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Tag Archives: San Nioclás

‘-aig” ag Nollaig nó ‘-ag’ ag ‘Nollag’? (When to say “Nollaig” and when to say “Nollag” for the Irish word for ‘Christmas’) Posted by on Dec 11, 2015

(le Róislín) It’s that time of year again, and while the Christmas season may make us feel “holly jolly” and “berry merry,” but we might not always feel that way when confronted with the decision of “tuiseal ginideach” or not “tuiseal ginideach.” And what’s the “tuiseal ginideach,” anyway?  It’s the form of the word used…

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Beirt Naomh Mhí na Feabhra: Naomh Bríd agus San Vailintín Posted by on Feb 3, 2014

(le Róislín) Irish has two words for “saint.”  I wonder if any other language is similar in this regard, but for now, we’ll just look at the two Irish words, “naomh” and “san.”  For most purposes, they are not interchangeable.  February celebrates both “Naomh Bríd” and “San Vailintín,” so let’s look at why they have…

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Séasúr na Nollag: A Christmas and New Year’s Matching Game (and Vocabulary Review) Posted by on Dec 16, 2012

(le Róislín) In previous blogs, we’ve looked at various aspects of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays (URLanna thíos). Here we’ll review some of that vocabulary in a matching game.  The dates are given in the left-hand column and holiday names in the right.  Please note the following: a) The dates are in chronological order…

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Lá Fhéile Pádraig! Posted by on Mar 12, 2009

(le Róislín) As you might have guessed, the title phrase above means “St. Patrick’s Day,” a good time for launching this “blag nua” (new blog).  Remember that in pronunciation, the “fh” of the word “Fhéile” is completely silent.  For that reason, you sometimes see the phrase written as “Lá ‘Éile Pádraig,” dropping the “fh” entirely. …

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