Úirchill an Chreagáin: English Translation (Leaving Cert Irish): Revision Notes

Úirchill an Chreagáin: English Translation

Úirchill an Chreagáin

le hArt Mac Cumhaidh

Ag Úirchill an Chreagáin do chodlas féin aréir faoi bhrón,

Is le héirí na maidine tháinig ainnir fá mo dhéin le póg;

Bhí gríos-ghruaig ghasda aici is lonradh ina céibh mar ór,

'S gur ba íocshláinte an domhain bheith ag amharc ar an rían óg.

Dúirt sí, "Éirigh a leannaibh, is tige leat liomsa go Béal an Átha,

Mar a bhfuil na sléibhte glasa is aibhneacha léi ag rith 's ag snámh;

Mar a mbíonn na héiníní ag canadh is ag seinm ceoil gach lá,

Is na fiannaibh ag ól fiona ar bhruach an chnoic úd thall."

"Ó a spéirbhean na mban, nach mór liom do mhealltacht 's do ghlór,

'S do chúl óg álainn ag titim i ringe go talamh lom;

Do shúile tréine mar cheiteann ag éirí liom taobh le taobh,

'S do gháire geal, suairc mar scéalaí ag teacht thar sáile i gcóir.

"Ach fágaim le Dia thú is níl aithne agam ort, a ríon óg,

Cé gur bhinne do cheol ná mar chuala mé riamh ar fán;

'S go gcuireann tú crith ar chroí an leannaibh le d'fhaitíos 's do mhian mar bhláth,

Níorbh eol dom do mhuintir ná d'áit ná cé thusa féin ná cá dtá."

Dúirt sí, "Is mise an Eagna, is is liom gach cearda 's cleas;

Is mise an Éigse 's an Fhilíocht, a bhíonn i mbéal gach scoláire glic;

Is liom Tír Eoghain, Muineachán, is Leith Chathail an bhéil bhinn ghlé,

Is Úirchill an Chreagáin, mo chroíse, is iadsan a bheas liom go bráth."

The Graveyard of Creggan

by Art Mac Cumhaidh

At the graveyard of Creggan I lay last night in grief and pain,

And at the break of morning a fair maid to me came;

Her hair was bright and golden, her cheeks like the rose in June,

And the cure of all the world would be gazing on that young bloom.

She said, "Rise up, my young man, and come with me to Béal an Átha,

Where the hills are green and flowing rivers sing as they pass;

Where the birds are sweetly singing and playing music every day,

And the warriors drink their wine on the summit of the hill."

"O bright queen among women, your beauty is wondrous to see,

With your young fair hair falling in curls to the earth at your knee;

Your strong eyes like arrows pierce deep to my heart's own core,

And your smile is sweet and joyful like tidings from a foreign shore.

But I leave you to God – I know not your name or your kin,

Though your voice is sweeter than any I've heard wandering within;

And your gaze stirs trembling in me like blossom on May's green bough,

I know not who you are or where you dwell, or why you've come here now."

She said, "I am Wisdom, and mine are all crafts and skill;

I am Poetry and Song, in the mouths of the learned still;

I own Tyrone and Monaghan, and Leith Cathail of softest speech,

And Creggan's holy graveyard – my heart, and they shall be mine evermore."