476. When the noun in genitive case has the force of an adjective, it is not preceded by the article, but its initial consonant is subject to precisely the same rules, with regard to aspiration and eclipsis, as if it were a simple adjective, i.e., it is aspirated if the governing noun be nominative or accusative singular feminine, or genitive singular masculine. It is eclipsed if the governing noun be in the genitive plural.
- uḃ ċirce, a hen-egg (an egg of a hen)
- uiḃe circe, of a hen-egg.
- fear ceoil, a musician.
- fir ċeoil, of a musician.
- na ḃfear gceoil, of the musicians.
477. Apposition has almost entirely disappeared in modern Irish, the second noun being now usually in the nominative case, no matter what the case of the first may be.
478. A noun used adjectively in English is translated into Irish by the genitive case.
- A gold ring, fáinne óir (lit. a ring of gold).
- A hen-egg, uḃ ċirce.
- Oatmeal, min ċoirce.
479. Collective nouns (except in their own plurals) always take the article and qualifying adjectives in the singular; they sometimes take a plural pronoun, and may take a plural verb.
