Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland/Notes
Aedh Curucha (Aedh Crochtha), Hugh, the "suspended" or "hung up." As Aedh means also a fire-spark as well as the modern name Hugh, Aedh Curucha means the hung up or suspended fire-spark.
Alba, former name of Scotland.
Bar an Súan, "pin of slumber," met with frequently in Gaelic mythology, is found among the Slavs, but not so often. It appears in a Russian story,—one of the most beautiful in European folk-lore.
Cesa MacRi na Tulach, "Cesa, son of the king of the hill," said by my Donegal informant to be a small dark-gray bird.
Cúrucha na Gros (Crochtha na g-cros), "hung on the crosses," is a very interesting name, as is also that of the father of Fair, Brown, and Trembling, Aedh Curucha, q. v.
Conán Maol MacMorna, the Gaelic Thersites, always railing, causing trouble, unpopular, and attracting attention. This species of person is as well known in the mythology of the North American Indians as in Aryan myths.
Diachbha (pronounced Dyeéachva), "divinity," or the working of a power outside of us in shaping the careers of men; fate.
Diarmuid (pronounced Dyeearmud), the final d sounded as if one were to begin to utter y after it), one of the most remarkable characters in Gaelic mythology, a great hunter and performer of marvellous feats. The prominent event of his life was the carrying off of Grainne, bride of Fin MacCumhail, at her own command. After many years of baffled pursuit, Fin was forced to make peace; but he contrived at last to bring about Diarmuid's death by causing him to hunt an enchanted boar of green color and without ears or tail. The account of this pursuit and the death of Diarmuid forms one of the celebrated productions of Gaelic literature. Diarmuid had a mole on his forehead, which he kept covered usually; but when it was laid bare and a woman saw it, she fell in love with him beyond recall. This was why Grainne deserted Fin, not after she was married, but at the feast of betrothal. The evident meaning of the word is "bright" or "divine-weaponed." It is very interesting to find Diarmuid called also Son of the Monarch of Light, in another story.
Donoch Kam cosa, "Donoch, crooked feet."
Draoiachta (pronounced Dreéachta), "Druidism," or "enchantment."
Érineach, or Eirineach, "a man of Erin."
Gil an Og, "water of youth."
Gilla na Grakin (Gilla na g-croicean), "the fellow (or youth) of the skins,"—i. e., the serving man of the skins. This word "Gilla" enters into the formation of many Gaelic names, such as Gilchrist, Gilfillin, MacGillacuddy.
Grúagach (pronounced Gróoagach), "the hairy one," from grúag, hair. We are more likely to be justified in finding a solar agent concealed in the person of the laughing Gruagach or the Gruagach of tricks than in many of the sun-myths put forth by some modern writers.
Inis Caol, "light island,"—i. e., not heavy.
Iron-back-without-action (Ton iaran gan tapuil).
Knock an Ár, "hill of slaughter," a mountain near the mouth of the Shannon in Kerry.
Lun Dubh MacSmola, "blackbird," son of thrush.
Mal MacMulcan. Mulcan in this name is evidently Vulcan, substituted for some old Gaelic myth-power.
Oisin. In the Gaelic of Ireland this name is accented on the last syllable; in that of Scotland on the first, which gives in English Ossian, the poet made known to the world by Macpherson. The poems of Ossian are of course nothing more nor less than the ballads of Fin MacCumhail and the Fenians of Erin, taken from Ireland to Scotland by the Gael when they settled in the latter country, and modified in some degree by Macpherson. Oisin is pronounced Ushéen in Ireland, u sounded as in but.
Ri Fohín (Ri fo thuinn), "king under the wave."
Sean Ruadh, "John the Red," pronounced Shawn Roo.
Tisean (pronounced Tishyán; an as in pan), "envy." Son of King Tisean means "Son of King Envy."
Urféist. This word is made up of Ur and péist. Ur is kindred with the German Ur, and in a compound like this means the "original" or "greatest." Péist–"worm," "beast," "monster"–is changed to féist here, according to a rule of aspiration in Gaelic grammar.
THE END.