Duinnín agus na Bollain

bullan, A round hollow in a stone, a bowl.

tuathal … cursing stones (clocha breaca) at Inishmurray, Sligo, are turned to
the left to effect a curse…

• Bhí an oíche caite ag an Duinnineach i nDrom Gabhar le
  muintir Magee. Tar éis bricfeasta, rinne páistí an teaghlaigh é a
  chomóradh go Tír Sheanacháin go bhfaigheadh sé radharc ar an
  Sionnainn agus go bhfeicfeadh sé an áit as ar shnámh Daideo
  Magee Béal na Sionna. Bhi an lá bioranta fuar, an ghaoth ag
  saighdeadh as gach aird faoi seach agus nimh inti. Rith an bheirt
  bhuachaillí thart ar an Duinníneach go meidhreach gan aon
  aird acu ar an bhfuacht ach shiúil Hanna taobh leis go modhúil.
  

  Dineen spent the night in Drumgour with the Magee people. After breakfast the children of the family as an to Tiershanaghan so he would get a view of the Shannon and would see the place where Grandpa Magee swam the mouth of the Shannon. It was a piercingly cold day, the wind blowing from all directions with poisonous sting in it. The two boys ran around Dineen merrily with no regard for the cold but Hanna walked beside him politely.

  comóradh	gathering, assembly; celebration	m
  radharc	sight	m
  lá bioranta fuar	piercingly cold day
  bioranta	sharp
  saighdeadh	inciting, provoking	m
  aird	direction; attention	f
  faoi seach	in turn; occasionally; respectively; in confusion
  nimh	poison	f
  meidhreach	Mirthful, merry, gay; frisky, sportive
  fuacht	cold
  modhúil	Well-behaved, mannerly; mild, gentle, modest

• ‘Cén aois atá agat, a Hanna?’ ‘Ceithre bliana déag, a Athair.’
  Bhris gealán gréine tríd na scamaill. Thaibhsigh Ceann
  Léime trin gceo. Chuaigh na leaids ag rince thart ar bharr aille
  ag iarraidh an Duinníneach a threorú go strapa, áit a bhféadfá
  dul síos chun an uisce agus an charraig, ar fhág Daideo a chuid
  éadaí uirthi fadó, a fheiscint.

  ‘How old are you, Hanna?’
  ‘Fourteen, Father’
  A spell of sunshine broke through the clouds. Loop Head loomed through the haze. The lads danced around the top of a cliff trying to guide Dineen to a cliff-path,
  a place where you could go down to the water and to see the rock on Which Grandpa left his clothes long ago.

  gealán	Gleam, flash; bright spell
  gealán gréine	spell of sunshine
  Taibhsigh	loom, appear, seem
  ceo	Fog; mist, haze	m
  aill	cliff, precipice	f gs aille
  treorú	Guidance, direction	m
  strapa	Steps in cliff, cliff-path, climb	m
  carraig	rock	f

• ‘Ni bheidh am ag an Athair Pádraig dul síos ansin inniu,’ arsa
  Hanna. ‘Beidh an solas ag ídiú faoina ceathair agus caithfidh sé
  Buailín Siar a bhaint amach roimhe sin.’

  
  Bheannaigh an tAthair Pádraig gaois Hanna agus dhein sé
  iontas de cé chomh ciallmhar is a bhí sí le hais na leaids, a raibh
  dhá bhliain déag agus trí bliana déag acu, faoi seach.

  ‘Father Patrick will not have time to go down there today,’ said Hanna. ‘The light will be gone by about four and he must reach Bouleenshere before then.’
  Father Patrick blessed Hanna’s wisdom and he was surprised at how sensible she was compared to the lads, who were twelve and thirteen years old, respectively.

  ídiú	Consumption, wear; abuse, destruction	m
  gaois	Wisdom, sagacity; shrewdness, intelligence	f
  iontas	wonder, surprise	m
  ciallmhar	Sensible, reasonable
  ais	bacl
  le ais	beside, compared with
  faoi seach	in turn; occasionally; respectively

• ‘Is fíor do Hanna,’ ar seiscan. ‘Lena chois sin tá fúm timpeall
  beag a dhéanamh chun cuairt a thabhairt ar Chill Mhic an Deá.
  Dá mbeadh siopa beag in aon áit go bhfaighfí milseáin ann . . .’

  Bhí a leitheid tugtha faoi ndeara aige … D’aimsigh an
  Duinníneach dhá leathphingin agus dhá fheoirling agus d’imigh
  na leaids chun tomhaisín milseán a cheannach. D’fhan an
  tAthair Pádraig agus Hanna ar scáth carraige agus iad ag
  féachaint ar aghaidh dhorca oibrithe na Sionna agus tonnta
  bána briste na farraige.

  ‘Hanna is right,’ he said. ‘Beside that I want to make a little circuit to visit Kilmacea. If there was a small shop anywhere sweets could be gotten . . . ‘
  He had noticed such a thing … Dineen found two halfpence and two farthings and the lads went to buy a few sweets. Father Patrick and Hanna stayed in the shadow of a rock looking at the dark seething of the Shannon and the breaking white waves of the sea.

  timpeall	Round, circuit; roundabout	m
  leithéid	Like, counterpart, equal; such
  aimsigh	aim; find, locate; attempt
  leathphingin	halfpenny	f
  feoirling	farthing [quarter of a penny]	f
  tomhaisín	Small measure, small amount	m
  scáth	shade, shadow	m
  tonn	wave	f pl tonnta

• ‘Dá mbeadh ormsa Seáinín Sheáin Salach a phósadh,
  shnámhfainn an tSionainn chun éalú uaidh,’ arsa Hanna.

  ‘ ‘Bhfuil snámh agat?’
  ‘De chineál.’

  ‘ ‘Bhfúil aon bhaol ann go gcuirfidh an Seáinín seo ceiliúr
  pósta ort?’

  ‘Tá sé chun mo chara, Brídín Ní Shé, a phósadh amárach
  agus ní dá deoin é.’

  ‘ ‘Bhfuil do chara, Brídín, mórán níos sine ná tú, a chuid?
  ‘Tá si sé bliana déag.’

  ‘Agus ní mian léi Seáinín Sheáin a phósadh?’

  ‘If I had to marry Dirty Johny John, I would swim the Shannon to escape from him,’ said Hanna.
  ‘Do you swim?’
  ‘Kind of.’
  ‘Is there any danger that this Johnny will ask to marry you?’
  ‘He is getting married to my friend Bridey O’Shea tomorrow
  and against her will.’
  ‘Is your friend, Bridey, much older than you, a chuid?’
  ‘She is sixteen.’
  ‘And she has no desire to marry Johnny John?’

  baol	danger	m
  deoin	will, consent	f

• ‘Tá sé sean agus salach agus saihhir agus tréad bó aige. Fathach é.
  Deirtear nár bhain sé snáithe de ó rugadh é ach go ngoideann
  sé giobal éadaigh ó bhM
  ‘Cheannaigh sé culaith i dTrá Lí ach, dá mbeadh dhá
  chulaith air, ní bheadh toil ag Brídín leis.’

  ‘ ‘Bhfuil Brídín ceanúil ar bhuachaill éigin dá haois féin.’
  Sméid Hanna a ceann, deora ag sileadh léi.

  Líon maidhm de bhuairt an tsaoil isteach in anam an Duinnínigh

  ‘He is old and dirty and rich and has a herd of cows. He is a giant. It is said that he has not removed a thread since he was born but steals a piece of clothing from the scarecrows when he feels cold and puts it on over what is already on him.’
  ‘God save us, he would have to put himself in some shape for a wedding.’
  ‘He bought a suit in Tralee but, if he had two suits, Bridey would not like him.’
  ‘Does Bridey love a boy of her own age [?]’
  Hanna nodded her head, dripping tears.
  An eruption of the sorrows of life filled the soul of Dineen.

  tréad	flock, herd	m
  snáithe	thread	m
  goid	take away, remove; steal
  giobal	rag, clout	m
  giobal éadaigh	piece of cloth, clout
  badhbh	war-goddess; vulture, carrion-crow; scold	f
  préachán	Crow, rook	m
  airigh	perceive, sense
  cheana	already
  bail	prosperity; proper condition; state; treatment	f
  i gcomhair	for, intended for; to get
  bainis	wedding	f gs bainise
  culaith	Suit, dress, apparel	f
  toil	Will; inclination, desire, wish	f
  ceanúil	Loving, affectionate
  Sméid	Wink, nod, beckon; sign
  sileadh	dripping	m
  Líon	fill	v
  maidhm	Break, burst, eruption; Defeat, rout	f
  buairt	sorrow; vexation	f

• ‘Déarfaídh mé paidir ar a son,’ ar seisean. Tá feirm Sheáinín ag Drom Asail, gar do Chill Mhic an Deá,
  áit a mbeidh tú,’ arsa Hanna. ‘Tá an talamh go maith. Tá cónaí
  ar mhuintir Bhrídín sa phortach.’

  
  Mhúch an ghrian: mhúch Ceann Léime i gceobhrán báistí.
  D’fhill na buachaillí agus milseáin acu. Roinn an tAthair Pádraig
  na milseáin go cothrom. Choinnigh sé a scair féin sa
  tomhaisín agus chuir sé ina phóca é taobh leis an gceapaire a
  thug máthair na bpáistí dó mar lón bóthair.

  Í will say a prayer for her,’ he said.
  ‘Johnny’s farm it at Drom Asail [=Donkey’s back], close to Kilmacadea, [the] place where you will be,’ said Hanna. ‘The soil is good. Bridey’s family lives in the bog.
  The sun went away. Loop Head vanished in a mist of rain.
  The boys returned with sweets. Father Patrick shared the sweets equally. He
  kept a small amount as his own share and he put it in his pocket next to the sandwich that the
  children’s mother had given him as a road lunch.

  portach	peat	m
  ceobhrán	Light drizzle; mist, haze
  scair	share	f
  tomhaisín	Small measure, small amount	m

• Agus é ag siúl siar leis féin ar ball, lean scéilín Hanna ina
  cheann. Brídin óg on bportach á ceangal le Seáinín gránna a
  raibh feirm mhaith aige. Bheadh muintir Bhrídín ag déanamh a
  leasa, dar leo féin, ag eagrú le nach mbeadh ocras uirthi, ag íarraidh
  duine clainne amháin a chur i gcrích … ach, a Chríost, bhí
  an saol dían.

  Bhí an raithneach ar thaobh an bhóthair léirithe ag an
  ngaoth ach nior thit aon ráig báistí agus bhain sé Cill Mhic an
  Deá amach sular imigh an lá ó sholas. Sular chas sé den bhóthar
  mór, áfach, bhí air seasamh i leataoibh chun tréad bó a
  scaoileadh thairis.

  While walking back by himself later, Hanna’s story remained in his head. Young Bridey from the bog connecting with ugly Johnny who had a good farm. Bridey’s family would benefit, according to themselves, arranging so that she would not go hungry, wanting one child settled…. but Christ, life was hard.

  The roadside ferns were beaten down by the wind but no outburst of rain fell and
  he reached Kilmacea before the daylight left. Before he turned off the big road, however,
  he had to stand to one side to let a herd of cows pass.

  ar ball	after a while, late; a while ago
  lean	follow; continue; remain
  gránna	ugly
  leas	Good, well-being, benefit, interest	m gs leasa
  eagrú	Arrangement, organization
  críoch	Limit; boundary; End; completion, conclusion; fulfilment, settlement	f ds crích
  dian	Intense, vehement; hard, severe
  raithneach	Fern, bracken	f
  léirigh	Make clear, explain, illustrate; Beat, beat down, subdue
  ráig	Sudden rush; sudden outbreak; fit, bout, attack	f
  scaoileadh	Loosening, undoing; release, discharge	m

• Beannacht Dé ar mháithreacha an bhainne,’ ar seisean leis
  an mbean á[a] bhí á dtiomáint. Bhí sí mór téagartha agus súgán
  thart ar a cóta á choinneáil druidte.

  ‘And who might you be?’ ar sise agus ba léir dó ón
  leathmhaing a bhí uirthi agus ar bholadh a hanála go raibh
  braon istigh aici. ‘Saraí,’ ar sise nuair a thug sí faoi ndeara go
  raibh bóna sagairt air, ‘ní gach aon lá a phósann Seáinín.’

  ‘Seáinín Sheáin a phósfaidh Brídín Ní Shé, amáireach?’

  
  ‘Fíor dhuit, a Athair. Pósfaidh mo dheartháir an portach
  amáireach.’

  ‘God bless the mothers of milk,’ he said to the woman who was driving them. She was very stout with a rope around her coat keeping it closed.
  ‘And who might you be?’ she said and it was clear to him from her lopsidedness and the smell of her breath that she had had a drop. ‘Soirée,’ she said when she noticed the priest’s collar on him, ‘not every days Johnny marries.’
  ‘Johnny John will marry Bridey O’Shea, tomorrow?’
  ‘Truth to you, Father. My brother will marry the bog tomorrow. ‘

  téagartha	Substantial, stout, bulky
  súgán	straw-rope	m
  leathmhaing = leathmhaig	Lopsidedness, tilt	f
  bholadh	Smell, scent	m
  anáil	breath	f gs anála /u>
  bóna	collar	m

• ‘Le Seáinín Sheáin na loilíocha breátha sin?”Ní haon loilíocha iad seo, ambaist, ach gamhna agus
  athghabhna; forgacha. Bhí urchair fholmha á scaoileadh ag an
  tarbh tamall, cac is aoileach air! Ach cad eile a mbeifeá ag súil
  leis agus fear an tí singil agus a sheanstéig de dheirfiur ó chrích,
  nó geall leis.’

  Lig sí smuga le gaoith.

  ‘Dá staonfá den ól agus dá gcuirfeá slacht éigin ort féin,
  dhéanfá bean bhreá. Cad is ainm duit?’ arsa an tAthair Pddraig.

  These are Johnny John’s fine milk cows?
  ‘They have no milk cows, only calves and ex-calves; 2nd year strippers. The bull has been firing empty bullets for some time, Shit and dung on him! But what
  else would you expect when the man of the house is single and has an old slice of a sister without prospects, or nearly so.’

  ‘If you could refrain from drinking and tidy yourself up, you would be a fine woman. What is your name?’ said Fr. Patrick.

  loilíoch	cow after calving, milch-cow	f
  breá	fine, excellent	comp breátha
  ambaist = ambaiste	really! indeed!
  gamhain	calf	m gs npl gamhna
  forgach	2nd year stripper [cow]	f npl forgacha
  urchar	cast, shot	m gs npl urchair
  scaoileadh	Loosening, undoing; release, discharge	m
  folamh	empty	npl folmha
  aoileach	Dung, farmyard manure	m
  singil	singe
  stéig	slice [of meat]
  críoch	Limit; boundary; End; completion, conclusion; fulfilment, settlement	f ds crích
  geall
  nó geall leis	or nearly so
  smug = smuga	Mucus; snot	f
  staon	Stop, desist; abstain, forbear; draw back, flinch
  slacht	Finish, polish; good appearance, neatness, tidiness	m

• 
  ‘Bhíos insúl tráth. Annie m’ainm. Seo an uair dheireanach a
  ndéanfaidh mé ba Sheáinín a sheoladh. Nuair a phósfaidh sé,
  tabharfaidh sé spré dhom. Rachaidh mé suas go Trá Lí agus
  gléasfaidh me i gcéadscoth an fhaisin agus ar aghaidh liom ansin
  go Queenstown. Tá fear i Meiriceá . . .’

  ‘Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin,’ arsa an
  Duinnineach leis féin.

  ‘I was once attractive. Annie is my name. This is the last time I will give Johnny guidance, When he marries, he will give me a dowry. I’m going up to Tralee and I will dress in the first choice of fashion and then proceed to Queenstown. There is a man in America….’
  ‘The wind that does not blow for someone is evil,’ Dineen said to himself.

  insúl	Eye-catching, attractive
  tráth	Hour; time, occasion; day, period	M
  seoladh	sailng; course, direction; address
  spré	Cattle; property, wealth; spark; spread	f
  gléas	Adjust, arrange; fit out, equip; dress, array; prepare, make ready
  scoth	Flower, blossom; Flower, pick, choice
  faisean	fashion	m gs nplfaisin
  seid	blow	v

• ‘Nach iontach mar sin féin gur bhuail spadhar pósta Seáinín,
  a Athair? Agus nach méanar dom? Ní mise a dhéanfaidh a chuid
  prátaí a bheiriú dó feasta.’

  Lig sí glam gáire agus bhagair sí slat sailí ar na ba. Dhein
  gearrmhadra beag bréagionsaí ar shála na bó ba ghiorra dóibh.
  Ar aghaidh leo ar fad ansin, dhá thaobh an bhóthair ag an
  mbean agus an madra ag siúl go pointeáilte ina lár.

  ‘Isn’t is amazing that a fit of marriage hit Johnny, Father? And aren’t I fortunate?
  I won’t boil his potatoes for him anymore.’
  She let out a roar of laughter and brandished a willow stick at the cows. A small dog made a mock attack on the heels of the nearest cow. In front of them all then, the woman on both sides of the road and the dog walking neatly in the middle.

  . gs gpl bó

  spadhar	(Temperamental) fit	m
  méanar	Happy, fortunate
  beiriú
  feasta	rom now on, henceforth; (with neg.) no more, not any more.
  glam	Deep bark, bay; howl, shout, roar.	f
  bagair	brandish; beckon; threaten
  slat	Slender stick; cane, switch	f
  saileach	willow	sailí
  bó	cow	f npl ba
  gearr	short
  bréag	Lie, falsehood	f
  bréag	Cajole, coax	v
  ionsaí	Advance, approach, attack; attempt	m
  sáil	heel	m npl sála
  giorra	shortness	f
  pointeáilte	Well-kept, tidy, spruce, smart

• Chas an Duinníneach isteach on mbóthar mór agus an lá ag
  druidim chun coimheascair. Bhí an ghaoth nimheanta anois
  agus tonntracha ag ionsaí na n-aillte thíos faoi. Chonaic sé
  iarsmaí Chill Mhic an Deá roimhe i gcoinne na spéire. Stop sé
  go hobann ag an bhfalla cloiche thart ar an gCill agus an
  ghruaig ag priocadh ar a mhuineál mar tháinig glór ón gCill,
  glór ard caointeach. Ortha a bhí á cloisint[var past aut?] aige. Chonaic sé bean
  ard chaol, a cuid gruaige léi, a súile dúnta agus a haghaidh casta
  chun na spéire.

  Dineen turned off the main road as the day approached dusk.
  The wind was now poisonous and waves were attacking the cliffs below.
  He saw the remains of Kilmacea before against the horizon.
  He stopped suddenly at the stone wall around the churchyard and
  the hair on his neck pricking as a voice came from the churchyard,
  a mournful high voice. He was hearing a spell.
  He saw a tall slender woman, her hair let down[?], her eyes closed and her face twisted to the sky.

  /td>

  coimheascar	(Act of) struggling; struggle, melée	m
  druidim	Closing, closure; Drawing close, approach	f
  coineascar	Evening twilight, dusk	m
  nimheanta	Venomous, spiteful
  tonntracha	waves [???]
  ionsaí	Advance, approach, attack; attempt	m
  aill	cliff, precipice	f pl <i
  Ortha	Prayer; Incantation, spell, charm	f
  caointeach	Plaintive, mournful
  Ortha	Prayer; Incantation, spell, charm	f
  casta	Twisted, wound; Complicated, intricate, involved

• ‘Mo bheatha ar bheatha Sheáinín,’ a dúirt sí aris agus aris
  eile.

  ‘Mo bheatha ar bheatha Sheáinín is go dtaga Brídín slán.’

  Bhí lámha na mná as raon súl[gpl] an Duinnínigh gur bhog sé
  isteach thar falla. Ansin chonaic sé go raibh liathróid chloiche á
  casadh tuathal aici i log lice agus i ag salmaireacht. D’fhair sé.
  Bhraith sé go raibh a croí á mheilt ag an mbean.

  ‘My life for Johnny’s life,’ she said again and again.
  ‘My life for Johnny’s life, and may Bridey be safe.’
  The woman’s hands were out of the path of Dineen’s eyes as he moved in past a wall. Then he saw that she was turning a stone ball counterclockwise in a place with a flat stone and chanting. He watched. He felt the woman was grinding her heart.

  raon	Way, path, route	m
  liathróid	ball	f
  tuathal	counterclockwise
  log	place, site	m
  leac	Flat stone or rock; flagstone, slab	f var gs lice
  salmaireacht	Act of) psalm-singing; Act of) prating, prattling; talking in sing-song fashion.	f
  fair	watch	v
  meilt	Grinding, crushing; consuming	f

• On uair gur ghearán Hanna an pósadh ídir Brídin Ní Shé
  agus Seáinín Sheáin Salach leis, bhí míshuaimhneas air. Ach cad
  ab fhéidir leis a dhéanamn?

  Lean an bhean fhiáin, a raibh scamaill dhubha reatha na
  spéire mar chúlráid aici, ag casadh na cloiche agus ag cur an
  ortha. D’éirigh a glór ina éamh caointe. Chaith sí siar a ceann
  Agus d’ardaigh si a lamha chun na spéire. Ansin dheasaigh sí
  agus d’oscail sí a súile. Bhí an tAthair Pádraig roimpi.

  Since the time Hanna complained about the marriage between Bridey O’Shea and Dirty Johnny John he had been uneasy. But what could he do?
  The wild woman continued, having the running black clouds of the sky as a background, turning the stones and making the spell. Her voice became a screaming cry. Then she settled and opened her eyes. Father Patrick was before her.

  gearán	complain
  míshuaimhneas	Uneasiness, restlessness, perturbation	m
  fiáin	wild
  cúlráid	secluded place;background	f
  Ortha	Prayer; Incantation, spell, charm	f
  éamh	Cry, scream, entreaty	m
  deasaigh	dress, prepare; settle in position

• ‘Dia dhuit,’ ar seisean. ‘Ná bíodh imní ort. Ní foláír nó go
  gceapann tú go bhfuil fear na gcrúb tagtha dod fhreagairt, ach
  nil ionam ach fánaí bocht atá tagtha chun beannú d’Earc Naofa.
  Is dócha nach iad seo romhainn iarsmaí na cille ar mhúin Earc
  Breandán Naofa inti. Tógadh an Chill seo ar láthair na Cille úd,
  is dócha.’

  ‘Táthar chun m’iníon a phósadh ar Sheáinín amárach.’

  ‘Cad tá le rá aici féin ina thaobh sin?’ a d’fhiafraigh an
  Duinníneach go cneasta agus a fhios aige nach mórán cumhachta
  a bhíonn ag Brídíní an tsaoil, gur fada ón stiúir a bhíonn
  an lámh mhín.

  ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry. You must think that the Devil has come to answer you, but I am only a poor wanderer who has come for the blessing of St. Erc. These relics before us are probably not the church where Erc taught Brendan. This church was probably built on the site of that church.
  ‘My daughter is getting married to Johnny tomorrow.’
  ‘What does she have to say about that?’ Dineen asked politely but he knew that the Brideys of life have little power, that the gentle are far from the rudder.

  Ní foláir	It is necessary
  crúb	claw	f
  fear na crúb	the devil
  dod	Sullenness, anger; Sullenness, anger	m
  dod		←de/do do
  freagairt	answering, answer	f
  fánaí	Wanderer, vagrant	m
  beannú	blessing
  múin	teach, instruct
  láthair	Place, spot; site, location	f
  úd	Yon, yonder; that (with implication of distance in space or time)
  cneasta	Honest, sincere; Decent, seemly
  cumhacht	power	f gs cumhachta
  mín	smooth	f & a

• ‘An bhfeiceann tú carn aoiligh an tí sin?’ ar sise agus méar á
  diriú aici ar chlós feirme tamall uathu. ‘Ní leithne, ni bréine, ní
  dúire an carn sin ná Seáinin. Is i bláth na gcraobh í Brídín
  s’agamsa. Le Seáinín Salach an bathalach tí agus an garraí beag
  atá againn agus tá fiacha cíosa orainn. Tá galar na scámhóg ar
  Róisín, an iníon is sine agam. Tá Neain, máthair mo chéile, ag
  saothrú an bháis. Níl idir muid agus taobh an bhóthair ach deathoil
  Sheáinin. Cailín maith í Brídín. Ní obfaidh sí don
  chleamhnas.’

  
  Níorbh fhéidir leis an Athair Pádraig aon ní a rá, ach rug sé
  greim ar a láimh agus threoraigh sé amach ón reilig í, ón uair go
  raibh sí mar a bheadh dall. Ní bhíonn ag na boícht ach bród
  agus is fuirist san a ghoineadh.

  ‘Do you see the manure pile of that house?’ she said pointing a finger at a farmyard some distance away from them. ‘That pile is not wider, it is not dirtier, it is not thicker than Johnny. My Bridey is in the flower of the branches. Dirty Johnny owns the ramshackle house and the little garden we have and we owe rent arrears. Rosie, my older daughter, has lung disease. Neain, my husband’s mother, is in the throes of death. Between us and the side of the road is only the goodwill of Johnny. Bridey is a good girl. She will not refuse the marriage arrangement.’
  Father Patrick could not say anything, but gripped her hand and led her out of the cemetery, as if she was blind. The poor have nothing but pride and that is easy to hurt.

  carn	heap, pile	m
  aoileach	Dung, farmyard manure	m aoiligh
  leithne	Broadness, breadth	f
  bréine	Rottenness, stench	f
  dúire	Hardness, rigidity; Dourness, hardness, stubbornness, obduracy; Dullness, density, stupidity; Gloominess, sullenness	f
  bláth	Blossom, flower	m
  craobh	Branch, bough	f
  bathalach = bathlach	Lout; clumsy person; Dilapidated structure; ramshackle building	m
  garraí	garden	m
  fiach	debt	m nplfiacha
  cíos	rent	m gs cíosa
  galar	Sickness, diseas
  scamhóg	lung	f
  saothrú	cultivation; earnings, wages	m
  Ag saothrú an bháis	in the throes of death
  deathoil	goodwill
  ob	Refuse, decline; shun, shirk
  cleamhnas	Marriage arrangement, match; Relationship by marriage	m
  treoraigh	Guide, lead, direct
  dall	blind (person)	a & m gs npl daill
  bocht	poor (person)	a & m gs npl boicht
  bród	Pride; Arrogance; elation	m
  fuirist = furasta	easy
  goin	wound	v

• ‘Cad a ghuífeá féin ar Bhrídín?’ ar seisean ar ball agus iad ar
  an mbóithrín aris.

  ‘D’fhéadfadh sí dul go Meiriceá. Tá deirfiúr liom thall ag
  sábháilt faoi choinne an phasáiste.’

  ‘Bheadh sí imithe uait ansin.’

  ‘Ní fheicfinn arís i, ach bheadh sí slán.’

  Nuair a shroich siad an bóthar mór, bhíog an bhean amhail is
  dá mbeadh sí ag dúiseacht. D’fág sí slán ag an Duinníneach
  faoi dheifir. Tharraíng sí a seál thart ar a ceann.

  ‘What would you pray for Bridey?’ he said later when they were on the country lane again.
  ‘She could go to America. My sister over there is saving for the passage.’
  ‘She would be gone from you then.’
  ‘I would never see her again, but she would be safe.’
  When they reached the big road, the woman started as if if she were waking up. She said goodbye to Dineen in a hurry. She pulled her shawl around her head.

  guígh	pray
  ar ball	after a while, late; a while ago
  thall	Over, beyond
  sábháil	save, saving
  faoi choinne	intended for
  amhail/i>	like, as
  bíog	chirp; start, jump
  dúiseacht	State of being awake, aroused	f
  seál	shawl	m

• ‘Beidh orm deabhadh a dhéanamh anois, a Athair. Thug
  Seáinín Sheáin leathghalún go dtí an teach s’againne agus tá sé
  féin agus mo chéile á ól. Beidh béile uathu. Chuireas Brídín
  amach ag bailiú brosna.’

  D’imigh sí uaidh, néal dubh i measc néalta na hoíche, agus
  lean an Duinníneach air i dtreo Bhuailín Siar agus bheith istigh
  na hoíche le cairde leis. Mhoilligh sé agus é ag teacht gar do
  Shéipéal Eirc Naofa. Tom Stritch a bhi i mbun an pharóiste, de
  réir a chuimhne. Ní raibh aon aithne aige féin air ach is cinnte
  go n-aimseoidís comhchairde dá dtosóidís ag seanchas. Ba
  mhaith leis dearcadh shagart na háite ar an mbainis a chloisint.
  B’fhéidir go maolódh san an mishuaimhneas a bhí air.

  <‘I must hurry now, Father. Johnny John brought half a gallon to our house and he
  himself and my husband are drinking. They will need a meal. I sent Bridey out for kindling.’

  She left him, a black cloud among the clouds of the night
  Dineen continued on towards Bualin Siar and in the direction inside for the night with a friend. He slowed down as he approached St. Erc’s Chapel. Tom Stritch was attending to the parish, according to his memory. He did not know him but was sure they would find mutual friends if they started talking. He would like to hear the local priest’s view of the wedding. Maybe that would reduce his uneasiness.

  deabhadh	haste, hurry	m
  leathghalún	half gallon	m
  bailiú	Collection; accumulation	m
  brosna	Decayed twigs, kindling	m
  néal	cloud	m pl néalta
  moilligh	delay, slow	v
  gar	near(ness)	m & a
  aimsigh	aim, find, locate, attempt
  seanchas	Lore, tradition; talking, chatting, seeking information; informative talk, discussion	m
  dearcadh	look, gaze; outlook, viewpoint; foresight, vision	m
  maolaigh/i>	Make, become, bare or bald; blunt; Lower, flatten; decrease, slacken, moderate

• D’fháiltigh an tAthair Tom roimhe. Cuireadh tae ar fáil,
  slaimice mór bágúin a raibh an salann ag glioscarnaigh air,
  uibheacha beirithe agus cantaí móra tiubha d’arán sóide, scoth
  an ime agus mil thiubh fraoigh. Sciob Lena, an bhean tí cóta,
  hata, stocaí agus bróga uaidh chun caoi a chur orthu. agus íad
  suite os comhair na tine ar ball agus scailtín á ól acu.

  ‘Beidh bainis ar an mbaile amárach . . .’ arsa an Duinníneach
  agus é ag taighde.

  Father Tom welcomed him. Tea was provided, a large chunk of bacon with salt ground on it, boiled eggs and large thick hunks of soda bread, excellent butter and thick heather honey. Lena, the housekeeper, snatched his coat, hat, socks and shoes from him to tidy them up and they were sitting in front of the fire later drinking hot whiskey. ‘There will be a wedding on the town tomorrow …’ sand Dineen probing.

  tr>

  fáiltigh	welcome	v
  slaimice	chunk
  bagún	bacon	m
  salann	salt	m
  glíoscarnach = díoscarnach	ground, grated
  canta	chunk	m
  tiubh	thick
  scoth	Flower, blossom; Flower, pick, choice
  Sciob	snatch
  scailtín	Hot whiskey	m
  ar ball	after a while, late; a while ago
  taighd	poke, probe, research	vn taighde

• ‘Beidh – Seáinin Sheáin Salach – agus é in am aige. Cailín
  beag deas atá le pósadh aige, iníon le Mossie Shea. Nil cianóg
  aici ach is feirmeoir teann é Seáinín agus is acmhainn dó bean
  gan spré a phósadh. A dheirfiúr a bhí i mbun an tí aige go dtí
  seo agus tá sé in am aici siúd pósadh freisin. Tá geallúint aici ó
  Dhuine des na Leaheys i Missouri.’

  ‘Ar labhair tú le Brídín?’

  ‘Iníon Mhossie? Ar ndóigh, nach mise a bhaist í?’

  ‘Ar bhraith tú, d’aon tseans, nach mian léi Seán a phósadh?’
  

  ‘There will be Dirty Johnny John – and he in his time. A nice little girl he is marrying, a daughter of Mossie O’Shea. She has no money, but Johnny is a substantial farmer. He can afford to marry a woman with no property. His sister was in charge of his house until this and it’s time for her to get married too. She has a promise from One of the Leaheys in Missouri.
  ‘Have you talked to Bridey?’
  ‘Of course, didn’t I baptize her?’
  ‘Do you feel, by any chance, that she doesn’t want to marry Sean?

  cianóg	Small coin, mite
  feirmeoir teann	substantial farmer
  acmhainn	Capacity, endurance; Means, resources	f
  spré	Cattle; property, wealth; spark; spread	f
  baist	baptize

• ‘Ar ndóigh, tá Brídín cúthailcach cúlánta sna cúrsaí seo mar
  a bheadh bean óg ar bith. Nil fios a leasa aici. D’airíos[??] cur i
  gcoinne beag éigin, ní foláir dom a admháil … modhúlacht
  maighdine, is dócha. Nuair a bheidh leanbh ina hucht aici,
  beidh sí sásta aris. Agus cuimhnigh ar an leas a dhéanfaidh sé dá
  muintir, Brídín a bheith go maith as. Mhuireastrua bocht de
  niúdaí neádaí ab ea Mossie ón gcéad lá riamh! Chun leasa
  Bhrídín an cleamhnas seo. Creid uaimse é, a Phádraig, ni
  bheadh bainis ar bith sna bólaí seo dá dtógfaí ceann de figairies
  na mban.’

  Of course, Bridey is shy and ignorant in these matters as any young woman would be. Doesn’t know her own best interests. I felt some small opposition, I have to admit … maidenly modesty, probably. When she has a baby in her bosom she will be happy again. And remember the benefit it will bring to both families, Bridey being well off. Mossie was a poor hesitant bog person [???] was from the beginning. This arrangement is in Bridey’s interests. Believe you me, Patrick, there would be no wedding at all in these parts if these figaries [whims] of women were taken

  cúthail	bashful, shy
  cúlánta	ackward; retiring, shy
  leas	Good, well-being, benefit, interest	m gs leasa
  oiris
  Ní foláir	It is necessary
  admháil	Acknowledgement, admission	f
  modhúlacht	Good behaviour, mannerliness; mildness, gentleness, Modesty
  maighdean	Maiden, virgin	f
  ucht	Chest; breast, bosom	m
  muireasc/i>	Low-lying, marshy, seashore.
  niúdar neádar	rifling, indecisive, insipid, talk; Hesitant person
  cleamhnas	Marriage arrangement, match; Relationship by marriage	m
  sna bólaí seo	in these parts

• D’imigh an Duinníneach leis go Buailín Siar. D’fháiltigh a
  chairde roimhe. D’éirigh leis bainis Bhridín a chur as a cheann
  agus codladh maith mór a dhéanamh. Ar maidin, i ndiaidh
  bricfeasta, thug sé bóthar Thrá Lí air féin. Thug sé cuairt ar Ard
  Fhearta, ón uair go raibh sé ag dul thairis, agus shroich sé baile
  Thrá Lí anonn go maith sa lá. Dhírigh sé láithreach ar
  phroinnteach Sally Murphy, gar don stáisiún traenach.

  Dineen left for Bouleenshere. His friends welcomed him. He succeeded in getting Bridey’s wedding out of his head and got a good big sleep. In the morning, after breakfast, he took to the Tralee road himself. He visited Ardfert, since he was passing by, and reached the town of Tralee well into the day. He presently aimed for Sally Murphy’s restaurant, near the train station.

  anonn	Over, to the other side.
  dírigh	straighten; direct, aim
  láithreach	Present, immediate
  proinnteach	Dining-hall, refectory

---

Nursery Rhymes

Trí lucha dall

Uair amháin bhí trí lucha dall ann. Rith siad sa thóir ar bhean chéile an fheirmeora. Ghearr sí a n-eireabaill amach le scian gearrtha. An raibh radharc ann riamh mar thrí lucha dall?

Coinín Beag Fú Fú

Bhí Coinín Beag Fú Fú ag léim tríd na coillte. Thóg sé suas na lucha páirce agus bhuail sé iad ar a gcinn. Tháinig an sióg mhaith anuas. Chonaic sí Coinín Beag Fú Fú ag bualadh na lucha. Bhí sí míshásta. Dúirt sí leis go gcaithfidh sé stopadh. Dúirt sí leis go raibh trí sheans aige. Mura stopfadh sé dhéanfadh sí GOON dó.

Bhí Coinín Beag Fú Fú ag léim tríd na coillte arís. Thóg sé suas na lucha páirce arís agus bhuail sé iad ar a gcinn. Tháinig an sióg mhaith anuas arís. Chonaic sí Coinín Beag Fú Fú arís. Bhí sí míshásta arís. Dúirt sí leis arís go gcaithfidh sé stopadh. Dúirt sí leis go raibh dhá sheans aige.

Bhí Coinín Beag Fú Fú ag léim tríd na coillte arís. Thóg sé suas na lucha páirce arís agus bhuail sé iad ar a gcinn. Tháinig an sióg mhaith anuas arís. Chonaic sí Coinín Beag Fú Fú arís. Bhí sí míshásta arís. Dúirt sí leis arís go gcaithfidh sé stopadh. Dúirt sí leis go raibh seans amháin aige.

Bhí Coinín Beag Fú Fú ag léim tríd na coillte arís. Thóg sé suas na lucha páirce arís agus bhuail sé iad ar a gcinn. Tháinig an sióg mhaith anuas arís. Chonaic sí Coinín Beag Fú Fú arís. Bhí sí míshásta arís. Rinne sí Coinín Beag Fú Fú isteach i GOON

Jack Horner Beag

Shuigh Jack Horner Beag i gcúinne. Bhí sé ag ithe a phíog Nollag.
Chuir sé a ordóg isteach sa phíog. Thóg sé pluma amach. Dúirt sé gur buachaill an-mhaith é.

Listening Exercise

Siúcra le Roxanna Nic Liam.