Historical Irish Corpus
1600 - 1926
Historical Dictionary of Irish
Search the corpus
Browse the Text Archive 1600-1926
Some Ulster Proverbs
Title
Some Ulster Proverbs
Author(s)
Morris, H.,
Composition Date
1918
Publisher
County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society
Téacs
Comhad TEI
Gnáth-Théacs
Comhad ePub
Search Texts
Enter word/phrase
Search Type
Headword
Standardised
Exact match
Phrase
Word Type
All
Adjective
Noun
Preposition
Pronoun
Verb
Verbal Noun
Poetry/Prose
Both
Prose
Poetry
Set Dates
1600
1926
<N JCLAS004_03> <L 258> <B 1908> <C Prós> <M 8> <T Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society> <U Údair éagsúla> <F County Louth Archaeological and History Society> Some Ulster Proverbs <L 259> 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. <L 260> 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.) <L 260> 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. <L 261> 28. The crow's share is (what she makes by) her own economy. <L 260> 29. Chan fhághann duine eolas i naisgidh. <L 261> 29. A person does not get knowledge for nothing. (See Sean-Fhocla U., No. 265.) <L 260> 30. Tig na gearrain as Connda Árd Macha Is na cailiní deasa as Connda an Dúin. <L 261> 30. The (good) horses come from Co. Armagh, And the pretty girls from Co. Down. <L 260> 31. Comh bréagach le táilliur. <L 261> 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. <L 259> 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> <L 261> 41. Is feárr bothan lán nó caislean mór follamh. <L 262> 41. A full cabin is better than an empty castle. <L 261> 42. Fearthainn do'n laogh, Agus gaoth do'n uan; A saith do'n mhuic Go rachaidh sí un suain. <L 262> 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.) <L 261> 43. Sláinte go slugaidh tú, Agus buaidh go dtugaidh tú. <L 262> 43. (A toast) — Health may you swallow, And victory (or success) may you win. <L 261> 44. Má théidheann tú chuige cuirm gan chuireadh tabhair do stól fhéin leat. <L 262> 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. <L 263> 50. A shut mouth is peaceful. <L 262> 51. Sá bhaile tá'n gaol. <L 263> 51. It is at home the friendliness is. <L 262> 52. Tá nead bheag níos teo nó nead mhór. <L 263> 52. A little nest is warmer than a big one. (And a small humble home more friendly than a mansion.) <L 262> 53. Sláinte Phá'raic is beannacht Ríogh Reachrainn Is clann na nGaedeal ós cionn cloinne na nGall. <L 263> 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. <L 262> 54. Tá misneach an bhru'deargain (= bronn-deargain) aige. <L 263> 54. He has the courage of the robin. (Said sarcastically.) <L 262> 55. Is fheárr treabhadh mall nó gan treabhadh idir. <L 263> 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. <L 264> 64. Any small thing is more lasting than a person. (Little articles he made or possessed remain when he is gone.) <L 263> 65. Is buidheach le Dia an umhluigheacht. <L 264> 65. Humility is grateful to God. <L 263> 66. Ní do gach duine a bhearas Dia inntleacht. <L 264> 66. It is not to everyone God gives cleverness. <L 263> 67. Cha dtug Dia fios dá mháthair. <L 264> 67. God (even) did not give knowledge to His mother. <L 263> 68. Duine sona só-chómhairleach, Duine dona dó-chomhairleach. <L 264> 68. A prosperous person — easily ad- vised, An unfortunate person — hard to advise. <L 263> 69. Cionn tinn, Béal searbh, Intinn bhuaidheartha, Agus póca follamh — na ceithre rudaí is measa amuigh. <L 264> 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. <L 265> 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. <L 264> 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. <L 265> 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. <L 264> 77. Ná bí lom leis an talamh nó béidh an talamh lom leat. <L 265> 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. <L 266> 90. Take the world as it comes. <L 265> 91. Té mbíonn saoghal aige béidh sgéal aige. <L 266> 91. He who has a (prosperous) life will have many things to tell. <L 265> 92. Is fearr cliú maith ná saidhbhreas an domhain. <L 266> 92. Good reputation is better than the riches of the world. <L 265> 93. An maith a bhí gabh amach An maith atá tar isteach. <L 266> 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. <L 267> 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. <L 268> 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. <L 269> 152. He who is nearest to the chapel is the latest at Mass. <L 268> 153. Cha bhfaghthar uisge coistreacha i dteampall Gallda. <L 269> 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. <L 270> 169. Patience will get its comfort. <L 269> 170. 'Á mbéadh 'fhios ag duine a leas ní dheanfadh sé a aimhleas. <L 270> 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. <L 271> 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) <L 272> 188. Three things — The juice of oat- meal, the fish of the sea, and a moderate quantity of mashed potatoes. <L 271> 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. <L 272> 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.
19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
D02 HH58 +353 1 676 2570 info@ria.ie
Cookie Use
Website developed by Niall O'Leary Services
