SAIDHBHÍN
The green tops of onions.
[Dinneen’s Dictionary: saidhbhín a dhéanamh de scéal, to make a lament of a matter when too late.]

Illustration by Enagh Farrell

LABAR
A big spit. A spit from a pipe-smoker.

Illustration: corrina askin

Words from the book The Lost Language of the Ballyhouras:
Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, edited by Evelyn Fennessy and Róisín Ní Ghairbhí.
Purchase from: [email protected] or An Siopa Leabhar

My article on how Indigenous groups in Canada are overcoming inter-generational trauma...
I explore the role Ireland played in the past & could play in the future.

Beating the drum for preserving the language and culture of Canada’s indigenous nations irishtimes.com/life-style/peo…

BLONNACH
Pieces of dried broken furze. Gather up the blonnach, the brussy stuff.

Illustration: Enagh Farrell

From: The Lost Language of the Ballyhouras:
Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, ed by Evelyn Fennessy & Róisín Ní Ghairbhí.
Buy: [email protected] or An Siopa Leabhar

TOMHAISÍN (pro. toe-sheen)
A sheet of paper made into a funnel shape. When you bought sweets the shopkeeper would make a tomhaisín to put them in.

Illustration: corrina askin

Words from The Lost Language of the Ballyhouras: Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy.

An online workshop by Animate Earth Collective with me & Angharad Wynne

11th May (4-7pm Irish/UK time) & 12th May (4 -7.15pm Irish/UK time)

Fee £65 sterling (£45 concessions)

More info at: animate-earth.org/the-everyday-o…

BABHLAI RABHLAÍ
A hoop, the babhlaí, often a wheel off an old bicycle or pram, which children rolled with either a hand or stick in the game of rabhlai- babhlai.

[O Dón dictionary: rabhlaí-babhlaí, a child's hoop.]

Íomhá: Enagh Farrell
Leabhar: An Siopa Leabhar

SLIGIRÍN
Stony soil, especially mountain soil containing rectangular stones.
‘Jims farm isnt much good; ‘tis very sliggery. Loose small change (coins) in the pocket.
(Dinneen’s Dic: sligrín, a thin shell; often applied to coins)

Image: Clodagh Laffan

Book from: An Siopa Leabhar

Taobhán
Cross beams, crossing from rafter to rafter in thatched houses. They were attached to the rafters by means of spikes of wood and attached to the thatch with súgáns. (These were doubled with the hand and called míoróga).

Pic: Enagh Farrell

The book at An Siopa Leabhar

TÁTH
A fist of thatch. To tie a súgán you had to pull out a fist of hay and twist it - this was the táth.

Illustration: Clodagh Laffan

Words from the book The Lost Language of the Ballyhouras:
Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, edited by Evelyn Fennessy and Róisín Ní Ghairbhí

BÁN NA BEIRITHE
A glen or ravine surrounded by ‘cumars’ in the mountain where turf cutters gathered to have tea. There was shelter from the wind and young lads would be sent there to boil the kettle.

Illustration: Enagh Farrell

Words from The Lost Language of the Ballyhouras

SÚGÁN SNEACHTA
The most trivial of excuses. (literally, a rope made of snow).

Illustration: corrina askin

Words from the book The Lost Language of The Ballyhouras: Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, edited by Evelyn Fennessy and Róisín Ní Ghairbhí

BÁINSEOG
The area of grass at the angle of two passages in the mountain. Also a diamond or triangle of grass at a crossroads.

Image: Enagh Farrell

Words from The Lost Language of The Ballyhouras: Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, edited by Evelyn Fennessy & Róisín Ní Ghairbhí

Artist Jakki Moore & writer Maureen Concannon (author of 'The Sacred Whore: Sheela Goddess of the Celts') have created a set of Sheela Cards consisting of 40 illustrations of the Divine Hag, with written interpretations.
For more: [email protected]

Artist Jakki Moore & writer Maureen Concannon (author of 'The Sacred Whore: Sheela Goddess of the Celts') have created a set of Sheela Cards consisting of 40 illustrations of the Divine Hag, with written interpretations.
For more: [email protected]

Artist Jakki Moore & writer Maureen Concannon (author of 'The Sacred Whore: Sheela Goddess of the Celts') have created a set of Sheela Cards consisting of 40 illustrations of the Divine Hag, with written interpretations.
For more: [email protected]

PÚICÍN
Blindfold, goat muzzle, supernatural covering, blinkers for cattle.

Ealaín le: Toma McCullim

This ends the series of words from 'Thirty-Two Words For Field' which have been so wonderfully illustrated by the Pota Fhocail Collective, a group of mostly West Cork artists.

Join me on Monday for a free screening of Twice Colonized about Renowned Inuit advocate Aaju Peter who has led a lifelong fight for the rights of her people. A powerful exploration of personal and societal change. Book your tickets at email below.

Rachmall
Animal lust

Ealaín: Carmel Winters

My first Irish event for Hagstone is April 19th at Granard Book Town, Longford (line-up also includes Patrick deWitt, Paul Lynch, Lisa McInerney, Fergal Keane, Martin Doyle Manchán Magan and more)

Tickets: eventbrite.ie/e/sinead-glees…