Tag Archives: Samhain
Níos Mó Meaitseála: Míonna agus Féilte Posted by róislín on Sep 18, 2011
(le Róislín) How many topics the basic idea of “an féilire” can generate! Here are the months again, once again, this time with holidays to match. The new hitch? I’ve deliberately left off the first letter (or sometimes the first two letters) of the months as a memory-jogger. As usual, you’ll find na freagraí below…
Ainmneacha na Míonna i nGaeilge (Names of the Months in Irish) Posted by róislín on Sep 6, 2011
(le Róislín) We’ve discussed the Irish names of various months as this blog has continued, but this might be a good time to go over the liosta as a whole. First let’s look at “Meán Fómhair” (September). By the way, if this is a new term for you, or if you’re new to the list…
Cultacha Samhna Móréilimh [best-selling] na Bliana 2010 Posted by róislín on Oct 31, 2010
(le Róislín) Here’s some vocabulary you might enjoy for putting together the names of some of this year’s most popular Halloween costumes. Some of these are specific trademarked figures, so please note I’m not actually recommending renaming the characters into Irish – just breaking the vocabulary down into its component parts. Each name I’ve picked…
Samhain (1 Mí na Samhna): The First Day of Winter Posted by róislín on Oct 29, 2010
(le Róislín) Not only was Samhain the first day of the traditional Celtic year – it was also the first day of winter, fitting neatly with the rest of the laethanta trascheathrún (cross-quarter days) san fhéilire Ceilteach. The others are Imbolc (1 Feabhra/February, now usually called Lá Fhéile Bríde), Bealtaine (1 May), and Lughnasa (aka…
Samhain (November 1st) and Lá Caille (January 1st): Two New Years! Posted by róislín on Oct 27, 2010
(le Róislín) I suppose one could see this as an opportunity for two ways of celebrating the New Year. The traditional Celtic New Year was November 1st, recognized as Samhain [SOW-in] but not celebrated today as the official New Year. The January 1st version of New Year’s Day is Lá Caille (lit. day of Calends)…
More on the Word(s) “After” (i nGaeilge) Posted by róislín on Oct 20, 2010
(le Róislín) There’s a lot to cover with the word “after” in Irish, and this mionsraith will just be able to give some key examples. “Ina dhiaidh sin” (after that), you’re on your own. Well, maybe not entirely. We might revisit the idea “tar éis tamaill” (after a while), but I’m going allow time for…
Téarmaí Nollag: Nollaig Shona duit! Nollaig Shona daoibh! srl. Posted by róislín on Dec 24, 2009
(le Róislín) Here are some of the basic terms for this holiday season: Oíche Nollag, Christmas Eve, but Oíche Lá Nollag, the night of Christmas Day An Nollaig, Christmas (note the use of the definite article, “the” Christmas) Lá Nollag, Christmas Day Nóta 1: Irish doesn’t really have a separate word for “eve” to distinguish “the…