Irish Language-Gaeilge
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Mo Ghile Mear
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week “Mo Ghile Mear” If ever there was a modern song borne out of old Mo Ghile Mear is it. There are as many versions and translations of this song as there are singers. In short, it’s a love song in the tradition of Irish Love songs where nothing is as it seems. The lover often stands for Ireland, in this case lamenting Bonnie Prince Charlie’s exile. Originally written by Seán “Clárach” Mac Domhnaill (1691-1754), the modern lyrics draw from several of his songs/poems and the song was once again rewritten and rearranged in the ’70s by Dónal Ó Liatháin (1934–2008) and set…
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Báidín Fheilimí
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week Báidín Fheilimí This week’s Amhrán na Seachtaine is Báidín Fheilimí, a traditional children’s song from the Donegal area. It tells the story of Feilimí and his little boat. It mentions Tory Island and Gola Island off the coast of Donegal. The song has been recorded by several artists over the years. I’ve included versions by Sinéad O’Connor, John Spilanne, and Emmet Spiceland. Digital downloads of Amhrán na Seachtaine songs with translations and pronunciation guides are now available here: Gaeilge go Deo Digital Downloads and Courses Additionally, there are videos with pronunciation guides for each song on the @GaeilgegoDeo YouTube channel. Gaeilge…
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I made it to the gym!
It’s a start January 24, Today I made it to the gym for the first time in 2023! It was not a great workout or anything to write home about but I did make it across the threshold and managed a short workout. It remains to be seen how I feel tomorrow. I’m done with Covid but I’m not entirely sure it is done with me. In the three weeks since I tested positive my biggest issues have been extreme fatigue and awful headaches. The headaches have almost disappeared, and I’m getting my energy back slowly. I’ve gone for some walks on the beach which are wonderful but I have…
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Bríd Óg Ní Mháille
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week “Bríd Óg Ní Mháille” This week’s Amhrán na Seachtaine is Bríd Óg Ní Mháille, a song in the Sean Nós or old-style tradition that tells the story of unrequited love. In the first verse, the young lad tells how Bríd, who is so beautiful that hundreds of men have fallen in love with her, has left him brokenhearted. He describes her as being more beautiful than the moon over the ocean or the white blossoms on the blackthorn. He continues on, telling us he wants to get married and asks her to meet him the following Sunday. Unfortunately, he is left heartbroken…
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Cailleach an Airgid
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week “Cailleach an Airgid” or “‘Sí do Mhaimeo í” This week’s Amhrán na Seachtaine is Cailleach an Airgid, also known as ‘S do Mhaimeo í. It’s a lively jig that tells the story of The Hag with the Money. The verses tell the story of a wealthy old lady who plans to marry a young man. The singer or onlooker sends a warning that the young man will squander her money, or “dólfadh sé’n t-airgead” -he’ll drink it. It seems she doesn’t mind as in the final verse we’re told there will be a wedding. There are many versions and recordings of this…
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An bhfaca Tú Mo Shéamaisín
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week “An bhFaca Tú Mo Shéamaisín” This lovely traditional song is sung by a mother whose young son – “mhaicín óg” is starting school. You will find many versions and recordings of this song. Sean Nós singer Joe Heaney can be heard singing it on Cartllann Seosaimh Uí hÉanaí – the Joe Heaney Archive and The Cassidys – Na Casaidigh released a version of their self-titled album in 1980. It’s a popular children’s song and is often taught in school and during summer Gaeltacht courses. Below are two versions and a breakdown of the song by both Orla Ní Fhinneadha and Sibéal Ní…
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Bog Braon don tSeanduine
Amhrán na Seachtaine – Song of the Week “Bog Braon don tSeanduine” Why a song for the week? Well, I was refraining from making goals and trying to just ease into the New Year spending some time contemplating what I really wanted to do this year, and by that, I mean what I want to achieve/accomplish this year. I just can’t get away from that goal-oriented mindset, and after almost 40 years in the classroom, laying out curriculum and making schedules and lesson plans, I have it down. I know what I want to do, it’s just finding the time to fit it all in and being disciplined enough to…
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Aloha! Hau’oli makahiki hou!
Happy New Year or should it be Happy Valentine’s Day? Either way it has been a while since I posted here. I’ve sat down and made several attempts to write but scratched it every time. A lot has happened since I last posted in November! We bought a house! We moved! We enjoyed visits from both our boys. I planted a garden. We journeyed to Oregon to sort through the storage unit and ship our belongings to Hawaii. As you can see, a busy time. The shipping container arrived in Honolulu and was delivered last week. We unloaded it in six and a half…
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13 Fun and Interesting Facts About the Irish Language
Learn some fun interesting facts about the Irish Language, its status as a European Language, where it is spoken, and by whom. Why has the number of speakers declined? Who is studying Irish now and where? Some interesting grammatical quirks compared to English.
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Is Fearr Gaeilge Bhriste ná Béarla Cliste
As an Irish and Education major is college that was our go to, “broken Irish is better than clever English” It still holds for me today, but it is seldom I get the opportunity to speak with anyone in the language of my ancestors. I was not born or raised in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking areas of Ireland) and despite learning Irish in a much maligned school system, I have a deep love for the language. I think the difference was the respect my parents had for the language and of course the fact that my Dad was a teacher and spoke Irish fluently helped too. As a result my siblings and…
