Pronunciation and Place Names
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Gods and Fighting Men, by Lady Gregory, [1904], at sacred-texts.com
THIS is the approximate pronunciation of some of the more difficult names:
Adhnuall Ai-noo-al
Ailbhe Alva.
Ahnhuin All-oon, or Alvin.
Aobh Aev, or Eev.
Aodh Ae (rhyming to "day").
Aoibhill Evill.
Aoife Eefa.
Badb Bibe.
Beltaine, of Bealtaine Bal-tinna.
Bladma Bly-ma.
Bodb Dearg Bove Darrig.
Caoilte Cweeltia.
Carn Ruidhe Corn Rwe.
Ciabban Kee-a-van.
Cliodna Cleevna.
Coincheann Kun-Kann.
Crann Buidhe Cran bwee.
Credhe Crae-a.
Cumhal Coo-al
Deaghadh D'va-a.
Dubhtbach Duffách.
Duibhreann Dbiv-ran.
Duibhrium Dhiv-rinn.
Dun Doon.
Eimber Aevir.
Emhain Avvin.
Eochaid Eohee.
Eoghan Owen.
Fionnchad Finn-ãch-a.
Fodhla Fóla.
Fodla Fola.
Gallimh Gol-yiv.
Glas Gaibhnenn Glos Gov-nan.
Leith Laeig Leh Laeg.
Loch Dairbhreach Loch Darvragh.
Lugaidh Loo-ee, or Lewy.
Lugh Loo.
Magh an Ionganaidh Moy-in-eean-ee.
Magh Cuillean Moy Cullin.
Magh Feabhail Moy Fowl.
Magh Macraimhe Moy Mucrivva.
Magh Mell Moy Mal.
Magh Rein Moy Raen.
Magh Tuireadh Moytirra.
Manannan Mananuan.
Midhe Mee.
Midhna Mee-na
Mochaomhog Mo-cweev-og.
Muadhan Moo-aun.
Murchadh Murachu.
Nemhnain Now-nm.
Niamh Nee-av.
Og Og.
Rath Medba, or Meadhbha Ra Maev-a.
Rudraighe Rury.
Samhain Sow-in.
Scathniamh Scau-nee-av.
Sceolan Skolaun.
Searbhan Sharavaun.
Sidhe Shee.
Slieve Echtge Sleev Acht-ga.
Tadg Teig.
Teamhair T'yower or Tavvir
Tuatha de Danaan Too-a-ha-dae Donnan.
Tuathmumhain Too-moon.
I have not followed a fixed rule as to the spelling of Irish names: I have taken the spelling I give from various good authorities, but they vary so much that, complete accuracy not being easy, I sometimes look to custom and convenience. I use, for instance, "Slieve" for "Sliabh", because it comes so often, and a mispronunciation would spoil so many names. I have treated "Inbhir" (a river mouth) in the same way, spelling it "Inver", and even adopting it as an English word, because it is so useful. The forty scholars of the New School of Old Irish will do us good service if they work at the question both of spelling and of pronunciation of the old names and settle them as far as is possible.
THE PLACE NAMES
Accuill Achill, Co. Mayo.
Aine Cliach Cnoc Aine, Co. Limerick.
Almhuin Near Kildare.
Ath Cliath Dublin.
Athluain Athlone.
Ath na Riogh Athenry.
Badhamain Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Baile Cronin Barony of Imokilty, Co. Cork.
Banna The Bann.
Beare Berehaven.
Bearna na Eadargana Roscommon.
Bearnas Mor Co. Donegal.
Beinn Gulbain Benbulban, Co. Sligo.
Beire do Bhunadas Berehaven.
Bel-atha-Senaig Ballyshannon.
Belgata In Connemara.
(Source of the Bann and
Benna Boirde Mourne Mountains.)
Berramain Near Tralee.
Bhas River Bush.
Boinne River Boyne.
Bri Leith Co. Longford.
Cairbre Carbury.
Cairgin Three miles south of Londonderry.
Carrtach River River Carra, near Dunkerrin Mountains.
Ceanntaile Kinsale.
Ceiscorainn Co. Sligo.
Cill Dolun Killaloe, Co. Clare.
Cliodna's Wave At Glandore, Co. Cork.
Cluantarbh Clontarf.
Cnoc Aine Co. Limerick.
Cnoc-an-Air Co. Kerry.
Cnoc na righ Co. Sligo.
Corca Duibhne Corcaguiny, Co. Kerry.
Corrslieve Carlow Mountains.
Crotta Cliach Galtee Mountains.
Cruachan Co. Roscommon.
Cruachan Aigle Croagh Patrick.
Doire a Cairn Derrycarn, Co. Meath.
Doire-da-Bhoth In Slieve Echtge.
Druim Cleibh Co. Sligo.
Druim Lis Near Loch Gill.
Druimscarha Near River Arighis, Co. Cork.
Dun Sobairce Dunsevenh, Co. Antrim.
Durlas Thurles.
Ess Dara Near Sligo.
Ess Ruadh Assaroe, Co. Donegal.
Fidh Gaible Fergill, Co. Sligo.
Finntraighe Ventry.
Fionn The Finn.
Fionnabraic Kilfenna, Co. Clare.
Fionnatutach Co. Limerick.
Fleisge Co. Kerry.
Gabhra Near Tara.
Gaibh atha na Fiann River Leamhar, flows from Killarney.
Gairech and Ilgairech Hills near Mullingar.
Gallimh Galway.
Gleann na Caor Co. Cork.
Gullach Dolliarb Barony of Rathconrath.
Hill of Bairnech Near Killarney.
Hill of Uisnech Co. Westmeath.
Inver Cechmaine East coast of Ulster.
Inver Colpa Drogheda.
Inver Slane N.E. of Leinster.
Irrus Domnann Erris, Co. Mayo.
Island of Toraig Tory Island, Co. Donegal.
Laoi River Lee.
Leith Laoi Leitrim.
Linn Feic Near Slaney.
Loch Bel Sead Co. Tipperary.
Loch Cé Co. Roscommon.
Loch Dairbhreach Loch Derryvaragh, Co. Westmeath
Loch Deirg Dheirc Loch Derg on the Shannon.
Loch Eirne Loch Erne.
Loch Feabhail Loch Foyle.
Loch Lein Killarney.
Loch Orbson Loch Corrib.
Loch na-n Ean In Co. Roscommon.
Lough Neatach Loch Neagh.
Luimneach Limerick.
Maev Mhagh Plain about Loughrea.
Magh Cobha Iveagh, Co. Down.
Magh Cuilenn Moycullen, Co. Galway.
Magh Femen Co. Tipperary.
Magh Larg Co. Roscommon.
Magh Leine Co. Offaly.
Magh Luirg Co. Roscommon.
Magh Maini Co. Wexford.
Magh Mucraimhe Near Athenry.
Magh Nia Same as Magh Tuireadh.
Magh Rein Co. Leitrim.
Magh Tuireadh Moytura near Sligo, scene of great battle, and Moytura, near Cong, scene of first battle.
March of Finnliath River Lee, near Tralee.
Midhe Meath, west of Ardagh.
Mis Geadh In Bay of Erris.
Muaid River Moy.
Muc-inis Muckinish, off Connemarà.
Nas Naas.
Nem The Nem.
Oenach Clochan Morristown, Co. Limerick.
Osraige Ossory.
Paps of Dana Co. Kerry.
Portlairge Waterford.
River Maigh Co. Limerick.
Ros da Shioleach Limerick.
Ruirlech Liffey.
Samair R. Cumhair, runs through Bruff.
Sionnan River Shannon.
Siuir River Suir, Co. Tipperary.
Siuir and Beoir and Berba Suir and Nore and Barrow.
Slieve Baisne Co. Roscommon.
Slieve Bladmai Slieve Bloom.
Slieve Buane Slieve Banne, Co.Roscommon.
Sheve Conaill Border of Leitrim and Donegal.
Slieve Crot Co. Tipperary.
Slieve Cua Co. Waterford.
Slieve Cua and Slieve Crot In Galtee Mountains.
Slieve Cuailgne Co. Louth.
Slieve Echtge Co. Galway.
Slieve Fuad Co. Armagh.
Slieve Guaire Co. Cavan.
Slieve Luchra Co. Kerry.
Slieve Lugha Co. Mayo.
Slieve Mis Co. Kerry.
Slieve Muice Co. Tipperary.
Slieve-nam-Ban Co. Tipperary.
Sligach Sligo.
Srub Bruin In West Kerry.
Sruth na Maoile Mull of Cantire.
Tailltin Telltown.
Teamhair Tara, Co. Meath.
Teunhair Luchra Near Castle Island, Co. Kerry.
The Beith River Beby, Barony of Dunkerrin
The Beoir The Berba.
The Islands of Mod In Clew Bay.
The Lemain River Laune, Co. Kerry.
The Muaidh River Moy, Co. Sligo.
Tonn Toime Toines, near Killarney.
Traigh Eothaile Near Ballisodare.
Tuathmumain Thomond.
Ui Chonaill Gabhra Co. Limerick.
Ui Fiachraih, Fiachraig Co. Mayo.
Wave of Rudraighe Bay of Dundrum.
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