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Title: Prátaí Ṁíċíl Ṫaiḋg Author: Séamus Ó Dubhghaill Release date: October 20, 2026 [eBook #79830] Language: Irish Original publication: Dublin: An Cló-Chumann (Teóranta), 1904 Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79830 Credits: Chris Hapka and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRÁTAÍ ṀÍĊÍL ṪAIḊG *** PRÁTAÍ MHÍCHÍL THAIDHG, Ó SHÉMUS UA DUBHGHAILL, An té a scríobh “Beirt Fhear ó’n dTuaith,” “Tadhg Gabha,” “Cathair Conroí” ⁊ “An Leabhar Cainte.” “An Claidheamh Soluis,” Aibhreán 9--Bealtaine 7, 1904. Áth Chliath: An Cló-Chumann (Teóranta), Clódóirí Gaedhilge Sráid Mhór na Trágha. 1904 AN CLÓ-CHUMANN, (Teóranta), Clódóirí Gaedhilge, BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH A Mhuinntir na Gaedhilge: Seo chughaibh Prátaí Mhíchíl Thaidhg, agus má éirigheann leo go maith b’fhéidir go mbeadh sé de mhisneach orainn barra beag eile a chur ’san ithir na ’ndiaidh. BEIRT FHEAR. Meitheamh, 1904. Prátaí Mhíchíl Thaidhg. I. Is maith is cuimhin liom-sa dachad bliadhan ó shoin anois, nuair a bhí sgoil rinnce ag Crois na Seana-Chluanach. Do b’é Diarmaid Geanncach an máighistir rinnce ⁊ is dóigh liom gurbh’ é Tomás na Bó an píobaire. Slán beo leis an aimsir úd, is ’mó cor a chuir an saoghal de ó shoin, ⁊ is fada fánach atáid sgaipighthe na buachaillí óga ⁊ na cailíní óga a bhíodh bailighthe gach tráthnóna ag an gCrois. Is baoghlach go bhfuil mór-chuid aca sínte fé’n gcré ⁊ ag tabhairt an fhéir, acht pé ’ca marbh nó beo iad, tagann na deora im’ shúilibh nuair a chuimhnighim ar an sean-aimsir, ⁊ mise im’ gharsún ag suidhe ar an gclaidhe ⁊ b’fhéidir anois ⁊ aríst ag caitheamh sgraith nó cadhráin le garsún eile a bhí mar mé fhéin, go héadtrom aereach ar an gclaidhe eile, ar m’aghaidh anonn. Ní féidir ceann críona a chur ar cholainn óig ⁊ sin mar is fearr an sgéal. Tagann annró ⁊ anaithe an tsaoghail luath go leor orainn. Bhí Mícheál Thaidhg ’na sgoláire ar an sgoil ⁊ ba ró-dheas an rinnceoir é Mícheál. Ní raibh sé ró-árd ná ró-theagartha, acht bhí sé ana-chos-éadtrom ⁊ ní raibh buachaill dá mhéid sa pharóiste raghadh cor iomrasgála leis. Mar is gnáthach le hógánaigh na tuatha ní raibh an t-airgead ró-fhlúirseach ag Mícheál. Ní raibh ag athair Mhíchíl acht féar trí mbó ⁊ capall. Bhí raol ’na phóca aige, acht theastuigh scilling uaidh le tabhairt do’n mháigistir-rinnce i ndeire na seachtmhaine, agus i gceann seachtmhain’ eile bheadh iachall air sgilling a bheith aige i gcomhair an phíobaire. ’Na theannta so is dóigh liom go raibh teistiún is leath-phingne mar sgór ’na choinnibh ag Stiobhna Ó Múrnáin--mar bhí Mícheál tar éis tosnuighthe ar bheith ag ól tobac. Bhí Mícheál bocht i gcruaidh-chás. Bheadh náire ’n domhain air mara mbeadh an t-airgead aige le cur sa phláta tráthnóna Dé Domhnaigh, acht cá raibh an t-airgead le fágháil? Ní raibh aon bhreith aige ar é fhágháil ó n’ athair. Nuair a bhí Tadhg a’ Mhachaigh ’n ógánach, ní raibh sa pharóiste réice ba mhó ’ná é féin. D’fhéadfadh sé pas rinnce a dhéanamh ar thóin pláta agus nach mór ar bharr choinnleora, acht anois b’fhearr leis an t-airgead a chaitheamh leis an abhainn ’ná é a thabhairt do phíobaire ’ná do mháighistir rinnce, alfraitsithe a bhí chomh díomhaoin le bacach a’ mhála. Dá mbeadh na cearca ag breith ’ge n-a mháthair thabharfadh sise an sgilling do Mícheál, acht ní rabhadar ⁊ ó bhí coróin ag Gobnait na nUbh uirthi, ní fhéadfadh sí a thuilleadh iarraidh ar Ghobnait chun go mbeadh dorn ubh aici le tabhairt di, d’fhonn í bhogadh,--⁊ níor bh’fhuirist an tsean-bhean a bhogadh. Bhí siopa beag ag Stiabhna Ó Mhúrnáin i n-aice na Croise. Bhíodh tobac is píopaí aige, arán is tae is siuicre. Is iomdha buillín a cheannuigheas uaidh, ⁊ dá mbeadh leath-phíngne agam bhí misleáin le ceannach ó Stiabhna nó ó n-a mhnaoi. Bhíodh mo mháthair ag rádh gurbh’ í Sile chríona, máthair Stiabhna, a dhin na misleáin dó, agus ní raibh an tsean-bhean ró-ghlan. Ní fheadar an ag magadh nó dáiríribh a bhíodh mo mháthair, acht pé sgéal é, ní fheaca-sa Síle chríona ag déanamh na misleán ⁊ ní bhfuaireas féin aon droch-bhlas riamh ortha. Deirtí go mbíodh poitín á dhíol ag Stiabhna, acht ní dóigh liom féin go mbíodh. Tá fhios agam gur tháinig na póilí ar a thóir oidhche um Nodlaig, fuaireadar meadar mhór lán de ghabháile: bhriseadar an mheadar ⁊ dhóirteadar an ghabháile, mar dheadh gur adhbhar poitín a dhéanamh bhí ann, acht ár ndóigh bhí an saoghal ag magadh fé cheann na gconstábla agus an bob a bualadh air mar gheall ar “phoitín na Croise.” Ní raibh a leithéid de lá spóirt sa pharóiste roimis ’ná ó shoin, ⁊ bhí ann lá na cúirte. ’Siad na giúistísí bhí láithreach ná Cian Ó Mathghamhna ⁊ Séamus Ó Seochrughadh--beirt go raibh sean-eolas aca ar phoitín. Nuair a bhí Séamus ’na gharsún, bhíodh a mhuinntir ag déanamh poitín go tiugh thuas i Lios Leamháin, ⁊ níl pioc d’amhras ná gur minic do bhlais Cian an Drúchtín Sléibhe. II. Do glaodhadh ar Stiabhna Ó Múrnáin. “Seadh, a Stiabhna,” arsa Cian ag leamh-gháiridhe, “tá beirtha ort anois nó riamh.” “Ambasa nach bhfuil fós, a dhuine uasail,” arsa Stiabhna go dána. “Sé deir an páipéar so go rabhais-se ag déanamh uisge-beatha gan chead ag Crois na Seana-Chluanach seachtmhain is lá ’ndiu.” “Ní rabhas, ná bliadhain is lá ’ndiu, ’ná aon lá eile acht chomh beag.” “Deir an duine uasal so (an t-oifigeach) go rabhais, acht go háirithe.” “Bíodh aige,” arsa Stiabhna. “Anois, a ogánaigh,” arsa Cian le Caiptín óg na bpóilí, “cad tá le rádh agat-sa i dtaobh na cúise seo?” “Tá an méid seo le rádh agam, a dhaoine uaisle, go bhfuaireas adhbhar déanta biotáille i dtigh an duine seo, gur dhóirteamair an stuif ⁊ gur bhriseamair an t-árthach, mar ba cheart dúinn a dhéanamh.” Bhí fhios ag na giúistísíbh go maith cad a bhí sa mheidir i dtigh Stiabhna, acht leogadar ortha bheith ana-dhall ar fad. Arsa Séamus Ó Seochrughadh: “Cad é an sórt árthach ’na bhfuaireabhair an stuif?” “Sórt tubán nó árthach mar sin.” “Ar bhlaisis an rud a bhí ann?” “Níor bhlaiseas.” “Cá bhfios duit go rabhthas chun poitín a dhéanamh dhé?” “Tá fhios agam go maith é.” “Cé hiad a bhí led’ chois?” “Bhí beirt chonstábla.” “Bhfuil siad annso?” “Tá duine aca.” “Abair leis teacht ’nár láthair,” arsa Cian; ⁊ do tháinig, ⁊ sórt náire air. “Chad is ainm duit?” “Mícheál Ó Dochartaigh.” “Bhfuil aon nídh le rádh agat i dtaobh na cúise seo?” “Mhaise, níl puinn, a dhuine uasail. Bhíos féin ⁊ fear eile ann i dteannta ’n Chaiptín: fuaireamair sórt stuif mar a bheadh baidhreán i meidir i dtóin a’ tighe, do bhriseamair an mheadar ⁊ do chaitheamair an stuif amach ar an gcarn-aoiligh.” “Agus anois, cad chuige gur dhineabhair é sin?” “D’órduigh an t-oifigeach dúinn é dhéanamh.” “Cad a bhí sa mheidir?” “Ní fheadar i gceart cad a bhí ann.” “An poitín a bí ann?” “Níorbh’ eadh.” “A’ bhféadfaidhe poitín a dhéanamh dhe?” “Ní fheadar.” “An gabháile a bhí ann?” “Ní fheadar i gceart, acht ba deárthach le gabháile nó baidhreán é.” “Ar chualaidhis riamh go mbíodh bean Stiabhna Ó Múrnáin ag déanamh gabháile i gcomhair na Nodlag?” “Go deimhin, níor chuala, acht nílim i bhfad san áit seo.” “Cogar,” arsa Séamus Ó Seochrughadh leis an gCaiptín, “an fada dhuit-se i nÉirinn?” “Níl acht ráithe ó thánga anall.” “Ó! tuigim,” ars’ an giúistís. “Anois, a Stiabhna, cad deireann tusa?” “Níl le rádh agam acht gur dhin duine éicint amadán de’n duine uasal so. Ní rabhas-sa ná Peig ag déanamh poitín. Tá ’fhios ag an saoghal gur gabháile a fuair na póilí, ⁊ má’s maith libh-se é, a dhaoine uaisle, cuirfead-sa fínnithe os comhair na cúirte cun an sgéil seo do dhearbhughadh.” “Ní gádh dhuit é, a Stiabhna; tá ’fhios againn go maith cannos mar atá an sgéal.” “Acht má’s é bhur dtoil é, a dhaoine uaisle,” arsa Peig, ⁊ faobhar ’na guth, “Cé dhíolfaidh mise as mo chuid gabháile ⁊ an bhfuil aon tsásamh le fágháil agam i dtaobh na meidre a bhriseadh orm?” “Caithfear tú a dhíol, a Phéig,” arsa Cian Ó Mathghamhna. “Gura maith agat, a dhuine uasail,” arsa Peig. “Seadh,” arsa Stiabhna, ag gabháil an doras amach do, “is fearr liom na pádh an lae an mhórdháil a bhaint de’n bhoicín Sasanaigh úd.” Acht ní hé seo mo sgéal-sa anois acht sgéal Mhíchíl Thaidhg ⁊ an t-airgead. III. Bhí ’fhios ag Mícheál go raibh a athair ⁊ a mháthair ag dul go Cill Orglan le prátaí an Diardaoin seo chughainn. Bhíodh na prátaí go fóghanta i gcomhnaidhe ag Tadhg a’ Mhachaigh. Cheap Mícheál nuair ná raibh an t-airgead le fágháil aige-sean ar aon tslighe eile nár mhór an peacadh dho pic phrátaí a dhíol do féin. Ní bheadh aon’ne sa bhaile acht é féin ⁊ a dhearbhshiúr, Cáit, ⁊ níor bhaoghal do Cháit aon ghearán a dhéanamh air. Chualaidh Mícheál gur theastuigh prátaí ó Stiabhna; bhuail sé anonn chuige. Bhí siopa Stiabhna ar thaobh an bhóthair i n-aice na Croise, ⁊ bhí tigh Thaidhg a’ Mhachaigh buille beag isteach ó’n mbóthar, ⁊ póirsín beag caol ag dul ó bhannrach Thaidhg síos go dtí an bóthar, ⁊ ní raibh ó cheann an bhóithrín go dtí Crois na Seana-Chluanach acht leithead cúpla páirce, Garrdha árd Thaidhg Óig ⁊ Láithreán an Rinnce Sheagháin Dhiarmada. “Cogar a Stiabhna,” arsa Mícheál, “a’ gceannóchá pic phrátaí?” “B’fhéidir go gceannóchainn mara mbeidís ro-dhaor; acht cá bhfuil siad le fágháil?” “Uaim-se.” “Cá bhfuairis iad?” “Nach cuma dhuit-se sin?” “Marbhó’ig t-athair thú.” “Ní baoghal dom.” “Cad tá uait ar na prátaí?” “Níl acht leath-choróin.” “Bíodh sé ’na mhargadh, acht caithfir-se iad a thabhairt annso.” “Ní fhéadfainn é sin a dhéanamh, a Stiabhna, ⁊ d’fhéadfá-sa an t-asal a chur ’na gcoinnibh chomh fada le ceann an bhóithrín.” “Ní chuirfead, a mhic ó, mar dá gcuirfinn is baoghlach go mbadh dhéine bheadh an sgéal orm ná mar a bhí sgéal an phoitín; acht déanfad an méid seo dhuit, d’fhonn misnigh a chur ort; raghad leath-slighe. Bíodh an cliabh agat-sa ar thaobh an bhóthair ag ceann Láithreán a’ Rinnce, ⁊ bead-sa id’ choinnibh ann.” “B’fhearr liom dá gcuirtheá an t-asal im’ choinnibh go ceann an bhóithrín.” “An amhlaidh a mheasann tú gadaidhe a dhéanamh díom os cómhair an phobail? Raghad leath-slighe, acht ní raghaid coiscéim níos sia.” “Seadh; bíodh sé mar sin. Beidh m’athair ⁊ mo mháthair i gCill Orglan tráthnóna Diardaoin ⁊ bead-sa ⁊ an cliabh prátaí agam ar chlaidhe Láithreán a’ Rinnce ar luighe na gréine.” “Agus bead-sa ann romhat,” arsa Stiabhna. Nuair a tháinig an Diardaoin bhí muinntir Thaidhg a’ Mhachaigh go gnóthach ag ullmhughadh i gcómhair an mhargaidh. Bhí Tadhg féin, mar ba ghnáthach leis, a d’iarraidh bheith thall ’s i bhfus; acht i ndeire thiar thall bhí na prátaí go léir istigh sa trucaill aige, go feistighthe ceangailte. Chuir Mícheál sop tuighe isteach i mála; chuir sé an mála tuighe isteach sa trucaill, mar shuidheachán dá mháthair: do shocruigh sé a mháthair go cúramach ’na suidheachán ⁊ seo chun siubhail iad, Peig ’na suidhe istigh sa trucaill go socair sásta, ⁊ Tadhg ⁊ greim ar cheann an chapaillín aige chun go rabhadar thíos ar an mbóthar. “A Mhíchíl!” arsa Tadhg, ⁊ é ag cur an bhannraigh amach dhe, “ná dearmad na prátaí--níor mhiste iad go léir d’iompáil ⁊ na péacáin a bhaint díobh.” “Ó! ná bíodh eagla ort, a athair, ní baoghal domh-sa na prátaí a dhearmad.” “Agus, a Mhíchíl,” arsa Peig, “tiomáin na ba a bhaile i n-am, ní bheidh aon ’ne chun iad a chrudhadh anocht acht Cáit.” “Agus, a Mhíchíl,” arsa Tadhg, “le heagla ná beinn-se sa bhaile i n-am, dún an bhearna go maith ar an dtuar, nó brisfidh an bradaidhe úd Geadach amach.” “Déanfad-sa san,” arsa Mícheál. IV. Nuair a bhíodar imthighthe chrom Mícheál ar na prátaí. D’iompuigh sé an chúil ar fad ⁊ bhain sé na péacáin díobh. Do líon sé cúpla cliabh i gcomhair mhargaidh na seachtmhaine seo chughainn ⁊ do líon sé cliabh do féin chomh maith. Nuair a tháinig an tráthnóna, ⁊ an ghrian ag dul fé, d’árduigh Mícheál leis an cliabh ar a dhrom ⁊ síos leis an bóithrín. Bhí an t-ualach trom, acht má bhí féin ní raibh Mícheál i bhfad chun gur bhain sé amach an bóthar. Siar leis an bóthar mór. Is ar éigin a raibh sé ag cúinne an Láithreáin nuair a chualaidh se an trucaill ag teacht chuige aniar. “Stiabhna ⁊ an t-asal atá ann,” ar seisean leis féin. Do lean sé air tamaillín eile. Do stad sé go hobann ⁊ chuir sé cluas le héisteacht air féin. D’aithin sé cnag na trucailleach ⁊ chualaidh sé “hup a chapaillín” ó n’ athair ⁊ an capallín ag sodar go socair suaimhneasach. “Táim crochta anois nó riamh,” arsa Mícheál, “níl dul as agam; is daor atáim ag ceannach mo chod’ rinnce. Má leanaim orm bead féin is m’athair ar aghaidh a chéile i gcionn nóimit, ⁊ ní haon mhaith dhom filleadh, béarfaidh sé orm; cad a déanfad?” Bhí díg mhór idir an mbóthar ⁊ claidhe na páirce, ⁊ mara mbeadh go raibh d’fhéadfadh Mícheál an cliabh a chaitheamh taobh istigh de’n chlaidhe. Chuir an t-eagla neart ’na ghéagaibh, do shleamhnuigh sé síos gruadh an bhóthair, d’árduigh sé an cliabh ar a mhuin ⁊ do leag sé tón an chléibh ar mhullach an chlaidhe ⁊ do chaith an cliabh ⁊ a raibh ann isteach sa pháirc, ⁊ ní túisge bhíodar istigh ’ná do léim seisean thar chlaidhe ’na ndiaidh. Ní raibh sé acht istigh nuair a bhí an capaillín ag teacht a leith chuige ó chasadh an bóthair le hais phuill an ghairbéil. “D’fhóbair dhom,” ar seisean nuair a chualaidh sé “hup a chapallin” ⁊ an capall ’s an trucaill ag gabháil soir uaidh i n-aice an gharrdha áird. D’fhan sé tamall ’féachaint an raibh Stiabhna ag teacht, acht ní raibh. Do chrom Mhícheál ar na prátaí a bhailiughadh ⁊ an fhaid a bhí sé ag bailiughadh bhí a shúil i n-áirde aige. Nuair ná raibh Stiabhna ag teacht arsa Mícheál leis féin, “Má ’s cleas atá sé chun imeartha orm-sa bead-sa suas le Stiabhna.” Do chuir sé dorn prátaí thíos i dtóin an chléibh. Annsan do chaith sé isteach ann dorn cloch ⁊ do líon an cliabh leis na prátaí. “Seo ’nis,” ar seisean, “ní miste luach a airgid a thabhairt do.” Díreach ⁊ an cliabh líonta aige chonnaic sé Stiabhna ag teacht chuige aniar ar a shocaracht. “’S fada dhuit ag teacht,” arsa Mícheál. “Is minic do bhí cú mall sona,” arsa Stiabhna. “Ní raibh aon ghádh le deabhadh, go mór-mhór ó bhí do dhaid ar an mbóthar. Nach breallach a bheadh an sgéal agam-sa dá ndéanfainn rud ort-sa ⁊ an t-asal a chur a d’iarraidh an chléibh. Nach deas d’fhéachfadh sé dá mbuailfinn-se agus m’asailín le t’athair sa bhóithrín.” “Bhfuil an leath-choróin agat?” “Níl, acht tá dhá sgilling agam duit. Tá ’fhios agat go bhfuil raol agam ort i dtaobh an tobac.” “Ní baoghal duit-se é dhearmad go háirithe. Seo, t’r’om an t-airgead go n-árdóchad an cliabh ort.” “Seo dhuit é.” “Gura maith agat. Is maith a thuilleas é. Tá sé chomh maith againn an cliabh a chur ar bharr an chlaidhe. Sé is fearra dhuit-se a dhéanamh ná an cliabh árdughadh leat ó’n dtaobh eile. Tá an díog tirim anois.” “Is dócha ná fuil an cliabh ró-throm.” “Má tá féin nach mar sin is fearra dhuit-se é?” V. Chuir an bheirt an cliabh i n-áirde ar an gclaidhe. Chuaidh Stiabhna thar claidhe amach ⁊ d’árduigh leis an cliabh ar a mhuin. “Go n-eirighidh an oidhche leat, a Stiabhna,” arsa Mícheál. “Badh mhaith liom dul tamall de’n bhóthar leat, acht go bhfuil ’fhios agam go mbeidh m’athair ag braith orm na ba a chur sa dtuar.” Nuair do chuir Stiabhna an cliabh ar a dhrom ⁊ an truimeacht a bhí ann, ’sé dubhairt sé, “Mhaise, mo ghraidhn chroidhe thú, a Mhíchíl, chuiris pic is dúthracht sa chliabh.” Ní raibh an díog ró-ghlan ⁊ thug sé iarracht ar dhul i n-áirde ar an mbóthar, acht bhí an t-ualach ró-throm ⁊ an díog ró-dhoimhin. Bhí iachall air an díog a ghabháil siar go teorainn na páirce. Bhí sé ag cur alluis de go tiugh ⁊ ag cneadaigh mar a bheadh bó i dtinneas. Do leag sé an cliabh cúpla uair ar chlaidhe an bhóthair, do dhírigh sé a dhrom, ⁊ do chuimil sé a ghuala mar a raibh an mhuiciris ag luighe air. Nuair a shrois sé a thigh féin, ní raibh sa bhaile roimis, acht a mháthair, corcáinín aici i n-aice na teine ⁊ í ag cur olna chun dathuighthe ann. “Cá leagfad an cliabh, a mháthair?” arsa Stiabhna. “Leag anuas ar an mbórd é,” ars’ an tsean-bhean. “Tá sé ró-throm ⁊ tá eagla orm go mbrisfeadh sé an bórd.” “Arú, cuir uait, amás maran clocha tá ann níl an t-ualach chomh trom san ar fad.” “Ní fheadar, acht tá ’fhios agam go bhfuil mo dhrom briste uaidh ⁊ an croiceann bainte dem’ ghualainn ag an muiciris.” “Caith anuas ar an úrlár iad, an cliabh ⁊ a bhfuil ann.” Do chaith Stiabhna an cliabh de ar an úrlár. Do ruith na prátaí ar fuid an tighe, ⁊ do dhin na clocha an cleas céadna. Do léim dhá chloich isteach sa teine ⁊ do sgaipeadar an teine amach ar an dteinteán. Acht níorbh’ é seo an chuid ba mheasa de’n sgéal. Bhuail cnapán mór cloiche an corcán ⁊ bhris ’na smidiríníbh é. “Alliliú,” arsa Síle, “an ar buile ataoi, nó an amhlaidh a mheasann tú mé a mharbhughadh?” Do leath a shúile ar Stiabhna. D’fhéach sé ar an dteine, agus d’fhéach sé ar an gcorcán ⁊ chonnaic sé an “dúthracht” a bhí sa chliabh. “Mhaise, míle mí-chothrom ort-sa, a Mhíchíl, mar is tú an rógaire críochnuighthe. Acht bead-sa suas leat.” “Cannos?” arsa Síle. “Gearánfad len’ athair é.” “Déin go díreach, a bhriolláin, ⁊ bhí id’ cheap-magaidh ag cruinniughadh na Croise Dé Domhnaigh. Níl aon nidh níos oireamhnaighe dhuit-se anois ná do bhéal a choimeád dúnta.” “B’fhéidir go bhfuil an ceart agat, a mháthair, acht marbhóchaidh Peig mé mar gheall ar an gcorcán.” “Tuilleadh ’n tubaiste chughat, acht níl leigheas air anois:-- “‘Níl maitheas bheith ag seanchus Nuair a bhíonn an anachain déanta.’” Ar shon nár leig Stiabhna gíog as i dtaobh na bprátaí, do sgéith an sgéal amach air i gcuma éicint, ⁊ ba mhinic na cómharsain ag magadh fé Stiabhna agus Prátaí Mhíchíl Thaidhg. Sin é mo sgéal-sa, ⁊ má tá bréag ann bíodh. (Críoch). BEIRT FHEAR. FOCLÓIRÍN. Sgraith, a scraw. Cadhrán, a small piece of dry turf. Annro ⁊ anaithe, trouble and worry. Teagartha, stout. Iomrasgála, _gen. of_ Iomrasgáil, wrestling. Réice, a rake. Alfraitsithe, rascals. Poilí, Police. Meadar, meidre, meidir, a churn. Gabháile, barm. Drúichtín sléibhe, mountain dew. Stiabhna, Stephen. I dteannta, together with. Baidhreán, flummery. Carn-aoiligh, a dung-hill. Dearthach (deamharthach, deallrathach), like. Mórdháil, pride. Pic, a peck of potatoes (10 stone). Fada fánach, wide apart. Póirsin bóithrin, a narrow lane. Is cuimhin liom, I remember. Ag tabhairt an fhéir, growing grass (buried). Fuirist, easy. Giúistísíbh, _dative_, Justices, Magistrates. Faobhar, edge. Gearán, complaint. Bannrach (_gen._ bannraig), a farm yard. D’fhonn, for the purpose of. Coiscéim, a step. Ag ullmhughadh, getting ready. Trucaill, a cart. Feistighthe, tightened, tidied. Cúramach, carefully. Péacáin, sprouts. Iompáil, turning. Tuar, a “mocking” field, a field into which cows are put to rest at night. Bradaidhe, a thief. Geadach, a name given to a saddle backed cow. Go hobann, suddenly. Suaimhneasach, quietly. Béarfaidh sé orm, he’ll overtake me. Filleadh, returning. Díg--díog, a dike, trench. Géagaibh, _dat. pl. of_ géag, a limb. Shleamhnaigh, slipped. Imeartha, played, _gen. of_ imirt, play. D’fhóbair dhom, I had like to. Tubán, a tub. Fínnithe, witnesses. Gruadh, brink. Gairbhéal, gravel; Poll a’ghairbéil, the gravel-pit. Muiciris, the hanger or a handle of a Cliabh (iris in Donegal). Briollán (breallár), a fool, from breall. Gura maith agat = go raibh maith agat. Mí-chothrom, a tight place. Dúthracht, something more than the due. Oireamhnaighe, _comp._ of oireamhnach, fit. Cuimil, rub. Ag breith (hens), laying eggs. An bob a bualadh air, how the tables were turned on him. Ar a thóir, in pursuit of him, on his track. Go fóghanta, excellent. D’fhonn, in hope of. Marbhó’ig (marbhóchaidh), will kill. Ag braith orm, depending on me, expecting me. Garrdha árd, Láithreán a’ Rinnce, field names. OBJECTS of the GAELIC LEAGUE. 1. The preservation of Irish as the National language of Ireland, and the extension of its use as a spoken tongue. 2. The study and publication of existing Irish literature, and the cultivation of a modern literature in Irish. The Irish language is the surest safeguard of Irish Nationality, and the most effective means of producing and maintaining true National sentiment. The restoration of the Language will re-establish our distinctive National life, traditions, manners, customs, song, music, etc., and will prevent the Irish Nation from falling to the level of a mere English shire. The Gaelic League is developing in the Irish people a spirit of initiative and self-reliance, without which material advancement is impossible. It encourages a feeling of self-respect, and thereby helps the cause of Temperance. By means of the Sgoruidheacht and Céilidh, and by the encouragement of Irish pastimes, games, dances, etc., it is counteracting the dullness of rural life, and so helps to stop Emigration. In short, the success of the self-centred policy of National development pursued by the League, will ensure the Intellectual Independence of Ireland. Nótai Tras-Scríobhaí Chlóigh an leabhar seo ó bhunús i gcló Gaelach le poncanna séimhithe. Tá ealaín clúdaigh nua le an ríomhleabhar seo tíolactha do an fhearann poiblí. Rinneadh na ceartúcháin seo: l. 7: Cuireadh “déanamh” in ionad “deanamh” sa frása “bhíodh a mhuinntir ag déanamh poitín.” l. 8: Cuireadh ponc tar éis “Bhí beirt chonstábla.” l. 9: Cuireadh comharthaí dúbailte athfhriotail in ionad comharthaí singile athfhriotail roimh “Ní fheadar.” l. 11: Cuireadh “phrátaí” in ionad “phrátái” sa frása “a’ gceannóchá pic phrátaí?” l. 11: Cuireadh comharthaí dúbailte athfhriotail in ionad comharthaí singile athfhriotail roimh “Níl acht leath-choróin.” l. 12: Cuireadh ponc tar éis “⁊ na péacáin a bhaint díobh.” l. 13: Cuireadh comharthaí dúbailte athfhriotail i ndiaidh “Agus, a Mhíchíl.” l. 17: Cuireadh “Mhíchíl” in ionad “Míchíl” sa frása “Stiabhna agus Prátaí Mhíchíl Thaidhg.” Foclóirín: Cuireadh poncanna easpacha agus cuireadh camóga in ionad poncanna eile. *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRÁTAÍ ṀÍĊÍL ṪAIḊG *** Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed. 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