Réalta

One of my many other interests, apart from Irish, is ethnoastronomy/archaeoastronomy. These two similar subjects are the study of how current and previous cultures understood astronomical phenomenon and related to them. Part of understanding this connection with the sky, is to understand the words and terms associated with it. How Read more…

Na Míonna

Everyone knows the standard months of the year in Irish, as taught by schools everywhere: Eanáir (January), Feabhra (February), Márta (March), Aibreán (April), Bealtaine (May), Meitheamh (June), Iúil (July), Lúnasa (August), Meán Fómhair (September), Deireadh Fómhair (October), Samhain/Mí na Samhna (November) and Mí na Nollag (December).   However, what most Read more…

Seanráite na Ceathrún Ruaidh

Today’s list of “seanráite” comes from an article in Béaloideas titled Seanráite na Ceathrú Rua (NÍ Dhomhnaill, 1980/1981) (note the use of the standard na Ceathrú Rua here…as far as I’m aware, in Carraroe you’ll hear na Ceathrún Ruaidh as the genitive, and you’ll even see it written). The nice Read more…