Irish Names

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a Mhicheáil Dhíolúin – Oh, Michael Dillon (when addressing him)
a Phádraig – Oh, Patrick (when addressing him)
Amhrán Mhaínis – Song of Mweenish, “song of the near one (island)”
An Bhóinn – the (River) Boyne
An Garda Síochána – the police force (“peace guards”)
An Life – the (River) Liffey
An Post – the post office
Ard Rí – high king
Ardgreagh – (ard chríoch), high territory
Baile Átha Troim – Trim (“town at the ford of Trim”)
Baile Dhomhnaill – “town of Daniel / Donald”
Bealtaine – beginning of summer (May 1)
Bean Uí Cearbhaill – Mrs. Carroll (“woman of Carroll’s grandson”)
Brian Bóru – king of Munster, last high king of Ireland
Brehon – (breitheamh) judge
Busáras – “bus house,” depot or station
Colm – forename derived from Columbus
Daideo – Granddad
Diarmait mac Cearbhall – Diarmait son of Carroll, an O’Neill descendant and king
Droichead Átha – Drogheda, “bridge at the ford”
Dumha na nGiall – “Mound of Hostages,” (related to Ghall, “foreigners”), a smaller mound on the Hill of Tara
Eilis – (Eilish), Elisabeth
Éire – Ireland
Éireann – Irish
Forradh – “king’s seat,” one of two large mounds on the Hill of Tara
Gaeilge – Irish language (Gaelic)
Gaeltacht – Irish-speaking region or settlement
Gráinne Mhaol – “Grace O’Malley,” a pirate queen in Elizabethan times
Leannan Sighe (Sidhe) – fairy-lover, Muse
Lethderg – “half red” (leth dearg)
Lia Fáil – “stone of destiny,” king’s inauguration stone at Tara
Lothra – (Lorrha) abbey founded by Ruadan
Lughnasadh – beginning of autumn (August 1), festival of god Lugh
Mairéad – Margaret
Mamó – Granny
Micheál – Michael
Micheálaín – Mikey
Niall Noigiallach – Niall of the Nine Hostages (naoi giallach), first high king
Ó Dubhagain – grandson of Duggin
Ó Ríordáin – grandson of Reardon
Ó Tuathail – grandson of Toole
Ogham – ancient Irish writing system, using dots and lines for letters
Ráith na Ríg – central elevation of the Hill of Tara, taking in Cormac’s house and the king’s seat / Lia Fáil
Ruadan – abbot of Lothra (Lorrha), later canonized
Samhain – beginning of winter (November 1)
Séamas – James
Seán – Jean (John)
Síle – Cecelia (Sheila)
Sinéad – Jeanette
Siobhan – Joan
Teach Chormaic – “Cormac’s house,” one of two large mounds on the Hill of Tara
Teach Midchúarta – “banquet hall” (house), ancient earthworks at the Hill of Tara
Teachta Dála – deputy of the Dáil (member of the Irish Parliament)
Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin – Turlough O’Carolan, a blind harper and poet, lived 1670-1738
Uí Cearbhaill – grandson of Carroll
Uí Néill – grandson of Niall

 

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