combination into those of the surrounding districts. The native of Ballymore does not speak as the inhabitant of Ballybeg, only two miles away; and the native of Ballybeg probably has several pronunciations, of which he will give you the benefit impartially. This last statement must appear almost incredible, but its truth is unquestionable. I have taxed the peasants with these variations, and they have admitted them, only observing “that's how the word's said there,” i.e., in that context.
The alphabet which now follows is the work of Mr. James Lecky, whose untimely death was a severe blow to the study of modern Irish. In addition to the list here given, Mr. Lecky had noted some additional distinctions, the precise value of which I do not understand. I have therefore not employed them in my own stories, and though I have included one story written down by himself, I have been obliged to omit them.
THE ALPHABET.
| Phonetic Spelling. | Ordinary Spelling. | English. | |
| a | maq | mac | son |
| aa | laa | lá | day |
| ai | maih | maith | good |
| aai | faainnje | fáinne | a ring |
| æ | bæn | bean | a woman |
| ææ | fæær | feárr | better |
| e | lesj | leis | with |
| ee | sjee | sé | he |
