Io
The sound of io is either made up of the sounds of both the vowels, or like one of them alone.
1. Made up of (1) i and (3) o: i long, o short, as, diol to pay, fior true; i short, as, iolach a shout, ionnsuidh an attack.
Before a Lingual or Palatal, not quiescent, the o sometimes loses its sound, and only qualifies that of the following consonant; hence,
2. Like (1) i: long, as, iodhol an idol; short, as, crios a girdle, biorach pointed.
After a Lingual or a Palatal, not quiescent, the i sometimes loses its sound, and only qualifies that of the preceding consonant; hence,
3. Like u in fun, short and obscure: as, cionta guilt, tiondadh to turn.