Irisleabhar na Gaedhilge
THE GAELIC JOURNAL
Exclusively devoted to the Preservation and
Cultivation of the Irish Language
Founded, Conducted and Published by
the Gaelic Union
[No. 51 of the Old Series.]
In reply to many applications, I regret to say that I cannot send copies of the Journal gratis to anyone. It is a mistake to imagine, as many seem to do, that the Journal is supported by, or connected with, any society whatsoever. The Gaelic League, indeed, does all that it can to induce people to buy the Journal, but I have no means from which to pay the expenses of printing and publication except the subscriptions which are sent to me.
E. O'G.
Some people are anxious to know why we publish folk-stories. It is not so much for their value as folk-lore as for the number of old words, not to be found in dictionaries, which they contain. We would venture to say that each of the recent issues of the Journal contains over a score of ancient Gaelic words which are now put on record, translated, and explained, for the first time. It is only by continuing to collect in this way that we can obtain the materials for a good modern Irish dictionary—the great want at present.
Articles in the study of Irish have appeared in many influential foreign papers, including the Catholic Times of Philadelphia, the Visitor of Providence, Connecticut Catholic, New York Republic, New Zealand Tablet, &c.
The monthlies for May contains at least two articles of great interest for students of Irish literature. In the New Ireland Review, Mr. John MacNeill speaks of the general character and value" of the ancient Gaelic literature, and gives some good specimens with translations. The Most Rev. Dr. Healy Bishop of Clonfert, publishes in the Irish Ecclesiastical Record a most attractive paper on the lives of the Four Masters, and of their great work "for the glory of God and the honour of Erin."
We are glad to see our old Gaelic friends, the Gaoḋal of Brooklyn, and the Echo (Mac Alla) of Boston, as full of life as ever. Although they differ on some points, they are at one in their work for the old tongue, and both cordially support the circulation of this Journal in America. The Echo now commences its fifth volume with renewed courage, and begins a new series of Irish lessons, drawn up by Mr. John O'Daly
The native language, history, music, scenery, traditions, &c., &c., of the Highland Gaels find an exponent month after month, in the Celtic Monthly. The illustrations are numerous and attractive. Mac Talla, away in Canada, sends out its eight pages of Gaelic every week. In a recent article by Rev. Mr. MacRury, we find the Gobbán Saor appears, in a Skye legend, as Boban Saor, a famous cooper of the misty isle.
We omitted to notice, some time ago, a very interesting article on Old-Norse Words in Gaelic. contributed by Mr. W. A. Craigie to the Archiv för Nordish Filologi. It is time that someone acquainted with the old Norse should examine the Icelandic literature with an eye to any vestiges of the Norse connection with Ireland. What little has been done by Halliday and Dr. Todd only makes one wish for more. Among the words given by Mr. Craigie are:—bád, a boat; seód, a sheet (of sail); rúm, a room; lonn, handle of oar; stiur, helm; garḋa or garraḋ, a garden; lota (lofta), a loft; tile, stern of boat; bórd, board; cloḃa (?=tluġ), tongs; ceap, block; goḃal, fork; &c., &c.
The addresses recently presented to the Archbishop of Dublin, on the occasion of his visit to the Ladies' University School, Dublin, included an address in Irish. The address was beautifully illuminated, and attracted much attention. At the concert. which followed, 'Sa ṁúirnín dílis was sung, and was received with applause.
At the annual concert given at the Schools of the Convent of Mercy, Stradbally, several songs were sung in the native language. This is a new and much-needed departure in school concerts, and indeed in concerts generally in Ireland. The songs were (1) An t‑Am fad ó; (2) Caiṫeaṁ an ġlais; (3) Mo Mháire; (4) An díbirteaċ; (5) Smaointe ar Eirinn. The credit of this is largely due to the exertions of the Rev. Father Hickey one of the oldest supporters of this Journal.
IRISH CLASSES.
The Gaelic League Classes in Dublin, Derry and Cork, continue to be well attended. Many classes are working through the country in connection with the new lessons in Irish, and hundreds of Irish speakers have learned to read Irish within the past few months. Back numbers of the Gaelic Journal, i.e., any number published before No. 48, will be supplied to Gaelic classes at half-price, 3½d., post free.
