SOUTH ARAN IRISH — IV.

R.

Racán, a rake used in gathering kelp.

S.

Stann, a tin can.
Sgunnsa, a bonded wall (not of a house) whether dry
masonry or not.
Spád, an English or garden spade.
Sgealpachaidhe, cracks or channels in rock. (Plural of
sgeilp, whence the “scalp,” between Counties
Dublin and Wicklow).
Seven-Sleepers. The caislín (stonechat), meach (=
beach, bee), cuach (cuckoo) and every creature that
disappears in winter is said to be one of the Seven
Sleepers. They lie asleep as if there was draoidheacht
orthu.
Smeachaid, smeachóid, a little morsel of fire.
Spiognanta, caterpillar.
Slis, “beetle” or mallet used in washing. Sliseáil,
to “beetle”.
Poll slugaide, a shoft concealed place in a bog.
Sgeul i mbárr bata, a telegram. (Half-jocularly.
The expression is used as an exclamation = “non-
sense!” Couriers are said to have formerly carried
their messages in the notch of a stick.)
Suicín, part of Kilronan village. (Diminutive of sac?)
Poll séididh, a “puffing hole,” where the spray rises at
the top of the cliff, entering beneath.
Súsa, a bed-rug, much heavier than a blanket and too
thick to fold. Uasgán bliadhna agus olann dá
bhliadhain air, — baintí (?) naoi bpunt 'olainn
lomraidh, seacht bpunt 'olainn chraicne, adhbhar
pluide dhá chúl agus adhbhar súsa dha chosa'. (Perhaps =
A year's lamb and two years' wool on him, — there
used to be taken (from him) nine pounds of wool of
fleece, seven pounds of wool of skin, the materials of
a blanket oft his back, and the materials of a súsa
off his legs.)
Speach (not an Aran word) a backward kick. Thug
mé speach dó. O'C.
Siúd ort! (Your health!) Response. Síod'ort,
nuair a bheidheas go leor eile 'caitheadh canbhas
(silk on you when plenty of others will be wearing
canvas).
Sláinte! Response: Sláinte na mbradán chugat,
croidhe folláin agus beul fliuch.
Sgothmharach (or sgomhrach) fear (fir?), a man without
trouble, responsibility, or care.
(Mr D. O'Fotharta, Calla, says that ogaidín in last
instalment should be chugaidín (from chugad) a gesture
made to amuse infants).

Eoin Riocaird O Murchadha.