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Seachtain a 7, dar deireadh 17/02

Noah Buffini Higgs a d'aistrigh

Bunleagan Béarla Dhave McGinn ar fáil anseo

Éirí As Nicola Sturgeon

D'fhógair Céad-Aire na hAlban Nicola Sturgeon éirí as a poist tar éis 8 mbliana. Fógraíodh gan choinne go raibh an ceannaire is faide i bhfeighil ar an tír - agus an chéad cheannaire mná - ag éirí as ag preasócáid Dé Céadaoin.

Cioclón i dTuaisceart na Nua-Shéalainne

Maraíodh ceathrar ar a laghad de bharr an chioclóin is measa a bhuail an Nua-Shéalainn le blianta fada anuas. Bhí páiste mar duine den chéad cheathrar a aithníodh a fuair bás de bharr Cioclón Gabrielle, a bhí mar chúis le scriosadh fairsing i dTuaisceart na tíre.

4 Rud ar Snámh san Aer thar na SAM

Tá arm na Stát Aontaithe tar éis ceithre réad a thabhairt go talamh a bhí ar snámh go hard san aer os cionn Meiriceá Thuaidh le seachtain anuas. Tugadh réad anaithnid go talamh thar Loch Huron Dé Sathairn, ag teacht ar lorg roinnt cinn eile agus ceann acu á maíomh gur balún faire de chuid na Síne é.

Prótacal Tuaiscirt na hÉireann

Tá dóchas ann go ndéanfar socrú idir an Ríocht Aontaithe agus an tAontas Eorpach i leith na Breatimeachta agus Prótacal an Tuaiscirt. Luaigh ceannaire an DUP Jeffrey Donaldson go bhfuiltear ag dul chun cinn, ach thug sé an rabhadh chomh maith go bhfuil obair fágtha go fóill.

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Week 7—ending 17/02

Written by Dave McGinn

Irish translation by Noah Buffini Higgs available here

Nicola Sturgeon resigns

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her resignation after 8 years in the post. The country's longest-serving - and first woman - leader announced her shock departure in a press conference on Wednesday.

New Zealand cyclone

At least four people have died in the worst cyclone New Zealand has experienced in decades. A child was among those killed by Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused massive destruction to the north of the country on Monday.

UFOs shot down over North America

Four objects have been shot down by the United States military in separate incidents in North America in recent days. An unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron on Saturday, which follows several others including an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Hope is growing that a deal can be struck between the United Kingdom and European Union regarding Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has indicated that progress has been made in negotiations, but cautioned that more work remains to be done.

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Week 5—ending 05/02

Written by Dave McGinn Irish translation by Noah Buffini Higgs available here

PayPal job cuts PayPal has become the latest major tech company to announce plans to make significant job cuts in the coming weeks. The 2,000 layoffs amount to 7% of its global workforce. The company currently employs more than 2,000 people in Ireland.

Finglas anti-migrant demonstrations There was a significant Garda presence at an anti-immigrant demonstration in Finglas, Dublin, on Wednesday evening. The Garda Public Order Unit and Armed Response Unit were present in anticipation of possible violent disturbances.

GAA orders football final replay The GAA has ordered a replay of the All-Ireland senior club football final between Kilmacud Crokes and Glen. The decision follows a controversial end to the original decider when Kilmacud had 16 players on the field defending the final play of the game.

Man charged with murder of Natalie McNally A 32-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Natalie McNally in Belfast in December of last year. In a hearing on Thursday, police presented evidence of an elaborate effort by the accused allegedly intended to create an alibi. The man was previously arrested but released without charge.

Links:

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Seachtain a 5, dar deireadh 05/01

Noah Buffini Higgs a d'aistrigh Bunleagan Béarla Dhave McGinn ar fáil anseo

Bristí Poist Phaypal Tá Paypal mar an mhórchomhlacht teice is déanaí a d'fhógair go mbeifear ag briseadh le postanna go fairsing sna seachtainí atá romhainn, í ag súil bata agus bóthar a thabhairt do 7% den fhoireann domhanda nó 2,000 duine. Tá os cionn 2,000 duine fostaithe ag Paypal in Éirinn i láthair na huaire a scríobhtar an t-alt seo.

Agóidí Frith-Inirmeach i bhFionnghlas BÁC Bhí dream Gardaí i láthair ag agóid frith-inirmiceach i bhFionnghlas, BÁC, tráthnóna Céadaoin. Bhí Buíon Ord Poiblí na nGardaí mar aon le Gardaí Faoi Arm i láthair chun cosaint in aghaidh bagairt an fhoréigin.

Athimirt Cluiche Ceannais a D’iarr an CLG Tá athimirt cluiche ceannais sinsear club na bhfear sa pheil idir Chill Mhochuda agus An Gleann iarrtha ag an CLG. Bhí conspóid sa chéad chluiche de bharr go raibh imreoir sa bhreis i láthair ar an bpáirc ag Cill Mhochuda ag cosaint i gcoinne imeartha deireanaí an chluiche ag An nGleann.

Cúiseamh ar Fear do Dhúnmharú Natalie McNally Cúiseamh curtha ar fear 32 bliana d'aois mar gheall ar dhúnmharú Natalie McNally i mBéal Feirste i mí na Nollag na bliana seo caite. Chuir na póilíní fianaise os comhair na cúirte d'iarracht chasta ón gcúisí ailibí a chruthú. Gabhadh an fear céanna cheana féin ach scaoileadh gan chúiseamh é an chéad uair.

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Bulletin 3, 2023

Week 3—ending 22/01

Written by Dave McGinn

Irish translation by Noah Buffini Higgs available here

Paschal Donohoe Expenses

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe is under pressure to account for a failure to declare a donation of services received during the 2016 General Election campaign. Having previously apologised in the Dáil, the Minister intends to make a further statement on the matter this coming week.

Defective Properties Repair Plan

Cabinet has approved a plan for the State to provide financial support to owners of defective properties built during the Celtic Tiger. The plan is expected to cover repair work on up to 100,000 properties and is estimated that it will cost the exchequer between €1.5 billion and €2.5 billion.

Jacinda Ardern Resignation

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has unexpectedly announced her intention to resign her position. Following a period of reflection over Christmas, Ms Ardern said, she decided that she did not have the energy to continue the work and to contest the next general election.

Enoch Burke

Teacher Enoch Burke has been dismissed from his position at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath. The decision follows a meeting of the Board of Management at which members of the Burke family confronted the Board and gardaí intervened to separate them.

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Feasachán a 3, 2023

Seachtain a 3, dar deireadh 22/01

Noah Buffini Higgs a d'aistrigh

Bunleagan Béarla Dhave McGinn ar fáil anseo

Costais Uí Dhonnachadha

Tá brú ar an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe Paschal Donohoe de bharr nár luaigh sé deonadh seirbhísí a tharla i rith feachtais na nOlltoghachán in 2016. Tá sé tar éis leithscéal poiblí a ghabháil, agus is mian leis an dara ráiteas a dhéanamh ar an ábhar le linn na seachtaine seo chugainn.

Beart Deisiúcháin na dTithe Lochtacha

Tá an Rialtas tar éis beart a dheimhniú ina gcuirfidh an Stát maoiniú ar fáil le tithe lochtacha ó ré an Tíogair Cheiltigh a dheisiú. Táthar ag súil go dtiocfaidh suas go dtí 100,000 teach faoi scáth an bhirt, agus go mbeidh costas idir 1.5 bn€ agus 2.5 bn€ ar chiste an Stáit ag baint leis.

Éirí As Jacinda Ardern

D’fhógair Príomhaire an Nua Shéalainn Jacinda Ardern gan choinne gur mian léi éirí as a post. Dúirt sí i ndiaidh tréimhse mhachnaimh thar shaoire na Nollag, nach mbeidh sí in inmhe leanacht leis an obair ná feachtas a dhéanamh sa chéad toghachán eile.

Enoch Burke

Tugadh bata agus bóthar d’Enoch Burke, iarmhúinteoir i Scoil Ospidéil Wilson i gcontae na hIarmhí. Tagann an cinneadh tar éis cruinniú an Bhoird Bhainistíochta inar thug clann an Bhúrcaigh aghaidh ar an mBord agus gur tháinig na Gardaí chun iad a scaradh.

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Bulletin 2, 2023

Week 2—ending 13/01

Written by Dave McGinn Irish translation by Noah Buffini Higgs available here.

Ballymun asylum seeker protest

Aggressive protests at a Travelodge used to house asylum seekers in Ballymun have been met with widespread condemnation by political leaders. The demonstrations follow similar activity across the country in recent weeks and are being attributed to organised anti-immigration activists.

Storming of Congress in Brazil

Supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro invaded and vandalised the Supreme Court and Congressional buildings in the Brazilian capital of Brasília. The events are being likened to the January 6th riots in the United States which led to the impeachment of former president Donald Trump.

Damien English resignation

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Damien English has resigned following revelations that he did not disclose ownership of a property on a planning application in 2008. The Fine Gael TD has apologised for his actions, which he says were not up to the required standard.

Natalie McNally murder investigation

A man has been arrested in Belfast and is being questioned by police investigating the murder of 32-year-old Natalie McNally last month. Police have previously arrested two men in relation to the murder, but they were subsequently released without charge.

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Feasachán a 2, 2023

Seachtain a 2, dar deireadh 13/01

Noah Buffini Higgs a d'aistrigh Bunleagan Béarla Dhave McGinn ar fáil anseo.

Agóid i gcoinne an lucht iarrtha tearmainn i mBaile Munna

Tá cáineadh fairsing ar agóidí ionsaitheacha ag an Travelodge i mBaile Munna, áit a thugtar dídean d’iarrthóirí tearmainn, ag teacht ó pholaiteoirí agus an pobal. Tá na hagóidí ag teacht lena macasamhail atá ag tarlú timpeall na tíre le roinnt seachtaine anuas, agus síltear gur cumann gníomhaithe frith-inimirce atá freagrach.

Ruathar Teach na Comhdhála sa Bhrasaíl

Thug lucht tacaíochta Jair Bolsonaro, iar-Uachtarán na Brasaíle, ruathar ar fhoirgnimh na Comhdhála agus na hArd-Chúirte sa phríomhchathair Brasília ar an 8ú lá Eanáir 2023. Táthar ag cur an eachtra i gcomparáid le ‘Círéib an 6ú Eanáir’ sna Stáit Aontaithe, a bhí mar chúis táinsimh don iar-Uachtarán Donald Trump.

Éirí As Damien English

D’éirigh Aire Stáit don Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta Damien English as a phost tar éis go bhfuarthas amach nár luaigh sé seilbh réadmhaoin ar a theach agus é ag líonadh iarratais phleanála in 2008. Ghabh an TD le Fine Gael leithscéal air féin, ag maíomh nach dtagann an gníomh leis an gcaighdeán cuí.

Iniúchadh Dúnmharú Natalie McNally

Rinneadh fear a ghabháil i mBéal Feirste agus tá póilíní atá ag iniúchadh dúnmharú an mhí seo chaite a rinneadh ar Natalie McNally (32) á cheistiú. Gabhadh beirt fhear cheana féin i dtaca leis an dúnmharú, ach scaoileadh gan aon chúiseamh iad ina dhiaidh.

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Bulletin 1, 2023

Week 1—ending 06/01

Written by Dave McGinn. Irish translation by Noah Buffini Higgs available here.

Irish hospitals under pressure

Irish hospitals continue to struggle with overcrowding and stretched resources amid a significant increase in patients presenting with respiratory illnesses. The HSE has said that this week has been the worst on record for overcrowding, with 931 patients at one point waiting for a bed.

Enoch Burke

Secondary school teacher Enoch Burke has attended Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath for a second day following the Christmas holidays, in contravention of a High Court order directing him to stay away from the school. Mr Burke spent 108 days in prison last year for contempt, having refused to agree to abide by the court's instruction.

EU response to COVID surge in China

The European Union is recommending that all airline passengers travelling from China to the EU should have a negative Covid-19 test before they board. The recommendation follows a surge in infections in that country, with suggestions that officials are underreporting cases and deaths.

Layoffs in Tech Companies

Amazon and Salesforce are the latest major tech companies to announce significant layoffs in recent months. Amazon is expected to layoff 18,000 staff globally - an increase on their previously announced 10,000 - while Salesforce is expected to cut 10% of its global workforce. This follows major job losses last year in companies including Meta, Stripe and Twitter.

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Feasachán a 1, 2023

Seachtain a 1—dar deireadh 06/01

Noah Buffini Higgs a d'aistrigh Bunleagan Béarla Dhave McGinn ar fáil anseo.

Brú ar Ospidéil in Éirinn

Síordheacrachtaí sna hospidéil i dtaobh easpa spáis agus acmhainní. Méadú ar na hothair ag teacht isteach le fadhbanna riosparáide. B'í seo an tseachtain is measa dár taifeadadh riamh maidir le róphlódú na n-ospidéal, dar leis an FSS (HSE). 931 duine fágtha gan leaba ag tráth amháin.

Enoch Burke

Bhí an múinteoir meánscoile Enoch Burke ar láthair Scoil Ospidéil Wilson i gContae na hIarmhí den dara lá ó shaoire na Nollag i leith. Tá sé ag dul in aghaidh ordú de chuid na hArd-Chúirte gan a bheith ar láthair na scoile. Chaith Enoch Burke seal 108 lá sa phríosún anuraidh ar chúis díspeagtha, de bharr nár chloígh sé le hordú na Cúirte.

Freagairt an AE ar an Méadú Mór COVID sa tSín

Molann an tAontas Eorpach go mbeadh deimhniú toradh diúltach in aghaidh an COVID-19 ag paisinéirí ón tSín sula dtiocfaidh siad isteach san AE. Tá an moladh ag teacht i ndiaidh méadú mór infhabhtaithe sa tSín, agus i measc cainte nach bhfuiltear ag tuairisciú uimhreacha cearta cásanna ná básanna.

Cailleadh Post sna Gnólachtaí Teice

Tá Amazon agus Salesforce mar na comhlachtaí is déanaí i measc dream comhlachtaí ag scaoileadh le mórán ball foirne sna míonna atá thart. Táthar ag tuar go scaoilfear le 18,000 ball foirne ar fud an domhain - ardú ar an bhfigiúr 10,000 a bhíodh acu - agus tá Salesforce le laghdú 10% a chur i gcrích ina fhoireann domhanda. Tá sé seo ag teacht tar éis mórán cailleadh post i gcomhlachtaí mar shampla Meta, Stripe agus Twitter.

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Lúnasa—Féile Fhómhair na nGael

Roinnt stór focal ag bun an leathanaigh! Tá an leagan Béarla den alt le fáil anseo.

Lúnasa is ainm don 8ú mí den bhliain sa lá atá inniu ann. Ach tagann an t-ainm seo ó Lughnasadh nó 'Lug - nasad', seanfhéile tús an Fhómhair i measc na nGael. Deirtear gur chuir an seanrí diaga Lú tús le nós na féile nuair a chruinnigh sé tionól mór ('nasad' sa tseanGhaeilge) ar son a mháthar altramais, Tailtiú. Le linn Lúnasa, dhéanadh na Gaeil ceiliúradh ar tús an Fhómhair agus dhéantaí comóradh ar eachtraí Lú agus na dTuatha Dé Danann. Bhíodh aonaigh ollmhóra ar siúl ag na Gaeil ar fud na tíre agus an ceann ba mhó i dTeamhar na Rí. Ba thréimhse ghnó, spraoi agus comórtais iad na haonaigh chéanna.

Cúlra

Rí diaga as an seanchas is ea Lú, tá na Tuatha Dé Danann agus na Fomhóraigh aige araon mar a mhuintir. Thug sé cath i dtaca leis na Tuatha Dé i gcoinne na bhFomhórach agus a sheanathair Balor i gCath Maighe Tuireadh. Chuir Lú deireadh leis an gcath nuair a scaoil sé piléar trí shúil Bhalor lena thabhall, á mharú agus ag déanamh scrios ar arm na bhFomhórach. B'í Tailtiú, máthair altramais Lú, a fuair bás ón tuirse tamall ina dhiaidh sin tar éis coillte a bhaint agus faichí is goirt lár na hÉireann a réiteach don talmhaíocht ar son na nGael. Bhunaigh Lú féile ar a son le linn tús tréimhse an Fhómhair. Is sa tréimhse chéanna a chuirtí an tAonach Tailteann i gcrích gach bliain.

Nósanna

B'ionann an tAonach agus tionól ollmhór le raidhse ghníomhaíochtaí éagsúla ar siúl lena linn. I measc na ngníomhaíochtaí a bhí an tráchtáil, taidhleoireacht, comhdhálacha, comórtais, cleamhnas agus deis chóisire. Bhíodh comórtas mór spóirt agus aclaíochta ann, cosúil le cluichí Oilimpeacha na nGael. Ghlac laochra, na stócaigh is láidre agus is cumasacha, páirt ar son a dtuatha. Dhéanadh na stócaigh óga iarracht gradam a tharraingt orthu féin, agus theastaigh ó gach taoiseach éacht agus cáil a bhaint amach dá thuath. Chloiseadh na taoisigh éagsúla na dlíthe nua a bhí ar gach éinne in Éirinn cloí leo. Thugadh faoin gcleamhnas, é sin le rá an grá a lorg do dhaoine; lánúineacha a chruthú agus póstaí a shocrú. Bhíodh comhdhálacha ag ollúna faoi gach aon réimse agus bhíodh lucht mór ann ag díol a n-earraí agus a seirbhísí. Is cinnte go raibh Lúnasa mar príomhdheis sóisialta sa bhliain chomh maith le cúis taistil chun bualadh le daoine nua seachas an gnáthshaol áitiúil sa tráth sin. D'fhreastalaíodh gach saghas duine ar an Aonach; taoisigh, ceardaitheoirí, draoithe, breithimh, laochra, filí, feirmeoirí, lianna, cosmhuintir—an saol uilig.

Oidhreacht

Tháinig athrú réidh ar nósanna agus deasghnátha Lúnasa le teacht na Críostaíochta, agus faoi dheireadh cuireadh críoch leis na tionóil le teacht na Normannach. Ach fiú amháin sa lá atá inniu ann, tarlaíonn roinnt imeachtaí poiblí móra le linn tréimhse Lúnasa. Titeann cluichí ceannais an CLG idir dheireadh mí Iúil agus lár mí Lúnasa gach bliain. Cuirtear Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann ar siúl ag deireadh an tsamhraidh. Tarlaíonn an Comórtas Náisiúnta Treabhdóireachta tamall ina dhiaidh sin timpeall cónocht an fhómhair (21ú Meán Fómhair). Is ionann gach ceann acu seo agus tionól ollmhór; comórtas nó comhdháil le spraoi agus deis sóisialta. Tá siad cosúil leis na haonaigh ársa um Lúnasa, agus cé nach bhfuil an tAonach Tailteann féin ann a thuilleadh, tugann na mórócáidí seo léargas dúinn ar an gcineál fuinnimh agus fuadair is dócha a bhíodh ann.

Stór Focal

breitheamh = judge

ceardaitheoir = craftsperson

cleamhnas = matchmaking, arranging marriages

CLG (Cumann Lúthchleas Gael) = GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)

cluichí ceannais = championship finals

Comórtas Náisiúnta na Treabhdóireachta = National Ploughing Championships

comhdháil = conference

cónocht an fhómhair = autumn equinox

cosmhuintir = regular folk

draoi = druid; spiritual leader

file = poet, bard, orator

is ionann...agus... = ____ is equivalent to ____

lánúineacha = couples (lánúin = couple)

laoch = champion (of athletics or competitions), hero, warrior

lia = healer, physician

nós = tradition, habit

ollúna = experts, professors, learned people (ollamh = professor)

raidhse = a bounty, a great many things

sa lá atá inniu ann = in the present day (literally "in the day in which today is")

seachas = compared to

stócaigh = young men (stócach = youn man)

taidhleoireacht = diplomacy

taoiseach = chief

tráchtáil = commerce

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Lúnasa—Gaelic Harvest Festival

This is a translated article, and some of the phrasing might be slightly funny as it reflects the thoughts being written in another language. The original Irish version of this article with some helpful translations can be found here.

Lúnasa is the name of the 8th month of the year in modern Irish. This name comes from Lughnasadh or 'Lug - nasad', the ancient Gaelic festival of the start of the harvest. It is said that the divine king Lú created the tradition of the festival when he called a large assembly and fair in honour of his foster mother, Tailtiu. During Lúnasa, Gaels would celebrate the start of the harvest and commemorate the deeds of Lú and his peers in the Tuatha Dé Danann. There were largescale fairs across the country, the biggest one being at Tara. These fairs were a period of commerce, amusement and competitions.

Background

Lú is a god king from the folklore, descending from both the Tuathta Dé Danann and the Fomorians. He fought with the Tuatha Dé against the Fomorians and his grandfather Balor in the Battle of Magh Tuireadh. Lú ended the battle when he shot Balor through the eye with his sling, killing him and unleashing havoc on the Fomorian army. Tailtiu, Lú's foster mother, later died after clearing the centre of Ireland's forests to prepare the land for agriculture on behalf of the Gaels. Lú founded a festival in her honour during the start of harvest period. This time is when the Tailteann Fair (Aonach Tailteann) was carried out each year.

Traditions

The Aonach was a huge assembly with many different activities going on throughout. Among these activities were commerce, diplomacy, conferences, competitions, matchmaking and a chance to party. There was a large sporting and athletics competition, like the Gaelic Olympic games. Champions, the strongest and most capable young men, took part on behalf of their tribes. The young men tried to win themselves glory, and each chief wanted to win honour and reputation for his tribe. Chiefs from the various tribes would hear the new laws which everybody in Ireland had to follow. Matchmaking was done, that is to say finding people love by matching them into couples and arranging marriages. Experts of all sorts of fields held conferences and a large crowd of merchants sold their goods and services. Lúnasa was definitely one of the main social opportunities of the year, and an incentive to travel and meet people at a time when people led very local lives. Every kind of person attended the fair; chiefs, craftspeople, druids, judges, champions, poets, farmers, healers, the average folk—everybody.

Legacy

Christianity caused a steady change in Lúnasa traditions, and the yearly fairs were eventually discontinued by the time the Normans arrived. However, even up to the present day there is a variety of largescale public events held during the Lúnasa period. The finals of the GAA championships fall between the end of July and mid-August each year. The Fleadh Cheoil (major traditional music festival) happens at the end of summer. A bit later, around the autumn equinox in September, the National Ploughing Championships take place. Each of these is effectively a large assembly; a competition or a conference with amusement and socialising. They are just like the ancient Lúnasa fair, and although the Tailteann Fair itself is no longer around, these large events give us a picture of the hustle and bustle which must have been felt.

Keywords

aonach = fair

fómhar = harvest/autumn

tionól = assembly

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Crowds and Groups—Spotlight on Vocabulary

This is the English version of a short article on vocabulary. You can find the original Irish version here.

The Gaels love to gather people together for all sorts of reasons. Assemblies, fairs, festivals, and more. There are plenty of terms for ‘groups’ as in a gathered crowd, and others for ‘communities’ linked by culture/lifestyle. There aren’t direct equivalents to most of the words and learners from English often struggle with them:

comhluadar - company, peers grúpa - group lucht an ____ - the crowd of ____ (= "those who do ____") comhphobal - community dream - crowd/folks daoine - people pobal - public, community muintir - family, folks, people with connection drong - a gathered crowd slua - a gathered crowd meitheal - the group who assembles to finish a certain job/task foireann - team, permanent staff an saol - people, everybody (also: life, living)

Click on the links for the Irish and English versions of an article on this blog which uses plenty of these terms.

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Grúpaí agus Daoine—Béim an Stóir Fhocal

Is mór leis na Gaeil grúpaí a bhailiú le chéile ar roinnt mhaith fáthanna. Tá roinnt téarmaí ann a chuireann síos ar grúpa bailithe le chéile in áit, seachas comhphobal le nasc eatarthu ina gcultúr/slí bheatha. Níl a leithéid ann sa Bhéarla agus is deacair d'fhoghlaimeoirí uaireanta na difir a bhrath sna focail.

comhluadar - company, peers grúpa - group lucht an ____ - the crowd of ____ (= "those who do ____") comhphobal - community dream - crowd/folks daoine - people pobal - public, community muintir - family, folks, people with connection drong - a gathered crowd slua - a gathered crowd meitheal - the group who assembles to finish a certain job/task foireann - team, permanent staff an saol - people, everybody (also: life, living)

Tá roinnt mhaith den stór focal seo le feiceáil san alt seo.

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Gaelicness and Veganism

This is a translated article, and some of the phrasing might be slightly funny as it reflects the thoughts being written in another language. The original Irish version of this article with some helpful translations can be found here.

Can Irish-speakers learn anything from vegans?

Veganism is a difficult choice. Even if it's the smart, sustainable decision for the planet, and even if it's the only right decision for you it's still a tough thing practically speaking. Most people eat a lot of meat and love it. It's expected that you'll eat meat too, and people are often annoyed when you want to avoid meat because it means they have to make different meals at home and seek out particular restaurants with vegan options for your sake. That means everybody has to alter their habits according to one person's choice. Even when people have sympathy and respect for what you're doing, it can be hard for them.

In this way, the situation reminds me of the state of things for the Irish language and Irish speakers (gaelgóirí). Typically, a gaelgóir lives among English speakers. You have two choices; to urge your friends to make an effort, or to try to forget about it. I guess most Irish speakers in Ireland do a bit of both, depending on the moment. There's a conflict between the heart's desire and the ease of the group. I'm not personally a vegan, and it was only recently that this comparison occurred to me.

A personal decision which affects people around you

One significant difference between Irish language efforts and veganism is that gaelgóirí aren't as likely to put that kind of hassle on their peers. Both communities surely have similar commitment to their cause, but the circumstances are different in a few ways. A vegan could make their own food if they needed, but gaelgóirí can't exactly talk to themselves if their friends give up talking to them. Also, one meal is an easier ask than learning to speak a language. You could try to find a group of Irish-speaking friends, but this doesn't appeal to most people and I get that. But should Irish speakers be trying to put that kind of 'necessary' pressure on their peers? Is that the kind of zeal we need? I really don't want to hassle people and make them feel awkward.

It's getting more and more normal and acceptable to be a vegan in the Western World. It's not long since vegans had a bad reputation and were expected to be extremists and nags. But nowadays that mindset is rarer, and a lot of people respect the vegan cause even if they're not vegans themselves. The situation gives me hope for Irish, which I think is seeing the exact same development, although at a slightly earlier stage. My guess is that Irish is behind in this respect because it still suffers a bit from how it's taught at school. It's not exactly the effort of trying to speak that people don't like, it's usually the stress of worrying about making a mistake, and I think schooling has a lot to answer for there. As this piece is being written, An Cailín Ciúin is being released to widespread acclaim. In all the discussion I feel a lot of friendly sentiment towards the Irish language itself.

I hope attitudes towards Irish will keep improving, and that it'll be easier for people to make it a part of their life. I mentioned earlier that I'm not personally a vegan, but I'm fairly mindful of the benefits of reducing meat and animal products. To my vegan friends, I'm like the typical Irish person who has some level of interest in Irish but doesn't speak often. Those people are okay, everybody can't get passionate about every cause. I think we, as advocates of our cause, either vegan or heritage culture advocates, need to make sure our peers know that we're not looking for perfection and that any effort helps. You need to get people on board on their own terms, and hopefully some of them will become more committed over time. Tús maith, leath na hoibre, (a good start is half the work done) after all! I'd hate to be a Gael-nazi and I find it hard to pressure people like that. I'd much prefer to see a sincere interest from my friends in the language, and that we make a decision to use it together. I'm already seeing that, and I can't wait to see even more improvement.

[clardubh]

Gaelachas agus Véigeánachas

Roinnt stór focal ag bun an leathanaigh! Tá an leagan Béarla den alt le fáil anseo.

An bhfuil aon rud le foghlaim ag lucht na Gaeilge ó lucht na véigeán?

Is cinneadh deacair é an véigeánachas. Fiú más é an rogha cliste inbhuanaithe don domhan agus gurb é an t-aon chinne is ceart leat—mar sin féin is rud casta ó thaobh praiticiúlachta é. Is gnách agus is aoibhinn leis an gcuid is mó den saol an fheoil a ithe. Bítear ag súil go n-íosfá féin feoil, agus cuireann sé isteach ar dhaoine nuair is mian leat an fheoil a sheachaint mar go gcaithfear béilí éagsúla a ullmhú sa bhaile agus bialanna ar leith le roghanna véigeánacha a aimsiú ar do shon. Ciallaíonn sé sin go gcaithfidh gach éinne a nósanna a athrú de réir rogha duine amháin. Fiú má bhíonn bá agus meas ag daoine le do rogha, is deacair leo é.

Sa chaoi seo, cuireann a leithéid scéil cúis na Gaeilge agus gaelgóirí i gcuimhne dom. Maireann an gnáthghaelgóir i measc comhluadar béarla. Bíonn dhá rogha agat; iarraidh ar do chairde iarracht a dhéanamh, nó neamhaird a thabhairt ar an bhfadhb. Is dócha go mbíonn an dá nós ag an chuid is mó de ghaelgóirí in Éirinn ag pointí éagsúla. Tá coimhlint ann idir fonn an chroí agus compord an ghrúpa. Ní véigeán mé féin, agus níorbh ach le déanaí a rith an chomparáid seo liom.

Cinneadh pearsanta le himpleachtaí don chomhluadar

Difear mór amháin dar liom idir lucht na Gaeilge agus lucht na véigeán ná is annaimhe a bhacann gaelgóirí an stró sin a chur ar an gcomhluadar. Is cinnte go bhfuil díograis chomhchosúil ag an dá chomhphobal dá gcúis, ach tá na cúinsí éagsúil ar roinnt pointí. Is féidir le véigeán a bhia féin a réiteach más gá, ach ní féidir le gaelgóir labhairt leo féin má éiríonn a chairde as caint leo. Is fusa iarraidh ar dhaoine béile speisialta amháin a réiteach ná teanga nua a fhoghlaim. D'fhéadfaí dream cairde gaelgóir a lorg, ach ní oireann sé seo do mhórán daoine agus tagaim leis sin. Ach an gá do ghaelgóirí an cineál brú 'riachtanach' sin a chur ar a gcomhluadar? An é sin an cineál díograise a bhfuil de dhíth? Tá súil agam gan dua ná stró a chur ar éinne.

Tá sé ag éirí níos gnáiche a bheith i do véigeán sa Domhan Thiar agus glactar leis níos minice. Ní fada óna mbíodh droch-íomhá ar véigeáin, go mbítí ag súil gur sciolladóirí antoisceacha iad. Ach anois is annaimhe an dearcadh sin, agus tagann a lán daoine le cúis na véigeán fiú munar véigeán iad féin. Cuireann na cúinsí seo dóchas orm i leith na Gaeilge, a mheasaim go bhfuil an dul chun cinn ceannann céanna ag teacht uirthi, cé go bhfuil sé ag staid níos luaithe san fhorbairt sin. Is dóigh liomsa go bhfuil moill ar an nGaeilge ina leith seo toisc a teagasc ar scoil. Ní hamháin go seachnaíonn daoine an trioblóid le teanga nua a labhairt, ach go mbíonn eagla orthu botún a dhéanamh sa chaint. Ceapaim go bhfuil an locht go mór leis an oideachas poiblí mar gheall air seo. Ach agus an píosa seo á scríobh, tá An Cailín Ciúin tar éis teacht amach le dea-cháil agus ard-mholadh á bhfáil go fairsing aige. I measc an phlé sin braithim a lán dea-thuairim don Ghaeilge féin.

Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh níos mó feabhais ar meonta i leith na Gaeilge, agus go mbeidh sé níos éasca do dhaoine í a bheith mar cuid dá saol. Dúirt mé cheana nach véigeán mé féin, ach táim eolach go leor ar na tairbhí a bhaineann le laghdú feoil agus táirgí ainmhithe. Dar le mo chairde véigeán, is ionann mise agus an gnáth-Éireannach a bhfuil suim éigin sa Ghaeilge ach nach labhraíonn go minic. Is fiú an saghas sin duine, ní cás le gach éinne gach cúis. Caithfimidne mar tacadóirí d'ár gcúis a bheith tuisceanach don chomhluadar agus a chur i gcuimhne dóibh i gcónaí nach í an fhoirfeacht a theastaíonn uainn. Ní theastaíonn ach an dícheall. Caithfear daoine a earcú ar a son féin, agus b'fhéidir le himeacht ama go músclófar díograis iontu. Tús maith, leath na hoibre mar a déarfá! B'fhuath liom a bheith i mo 'Ghael-nazi' agus is annamh liom brú a chur ar éinne. B'fhearr go mór liom suim mhacánta a fheiceáil ó mo chairde sa teanga, agus gur comh-chinneadh eadrainn í a úsáid. Táim cheana féin á bhrath sin, agus táim ar bís níos mó feabhais a fheiceáil.

Stór Focal

Breis stór focal le fáil anseo!

agus - and agus - while, meanwhile, as annamh - rare, infrequent is annamh liom - it's rare for me antoisceach - extremist ar leith - particular, specific bá - sympathy (understanding, respect) Bítear ag súil... - It is expected... bhítí ag súil... - it used to be expected ceannann céanna - exact same cinneadh - decision comh- — mutual, together, the same cúis - cause (something people care about) cur isteach ar - to bother/be a nuisance dar liom - for me, I think dearcadh - perspective, opinion dua - hassle éirí as - to give up fairsing - widespread, extensive feabhas - improvement glactar leis - it is accepted gnách - normal is gnách liom... - I often... inbhuanaithe - sustainable a leithéid - such a thing, the equivalent of meon - attitude sciolladóir - nagging person stró - exertion tagaim leis - I get it (I understand/agree)

[clardubh]

Bealtaine—The Gaelic Summer Festival

Bealtaine is a major Gaelic festival marking the start of summer. Light and growth are two important themes of this festival time, but so is a certain tentativeness and care. The summer is coming, and it's time to go out into the world, which invites opportunity but certain risks too.

Light and Development

Bealtaine is a summer festival, welcoming the light. It's also when many plants start to blossom or grow. Buds are emerging from plants, young animals are born, the days are getting longer. In Ireland, the long Northern European winter is finally retreating. After months of darkness and cold, there is a distinct feeling of energy and wonderment as the bright sun hangs in the sky once again.

Seasonal flowers were hung by the Gaels to decorate houses, hearths and bushes to remind of the hope and new life of the season. Red flannel was also used, to signify fire. It was also time to bring the cattle to summer pastures, and there were ceremonies to ensure their safety out in the open. After all, when the cattle were out in the open they had to be protected from predators and thieves.

It's worth noting that Gaelic spirituality doesn't split things into just 'good' and 'evil'. So, all this new light nurtures and awakens all types of beings, and there were challenges and potential danger in there too. The light was not taken to mean pure bliss and ease. The Gaels lived in a beautiful but wild world. This was the bright, active part of the year, and the sentiments of excitement and possibility also came with the fear of threats and risks.

Caution, cleansing

The Gaels believed in an Otherworld, where other types of beings lived. These beings could come close to humans and interact with them, especially whenever light and dark merged—like dawn and dusk, or the transition between two seasons. They weren't good and they weren't evil; just like humans, they were individuals with wants and fears. They used a lot of magic and could be quite powerful and clever, so you had to respect them and/or stay out of their way.For this reason, despite the light, growth and hope of Bealtaine, it was also a time of relative caution. Unlike the usual Gaelic obsession with hospitality and reciprocity, people were not expected to share food or welcome people into the home at this time. It was a time to be quiet and careful, in case you invited bad luck on yourself or your kin for the rest of the year until Samhain. Even as I write this in a modern home, ants and flies have recently started occupying the house and I can imagine how the return of energy and growth didn't just mean happiness and flowers, but also having to deal with animals you don't want around. The world in general is just more alive, and humans like anything else have to keep their place among everything else trying to survive. Fairies and magical beings could take the form of people to play tricks and get what they want, so you had to be quite careful. Wolves and foxes surely knew exactly where the newborn lambs lived. Milk was feared to go sour, which was taken as a very bad omen.

Fire 

Bealtaine was a fire festival more than any other. There was probably always a bonfire at a congregation; they gave light and heat, and were good places for performing, spreading news and discussing in big groups. But at Bealtaine, fire was a main theme. Even the name Bealtaine might partly come from 'tine' meaning fire in Gaelic. The home hearth was extinguished and relit from a fire outside like the communal fire. The hearth was never allowed to go out except at this time. Cattle were led around the fire, between two fires, or even over embers. Fire was thought to burn away impurities and cleanse, so the cattle were washed of dirt and bad omens like sickness and weakness. Sometimes people even walked or jumped over fires, for show or because they needed to be cleansed. Everybody was hoping to avoid the misfortune that could come as the world woke up again.

Two halves of the year

Gaels divided the year into a bright and dark half, like the day and night. Bealtaine is the entry into summer and brightness, like the dawn of the year. It's not the Gaelic new year, however. In fact, it's the exact middle of the year because the start of a Gaelic day was at dusk, and so Samhain, the start of winter festival and dusk of the year, was the new year. Today, Bealtaine starts on the 1st of May but before modern calendars it happened around the time of the blossoming of the hawthorn tree, or other seasonal cues. Even today, the month of May is called Bealtaine in Irish. Its full name is Mí na Bealtaine meaning "month of the Bealtaine [festival]".Bealtaine, like Samhain, was when dark and light faded between each other. Just like dawn and dusk each day, this time of year was seen as a transition where two worlds came very close and could merge. The other time this happened was at Samhain, which you probably know as Halloween, when you wear a mask to try to fit in among all the supernatural beings which emerge.

Modern Bealtaine

Bealtaine was one of the four big festivals of the year—along with Lúnasa, Samhain and Imbolg. As much as anything spiritual, it was a fair—a huge congregation, a social and administrative event. People partied with food, drink, music, dance and mind-altering substances. People arranged match-making and marriages, sold their goods and services and hired travelling judges to settle disputes and contracts. Leaders met to hear new laws proclaimed and settle diplomatic affairs, and experts like druids and bards shared knowledge, opinions and experiences.

These festivals are thought to be very very old. They were some of the main times of year to be in a huge crowd and meet lots of people, and helped Gaelic culture stay strong and consistent throughout Ireland even when people's lives were very local. Eventually, Bealtaine was replaced by Christian festivals. It survived in some form until very recently, usually called May Day and as more of a party. It gave its name to the month of May in Irish, and today there's an arts festival for older people's work called Bealtaine at the same time as the old Gaelic festival.

I like to celebrate Bealtaine as a Gael, and each year I have a bit more of a ceremony prepared—food, events with friends, spirituality, philosophy, rituals, etc. I love having festivals based on the seasons and events of where I live—like plants blossoming or the changing weather. It means a lot more to me than religions brought from far away based on other ecosystems that don't reflect my actual life.

Modern Neo-Pagans and similar groups celebrate a revived festival called Beltane, which uses the older Irish spelling. Beltane shares the same roots and themes as Gaelic Bealtaine but is more focused on pure spirituality and mixes modern Paganism's broader world influences.

A quick summary of all the modern meanings of Bealtaine (and Beltane, etc)

Bealtaine/Beltane - The Gaelic start of summer festival described in this article

Bealtaine - The word for the month of May in the Irish language

Bealtaine Festival - An arts festival in Ireland showcasing older people's work

Beltane - A festival for Neo-Pagans and similar spiritual groups hearkening the old Bealtaine festival but with wider influences from other cultures

Stór Focal

Here’s some of the key vocabulary if you want to use some Gaelic language to help you feel festive this Bealtaine:

Aonach - a large fair

Maisiúchán - decoration

Tine chnámh - bonfire

Féile - a festival

Solas - light

Forbairt - growth, development

Stuaim - steadiness, sensibility

“Nua gach bia agus sean gach dí” - A phrase - ‘The best of food and drink’ or ‘Fresh food and mature drink’

Bealtaine Sona daoibh go léir!