This is the approximate pronunciation of some of the more difficult names:
Adhnuall
Ai-noo-al
Ailbhe
Alva
Ahnhuin
All-oon, or
Alvin
Aobh
Aev, or
Eev
Aodh
Ae (rhyming to
"day")
Aoibhill
Evill
Aoife
Eefa
Badb
Bibe
Beltaine, of Bealtaine
Bal-tinna
Bladma
Bly-ma
Bodb Dearg
Bove Darrig
Caoilte
Cweeltia
Carn Ruidhe
Corn Rwe
Ciabban
Kee-a-van
Cliodna
Cleevna
Coincheann
Kun-Kann
Crann Buidhe
Cran bwee
Credhe
Crae-a
Cumhal
Coo-al
Deaghadh
D'va-a
Dubhtbach
Duffách
Duibhreann
Dbiv-ran
Duibhrium
Dhiv-rinn
Dun
Doon
Eimber
Aevir
Emhain
Avvin
Eochaid
Eohee
Eoghan
Owen
Fionnchad
Finn-ãch-a
Fodhla
Fóla
Fodla
Fola
Gallimh
Gol-yiv
Glas Gaibhnenn
Glos Gov-nan
Leith Laeig
Leh 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
Mananuan
Midhe
Mee
Midhna
Mee-na
Mochaomhog
Mo-cweev-og
Muadhan
Moo-aun
Murchadh
Murachu
Nemhnain
Now-nm
Niamh
Nee-av
Og
Og
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-a-ha-dae 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.
THE PLACE NAMES
Accuill
Achill, Co. Mayo
Aine Cliach
Cnoc Aine,
Co. Limerick
Almhuin
Near Kildare
Ath Cliath
Dublin
Athluain
Athlone
Ath na Riogh
Athenry
Badhamain
Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Baile Cronin
Barony of Imokilty, Co.
Cork
Banna
The Bann
Beare
Berehaven
Bearna na Eadargana
Roscommon
Bearnas Mor
Co. Donegal
Beinn Gulbain
Benbulban,
Co. Sligo
Beire do Bhunadas
Berehaven
Bel-atha-Senaig
Ballyshannon
Belgata
In Connemara.
(Source of the Bann and Mourne Mountains)
Benna
Boirde
Berramain
Near Tralee
Bhas
River Bush
Boinne
River Boyne
Bri Leith
Co. Longford
Cairbre
Carbury
Cairgin
Three
miles south of Londonderry
Carrtach River
River Carra,
near Dunkerrin Mountains
Ceanntaile
Kinsale
Ceiscorainn
Co. Sligo
Cill Dolun
Killaloe, Co. Clare
Cliodna's Wave
At Glandore,
Co. Cork
Cluantarbh
Clontarf
Cnoc Aine
Co. Limerick
Cnoc-an-Air
Co. Kerry
Cnoc na righ
Co. Sligo
Corca Duibhne
Corcaguiny,
Co. Kerry
Corrslieve
Carlow Mountains
Crotta Cliach
Galtee Mountains
Cruachan
Co. Roscommon
Cruachan Aigle
Croagh Patrick
Doire a Cairn
Derrycarn,
Co. Meath
Doire-da-Bhoth
In Slieve Echtge
Druim Cleibh
Co. Sligo
Druim Lis
Near Loch Gill
Druimscarha
Near River Arighis, Co.
Cork
Dun Sobairce
Dunsevenh,
Co. Antrim
Durlas
Thurles
Ess Dara
Near Sligo
Ess Ruadh
Assaroe,
Co. Donegal
Fidh Gaible
Fergill,
Co. Sligo
Finntraighe
Ventry
Fionn
The Finn
Fionnabraic
Kilfenna,
Co. Clare
Fionnatutach
Co. Limerick
Fleisge
Co. Kerry
Gabhra
Near Tara
Gaibh atha na Fiann
River Leamhar,
flows from Killarney
Gairech and Ilgairech
Hills near Mullingar
Gallimh
Galway
Gleann na Caor
Co. Cork
Gullach Dolliarb
Barony of Rathconrath
Hill of Bairnech
Near Killarney
Hill of Uisnech
Co. Westmeath
Inver Cechmaine
East coast of Ulster
Inver Colpa
Drogheda
Inver Slane
N.E. of Leinster
Irrus Domnann
Erris, Co. Mayo
Island of Toraig
Tory Island,
Co. Donegal
Laoi
River Lee
Leith Laoi
Leitrim
Linn Feic
Near Slaney
Loch Bel Sead
Co. Tipperary
Loch Cé
Co. Roscommon
Loch Dairbhreach
Loch Derryvaragh, Co. Westmeath
Loch Deirg Dheirc
Loch Derg on
the Shannon
Loch Eirne
Loch Erne
Loch Feabhail
Loch Foyle
Loch Lein
Killarney
Loch Orbson
Loch Corrib
Loch na-n Ean
In Co. Roscommon
Lough Neatach
Loch Neagh
Luimneach
Limerick
Maev Mhagh
Plain about Loughrea
Magh Cobha
Iveagh, Co. Down
Magh Cuilenn
Moycullen, Co. Galway
Magh Femen
Co. Tipperary
Magh Larg
Co. Roscommon
Magh Leine
Co. Offaly
Magh Luirg
Co. Roscommon
Magh Maini
Co. Wexford
Magh Mucraimhe
Near Athenry
Magh Nia
Same as Magh Tuireadh
Magh Rein
Co. Leitrim
Magh Tuireadh
Moytura near Sligo, scene of great battle, and
Moytura, near Cong, scene of first battle
