BY
B. HUNT
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GLOSSARY
A power of *
A large number
Begob
An exclamatory one word phrase, usually used to express excitement or anger
Bohlan *
Buachalán, Rag-weed, Ragwort. (Senecio Jacobea) A yellow-flowered ragged-leaved plant. It is a common weed of Irish pastures.
Breffny *
Also Breffni, Breifne, Bréifne, Bréfne, Breithne, Breithfne & Breibne
It included the western part of Cavan, Leitrim, the eastern part of Sligo. During the last four centuries parts of Roscommon and Fermanagh were also considered Breffny. Before the 17th century West Cavan was originally part of Connaught, but is now in the province of Ulster.Cailee *
Ceilidh, an evening visit to a neighbouring house, a social gathering.
Clash, a
A gossip, a person who tells tales about others.
Coley
Brat, badly behaved young person
Connacht
Anglicised as Connaught, one of the four Provinces of Ireland in the west of the country.
Conny
Smart, wary, understanding, canny.
Cor
Irish: Cor a theacht íad = they go bad. A twist or turn-up (of the face usually to express disapproval or surprise).
Cushogue
In Irish ‘coiseog’ is a stalk of hay or corn, a reed or bulrush. In some places it refers to a stalk of grass. In Breffny it may refer to a dandelion, cowslip or similar plant stalk.
‘Milking the cushoge’ would have meant extracting the sap. This ‘milk’ is rich in vitamins A, C, D, B-compllex, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, chlorine, calcium and boron.
In earlier Irish (and Scottish) society it was believed fairies, and ‘little people’, had much to do with sickness and health. Plant remedies were given by ‘fairy doctors’ and others with healing powers.
Plants used for healing included the Dandelion (for the heart, hypertension and as a diuretic). Other healing plants were: Apple, Buttercup, Chamomile, Elder, Hazel, Ivy, Juniper, Vervain, Plantain, Rowan, St. John’s Worth, and Wood Anemonie.Darragh
Also, Derryragh, A townland at the south west of Templeport Parish reputedly shrine of the Celtic pagan sun god `Crom Cruaich' who St Patrick came to destroy
Dwine
Dwindle, become smaller, shrink, waste away
Forenenst
Over against; opposite to
Fort *
The forts referred to are the circular enclosures supposed to have been made, in pre-Christian days, by the Tuatha de Danaan. (The tribes living in the area at the time). Also often called Rath and used in the place name
Gankeynogue *
A synonym of Leprachaun, Leprechaun - Used only in the northern districts of Breffny. An acorn bowl and hollow reed is said to be the Gankeynogue's pipe.
Gosoon
A boy; a servant (Goson)
Heth
Small item, often of knowledge.
Hoke
Also holk & howk. From Old English, to hollow out, excavate or dig up.
Join the world *
To marry
Juked
To dodge, to go, From Scots jouk meaning "to dodge".
Kist
Fate, Destiny, Treasure trove
Lep
Jump - Leap
Liefer
Readily; willingly. From old English
Lone bush *
A Hawthorn (Crataegus) growing at a distance from all other trees. The lone bushes are dedicated to the fairies, and must not be cut down.
Loy *
A spade peculiar to the west and north-west of Ireland. A one man plough.
Meskin
Crock - earthenware bowl, usually glazed inside; pot or jar
Odious
Amazing, terrific, extraordinary, wondrous
Old-fashioned
Cheeky
Perch
Measure of length for land, 5½ yards (Also called Rod or Pole) (=5.029 metres)
Scraw
Bog, soft surface skin on a bog or swamp
Skelp
Strike (often with the open hand), chastisement
Thrapple
Throat, Windpipe
Tongue hound
Beagle - Small short-haired hound used for hunting hares.
To allow *
To declare, to tell authoritively
Townland
The smallest Irish official administrative and geographical division of land, anything from a few acres to many hundreds.
Vexed / vexatious
Cross, angry. Causing anger or annoyance
Whisht
Hold your tongue. Be quiet!
* Asterisked items *
* The ten asterisked words comprise the original Glossary which appeared in the 1912 edition of the book, Folk Tales of Breffny. Some have been expanded to improve their meaning. The other words above have been included as they may have gone from common usage over the century since then, or may be unfamiliar to non-Irish readers.