Proverbial Sayings
Nítat tabarthai baí duit ar dartaib.
Nítat tabarthai baí duit ar dartaib.
(are not * to be given * cows * for you * in exchange for * yearling heifers)
You shouldn’t trade in your cows for calves.
Condrecat lochta ocus fulachta sund indiu.
Condrecat lochta ocus fulachta sund indiu.
(meet * faults * and * cooking pits * here * today)
Today has been a bloody shambles.
Is teóir i n-éim!
Is teóir i n-éim!
(is * help * in * timeliness)
That’s timely help! That was in the nick of time!
Ní·airciu a n-áthu la linni.
Ní·airciu a n-áthu la linni.
(I cannot see * their * fords * with * pools)
I can’t tell the ford from the deep water.
Is cenn daim for dartaid.
Is cenn daim for dartaid.
(is * head * of ox * on * calf)
It’s like a calf with the head of an ox.
Is loimm for sáith súan i fat.
Is loimm for sáith súan i fat.
(is * mouthful * on * surfeit * sleeping * in * length)
Sleeping too long is like having one drink too many.
Cáid cach ceól co cruit.
Cáid cach ceól co cruit.
(noble * every * music * until * harp)
All music falls short of the harp in refinement.
Gar cían co·tías for cel.
Gar cían co·tías for cel.
(short * long * until * I may go * on * dissolution)
Sooner or later we die.
Do·rónus cintecal de!
Do·rónus cintecal de!
(I have made * felt * of it)
I’ve made a mess of it!
Ba robad do throich.
Ba robad do throich.
(it would be * warning * to * foredoomed man)
It would be a warning to a man doomed to die.