adba rón

(abode * of seals)

the abode of seals = the sea

This kenning, essentially a two-word poem, is found in a short, finely wrought poem. This is James Carney’s edition and translation found in “Medieval Irish Lyrics”:

Fégaib úaib
sair fo thúaid
in muir múaid
mílach;
adba rón
rebach, rán,
ro-gab lán
línad.

Look you out
northeastwards
over mighty ocean
teaming with sea-life.
home of seals
sporting, splendid,
its tide has reached
fullness.

Topics: Verse Similes, Metaphors & Kennings