Category Archives: languages

Rang Gaeilge, 12ú lá na Mí Márta 2026

An Scáthán
The Mirror


  • Ar mheán lae samhraidh agus teas mór ann, bhí cailín óg ag baint bhairnigh thíos ar íochtar díththrá, in aice le gob na leice móire a bhí mar theora le taobh thoir an chuain. Bhí sí ag imeacht léi go righin leisciúil í áit go háit ar lorg na gceann ba mhó agus ba spéisiúla, a lámh chlé ag coinneáil ciseoige in aghaidh a gorúin agus bior iarainn ina láimh dheis. Bhí a sciorta gorm craptha suas thar a glúine, a léine gheal oscailte ag a scornach agus a mainchillí dúbailte suas go barr gualann. Ní raibh ar a cosa ach brúigíní beaga bána canbháis a raibh boinn robair fúthu.

    On a hot summer noon, a young girl was gathering limpets down at low tide, near the great stone that was the border of the east side of the bay. She was going stubbornly and lazily from place to place looking for the biggest and most interesting ones, her left hand holding a shallow basket against her hip and an iron spike in her right hand. Her blue skirt was gathered up above her knees, her white shirt open at her neck and her double sleeves up to the top of her shoulders. On her feet were only small white canvas shoes with rubber soles.

    bairneach limpet m gs npl bairnigh
    íochtar Lower part, bottom m
    díthrá Low tide f
    gob Beak, bill; Tip, point; projection n
    leac Flat stone or rock; flagstone, slab f gs leice
    teorainn boundary, limit; border, frontier f
    cuan Haven; Harbor m gs cuain
    righin Tough; tenacious; unyielding, stubborn
    leisciúil lazy, slothful; Reluctant, loath; Shy
    ciseoig Shallow basket f
    gorún haunch, hip m gs npl gorúin
    bior Pointed rod or shaft; spit, spike m gs beara
    scornach/i> throat f
    muinchille sleeve f pl muinchillí
    bonn sole m gs npl boinn


  • Maidir le teas ! Ní raibh cur síos ar bith ar a dhianadas. Anois agus arís, le dúil i bhfuaireadas, lig sí síos i féin go lár ceathrún i gceann de na polláin doimhne lena raibh éadan na leice tollta. Gach uair a chrom sí tar éis éiri as an sáile, le faobhar an bheara a sháitheadh idir tóin bhairnigh agus an charraig, scairt an fliuchán ar chraiceann órtha a loirgní nocthaithe faoi sholas lonrach na gréine. Bhí corrdhos dá fionnghruaig ag sileadh lena grua agus iad slíocai le allas.

    As for the heat! Nothing could be written about the intensity. Now and again, with a desire for cold, she lowered herself to the middle of a quarter in one of the deep holes that had pierced the face of the hill. Every time she stooped after rising from the sea, to thrust the edge of the spike between the bottom of the limpet and the rock, the wetness shone on the golden skin of her bare limbs in the bright sunlight. A tuft of her blond hair were dripping down her cheek, sleek with sweat.

    dianadas = dianas Intensity, vehemence; severity
    dúil desire, fondness, liking, craving f
    ceathrú quarter f gs ceathrún
    toll bore, pierce, perforate v
    crom Bend, stoop v
    sáile Sea-water, sea m
    faobhar Sharp edge m
    bior Pointed rod or shaft; spit, spike m gs beara
    lonrach Bright, shining, luminous; brilliant, resplendent
    sileadh Drip, discharge; pus m
    grua cheek f
    slíoc Sleek, stroke, smooth


  • Nuair a bhí an chiseog lán, shiúil sí síos go bruach na leice, sheas sí ar mhaolán agus breathnaigh sí isteach [d.l. 31] sa bhfarraige cosmharbh fúithi le lagar tuirse agus béal leathoscailte. Cailín ríbhreá dea-dhéanta! Dar lán an leabhair ! Bhí sí caol, ard, gan smál gan easpa, gorm na mara ina súile agus áilleacht an róis ina leacain. Ní baileach go raibh sí fós ina mnaoi, cé go raibh a fás tugtha agus dhá thoirt chruinne an mháithreachais múnlaithe go dathúil ar chlár a brollaigh. Bhí neamheolas an mhaighdeanais go léarghlan i snua a ceannaghaidh agus sórt eagla dothuigthe ann freisin roimh míorúilt a dualgais banda: ar nós éadain bhlátha nua-oscailte ag creathnú i bhfuarsholas an mhaidneachain agus ag tnúth le teas misniúil an lae.

    When the basket was full, she walked down to the edge of the rock, she stood on a low hill and looked in the sea [cosmarbh???] under it with tired weakness and a half open mouth. A very beautiful, well-made girl! Fully by the book! She was slender, tall, immaculate, flawless, with the blue of the sea in her eyes and the beauty of a rose in her cheeks. Not fully in her womanhood, although her growth was given and the two round volumes of motherhood were beautifully molded on the surface of her breasts. The ignorance of virginity was clear in the appearance of her face and there was a sort of incomprehensible fear of the miracle of her womanly duty coming for her: Like the face of a newly opened flower trembling in the cold light of dawn and longing for the cheerful warmth of the day.

    maolán Bare, bald, object; bald person; Low rounded hill, knoll; Blunt object m
    lagar Weakness, faintness; fainting fit m
    gan smál without stain, immaculate
    easpa Lack, want; loss, absence; deficiency, defect f
    baileach exact
    toirt Mass, volume; bulk, size; Form, shape f
    máithreachas Maternity; motherhood m
    dathúil Colorful; comely, beautiful
    múnlaigh Mold; Cast in mold v
    brollach Breast, bosom m gs npl brollaigh
    neamheolas Ignorance m
    maighdeanas Maidenhood; virginity m
    snua Complexion; color, appearance
    ceannaghaidh (Of face) Feature f
    dothuigthe Unintelligible, incomprehensible; inscrutable
    míorúilt miracle f
    dualgas Natural right, due; customary fee or reward; duty m gs npl dualgais
    banda Womanly; feminine
    creathnaigh Tremble (with fear), quake; take fright, flinch
    maidneachan (Act of) dawning; dawn m
    misniúil Courageous; Hopeful, cheerful


  • Bhí an taoille tar éis iompó. Mar bheadh scamhóg mhillteach ag at agus ag traothadh faoi mhórtharraingt anála, bhí iomlán na farraige ag éirí aníos go tobann os comhair a cos agus ag titim síos arís, gan sos gan aiteall. Le gach éirí do crochadh amach caoldíreach an folt feamainne a bhí ag fás go tiubh as éadan na carraige. D’fhan na dois fhada sínte go dlúth le chéile ar bharr an uisce tamaillín beag bídeach; ar nós sciorta dearg curtha le folach uaithne na mara. Ansin do súdh síos iad le gach titim, nó gur fágadh nochtaithe iad i dteannta na carraige duibhe, gealuisce ag sileadh leo agus iad ag lasradh go bródúil faoi sholas rinceach na gréine.

    The tide had turned. Like an enormous lung swelling and shrinking under a strongly drawn breath, the whole sea was suddenly rising up in front of her feet and falling down again, without rest or break. With each rising the seaweed hair that was growing thickly out from the face of the rock was hanging straight. The long tufts remained close together on the top of the water for a short while; like a red skirt covering the green of the sea. Then they were sucked down with each fall, until they were left exposed alongside the black rock, clear water dripping with them as they blazed proudly in the dancing sunlight.

    scamhóg lung f
    millteach Destructive; baneful, pernicious; Enormous, extreme
    at swelling m
    traoith Abate, subside; reduce
    sos rest, cessation; pause, interval; respite m
    aiteall Fine spell between showers m
    crochadh hanging; raising m
    folt Hair (of head); (pl.) locks, tresses m
    feamainn Seaweed f
    tiubh thick
    dos Bush, tuft m
    dlúth Close, compact; dense, solid
    tamall Space of time, while, spell m
    bídeach tiny
    folach Hiding, covering, concealment m
    súigh Absorb, suck
    i dteannta along with, in addition to; all together


  • A Dhia Mhóir an Iontais ! Chuir spreach agus gluaiseacht agus bogthorann ceolmhar na farraige míobhán ina ceann. Bhí boladh láidir géarmhilis na feamainne ag gabháil ar a cuid fola mar bheadh fion. Tháinig fonn ocrach uirthi í féin a scaoileadh síos le bruach na carraige agus imeacht léi go deo faoi leithead cumasach na mara, [d.l. 32] sínte go sámh ar bharr na dtonn, gan fios dá laghad ag a hintinn ar a dualgas ná ar dhoilíos an tsaoil. D’fhan sí mar sin idir codladh agus duiseacht, ag tabhairt tola don dúil aisteach a bhí ag cur samhnais uirthi, nó gur éirigh an taoille aníos go tobann thar an mbruach agus gur doirteadh a tormach isteach faoi cheann talún. Chuaigh an maolán faoi uisce leis an ruathar sin. Rug neart an tsáile greim suas thar rúitín ar an gcailín. Nuair a mhothaigh sí an fuaireadas ag teangabháil lena cosa, d’imigh an aistíl di agus phreab a croí le eagla. Sháigh sí an bior i gcorr na ciseoige agus as go brách léi suas ar fuaid na leice.

    O Great God of Wonders! The spark and movement and the soft, musical noise of the sea made her dizzy. The strong sharp sweet smell of the seaweed stayed[?] on her blood like wine. A hungry desire came over her to throw herself down from the edge of the rock and go away forever under the vast width of the sea, stretched out peacefully on top of the wave, without the least knowledge in her mind of her duty or the sorrow of life. She stayed like that between sleep and wakefulness, giving in to the strange desire that was disgusting her, until the tide suddenly rose over the bank and was pouring increasingly in under the [cheann??] land. The low hill was submerged by that rush. The strength of the sea caught the girl’s ankle. When she felt the coldness [teangabháil??] catching her feet, her play acting/strangeness vanished and her heart jumped with fear. She thrust the spike into the edge of the basket and from forever with her all over the rock[??].

    spreacadh Vigor, energy, forcefulness, strength and spirit m
    spréach spark; fire, spirit f
    gluaiseacht movement f
    míobhán Dizziness; Ringing in head
    boladh smell, scent m
    ocrach hungry
    scaoileadh Loosening, undoing; release, discharge m
    leithead Breadth, width m
    cumasach Capable, powerful
    sámh Peaceful, tranquil; easy, restful; pleasant
    doilíos Sorrow, affliction; remorse, penitence; melancholy m
    toil Will; inclination, desire, wish f gs tola
    samhnas nausea; disgust m
    doirteadh Pouring, spilling, shedding; effusion
    tormach increasing, gathering, swelling; increase; gathering [storm] m
    maolán Bare, bald, object; bald person; Low rounded hill, knoll; Blunt object m
    ruathar Rush, onrush, onset, attack m
    sáile Sea-water, sea m
    rúitín ankle m
    aistíl play-acting; acting strange f
    preab Start, spring, jump
    corr Projecting point; angle, edge m
    Sáigh Thrust; stab; push, press; dart, lunge
    leac Flat stone or rock; flagstone, slab f gs leice


  • Ní raibh ach trí choiscéim tugtha aici nuair a sheas sí arís agus i ag creathnú le náire, faoi gur aontaigh sí le dúil a bhí ag baint le gáirsiúlacht ar bhealach éigin dothuigthe. Scaoil sí ciumhais a sciorta síos thar a loirgní agus dhún sí a léine ag a scornach. Ansin do choinnigh sí uirthi suas agus cruashiúl fúithi. Bhí íochtar na leice brataithe le mionphoill agus a héadan míchothrom chomh géar le béal scine. Bhí sé go rídheacair bealach a dhéanamh thairis gan treascairt. Dar fia! Ní raibh aon bheann ag an gcailín siúd ar a dheacracht. Bhí sí chomh aiclí le gabhar. Suas léi faoi rith te reatha agus an náire á tiomáint, ag léimneach gan stró ó starrán go starrán nó gur shroich sí an talamh réidh, tuairim le leath bealaigh ón mbruach go bun na haille móire a bhí mar theora leis an tír. Sin é an áit ar leagadh í faoi dheireadh, ar chaonach sleamhain a bhí ag fás as an mínleic. Chaith sí uaithi an chiseog agus í ag sciorradh i ndiaidh a cos isteach i bpollán doimhin. Síos léi nó gur bhuail sí tóin [d.l. 33] an phoill agus an t-uisce suas thar a mullach.

    She had only taken three steps when she stood up again, trembling with shame, about her having agreed to a desire connected to obscenity in some way and was incomprehensible. She let the hem of her skirt fall over her legs and closed her shirt at her neck. Then she held on and walked at a smart pace. The bottom of the rock was covered with tiny holes and its uneven surface was as sharp as the edge of a knife. It was extremely difficult to make a way across without a bad fall. By heaven! That girl had no regard for its difficulty. She was as agile as a goat. Off she went under a hot run and driven by shame, jumping effortlessly from projection to projection until she reached flat ground, about halfway from the bank to the foot of the great cliff that was the border of the country. That’s where she was finally laid, on slippery moss growing from the smooth rock. She threw the basket away as she slipped after her foot fell into a deep pool. Down she went until she struck the bottom of the hole and the water rose over the top of her head.

    aontaigh unite, agree
    gáirsiúlacht Lewdness, obscenity, filthiness f
    ciumhais Border, edge, edging; hem f
    cruashiúl Smart pace m
    mionpholl pin-hole n
    míchothrom Uneven, unbalanced; Unequal, unfair
    treascairt knock-down, overthrow, downfall, defeat f
    beann regard; dependence; Horn, antler
    aclaí Supple, limber, agile; Smooth, flexible; Adroit
    starrán Projection, jag m
    aill Cliff, precipice f
    caonach moss m
    sleamhain Smooth, slippery
    sciorradh Slip, slide, skid m


  • Ní náire a bhí uirthi ach fearg nuair a tháinig sí amach as an uisce, fliuch báite ó cheann go cois. Thosnaigh sí ag bogchaoineachán agus ag caitheamh uirthi féin go díocasach, mar gheall ar a cuid seafóide bheith ciontach leis an timpist. Bhailigh sí na bairnigh a doirteadh ar an leic, chroch sí léi arís an chiseog agus rinne sí ar an mbaile go mallchosach, a ceann fúithi agus corrdheor ag sileadh lena súile. Nuair a bhí sí i ngar don aill, sheas sí agus bhreathnaigh sí síos ar a cuid éadaigh. A Dhiabhail Álainn! Bhí a balcaisí dlúite lena craiceann mar bheadh culaith snáimh. Cheap sí gurbh fhearr di iad a chaitheamh di, le tirimiú ar an leic, ar eagla go ndéanfadh sí cúis mhagaidh di féin ag gabháil imeasc daoine faoina leithéid sin de chumraíocht.

    She was not ashamed but angry when she came out of the water, drenched from head to toe. She began to cry softly and throw herself about eagerly, because her nonsense was to blame for the accident. She collected the limpets that had spilled on the rock, she hung up the basket again and [mallchosach??] slowly made her way home, her head down and occasional tears dripping from her eyes. When she was near the cliff, She stood and looked down at her clothes. Oh, Beautiful Devil! Her clothes were tight against her skin like a swimsuit. She thought it would be better to wear them, to dry on the rock, for fear she would make a mockery of herself among people in such a form.

    caoineachán crying, mewling; lamentation m
    díocasach Eager, keen
    ciontach guilty
    seafóid nonsense f gs seafóide
    balcais Clout, rag; garment f
    dlúthaigh Compact, compress, tighten; draw together, gather; draw close
    culaith Suit, dress, apparel f
    cumraíocht shape, form; configuration f
    leithéid Like, counterpart, equal; such


  • Soir léi faoi bhun na haille nó gur shroich sí bruach scailpe móire. Leag sí uaithi ansin an chiseog agus bhreathnaigh sí timpeall uirthi go haireach. Ní raibh duine ná beithíoch le feiscint, soir ná siar, i gcúlráid na háite iargúlta sin. Ní raibh ann ach an aill ard ag éirí suas caol díreach lena cúl, leithead mór maol na leice amach roimpi agus an fharraige ghlé gheal ag únfairt go deireadh na spéire. Cé an call a bhí le imni? Ní raibh an t-éan féin ag gabháil thart san áit siúd i mbolg marfa an lae. Bhí mealláin mhóra mhillteacha ina nduirling le bun na haille agus péire de na cinn ba mhó caite go dlúth in aghaidh a chéile os cionn na scailpe ; mar bheadh díon tí. Isteach léi sa bprochlais seo agus chaith sí di go craiceann. Amach léi aris, lom nochtaithe, a cuid éadaigh idir lámha aici agus í ag creathnú [d.l. 34] le cúileadas faoi bheith gan folach. Scar sí na balcaisí ar mhaolán taobh amuigh de phollán tanaithe. Sheas sí ansin i ngar don scailp lena corp a thirimiú, a lámha ag clúdach a brollaigh go caoidhiúil agus í ag breathnú thart timpeall uirthi; chomh amhrasach le gabhar a mbeadh mionnán i bhfolach aici.

    She walked eastware along the base of the cliff until she reached the edge of a large fissure[??]. She then put down the basket and looked around her carefully. There was no person or animal to be seen, east or west, in the seclusion of that remote place. There was only the high cliff rising up straight at her back, the great bare extent of the rocks in front of her and the clear, white sea tossing about to the end of the sky. What was the need for worry? Not even a bird itself was passing by that place in the killing belly of the day. There were large, destructive boulders on the stony beach at the base of the cliff, and two of the largest were thrown close together against each other on top of the fissure; like a roof of a house. She got into this hovel and took off her clothes to the skin. Out with her again, bare naked, her clothes in her hands and trembling with anger??? about being without covering. She spread the garments on a knoll outside of the shallow pool. She stood there near the furrow to dry her body, her hands covering her breasts gently as she looked around her; as suspicious as a goat would hiding a kid.

    scailp Cleft, fissure (in rock); Shelter (under rock); cave, den;
    aireach Careful, attentive; Vigilant
    cúlráid Secluded place f
    iargúlta Backward, remote, isolated
    leithead Breadth, width m
    maol bald, bare
    glé Clear, bright, pellucid
    geal White, bright
    únfairt wallowing; (act of) rolling, tossing, about
    call call, need m
    millteach Destructive; baneful, pernicious
    duirling Stony beach f
    péire pair m
    cúileadas ???
    folach Hiding, covering, concealment m
    balcais Clout, rag; garment f
    maolán Bare, bald, object; bald person; Low rounded hill, knoll; Blunt object m
    scar Part, separate v
    tanaigh thin v
    pollán (small) pool m
    clúdach Covering; cover, wrap; lid m
    caoithiúil Convenient, opportune; Pleasant, kindly
    amhrasach Doubtful; suspicious
    mionnán Pinnacle of rock; pointed rock; Large stone used as stone-crusher m


  • A Thiarna! Is ar éigin a bhí boinn a cos i ndon seasamh ar éadan na leice. Scuabadh an fliuchán dá corp ar an nóiméad agus chuaigh an teas go smior inti. Líon a hintinn arís le seafóid tolléadrom. Tháinig fonn uirthi i féin a shíneadh sa bpoll tanaithe ; áit a raibh caonach buí chomh mín le síoda ina luí ar bharr an uisce theolaí. Bhí drogall uirthi sin a dhéanamh, ina dhiaidh sin, ar eagla go dtiocfái uirthi i nganfhios. Sé an chaoi a bhuail sí isteach faoi chúlráid na prochlaise. Bhí sí ag braith ar í féin a scaoileadh síos le bruach na scailpe nuair a chonaic sí a scáil i mbreacdhorchadas an uisce dhoimhin. Sheas sí de thaghd agus dhírigh sí í féin go mall, ag breathnú síos le iontas agus eagla ar an scáil.

    Oh Lord! The soles of her feet were barely able to stand on the face of the rock [i ndon???]. The wetness swept over her body at that moment and the heat went into the marrow. Her mind filled again with light [tolléadrom] nonsense. She felt a desire to stretch herself in the shallow hole; where yellow moss as smooth as silk lay on top of the warm water. She was reluctant to do so, afterwards, for fear [someone] would come upon her unaware. That’s how she got into the secluded place of the hollow. She sensed herself about to lower herself down to the edge of the fissure when she saw her shadow in the semi-darkness of the deep water. She stood on an impulse and slowly straightened herself, looking down with surprise and fear at the shadow.

    smior marrow m
    toll Hole, hollow; Posterior, buttocks m
    toll Pierced, perforated; Hollow, empty
    éadrom Light; Of little weight
    caonach moss m
    mín smooth …
    teolaí Warm, cosy, comfortable
    drogall Aversion, repugnance; unwillingness, reluctance; laziness m
    prochóg Hole, den, cave; hollow f
    cúlráid Secluded place f
    braith Perceive, feel; Spy out, note; betray; (Usually followed by ar Perceive, sense.
    scáil shadow f
    breacdhorchadas Dusk, semi-darkness m
    taghd Fit, impulse m


  • Aie! Aie! A Dhia na bhFeart ! Ni fhaca sí riamh roimhe sin iomlán a coirp nochtaithe. Bhí a chumraíocht gearrtha amach go fíor faoin uisce ag an aistíl solais, gach uile bhall agus mionlíne múnlaithe i gcruth a nádúire go beo soiléartha. Chonaic sí go raibh sé go halainn ; ach chuir a áilleacht scanradh uirthi agus náire. D’iompaigh sí uaidh go tobann agus mórghluaiseacht a fola ag cur lagair uirthi. Amach léi as an bprochlais agus rinne sí ar a cuid éadaigh. Le méid a deifre, sciorr sí ag gabháil thar an bpollán tanaithe. Caitheadh síos í [d.l. 35] ar chlár a droma imeasc an chaonaigh. Nuair a rinne sí iarracht ar éiri, d’imigh an mheabhair aisti. D’fhan sí mar sin ar feadh tamaillín faoi lagar trom, a lámha scartha amach uaithi, a súile dúnta, a ceann crochta suas in aghaidh an bhruaich agus uachtar a coirp thar bharr uisce.

    Aie! Aie! O God of miracles! She had never seen her entire body exposed before. Its shape was clearly cut out underwater by the strangely acting light, every limb and tiny line molded in the shape of its nature, clearly alive. She saw that it was beautiful; but her beauty frightened and shamed her. She turned away from it suddenly, the rushing of her blood weakening her. She got out of the hollow and put on her clothes. With all her haste, she slipped passing the shallow pool. She was thrown down on the surface of her back among the moss. When she tried to get up, the sensation left her. She remained like that for a while, under heavy weakness, her hands spread out from her, her eyes closed, her head hanging up against the bank and the top of her body above the water.

    cumraíocht shape, form; configuration f
    aistíl play-acting; acting strange f
    ball organ; member m
    mionlíne tiny line
    múnlaithe molded
    cruth Shape, appearance; State, condition
    soiléir Clear, distinct; plain, obvious
    scanradh Rout; scattering, dispersal; Fright m
    gluaiseacht Movement; Motion f
    sciorr Slip, slide, slither, skid v
    meabhair Mind, memory; reason; Sensation, feeling f
    lagar Weakness, faintness; fainting fit m
    trom heavy
    scartha separated, spread


  • Aie! Aie! Anois bhí teas na gréine ag gabháil uirthi gan sos, nó gur chuir sé a corp agus a hanam faoi cheannas iomlán a nirt. Nuair a dhúisigh sí as an lagar, thug sí toil go santach agus go meidhreach don sámhas a bhí uirthi. D’fhág sí a sóile dúnta, d’oscail sí a béal agus thosnaigh sí ag meangadh gáire. Ansin tharraing sí osna fada trina cuid fiacal agus bhain sí searradh as a géaga, á sleamhnú anonn agus anall i measc an chaonaigh teolaí a bhi chomh mín le síoda in aghaidh a craicinn.

    Aie! Aie! Now the heat of the sun was beating down on her without a break, until it put her body and soul under the full control of its strength. When she woke up from her weakness, she did has she pleased covetously and merrily with the pleasure she had. She left her eyes closed, opened her mouth and began to laugh. Then she let out a long sigh through her teeth and stretched her limbs, sliding back and forth among the warm moss that was as smooth as silk against her skin.

    ceannas Headship, sovereignty; Authority, command m
    lagar Weakness, faintness; fainting fit m
    toil Will; inclination, desire, wish f
    santach Covetous, avaricious; Intensely eager
    meidhreach Mirthful, merry, gay; frisky, sportive
    sámhas Bodily pleasure, voluptuousness m
    searr Stretch, extend
    géag branch, limb géaga
    sleamhnaigh slide, slip


  • Aie! Aie! A chailís mhíorúilteach an bheo ! Anois chuimhnigh sí go bródúil ar an áilleacht a chonaic sí in aistíl na scailpe. Ghlac sí go fonnmhar leis an ngleoiteacht a bronnadh uirthi, le rún diamhair a broinne a chur i bhfeidhm.

    Aie! Aie! O miraculous chalice of life! Now she remembered with pride the beauty she had seen in the play-active of the fissure. She eagerly accepted the loveliness bestowed upon her, to execute the dark secret plan of her womb.

    cailís,
    míorúilteach miraculous
    aistíl play-acting; acting strange f
    scailp Cleft, fissure (in rock); Shelter (under rock); cave, den;
    fonnmhar desirous, wishful, eager, willing
    gleoiteacht Neatness, prettiness, loveliness
    bronnadh Grant, bestowal m
    diamhair Dark, obscure; occult, mysterious; secluded, solitary; eerie, weird, lonely; fearsome.
    broinne Breast, bosom m


  • Aie! Aie! Maighdean ghlégeal ag unfairt faoin ngrian i gcaonach síodúil agus an eagla dá laghad uirthi roimn doilíos an iompair.

    Aie! Aie! A beautiful maiden basking in the sun in silky moss, and without the slightest fear of the hardships of pregnancy.

    Maighdean Maiden, virgin f
    glé Clear, bright, pellucid
    geal White, bright
    únfairt wallowing; (act of) rolling, tossing, about
    doilíos Sorrow, affliction; remorse, penitence; melancholy m


snas.ie

Rang Gaeilge, 27ú lá na Mí Eanáir 2026


AN CHARRAIG DHUBH
The Black Rock


  • Bhí an taoille chomh íseal sin go raibh iomlán na carraige móire duibhe nochtaithe, síos go dtí an fheamainn dhearg lonrach a bhí crochta, mar bheadh cuirtín, amach ar aghaidh an íochtair tollta. Síos uaidh sin fós, i ndoimhneacht dorcha na mara, tháinig bodhar-thorann cráite ón uisce a bhí ag unfairt go leisciúil mall, sa bprochlais stóránach[??] a bhí gearrtha amach as an seanchloch ag neart feargach na dtonn ; ag bualadh agus ag bualadh gan sos, leis na mílte agus na mílte bliain.

    The tide was so low that the great black rock was completely exposed, down to the shiny red seaweed that hung, like a curtain, out in front of the hollow bottom. Down there from it still, in the dark depth of the sea, came a dull agonized noise from the water that was tossing lazily and slowly, in the ?? hollow that had been cut out of the old stone by the furious strength of the waves; beating and beating without rest, for thousands and thousands of years.

    taoille = taoide tide
    nochtadh Baring, exposure; disclosure, revelation; appearance m
    feamainn seaweed f
    lonrach Bright, shining, luminous; brilliant, resplendent
    íochtar Lower part, bottom m
    toll Bore, pierce, perforate
    doimhneacht depth f
    bodhar deaf; dull
    torann noise m
    cráite Agonized, tormented, grieved
    únfairt (Act of) wallowing; (act of) rolling, tossing, about f
    prochóg Hole, den, cave; hollow f
    feargach angry
    sos Rest, cessation; pause, interval; respite m

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Rang Gaeilge, 30ú lá na Mí Nollag 2025

An Seabhac (tuilleadh)
The Hawk (continued)


  • Sin é an uair a thosnaigh an seabhac fireann ag déanamh gaisce go rícheart ; an bodach leitheadach ag siúl go basach anonn agus anall ar an gcarraig fhuilteach ; cnámha nochtaithe faoi chois agus screamhóga de chraiceann tirim greamaithe den chloch agus mealltracha beaga aisig curtha i dtaisce ar storráin le n-ithe arís ; bréanbholadh uafásach ag líonadh an aeir thart timpeall ar uachais an mharfóra. Níor léir dé siúd ach áilleacht san áit damanta. Bhí a anam barbartha lan le áthas agus ríméad, faoi bheith ag comhlíonadh iomláin an dualgais ceaptha amach dhó ag a nádúir. [d.l. 20]

    That was when the male hawk began to do true feats; the broad lad walking flatfooteldy to and fro on the bloody rock; bones exposed underfoot and flakes of dry skin stuck to the stone and small lumps put on projections to be eaten later; a terrible stench filled the air around the killer’s lair. He only saw beauty in the damned place. His barbaric soul was filled with joy and delight, at having fully fulfilled the duty set out for him by his nature.

    gaisce Arms, weapons; martial equipment; Feat (of arms); prowess (in arms);
    Boasting, bravado; showing off, swank.
    m
    rí- Royal, kingly, majestic; (Intensifying) Exceedingly, very, ultra-
    bodach Churl, lout m
    leitheadach Broad, wide
    basach = bosach Bladed; Flat-footed
    nocht Bare, strip, uncover v
    screamhóg crust, flake f
    tirim dry
    greamaigh Attach, fix, fasten; make fast, secure
    mealltracha balls, globes; lumps, masses
    aiseag Restoration, restitution m
    taisce store, treasure, hoard f
    storrán = starrán Projection, jag; Fit, frenzy m
    uachais Burrow, cavity; lair, den f
    damanta damned
    léir Clear, lucid; distinct, explicit; clear-headed, clever
    Smoke; Puff, breath; glimmer f
    áthas Joy, gladness m
    ríméad Gladness; joyous pride m
    comhlíonadh fulfilment; Performance, observance; Completion; Satisfaction, requital. m
    dualgas Natural right, due; customary fee or reward; duty m

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Rang Gaeilge, 25ú lá na Mí Samhna 2025


An Seabhac
The Hawk

  • Chroch sé suas é féin os cionn bruaich an haille faoi dhianruathar eitíll agus rinne sé ar mhór-airde na spéire, ag cur timpeall agus timpeall ar bhord fada, nó gur mhothaigh sé íochtair sreamacha na néall ag gabháil go fuar fliuch thar a dhroim. Isteach leis ansin caol díreach tríd an tír

    He lifted himself above the edge of the cliff edge flying[?] under a strong gust of wind and made for the great heights of the sky, going around and around a long border{?}, until he felt the drizzly bottom of the cloud cold and wet across his back. Enter it then straight through the country.

    bruach Bank, brink; edge m
    aill Cliff, precipice f gs aille
    dian Intense, vehement; hard, severe
    ruathar Rush, onrush, onset, attack m
    eitil Fly; flutter v
    íochtar Lower part, bottom m gs nplíochtair
    sramach Clammy; damp, drizzly; …
    néal cloud m

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Rang Gaeilge, 28ú lá na Mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2025

Dúil
Desire

  • Bhí naíonán fireann ag imirt le gligín ar an mbrat urláir, in aice le cathaoir ina raibh a mháthair suite agus í ag léamh leabhair. Chuir sé scairt mheidhreach as féin, gach uile uair a chuala sé an torann binn a tháinig as an deis tar éis a craite. Ansin thit an gligín as a lámha. Tugadh scathamh beag ar siúl é, trasna an urláir, ag sciorradh agus ag iompó. Thit an naíonán ar a bholg nuair a shin sé é féin amach roimhe, le breith ar an rud beag gleoite.

    A baby boy was playing with a little bell/rattle on the carpet, next to a chair where his mother was sitting and reading a book. He made a merry shout every time he heard the sweet noise that came from the right[deis??? hand] after its shaking. Then the bell fell from his hands. It was given a little while to walk, across the floor, slipping and turning. The baby fell onto his stomach as he reached out to grab the pretty little thing.

    Dúil desire, expectation, hope; element (of creation), created thing, creature f
    naíonán infant m
    fireann Male; Manly, virile; Real, thorough
    gligín Little bell, tinkler, rattle(r); Tinkle; Rattle-brained person n
    scairt Shout; call, summons; … f
    meidhreach Mirthful, merry, gay; frisky, sportive
    torann noise m
    binn weet, melodious
    deis Right hand; right-hand side; Suitable, convenient, position;
    facility; Proper condition
    f
    croite shaken
    scaitheamh Space of time, while, spell m
    sciorradh Slip, slide, skid m
    iompó = iompú Turning, turn
    gleoite Neat, pretty; lovely, charming, delightful

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Rang Gaeilge, 23ú lá na Mí Mheán Fómhair 2025

Faoi Dheireadh Thiar Faoi Dheireadh Thiar – gníomh a do (tuilleadh)
At Long Last (continued)


  • MEAIG: Tá mé ag iarraidh a dhul in éineacht le Coilmin.
    MÁIRÍN: Seo i do leaba anois, a Mheaig, nó go socróidh tú sios, is ná cloisim focal eile as ceachtar agaibh.
    MEAIG: Ara muise, a bhundúin, ní thabharfaidh tú mo dhúshlánsa. Ach fan go dtiocfaidh Darach ar ais. Bainfidh sé sin fuil as na polláirí agat. (Cuireann sí an phluid ar a ceann.)
    MÁIRÍN: By dad, ach meas tú cén sórt folach bhíog í seo?
    JACKIE: (Ag cur a dhá lámh timpeall ar Mháirín): O,a Mháirín. (deep emotion)
    MÁIRÍN: Ná bí ag caoineadh, a Jackie
    JACKIE: D’inis mé an fhirinne dhó.
    MÁIRÍN: Oh Lord, is céard a tharla?

    MEAIG: I want to go with together with Coilmin.
    MÁIRÍN: This is your bed now, Meag, until you settle down, and I won’t hear another word from either of you.
    MEAIG: Ah indeed, you ass, you won’t challenge me. But wait until Darach comes back. He will get blood out of your nostrils. (She puts the blanket on her head.)
    MÁIRÍN: My dad, but what kind of hid-and-seek do you think this is?
    JACKIE: (Putting her arms around Máirín): Oh, Máirín
    MÁIRÍN: Don’t cry, Jackie.
    JACKIE: I told him the truth.
    MÁIRÍN: Oh Lord, what happened?

    ceachtar Either, one or other of two; (with neg.) neither
    bundún Fundament; bottom. m
    dúshlán Challenge, defiance m
    polláire Nostril; Button-hole m
    pluid blanket f
    folach Hiding, covering, concealment m
    folach bíog hide-and-seek

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Rang Gaeilge, 28ú lá Mí na Lúnasa 2025


Faoi Dheireadh Thiar Faoi Dheireadh Thiar – gníomh a do (tuilleadh)
At Long Last (continued)


  • TAIMÍN: Thug tú do dheargéitheach.
    COILMÍN: Nach tú fhéin a dhíbir é, ag ceapadh gur cheart dhó aithris a dhéanamh ort, dhá choinneail ag sclábhaiocht ó dhubh go dubh is ó bhliain go bliain. Nach bhfeicinn an flashlamp leagtha ar an iomaire agat is tú ag iarraidh a bheith ag cur cupla iomaire fataí théis do lá oibre.
    TAIMÍN: Ní raibh lá ar bith sách fada dhomsa, ní hé fearacht go leor eile é.
    COILMÍN: Rófhada atá siad anois dhuit. Róbharainneach a bhí tú, a Taimin. Chuile phunt brúite síos i sparán agat agus ruóg air a bhí chomh fáiscthe le tóin lachan.
    TAIMÍN: Ba é mo chuid fhéin é.
    COILMÍN: Cén mhaith an deabhail dhuit é anois? Rinne tú éagóir ar do mhac dhá fhágáil ar phócaí folamh. Is minic a thug mise luach deoch do do mhac.

    TAIMÍN: You gave an utter falsehood.
    COILMÍN: Didn’t you yourself drive him out, thinking he should imitate you, two detained in slavery from dawn to dusk and from year to year. Don’t you see the flashlight placed on the ridge you have when you are tryimg to plant a ridges of potatoes after your work day.
    TAIMÍN: No day was long enough for me, unlike so many others.
    COILMÍN: They are too long now. You were too thrifty, Taimín. Every pound pressed down in your purse and the purse-string on in as tight as a duck’s butt.
    TAIMÍN: It was my own.
    COILMÍN: What the devil good is it to you now? You did your son wrong leaving him with empty pockets. I often gave your son the price of a drink.

    maintenance; retention; detention

    deargéitheach Utter falsehood m
    díbir Drive out, banish, expel
    aithris Narrate, recite; imitate
    coinneáil f
    iomaire ridge
    sách Full, sated, satisfied; Sufficiently, enough
    fearacht Like, as, in the manner of
    barainneach Thrifty; careful, parsimonious
    brúite Pressed, crushed
    ruóg Waxed cord; Tanned cord
    fáiscthe Squeezed, compressed; Tightened, tight; Well-knit; compact; Trim, tidy; neatly dressed
    éagóir Injustice, wrong; unfairness, inequity f

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Rang Gaeilge, 22ú lá mí na Iúil 2025

Faoi Dheireadh Thiar Faoi Dheireadh Thiar – gníomh a do (tuilleadh)
At Long Last (continued)


  • MEAIG: Is that you, Lily a leana? Lily? Come here to Mamó and give me my clothes is grá mo chroí thú. Ach cén deabhal stodam atá inniu ort? Lily? (De scread.) Come here, a bhitch! . . . Come here a deirim … Scread mhaidne ar do chuid spreangaidi caola. Put down the kettle is déan dhá bhlogam tae, a leana… Lily… Lily? Come here to Mamó a deirim … Ná raibh tú [d.l. 68] ar choinleach an fhómhair, muis, a scubaidin bhradach, ag imeacht is t’imleacán??] leis. Ach cá bhfágfá é is an bhriogaill de mháthair atá agat! Ag cur corannaí ina tóin is airde péint uirthi. Lily? A, muise, tiocfaidh tú aríst nuair atá airgead ag teastáil uait. Ach tabharfaidh mise maide ar airdín a chúil dhuit.

    MEAIG: Is that you, Lily child? Lily? Come here to Grandma and give me my clothes you are the love of my heart. But what devilish huffiness are you today? Lily? (With a scream) Come here, bitch! . . . Come here I say. A morning scream your spindle-shanks. Put down the kettle and make two cups of tea, child. Lily… Lily? Come here to Grandma I say…. You were not on the autumn harvest stubble, indeed, you little theiving hussy leaving and with your navel with him. But where would you leave him and the irritable mother you have! Putting crowns in her and paint on her highest backside. Lily? Ah, indeed, you will come again when you need money. But I’ll give you a stick to beat your back.

    stodam Huff, huffiness m
    Scread mhaidne confound
    spreangaide Long thin limb f
    blogam = bolgam mouthful, cup of tea between meals m
    coinleach Stubble; stubble-field m
    scubaid hussy f
    bradach Thief, plunderer m, a
    bhriogaill = briogaid Touchy, irritable, person f
    cúl back [of something]
    cúil corner f
    airdín ????

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Rang Gaeilge, 24ú lá Mí Mheiteamh 2025

Faoi Dheireadh Thiar Faoi Dheireadh Thiar – gníomh a do (tuilleadh)
At Long Last (continued)


  • MÁIRÍN: An mí-adh mór a stór… ‘Grá mo chroí thú, a Mháirín.’ B’in é an focal deiridh a dúirt sé isteach i mo chluais. Muid ag pógadh a chéile sa gcarr théis a bheith ag damhsa sa Seapoint — ní raibh aon chead a dhul níos faide sul má bheifeá pósta ag an am sin. Muid ag cogarnaíl go [d.l. 61] grámhar i gcluasa a chéile, ag gealladh gur in ascaillí a chéile a chaithfeadh muid an chuid eile dar saol. Ní hé an chaoi ar iarr sé orm an bpósfainn é ach gur shocraigh an bheirt againn le chéile go raibh sé in am againn bualadh faoin saol théis cheithre bliana a chaitheamh ag cuirtéireacht. Éanlaith an aeir a mheabhraigh dhúinn go raibh sé ina bhreacadh lae sul má d’fhág sé slán agam. Bhí sé théis carr nua a cheannacht agus muid ag samhlú go raibh bóthar an tsaoil chomh fada leis an tsíoraiocht amach romhainn, ach ni raibh an tsíoraiocht i bhfad ó bhaile. Bhí cupla deoch ólta aige ach níor mheas mé go raibh stró ar bith air, marar ina chodladh a thit sé. “Grá mo chroí thú, a Mháirín,” an focal deiridh a duirt sé. Maraíodh ar an mbealach abhaile é. Ag casadh Aíll na Caróige. D’imigh sé den bhóthar. Bunoscionn a fritheadh é fhéin is an carr ar maidin.

    MÁIRÍN: A great misfortune, my dear… ‘My heart loves you, Máirín.’ It was the last word he said into my ear. We were kissing each other in the car, after dancing in Seapoint — There was no permission to go further than that before you were married at that time. We were whispering lovingly in each other’s ears, promising that we would spend the rest of our lives in each other’s arms. It wasn’t the way he asked me to marry him, but that the two of us agreed together that it was time for us to meet life ogether after spending four years courting. Birds of the air reminded us that it was daybreak before he left me. It was after buying a new car and we imagined that the road of life before us was as long as eternity, but eternity was not far from home. He had a couple of drinks but I don’t think he was stressed at al, if he had not fallen asleep. “You are the love of my heart, Máirín,” the last word he said. He was killed on the way home. Turning the Cliff of the Crow. He went off the road. He and the car were found upside down in the morning.

    cogarnaíl cogarnach1, f. (gs. -aí). 1.
    grámhar Loving, tender, affectionate; Lovable, amiable.
    ascaill armpit f
    éanlaith birds, fowl f
    meabhraigh Commit to memory; remember; Recall, remind ….
    breacadh an lae daybreak
    samhlú Imagination, fancy m
    síoraíocht eternity f
    meas Estimate, value, judge; deem, consider v, m
    stór Store; Stock, provision; Abundance; treasure m
    stró Stress, exertion;
    aill Cliff, precipice f
    caróg crow f gs caróige
    Bunoscionn Upside down

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Rang Gaeilge, 21ú lá Mí na Bealtaine 2025


Faoi Dheireadh Thiar Faoi Dheireadh Thiar – gníomh a do
At Long Last

  • GNÍOMH 2 (Act 2)


    JACKIE isteach le trádaire rice cakes srl. agus MAIRIN trasna agus amach an taobh eile ag baint di miotóga rubair níocháin agus ag fail réidh le deiseanna níocháin.

    JACKIE: Cupán tae anois is na cosa a shíneadh go fóilleach.
    MÁIRÍN: Beidh mé leat anois ar an bpointe.
    JACKIE: Buíochas le Mac Dé go bhfuil sé sin déanta. Tá an oiread urláir le niochán sa teach seo is go maródh sé capall.
    (MAIRIN ar ais le mala mór bronntanas.)
    MÁIRÍN: Cuirfidh mé na bronntanais faoin gcrann ar dtus. Beidh siad chomh excited le gasúir ar maidin.
    JACKIE: Is[?] an bhfuair tú bronntanas do chuile dhuine acu?
    MÁIRÍN: Ara, underwear is stocaí is rudaí beaga do na créatuir nach bhfuil aon duine ag teacht chomh fada leo. Caithfidh mé an treabhsar seo a ghiorrú cupla orlach do Taimín sul má chuirfeas mé sa bparcel é.
    JACKIE: An ndéanfaidh mé an tae anois?

    JACKIE enters with a tray of rice cakes, etc. and MÁIRÍN crosses and comes out the other side taking off her rubber washing gloves and preparing the washing supplies.

    JACKIE: Now a cup of tea and a stretch of the legs for a while.
    MÁIRÍN: I’ll be with you in a moment.
    JACKIE: Thank the son of God this is done. The amount of floors to wash in this house would kill a horse.
    (MÁIRÍN is back with a big bag of presents.)
    MÁIRÍN: I will put the presents under the tree first. They will be as excited as children in the morning.
    JACKIE: [?]Did you get a gift for each of them?
    MÁIRÍN: Here, underwear and socks and little things for the dears that no one is coming this far for. I need to shorten these trousers a couple of inches for Taimín before I put them in the parcel.
    JACKIE: Shall I make the tea now?

    tráidire tray m
    níochán (Act of) washing; wash, laundry m
    síneadh Stretching, stretch; extension, prolongation m

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