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Monday, March 19, 2007

By Special Request


Celtic Symbols, acrylic on canvas, (c) Colette Copeland


I was asked how to pronounce my Irish nephews' names.

Conor : same as Connor

Arran: exactly the way it's written, emphasis on the initial A

Eoghan : Owen (many letters in Irish are silent)

Darragh : dah-rah (as I said, many letters in Irish are silent.........)


While we're at it, pronounciation of Irish names changed with immigration to North America, and I had to learn some names all over again when I first moved to Ireland. Most commonly, these two names:
Costello is pronounced COS-tello, emphasis on the first syllable, and no, it is not an Italian name, it is a very Irish name.

Mahony is pronounced MA-hony, again emphasis on the first syllable, not MaHOny.
And, finally, before we leave St. Patrick for another year, and celebrate St. Joseph's Day, March 19 (Ciao, Italia!) here's a saying that bears thinking about:

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí.

(Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for this. It was really interesting. I love the saying. I hadn't heard it before, but I do try to practice the wisdom of it.

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  2. I love an Irish lilt! Love your painting too! Iam glad you like my Paris Altar! ...ohhhh..an addition/ LOVELY!

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  3. Love your art and your post. And of course there's the Irish accent and the Northern Ireland accent with which to contend.

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  4. I've enjoyed reading your Irish posts that I missed. My first husband was of Irish descent, and I've always had a certain fascination with all things Irish since my children are part Irish. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  5. I loved reading about all the Irish info. I adore the Irish and hope one day to goto Ireland. I worked for an Irish owned company and the CFO and President were from Ireland. I could hear them talk all day. The CFO and I had many a chat about Ireland (he's from Limerick). Thank you for the pronunciations of your nephews names too, as I wondered about all but Conor.
    I like your celtic symbol painting as well!
    I also was quite moved by the note you found in the book that your MIL had put in your pocket. Such sadness you've gone through.
    XOXO

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  6. It is lovely to read about so many things Irish on your blog Colette! Thanks for the lesson on how to pronounce your handsome nephews names. I love Irish names. They are always so interesting and the irish accent makes me melt.

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  7. Love the Celtic Symbols painting too!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate each and every one of you.