IV The Pronunciation
This is the approximate pronunciation of some of the more difficult names:
Adhnuall
Ai-noo-al.
Ailbhe
Alva.
Almhuin
All-oon, or Alvin.
Aobh
Aev, or Eev.
Aodh
Ae (rhyming to “day”).
Aoibhill
Evill.
Aoife
Eefa.
Badb
Bibe.
Beltaine, or Bealtaine
Bal-tinna.
Bladhma
Bly-ma.
Bodb Dearg
Bove Darrig.
Caoilte
Cweeltia.
Cam Ruidhe
Corn Rwee.
Ciabhan
Kee-a-van.
Cliodna
Cleevna.
Coincheann
Kun-Kann.
Crann Buidhe
Cran bwee.
Credhe
Crae-a.
Cumhal
Coo-al.
Deaghadh
D’ya-a.
Dubhthach
Duffach.
Duibhreann
Dhiv-ran.
Duibhrium
Dhiv-rinn.
Dun
Doon.
Eimher
Aevir.
Emhain
Avvin.
Eochaid
Eohee.
Eoghan
Owen.
Fionnchad
Finn-ăch-a.
Fodhla
Fóla.
Fodla
Fola.
Gallimh
Gol-yiv.
Glas Gaibhnenn
Glos Gov-nan.
Leith Laeig
Lĕh Laeg.
Loch Dairbhreach
Loch Darvragh.
Lugaidh
Loo-ee, or Lewy.
Lugh
Loo.
Magh an Ionganaidh
Moy-in-eean-ee.
Magh Cuillean
Moy Cullin.
Magh Feabhail
Moy Fowl.
Magh Macraimhe
Moy Mucrivva.
Magh Mell
Moy Mal.
Magh Rein
Moy Raen.
Magh Tuireadh
Moytirra.
Manannan
Mānănaun.
Midhe
Mee.
Midhna
Mec-na.
Mochaomhog
Mo-cwecv-ōg.
Muadhan
Moo-aun.
Murchadh
Murachu.
Nemhnain
Now-nin.
Niamh
Nee-av.
Og
Ŏg.
Rath Medba, or Meadhbha
Ra Maev-a.
Rudraighe
Rury.
Samhain
Sow-in.
Scathniamh
Scau-nee-av.
Sceolan
Skolaun.
Searbhan
Sharavaun.
Sidhe
Shee.
Slieve Echtge
Sleev Acht-ga.
Tadg
Teig.
Teamhair
T’yower, or Tavvir.
Tuatha de Danaan
Too-ă-hă Donnan.
Tuathmumhain
Too-moon.
I have not followed a fixed rule as to the spelling of Irish names; I have taken the spelling I give from various good authorities, but they vary so much that, complete accuracy not being easy, I sometimes look to custom and convenience. I use, for instance, “Slieve” for “Sliabh,” because it comes so often, and a mispronunciation would spoil so many names. I have treated “Inbhir” (a river mouth) in the same way, spelling it “Inver,” and even adopting it as an English word, because it is so useful. The forty scholars of the New School of Old Irish will do us good service if they work at the question both of spelling and of pronunciation of the old names and settle them as far as is possible.