, -air, m., an author; an authority; a voucher. S' ^5 ^ grandson or descendant, mac ui Bhrian, Mr. O' Brian (lit., the son of O' Brian), uile, a., every, all, whole, entire, uime, conj., wherefore, therefore, why, about him, uirri (see uirthi). uirthi, uirthe, prep. pro. 3 /., on her, upon her, it. uisce, g. id, m., water, uisce beatha, whiskey, ur, prefix, very, exceedingly. ur, gsf.y uire, a., fresh, moist, new. urlar, -air, m., floor. urramaigh (see urramuighim). urramuighim -ughadh, v. tr., I respect, honor, revere, ursa, g., ursan, /., jamb, door-post, prop-stay. War Cries of the Ancient Irish Carroll — Siubhal adhbo! Steady march, j or ever! MacSwine — Bataile adhbo! The noble staff, for ever! Hussey — Coir direach adhbo ! Strict justice, for ever! Knights of Kerry — Fairi buidhe adhbo! The yellow troop, for ever! Fitzgerald — Crom adhbo ! The Deity, for ever! O^Neil — Lamh dearg adhbo! Red-hafid, for ever! O^Brien — Lamh laidir adhbo! Strong-hand, for ever! Desmond — Sean ait adhbo ! The old place, for ever! Bourke — Gaill ruadh adhbo ! The red stranger, for ever! Fitzpatrick — Gear laidir adhbo! The sharp and strong, for ever! The word adhho is perhaps written for athbuata, most excel- lent, or, the best. 134 Date Due A ' V 1 i Jul f m ^ 197 tool J 1995 BOSTON COLLEGE 3 9031 01285118 4 AUTHOR ' /) 1 TITi_ BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHESTNUT HILL. MASS. Books may be kept for tu i weeks and may be renewed for the same period, unless re- served . Two cents a day is charged for each book kept overtime. If you cannot find what you want, ask the Librarian who will be glad to help you. The borrower is responsible for books drawn on his card and for all fines accruing on the same.