Fógairt na Máite (1745-1758)

Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara, composed in St. John’s, Newfoundland

Life in the Newfoundland colony was tense in the 18th Century during Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara’s time living there. The ongoing Jacobite Uprisings in Britain and the increasing colonization of Ireland fueled discontent between Gaelic “coddies” and the English garrison. A short composition of Donnchadh’s dates to this period.

Sitting down for a game of cards with an Irish-speaking partner against two English soldiers, Donnchadh continually whistled and sang a tune, with the words secretly accouncing his trump to his partner. This led a frustrated English soldier on the opposite team to shout “Damn my eyes, Jack, we’ve had no luck since he began that damned Irish song!”

Imir an ní úd bhíodh ag eitilt in airde,

‘S a chompánaigh an anman tabhair aire dod láimh.

Play that thing which flies overhead (a club, resembling a blackbird)

And companion of my soul pay attention to your hand.

Imir an ní úd bhíodh ag baint na bpotátaí,

‘S a chompánaigh an anman tabhair aire dod’ láimh.

Play that thing which digs the potatoes (a spade)

And companion of my soul pay attention to your hand.

Adapted from: Doyle, Danny. 2015. Míle Míle i gCéin: The Irish Language in Canada. Borealis Press: Ottawa.

For citation, please use: Mac Conmara, Donnchadh. 18th C. “Fógairt na Máite.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca