Chapter 93
IV. The Pronunciation
This is the approximate pronunciation of some of the more difficult names:
- Adhnuall
- Ai-noo-al.
- Ailbhe
- Alva.
- Almhuin
- All-oon, or Alvin.
- Aobh
- Aev, or Eev.
- Aodh
- Ae (rhyming to "day").
- Aoibhill
- Evill.
- Aoife
- Eefa.
- Badb
- Bibe.
- Beltaine, or Bealtaine
- Bal-tinna.
- Bladhma
- Bly-ma.
- Bodb Dearg
- Bove Darrig.
- Caoilte
- Cweeltia.
- Cam Ruidhe
- Corn Rwee.
- Ciabhan
- Kee-a-van.
- Cliodna
- Cleevna.
- Coincheann
- Kun-Kann.
- Crann Buidhe
- Cran bwee.
- Credhe
- Crae-a.
- Cumhal
- Coo-al.
- Deaghadh
- D'ya-a.
- Dubhthach
- Duffach.
- Duibhreann
- Dhiv-ran.
- Duibhrium
- Dhiv-rinn.
- Dun
- Doon.
- Eimher
- Aevir.
- Emhain
- Avvin.
- Eochaid
- Eohee.
- Eoghan
- Owen.
- Fionnchad
- Finn-ăch-a.
- Fodhla
- Fóla.
- Fodla
- Fola.
- Gallimh
- Gol-yiv.
- Glas Gaibhnenn
- Glos Gov-nan.
- Leith Laeig
- Lĕh 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
- Mānănaun.
- Midhe
- Mee.
- Midhna
- Mec-na.
- Mochaomhog
- Mo-cwecv-ōg.
- Muadhan
- Moo-aun.
- Murchadh
- Murachu.
- Nemhnain
- Now-nin.
- Niamh
- Nee-av.
- Og
- Ŏg.
- 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-ă-hă 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.