Some Ulster Proverbs

AS CO. ÁRD MACHA.

1. Ná tréig an bothar mar gheall ar
an aithghiorra.

1. Don't desert the high road for the
short cut.

See Sean-Fhocla Uladh, No. 783.

2. Is maith an fáidh deireadh an lae.

2. The end of the day is a good
prophet.

See S-Fh. Uladh, No. 387.

3. Bhí sé caomhail is saoitheamhail
gur chaill sé a chliú.

3. He was gentle and civil until he
lost his reputation.

4. Lamhchrann cuilinn,
Buailtin coill,
Punann amháin,
Agus urlár glan.

4. A handstaff of holly,
A buailtin 1 of hazel,
A single sheaf,
And a clean floor.

5. Má's bréag uaim í,
Is bréag chugam í.

5. If it is a lie as I tell it,
It is a lie as I got it.

6. An rud nach éigin is aoibhinn.

6. The thing that is not a necessity
is pleasant (to do).

7. Chan fheil liaigh no léigheas ar a'
ghrádh.

7. There is no physician or cure for
love.

8. Is doiligh fhághail ó gheasaibh a'
ghrádha.

8. It is hard to escape from the
bonds of love.

9. Ná codail oidhche sa toigh a bhfuil
sean duine pósta ar mhnaoi
óig.

9. Never sleep a night in a house
where an old man is married to
a young woman.

10. Bathadh an lín ort.

10. The drowning of the flax on you.

11. Má's fuar an teachtaire,
Is fuar an freagra.

11. If the messenger is cold (careless,
indifferent) the answer is cold.

12. Ceann con ar mhaidin earraigh
Is ceann madaidh eile ar an
tráthnóna.

12. A hound's head on a spring morn-
ing, but another dog's head on
the evening.

(The spring morning is apt to be
mild, like the gentle sleek head of
the hound, but the evening may
grow rough and cold.)

13. Sin port a chuaidh thart.

13. That's a tune that is past.

(Said to people who tell of the things
they did or the times they en-
joyed long ago.)

14. Té is áirde cainnt,
Sé is ísle obair.

14. He who is loudest of talk
Is lowliest of work.

(See Sean-Fhocla Uladh, No. 361.)

15. An rud atá sa' chnáimh tá sé sa
smior (nó smaois).

15. What is in the bone is in the
marrow.

16. Chan fheil dealg ar bith nach bhfeil
géar.

16. There is no thorn that is not sharp

(And no affliction that has not its
own peculiar sting.)

17. Triúr nach bhfeiceann solus na
bhflaitheas ariamh: —

Aingeal an uabhair,
Leanbh gan baiste,
Agus céile shagairt.

17. Three who will never see the light
of heaven: —

The angel of pride (the devil),
An unbaptized child,
And a priest's mistress.

18. Is annamh is fearr an deireadh
ná an tús.

18. Seldom is the end better than the
beginning.

(See sean-Fhocla U., No. 445).

19. Beagan a rádh furus a léigheas.

19. Little said is easily cured.

20. Cha dtig gorta as triomacht.

20. Famine never comes from drought

(i.e., a dry season).

21. Má thig seóid ar bith i ndiaidh Dé
thig aniar ndeas fearthainn.

21. If there is any jewel that comes
after God it is the south-west
rain.

(In spring when there is no growth,
and everything is dry and bare
from the cold east wind, a day or
two of south-west rain causes
crops and trees to burst into leaf
and become clothed with verdure.)

22. Cha minice cor ar an ghealaigh ná
cor ar an intinn.

22. The changes of the moon occur
not oftener than the changes of
the mind.

23. Is géar súil a' mhadaidh ocraigh.

23. Sharp is the eye of the hungry dog.

24. Chan fheil tuile ann nach dtráigheann
acht tuile na ngrás.

24. All floods ebb but the flood of
grace.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 79.)

25. Bíonn blas ar an annamh.

25. There is a taste on the rare thing.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 1292.)

26. Is ionann le sgríste athrach oibre.

26. A change of work is equivalent to
a rest.

27. Ag cur claidhe thart fá'n pháirc
leis an chuach a choinneailt
istoigh.

27. Putting a fence around the field
to keep in the cuckoo.

(Said of a useless undertaking.)

28. Cuid a' chromain a sholathar fhéin.

28. The crow's share is (what she
makes by) her own economy.

29. Chan fhághann duine eolas i naisgidh.

29. A person does not get knowledge
for nothing.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 265.)

30. Tig na gearrain as Connda Árd
Macha

Is na cailiní deasa as Connda
an Dúin.

30. The (good) horses come from Co.
Armagh,

And the pretty girls from Co.
Down.

31. Comh bréagach le táilliur.

31. As lying as a tailor.

32. Comh foighdeach le cat.

32. As patient as a cat.

33. Comh gann le sinéaraibh i mBéal-
tain.

33. As scarce as blackberries in May.

34. Comh Gaedhealach le mucaidh
Droichead Átha.

34. As Irish as the pigs of Drogheda.

1. The striking part of the flail.

AS CO. MHUINEACHAIN.

FROM CO. MONAGHAN.

35. An cuidiughadh 'á méad is cuid-
iughadh é
Is an cuidiughadh 'á laighead is
cuidiughadh é.

35. The smallest help is a help
And the greatest help is a help.

36. Is fada ó'n chreich an ceithrin.

36. The plaster is far from the wound.

(Said if one suggested a far-away
remedy for anything.)

37. Maith i ndiaidh an uilc.

37. Good after the evil.

38. Mairt an earraigh
Is Mairt an fhoghmhair —
Bíonn siad cosamhail le chéile.

38. March of spring, and March of
autumn (i.e., September); they
are generally like each other
(i.e., character of weather).

AS CO. THÍR EOGHAIN.

FROM CO. TYRONE.

39. Bás Aoine,
Guidhe Sathairn,
Agus adhalcadh Domhnaigh.

39. To die on Friday,
To be prayed for on Saturday.
And buried on Sunday.

40. Ar thús ins a' choillidh,
Ar deireadh ins a' mhónaidh,
Ar chúl a' ghabha,
Agus ar aghaidh a' mhuilteóra.

40. First in the wood,
Last in the bog,
Behind the smith,
And before the miller.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 788.)

L. 262

41. Is feárr bothan lán nó caislean
mór follamh.

41. A full cabin is better than an
empty castle.

42. Fearthainn do'n laogh,
Agus gaoth do'n uan;
A saith do'n mhuic
Go rachaidh sí un suain.

42. Rain (i.e., damp weather) is best
for the calf,
And wind (dry weather) for the
lamb,
But food in plenty is best for the
pig until she goes off to sleep.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 1239.)

43. Sláinte go slugaidh tú,
Agus buaidh go dtugaidh tú.

43. (A toast) —
Health may you swallow,
And victory (or success) may you
win.

44. Má théidheann tú chuige cuirm gan
chuireadh tabhair do stól fhéin
leat.

44. If you go to a feast uninvited
bring your own stool with you.

45. Macha go ndeanfaidh tú spóirse
nuair a bhéas tú óg cha dtean
tú é 'do shean-duine.

45. Unless you make sport when
young you'll not do it when old.

46. Nach maith an obair lá Márta
teanadh (= deanamh) fáinne
muice?

46. Is it not fine work on a March
day making a pig's ring.

(Said sarcastically of one doing any
trivial thing while important work
remains to be done.)

47. Is minic a bhíonns rath ar riabhóig,
nuair a théidheanns sgiamhóg
amugha.

47. The woodlark is often lucky while
the Sgiamhog goes to loss.

48. Cha bhain se méar de n-a shrón go
rabh sé annsin.

48. He did not take a finger from his
nose till he was there.

(Said of a very quick journey; also
heard in Donegal.)

AS OILEAN REACHRANN.

FROM RATHLIN ISLAND.

49. Tá blatha bána ar ghárraí an
iasgaire.

49. The white flowers are on the
fisherman's garden.

(Said when white breakers cover the
sea on a stormy day.)

50. Is suai'neach (= suaimhneach) béal
druidthe.

50. A shut mouth is peaceful.

51. Sá bhaile tá'n gaol.

51. It is at home the friendliness is.

52. Tá nead bheag níos teo nó nead
mhór.

52. A little nest is warmer than a big
one. (And a small humble home more
friendly than a mansion.)

53. Sláinte Phá'raic is beannacht Ríogh
Reachrainn
Is clann na nGaedeal ós cionn
cloinne na nGall.

53. (A toast) —
The health of (St.) Patrick and
the blessing of the king of
Rathlin,
And the children of the Gael over
the children of the Gall.

54. Tá misneach an bhru'deargain (=
bronn-deargain) aige.

54. He has the courage of the robin.
(Said sarcastically.)

55. Is fheárr treabhadh mall nó gan
treabhadh idir.

55. To plough late is better than not
to plough at all (= idir).

AS CO. DHÚIN NA nGALL.
FROM CO. DONEGAL.

56. Tá dhá lá san earrach comh maith
le deich lá san fhóghmhar.

56. Two days in spring are as good as
ten days in the harvest.

(As much corn could be sown in two
days as would occupy ten days
in reaping — when reaping was
done by sickles.)

57. Sin spanóg i mbéal fir eile.

57. That's a spoon in another man's
mouth.

(Said when, through death or any
other cause, a position or office
becomes vacant.)

58. Bí ar meisge nó in do chéill
congbuigh do intinn agat fhéin.

58. Let you be drunk or sober keep
your mind to yourself.

59. Leis a mhéin a bhréagtar ach uile
nidh, acht béidh an sgiamh ag an
té ar geineadh dó í.

59. Beauty is the possession of him
to whom it is born, but it is
manner that captivates every-
one.

60. Is beag an deor fola nach teo é
ná 'n t-uisge.

60. It is a small drop of blood that is
not warmer than water.

(And a very small relationship is
warmer than utter strangeness.)

61. (a) Pós bean oileain is pósfaidh
tú an t-oilean uilig.

(b) Pós bean as Gleann is
pósfaidh tú an Gleann uilig.

61. (a) Marry an island woman and
you marry the whole island.

(b) Marry a woman out of the glen
and you marry the whole glen.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 114.)

62. 'San uaigh atá an socar gan
mhaoidheamh.

62. There is peace in the grave, yet
no one boasts of it.

63. Tá na daoine greannmhara uilig
sa' tsíorruidheacht.

63. The pleasant humorous people are
all in eternity.

64. Is beag an rud is buaine ná an
duine.

64. Any small thing is more lasting
than a person.

(Little articles he made or possessed
remain when he is gone.)

65. Is buidheach le Dia an umhluigheacht.

65. Humility is grateful to God.

66. Ní do gach duine a bhearas Dia
inntleacht.

66. It is not to everyone God gives
cleverness.

67. Cha dtug Dia fios dá mháthair.

67. God (even) did not give knowledge
to His mother.

68. Duine sona só-chómhairleach,
Duine dona dó-chomhairleach.

68. A prosperous person — easily ad-
vised,
An unfortunate person — hard to
advise.

69. Cionn tinn,
Béal searbh,
Intinn bhuaidheartha,
Agus póca follamh — na ceithre
rudaí is measa amuigh.

69. A sick head,
A bitter mouth (of someone scold-
ing),
A troubled mind,
And an emply pocket — the four
worst things.

70. Na trí nidh is neamh-shuimeamhla
d'fhear a dhiúltadh fá dtaoibh
do — bean, bád, is béathach
capaill.

70. The three things the refusal of
which is most humiliating to a
man — a wife, a boat, and a
horse.

71. An bhean bhán — mar bhéadh an lán
amach is isteach;
An bhean dubh — mar d'imtheóchadh
an t-uisge ó'n tráigh;
An bhean donn — mar bhéadh long
ar uisge glan.

71. The white-complexioned woman
ebbs and flows like the tide,
The dark-complexioned woman —
like the water receding from
the strand,
The brown-complexioned woman
— like a ship on clear water.

(These comparisons are not very clear.)

72. Mo thrí thruaighe naoi n-uaire
Oileain bhochta 'san taoibh ó Thuaidh,
Mar tá Toraigh, Uaigh, agus Arainn.

72. My three pities, nine times, are
the poor islands to the north,
to wit, Tory, Uaigh, and Arran.

73. Mo thrí thruaighe naoi n-uaire ar
a' duine a bhéas beo eadar a'
Cealla Beaga agus Droichead
a' Mháis (in aimsir a' chogaidh).

73. My three pities, nine times, on the
person who will be alive between
Killybegs and Droichead a'
Mhais (when the war comes).

(The latter place is along the
Gweebarra: the people on this
route are to be all killed.)

74. Sgéal mór fada binn,
Ba mhaith an t-im leis an arán;
Sgéal eile beag gan suim,
Chuaidh an t-im go Leitir
Ceannain.

74. A big pleasant story —
The bread likes the butter:
A poor uninteresting story —
The butter is gone to Letterkenny.
(To pay the rent, &c.)

75. Roscaithte, Roscaithte, tiocfaidh
an t-am a bheith caithte,
Le linn na bhfear bhfionn tiocfaidh
an tonn fá Roscaithte.

75. Roscaithe, Roscaithe, the time
will come and be past,
In the days of the fair men, when
the wave will cover Roscaithe.
Roscaithe is a place on the north-
west coast of Co. Donegal.

76. (a) Na braithre bochta Dhúin na
nGall,
A chuirfeas a gcrann comh tiugh,
Ní thig ubhlaí ar a' mbarr
Go gcuirtear sailleadh le n-a
mbun.

(b) Na braithre sin i nDúin na
nGall,
Mbíonn na crainn aca comh
tiugh,
Níl dúil díobhtha ubhlaí bheith 'r a'
mbarr,
Gan saill a bheith ar a mbun.

76. (a) The poor friars of Donegal,
plant their trees so closely,
But no apples come on their top
until manure is put to their roots

(b) A poorer version — probably
corrupted.

77. Ná bí lom leis an talamh nó
béidh an talamh lom leat.

77. Don't be bare (i.e., niggardly)
with the land or the land will be
bare with you.

78. Is fuath le Dia an fallsoir.

78. God hates a lazy man.

79. An té nach n-oibrigheann dó fhéin
oibreóchaidh sé do dhaoinibh eile.

79. He who will not work for himself
will work for others.

80. Is olc an chearc nach sgríobfaidh
dí fhéin.

80. She's a bad hen that will not
scrape for herself.

(The application is to persons.)

81. Ní thabharfaidh tú scór ba a choidhche
do do ingin.

81. You will never give your daughter
a score of cows (as a dowry).

(Said to an non-industrious man.)

82. Bí fear saothair seasgar.

82. An industrious man is usually
comfortable.

83. Is fearr buaile tharbh nó buaile
folamh.

83. Even a booley with a bull in it is
better than an empty booley.

(The booley was the milking house or
enclosure on the hills in summer.)

84. An té a bhfuil uisge is móin aige
Tá an saoghal 'na shuidhe ar a
thóin aige.

84. He who has water and turf (in his
own land) has the world sitting
square.

85. (a) Ní chlaoidhtear fear na h-
éadála.

(b) Ní thuirstear fear na h-
éadála.

85. (a) The man of means is not
conquered,

(b) The man of means is not wearied.

(He can hold out till he wins.)

86. An bocht fá'n chladach agus an saidhbhir
fá mhíntibh.

86. The poor man for the gutter, and
the rich man for the fine path
or roadway.

87. Beagan go minic a líonas an
sparan.

87. A little often that fills the purse.

88. Beagán maoine beagán cúraim.

88. Little means, little care.

89. Té a ghlacas an saoghal ar a
shuaimhneas is minic a bhíonn sé
ar tús.

89. He who takes the world at his
ease often comes in first

90. Glac an saoghal mar thig sé leat.

90. Take the world as it comes.

91. Té mbíonn saoghal aige béidh
sgéal aige.

91. He who has a (prosperous) life will
have many things to tell.

92. Is fearr cliú maith ná saidhbhreas
an domhain.

92. Good reputation is better than the
riches of the world.

93. An maith a bhí gabh amach
An maith atá tar isteach.

93. The good that was — go out,
The good that is — come in.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 511.)

94. Té mbíonn an t-ádh beag air
bíonn an t-ádh mór air.

94. He who has the little luck has the
big luck.

95. Cia a bhfuil im aige gheibh sé im.

95. Who has butter gets butter.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 612.)

96. Té a mbíonn an t-ádh air dairthear
an bhó 'sa' bharróg aige.

96. He on whom the luck is has his
cow and heifer in calf.

97. Is caol a thigeas an t-ádh, acht in
a thuile móir thigeas an mí-ádh.

97. In a fine stream the (good) luck
comes, but the bad luck in a
big flood.

98. As na bailte beaga ghníthear na
bailte móra.

98. From small towns big towns are
made.

99. Is beag a' tslat nach bhfásann
craobh uirthi.

99. It is a little rod that a branchlet
does not grow on.

(It is a poor thing that will not sup-
port something weaker than itself.)

100. Bruith cloch i n-im agus ólfar a
sugh.

100. Boil a stone in butter and its juice
will be drunk.

101. Is annamh bí tart agus ocras le
chéile.

101. Seldom are hunger and thirst
found together.

102. Bíonn fear ocrach feargach.

102. A hungry man is peevish.

103. Is maith an cuidiughadh ag 'ach an
rud acht ag méis an bhrochain.

103. Help is a good thing everywhere
except at the dish of porridge.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 556.)

104. Ghnidh teine mhaith cócaire tapaidh.

104. A good fire makes a quick cook.

105. Is mairg a gheobhadh bás indé agus
an lá maith atá ann indiu.

105. Pity him who died yesterday con-
sidering the good day we are
having to-day.

106. Is cuma cé íosas 'sé Domhnall
íocfas.

106. No matter who eats Domhnall
pays.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 1318.)

107. Ní ach aon lá mair'eas bó gearr-
fhiadh.

107. It is not every day a cow kills a
hare.

(Rare luck seldom happens.)

108. Tá Éire fada fáirsing agus níl
aon chlaoidh ar Albain.

108. Erin is large and generous and
Scotland is not exhausted.

(So between the two we are bound to
make a living.)

109. Tá lán mara eile ins an fhairge.

109. There is another tide in the sea.

(Another chance will come again.)

110. Tá taobh eile ar a' bhád.

110. There is another side on the boat.

(Another alternative left.)

111. Chan ionann bodach is Dia.

111. God is not the same as a bodach

(a big wealthy man).

(The latter is hard hearted: not so
God, hence let us pray to Him.)

112. Is goirid a bhéadh Dia ag léigheas-
ughadh gach loit.

112. God could quickly cure all injuries.

113. Bíonn críonnacht creigearach.

113. Prudence (in the selfish sense) is
usually hard and ungenerous.

114. Ní fheiceann an duine a locht fhéin.

114. A person does not see his own
fault.

115. Tá siad fíor mhaith atá gan locht.

115. They are truly good who are
faultless.

116. Toirt gan tairbhe.

116. Size without profit.

(Said of a man who had married a
big useless woman, or who had
bought a big cheap useless thing.)

117. Bean gan leanbh bean gan leith-
sgéal.

117. A childless wife has no excuse (for
sitting down to rest).

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 134.)

118. Ag díol coirce agus ag ceannacht
mine.

118. Selling corn and buying meal.

119. Ag díol meala agus ag ceannacht
milseain.

119. Selling honey and buying sugar.

(Driving a profitless trade.)

120. (a) Scabadh na batala, agus
'cruinniughadh na sithbhin.

(b) Ag cruinniughadh na sithbhin,
agus ag spréidheadh na gcorróg.

120. Gathering straws while scatter-
ing wads or pottles.
("Penny wise and pound foolish,"
but like most Irish proverbs much
more powerfully expressed.)

121. Má's maith leat do mhéar a
ghearradh cuir roimh a' chorran é.

121. If you wish to cut your finger put
it before the hook.

122. Té ritheas a thuiteas.

122. He who runs that falls.

(Who acts imprudently that comes
to grief.)

123. Is fearr asal a iomcharas thú, ná
beathach a chaitheas thú.

123. Better an ass that carries you
than a horse that throws you.

124. Níl 'fhios ag an duine cia is fearr
luas nó moill.

124. One never knows which is best —
early or late.

125. Níl 'fhios ag fear an taoibh thall
goidé mar tá fear an taoibh
'bhfus.

125. The man beyond does not know
how is the man on this side.

126. Chan tárthail gan féidhm é.

126. It is not assistance or comfort
in vain.

127. Chan cuireadh gan deoch é.

127. It is not an invitation without
a drink.

128. Truagh gan tárrthail ag cuartughadh
dorais ar a' bhinn.

128. A hopeless wretch — seeking a
door on the gable.

129. Sean sgéal agus meirg air.

129. An old story and rust on it.

130. "A amadáin na gcluasa fada"
ars' an t-asal le n-a dhearbh-
rathair.

130. "You long-eared fool," said the
ass to his brother.

131. Congbhuigh an chnámh agus leanfaidh an
madadh thú.

131. Keep the bone and the dog will
follow you.

(Refers to people in the world
having the bestowal of patronage.)

132. Chídheann beirt rud nach bhfeiceann
an duine amháin.

132. A pair sees what one person fails
to see.

133. Ceangail do theangaidh nó ceang-
lochaidh sí thú.

133. Tie up your tongue or it will tie
you.

134. Is feirrde do sgéal mhaith innsint
dá uair.

134. A good story is the better of being
told twice.

135. Is lom gualainn gan brathar.

135. A shoulder without a brother is
bare.

136. Is mairg a bhíonns gan dear'thar.

136. Woe to him who is brotherless.

137. Is bocht an rud fear gan dearthar
ag teacht na bhfear i láthair.

137. When the men foregather it is a
pity of him who has no brother.

138. Is éadtrom buaille aon órd.

138. The blow of one sledge is light.
(These are proverbs of a race where
the clan instinct was strong.)

139. Dá mhéad an lán mara tráigheann
sé.

139. However high the tide it ebbs
away.

(So with power, riches, etc.)

140. Ní fhanann seal mara rabhartha
le comhrádh ban.

140. A spring tide does not wait for
women's conversation.

(Women's talk is often very pro-
longed: a spring tide ebbs rapidly)

141. Iasacht a raoilich do'n fhaoilean
an t-iasacht nach bhfilleann a
choidhche.

141. The loan of the wader to the sea-
gull,
The loan that was never returned.

(The Raoilich is some wading-bird, who
it is said, had web-feet originally, but
she lent the webs of her feet to the
seagull, and the latter never re-
turned them.)

142. I bhfad a chur i bhfad na thuradh.

142. Long raining, long fair.

143. Cothughadh na doininne
Soineann na h-oidhche.

143. The maintenance of the bad
weather is the good weather of
the night time.

144. Samhradh fuilteach féarmhar,
Is lá fhéil Eóin ar an Aoine.

144. A bloody grassy summer
And St. John's day on Friday.

(Those two happen together accord-
ing to this ancient belief.)

145. Dheanfá sgéal do chlochaibh trágha.

145. You would make a story out of
the stones of the strand.

(Said to a good talker.)

146. Go mairidh tú is go gcaithidh tú é
Go strócaidh tú is go stiallaidh
tú é.

146. May you live and wear it till you
tear it in strips.

(Said to a person wearing a new suit
for first time. See Sean-Fhocla
U., No. 927.)

147. Is fada cuimhne sean leanbh.

147. An old child has a long memory.

148. Is furus cleacht a thabhairt do
shean-leanbh.

148. It is easy to teach an old child.

149. Níor bhlas sé an biadh nach mblas-
faidh an bás.

149. He has not tasted food who will
not taste death.

150. Is iomdha cor ag an bhás le baint
as an duine.

150. Death has many ways of taking
a turn out of a person.

(In hunting when a hare is turned
it is the prelude to her death).

151. As an chuideachta mhóir is minic
a thig an dubh-bhrón.

151. Out of great company sorrow
often comes.

152. Té is deise do theach a' phobaill
Té is maille do'n aifrionn.

152. He who is nearest to the chapel
is the latest at Mass.

153. Cha bhfaghthar uisge coistreacha i
dteampall Gallda.

153. Holy water is not found in a
Protestant church.

154. Is fearr uaigneas fhéin ná droch-
chuideachta.

154. Better loneliness even than bad
company.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 181).

155. "Is beag an rud nach cuidiughadh
é" ars' an dreolan.

155. "It is a small thing that does not
help," says the wren.

(Used in the same way as No. 35
above.)

156. Is mí-mheasamhail ní ar bith a
ndeirtear gan chéill

Acht is minic bí méin mhaith ag
daoinibh dubh' gránda.

156. An utterance without sense gains
no respect,
And dark ugly people often have
a nice mind.

157. Ag cur cainnt le sruth.

157. Talking to a stream (and the
stream unheeding).

158. Fiadhnaise a' ghiolla bhréagaigh a
bhean.

158. The lying man's witness is his
wife.

(He calls on her to corroborate his
falsehoods.)

159. Is mairg a mhuirbhfinn mo mhuiltín
fóghmhair.
Is tusa 'do luighe ar do leic go
modhmhar

(Ars an fear leis an bháirneach.)

159. "Alas that I should have killed
my harvest sheep, and you re-
posing quietly on your flag,"
says the man to the barnacle.

160. I gcionn 'ach seachtmhadh bliadhain
is gnáthach le Mic Uí Ghorra
seoladh.

160. Every seven years the sons of
O Gorra go for a sail.

(Some ancient superstition.)

161. Ní rabh ann acht na bráithre is
goideadh na bróga.

161. There were only the friars present,
yet the boots were stolen.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 67.)

162. Íosann na muca míne fhéin trosg.

162. Even the fine pigs eat hogwash.

163. Is fada leanas a' duthchas.

163. Natural disposition runs a long
way.

164. Ní deor buan poll i gcarraig.

164. It is not a lasting drop that lies in
a hole in a rock.

165. Ní mhaireann na bréaga acht
tamall.

165. Lies only run a short course.

166. Gáire ó Dhia chugainn.

166. A laugh from God to us.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 965.
Said after a good laugh, lest it
might be succeeded by sorrow.)

167. Is olc an margadh a bhriseas
beirt.

167. It is a bad bargain that breaks
two.

168. An té a chailleas a náire gheibh sé
a dhánacht.

168. He who loses his shame gets his
boldness.

(While shame clung to him he lacked
boldness or shamelessness.)

169. Gheobhaidh foighid a furtacht.

169. Patience will get its comfort.

170. 'Á mbéadh 'fhios ag duine a leas
ní dheanfadh sé a aimhleas.

170. If a person knew what was for his
good he would not do his harm.

171. Dreis ar fíde
Dreis ar fóide.

171. A while at fide and a while at
foide; a while at this and a
while at that.

(This is an Innishowen proverb;
fíd is a native term there and
also in Rathlin for tweed.)

172. Greim rubaill an eascoin.

172. A hold of the eel's tail.

(A slippery grip of anything.)

173. Crann cuilinn rí maide na
coilleadh.

173. The holly tree — the king of the
timbers of the forest.

174. Faoilean ó'n fhairge agus báillidh
ó'n tsliabh
Beirt nach dtainic ar dheigh-sgéal
ariamh.

174. A seagull from the sea, and a
bailiff on the mountain,
A pair that never come with a
good story.

(The seagull from the sea foretells
rain, and the bailiff on the
mountain betokens rent, cess,
processes, etc.)

175. Béidh an fheall i Mac Suibhne fhad
is bhéas ball dubh ar an
fheadóig.

175. The treachery will be in Mac
Sweeny as long as there is a
black spot on a plover.

176. Triúr ban is cóir a sheachnadh
Bean spicoide,
Ingean muilteora,
Agus scúile an bhaile mhóir.

176. The three women it is right to
shun (i.e., not to marry) —
The woman of the spigots (a bar-
maid),
A miller's daughter,
And a town scullion.

177. Is 'ar gheall le bólacht a póstar
mná.

177. It is on account of the cattle (i.e.,
dowries) that women are
married.

178. Cuid san aer,
Cuid san uisge,
Cuid i gcruic agus i gcairgeacha,
Agus cuid i n-ifrionn dorcha
salach.

178. Some in the air,
Some in the water,
Some in the hills and rocks,
And some in ugly dark hell.

(This was the distribution made of
the fallen angels; the first three
lots are now fairies.)

179. Ná bí ar thús bratha nó ar deireadh
catha.

179. Don't be first at scouting or spying
or last at battle.

180. Sí an imirt an coimhead.

180. Watching is the (principal part)
of the play.

(See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 733.)

181. Bí an tsúil i ndiaidh a cleachtaighe.

181. The eye follows or notes what it is
trained to.

Carlyle has expressed the same idea
in slightly different words — "The
eye will only see what it brings with
it the power of seeing"

Thus a tailor will note the style of
your dress; an architect the style of
a building; yet each is blind to what
the other sees.

182. Má tá do mhuinghin in aon ghreim,
Bíodh uibh circe agat;
Agus má tá do mhuinghin in aon
chirt
Bíodh cóta mór agat.

182. If you are dependent on one bite
Have a hen's egg;
If you are dependent on one
garment,
Have a big coat.

183. Má tá laighead ar mo bhórd tá
méad ar mo fháilte.

183. Though my table may be scanty
my welcome is big.

(The apology of a poor but hospitable
man.

184. Dún gCruitín, Dún gCruitín,
A dún dá mbuailtear a smicín,*
Is méara (= méanra) mar bhéadh
i dtús a' rása reatha
I ndeireadh catha Dhúin gCruitín.

184. Dun gCruitin, Dun gCruitin the
Dun where the fight will com-
mence, well for him who will be
in the beginning of the flight at
the close of the battle of Dun
gCruitin.

AS CO. DHOIRE.

FROM CO. DERRY (Moyola Valley).

185 Ná fág an sionnach ag buachailleacht
na ngéach

185. Don't leave the fox herding the
geese.

186. "Is olc an mharcuigheacht nach
fearr é ná'n dubh-choisidheacht"
ars' an bhean a bhí ag marcui-
gheacht ar an tor tromain.

186. "It is poor riding that is not
better than walking" says the
woman who was riding on the
boor-tree.

187. "Marbh-fáisg ar a' h-áilneacht"
ars' an bhean nuair a tharraing
sí na stócaí bána ar na cosaibh
dubha.

187. "Bad luck to the beauty," says
the woman when she pulled
up white stockings on her black
feet.

188. Trí nidh: — Sugh na mine
Iasg na fairge
Agus rud beag brúghdain (=
brúightín)

188. Three things — The juice of oat-
meal, the fish of the sea, and a
moderate quantity of mashed
potatoes.

189. Trí náimhde an anama — an saoghal,
an diabhal, agus a' cholann.
"'Seadh," arsa fear a bhí in a
sheasamh,
"Agus trí náimhde na calna —
fuil, cadhal, agus bláthach."

*Explained by narrator as a row, fight, conflict. It is not in the dictionaries, but O Brien has
smístín, smite.

189. Three enemies of the soul — the
world, the devil, and the body.
"Yes," says a man who was
present, "and three enemies of
the body are blood, kale (cabb-
age) and buttermilk.

190. "An Críostaidhe thú?" ars' an
sagart leis an fhear.
"Ní headh," arsa seisean, "acht
Connachtach."

190. "Are you a Christian," asked the
priest of the man.
"No," he replied, "I'm a Con-
nachtman."

191. Chan fhuil comhartha Críostaidhe air
acht go dtéidh sé an bóthar gan
adhastar.

191. There is no mark of a Christian
0n him except that he goes the
road without a halter.
Hence he is not a beast, but there
his similarity to a Christian ends.
Whether this refers to the Con-
nachtman also is unknown to the
editor.

192. "Cha rabh a léitheid aimsire againn
ó dhóghadh tigh Chormaic Uí
Dhuibhlin."

192. We had not such times as these
since Cormac O Devlin's house
was burned.