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Seanfhocail na mBraighde

Introduction

Bridia Valley is one of several mountain glens hidden in the quiet corners of the McGillicuddy Reeks, South Kerry. The people here are hill farmers, mostly raising blackface sheep. Revenue fell when prices for sheep wool collapsed some years ago. The valley is served by two small shops and a pub, some miles away. Over the years the local population has seriously diminished. Most of the young folk are getting a secondary education in nearby Killorglin. Afterwards they are moving on to further education and then working elsewhere. They are not returning to the hills.

English is the spoken language in Bridia but with a huge contribution from remaining Irish language remnants. The area remains culturally rich, with traditions, folklore and language remaining. Unfortunately, no anthropologist, historian or folklorist has ever gathered material here.

The seanfhocail presented here were collected by a local doctor, who attended to some of the inhabitants of Bridia valley. You may recognise some sayings; others are older and possibly unique to the area.

MH. 04/04/2026.

 

The seanfhocail of John Clifford, which came originally from Bridia Valley in Glencar County Kerry,

John Clifford (1911-2004) gave me these seanfhocail in the later years of his life. He received them in his youth from his grandmother Peggy O’Sullivan, whose people came from Bridia valley in Glencar. He used to say that the first seanfhocail “Is mairg a bhíonn shíos i gcéad lá, tagann gach mhaith le cháirde” was the most important one. The old people of Bridia recited this seanfhocail when they heard news of a tragedy. The depth of wisdom of these people is evident in that no matter what the calamity, they realized that ‘every good comes in time’. The seanfhocail are written exactly as John gave them to me.

Pat Gallagher, Killorglin, July 2013.

Seanfhocail na mBraighde – Bridia Valley, Glencar.

-Is mairg a bhíonn shíos i gcéad lá, tagann gach mhaith le cháirde.

Alas for the person who falls the first day, (but) every good comes in time.

-Cé bhíonn téigeann as nua nach dteigeann as, ní theigeann fear na h-easrachán as. (pr. “high” rachán).

Whoever does or doesn’t come out of it, the interfering man won’t come out of it.

-Ni h-éirigheann a dá dtráigh leis na gobadán

The gobadán (sandpiper) can’t have both sides of the strand.

-Ní leigheas ar an gcathú acht é do smachtú le foighne.

There is no cure for fighting but to control it with patience.

 

-Is minic a chuir fear na cruadhtain fear na boútha amach (I gcondhaí)

It is often that the person who was hard up, put out the man of the ashes (of the house).

–Casadh na daoine le cheile ach ní casadh na cnoic ná na sleibhte

People meet each other but not the hills and the mountains.

-Is mó í thar lear a thoir do thíar

(Too far) east is west.

-Ni mór duit an síolta ná h-arthrú ós, ní feidir leat na gaoithe a h-iompaighí (present iompaí).

When you cannot change the wind, you must change the sails.

Is mairg a bhíonn a naoín a naoithce (pr. nantha) tagainn an grían ina dhiaidh gach farrainge.

Alas for the person who is down, the sun always comes after the rain.

-Sé an t-ádha is mó a teacht gur tubaiste (pr. tubáiste), cumraoíocht le féine linn.

The greatest luck comes in the shape of misfortune to all of us.

 -Ní raibh dá eagla ar aoine riamh

There were never two fears in anyone at the same time.

 -An té a goidfeadh a phoinn grein sé ar an rud níos mó.

He who will steal a pin will steal a greater thing.

 –Tuigeann fear léann leath-fhocail

An educated man will understand half a word

 –Budhtair teisghanaigh is búatha- beathna

Life is what you make of it.

 –Is deise é a feasa, gur a bhé liomsa is fearr leat?

It’s nice to be wise, would you like to be me?

Mar a scúbhamíd go léir ós ár dhorais amach, beadh an sráid a granaithe (glanaithe?) again.

If we all swept before our own doors, we would have a clean street.

Bíodh an ciall go léir againn i ndiadh an t-aonach

We’re very wise the day after the fair.

Ní fear agut slídge do dtrúagha air, ná do shoic ar an gcúlainn.

It didn’t matter if you had the sock (blade of the plough) on your shoulder provided the ploughing was done.

An fear broistighéach do fúar sé báis agus do cuireadh é an fear leisgiúíl

The hurried man died and the lazy man buried him.

Eist (pr. est) le fúam na h-abhainn and geóbhair breach.

Listen to the sound of the river and you’ll get a trout.

An té a raghaid a barraithibh, bíon sé go bróinacht fé ndeire.

He who goes borrowing, goes sorrowing.

An rud nua nác fhios agut ní bhiodh an triobolóid agut sa féin (Pr. an rud, núná® fhios agut…)

What you don’t know won’t trouble you.

Is fearr agut a rugadh tú leis an t-ádh ná an saibhreas i bhfaid.

Better to be born lucky than rich.

Tógad an domhain go bhfuiriste agus tagainnse ann go moill (pr. mall).

Take the world easy and the world will take you easy.

Báis a laoghtha (pr. liatha) a deir aca Día (aca= in the name of).

The Lord is the safeguard in death.

Scéal a h-airig an scéal (arís), sceál fein scéal gach aoinne.

A story tells a story, a person’s story is everyone’s story (or everybody with their story).

Ná bhriseadh nuá ná deineadh an react lón.

Don’t break law and don’t make law.

Gor an bé a bhreith ar na gcómharsion leat, sé mar agut féin.

It by yourself you judge your neighbours.

Sé an leanbh dóite á im eagla a gcomhair na theine.

A burnt child fears the fire.

Is fearr agut a bheit cinnte na níos ar go bhróin.

It’s better to be sure than sorry.

Is bog agam bláthach nuair a bhíonn mo bholg lán de.

I have no meas in buttemilk when my stomach is full of it.

Moll an óige and tiocfaidh said.

Praise the youth and they will succeed.

Sé an díabhail a fhios agut níos fearr ar an peaca díabhail.

The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.

Is feidir leat an capaill a thógaint go dtí an lacáin-bhrúach ach ní feidir leat a cuireich é ar deoch –ól.

You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

Ní cuireann ceann críonna ar gcúlainn óige.

You can’t put an old head on young shoulders.

Foil orm a deir an droich gnó.

The bad work will tell you come back again.

An éantha le cleithe céanna, a cruinniú le céile

Birds of a feather flock together.

Last Residence Surname Forename Age DoB Next of Kin Date of Arrival Ship Name Port of Departure Final Destination
Applefort O’Brien Mollie 19 1902 Father, M. O’Brien 17 Oct 1921 Baltic Queenstown Uncle, John O’Brien, 208, Bay Street, Tomkinville, Staten Island, New York
Ardsollus Hehir Christina 16 1904 Grandmother, Mrs Anne Hehir 24 Jul 1920 Baltic Liverpool Aunt, Mrs William Holmes, 50, Falmouth Street, Black Bay, Boston, Massachusetts
Ballyhannon Lyons John 37 1875 Mother, Susan Lyons 12 Jul 1912 Lusitania Queenstown Friend, Michael Clune, 135, Park Place, Brooklyn, New York
Ballyhannon Coffey Annie 18 1888 21 Apr 1906 Oceanic Queenstown Sister, Mary Coffey, 16, Clinton Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
Ballykilty McNamara Thomas 22 1878 28 Apr 1900 Lucania Queenstown Sister, Delia McNamara, 141, Chestnut Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Ballymacloon O’Grady James 24 1885 Mother, Mrs O’Grady 8 Aug 1909 Oceanic Queenstown Sister, Annie O’Grady, ??? Terrace Street, Georgia Statton Island, New York
Ballyquin Moylan John 36 1874 Father, William Moylan 24 Apr 1910 Cedric Queenstown Friend, John Clune, 1927, Johnston Street, Chicago, Illinois
Cahercalla Neylon Bridget 18 1885 26 Jul 1903 Umbria Queenstown Brother, Patrick Neylon, 4, Prospect Place, 41st Street, New York
Carrahan Carroll Bridget 30 1883 Brother, John Carroll 27 Sep 1913 Baltic Queenstown Brother, Patrick Carroll, 14?, Franklin Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Carrahan Carroll Mary 38 1875 Brother, John Carroll 27 Sep 1913 Baltic Queenstown Brother, Patrick Carroll, 14?, Franklin Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Carrahan O’Grady Emily 27 1883 Mother, Catherine O’Grady 27 Sep 1910 Caronia Queenstown Sister, Annie O’Grady, 561, West Una? Avenue, New York
Carrahan Quigney Martin R. 28 1893 Father, John Quigney 24 Apr 1921 Caronia Queenstown Uncle, Michael Quigney, 213, East 3rd Street, Bethlehem
Carrahan Quigney Martin R. 28 1893 Father, John Quigney 12 May 1921 Carmania Queenstown Uncle, Michael Quigney, 213, East 3rd Street, South Bethlehem
Carrowroe Gilmartin Joseph 22 1876 30 Apr 1898 Lucania Liverpool Bertha I. Gilmartin, Chicago
Clomley Murphy John 21 1890 Father, Michael Murphy 13 Apr 1911 Adriatic Queenstown Brother, Martin Murphy, State Hospital, ???? ????, Long Island, New York
Corbally Blake Fredrick 19 181 Father, James Blake 19 Aug 1910 Adriatic Queenstown Brother, Michael Blake, 5339, 40th Street, Brooklyn, New York
Craggataska Pewter Daniel 26 1881 Father, Mr P. Pewter 1 Nov 1907 Adriatic Queenstown Brother, Michael Pewter, 701, Forest Street, Cleveland, Ohio
Craggataska Pewter Ellen 31 1877 Father, Mr P. Pewter 22 Aug 1908 Celtic Queenstown Brother, Michael, 701, Forest Street, Cleveland, Ohio
Craggataska Pewter Mary 28 1879 Father, Mr P. Pewter 1 Nov 1907 Adriatic Queenstown Brother, Michael Pewter, 701, Forest Street, Cleveland, Ohio
Craggataska Pewter Patrick 22 1888 Father, Mr P. Pewter 27 Sep 1910 Caronia Queenstown Brother, Dan Pewter, 10843, Hampton Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Creevagh Bourke Michael 18 1889 Pat McNamara, 8 Oct 1907 Lucania Queenstown Sister, Mrs Conway, 218, South Street, Brooklyn, New York
Creevagh Carmody Margaret L. 23 1899 Mother, Mrs Bridget Carmody 29 May 1922 Celtic Queenstown Sister, Mrs C. P. Kraft, 576, 39th Street, Brooklyn, New York
Creevagh Carmody Mary 17 1896 Father, Thomas Carmody 13 Sep 1913 Campania Queenstown Cousin, P. J. Meaney, State Hospital, Central Islip Road
Creevagh Carmody Mary B. 16 1897 Father, T. Carmody, Creenemont 10 Sep 1913 Olympic Queenstown Cousin, Mr P. J. Meany, State Hospital, Central Islip, Long Island, New York
Creevagh McNamara Margaret 23 1884 Father, Pat Mcnamara 8 Oct 1907 Lucania Queenstown Brother, Patrick McNamara, 1105, Third Avenue, New York
Dangan Littleton Patrick 23 1894 Father, Mr Littleton 15 Oct 1917 Philadelphia Liverpool Uncle, Father Hagan, St Paul’s College, St Pauls, Minnesota
Dangan O’Shea Matthew 20 1901 Mother, Mrs B. O’Shea 24 Apr 1921 Caronia Queenstown Aunt, Miss Annie O’Shea, 79, Lowell Street, Lowell, Massachusetts
Feaghquin Moylan William 22 1893 Father, William Moylan 16 May 1915 Saint Paul Liverpool Brother, Mr Moylan, 711, ?iffle Street, Chicago, Illinois
Gurteen Clune Michael 21 1894 Father, Thomas Clune 30 Sep 1915 Saint Paul Liverpool Sister, Mrs Foley, 165, Fuques? Street, Brooklyn, New York
Gurteen Clune Thomas 24 1897 Father, Thomas Clune 10 Oct 1921 Celtic Queenstown Sister, Mrs Foley, 45, Alexis Street, Detroit, Michigan
Kilnacrandy OGrady Minnie 19 1894 Father, Martin O’Grady 14 Nov 1913 Cedric Queenstown Sister, Kate O’Grady, 713, West Madison Street, Bronx?, New York
Knappogue Butler Fitz Walter 36 1877 Blanche Butler 11 Mar 1913 Minnehaha Southampton Arlington Avenue Hotel, New York in transit to Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
Knappogue Butler Robert 30 1883 Blanche Butler 11 Mar 1913 Minnehaha Southampton Arlington Avenue Hotel, New York in transit to Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
Manse O’Grady Francis 25 1890 Father, Francis O’Grady 30 Sep 1915 Saint Paul Liverpool Brother, Joseph O’Grady, 154, East 50th Street, New York
Manse O’Grady Katie 20 1890 Father, Frank O’Grady 3 May 1910 Arabic Queenstown Uncle and Aunt, Mr & Mrs Michael O’Grady, 197, East Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Monanoe Hehir Christina 18 1902 Mother, Mrs P. Hehir 3 Dec 1920 Celtic Queenstown Aunt, Mrs W. Holmes, 89, Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Ouin Murphy Katie 22 1878 11 Oct 1900 Germanic Queenstown Sister, Mrs McKenna, Rock Rapid, Iowa
Quin Bridgeman Thos 19 1880 19 Feb 1899 Campania Queenstown Cousin, Thomas McGrath, 101, G???????, New York
Quin Clune Kate 25 1882 Mother, Mrs Andrew Clune 17 Aug 1907 Lucania Liverpool US Resident returning to 209, Rook Street, Marquede?, Michigan
Quin Clune Patrick 23 1887 Father, John Clune 17 Oct 1910 Arabic Queenstown Cousin, Maggie Whelan, ??????, Bronx, New York
Quin Considine Annie 21 1901 Incorrect Manifest displayed 8 Mar 1922 Cameronia Queenstown Incorrect Manifest displayed
Quin Corbett Kathleen 18 1903 Mother, Mrs Corbett 17 Oct 1921 Baltic Queenstown Sister, Miss Corbett, 206, West Miller Street, Elmira, New York
Quin Corbett Mary 17 1896 Father, Patrick Corbett 24 Sep 1913 Oceanic Queenstown Going to Franciscan Convent, Peoria, Illinois
Quin Corbett Patrick 29 1868 9 Jun 1897 Teutonic Queenstown Brooklyn
Quin Corbett Teresa 17 1904 Mother, Mrs Corbett 17 Oct 1921 Baltic Queenstown Sister, Miss Corbett, 206, West Miller Street, Elmira, New York
Quin Corbett Vincent 29 1879 Mother, Mrs Corbett 11 Jun 1908 Umbria Queenstown Brother, J. J. Corbett, Casper, Wyoming
Quin Cullman Wm. 21 1878 6 Oct 1899 Germanic Queenstown Brother, Thomas, 494, Hicks Street, Brooklyn
Quin Dillon Mary 28 1871 19 Feb 1899 Campania Queenstown Cousin, Thomas O’Brien, 241, Rutledge Street, Brooklyn
Quin Donahue Maggie 18 1881 4 May 1899 Aurania Queenstown Aunt, Mrs Moloney, Peekskill, New York
Quin Donohue Fanny 16 1890 24 May 1906 Teutonic Queenstown Sister (Maggie) – Mrs J. Torpey, 1453, Madison Avenue, New York
Quin Gallagher Edward A. 23 1884 25 May 1907 Lucania Queenstown Brother, Dane? Gallagher, 307, West 125th Street, New York
Quin Halloran Brid 21 1878 27 Apr 1899 Majestic Queenstown Manifest would not display
Quin Halpin Annie 25 1879 8 May 1904 Umbria Queenstown No address, New York
Quin Hassett Mary A. 25 1881 19 Jul 1906 Teutonic Queenstown Cousin, Mrs Bridget Gallagher, 11, Pleasant Street, Chicago, Illinois
Quin Heffeman Lizzie 33 1876 Brother, Michael Heffernan 2 May 1909 Celtic Queenstown Cousin, John Hegarty, 271, Bergin Street, Brooklyn, New York
Quin Hegarty Annie 20 1889 Father, Michael Hegarty 2 May 1909 Celtic Queenstown Brother, John Hegarty, 271, Bergin Street, Brooklyn, New York
Quin Hurley Patrick 18 1888 3 Jun 1906 Lucania Queenstown Sister, Mary Hurley, 1903, Madison Avenue, New York
Quin Hurley Susan 16 1891 Patrick Hurley, Moynuska 5 Oct 1907 Etruria Queenstown Sister, Mary Hurley, 98, Maudinside? Avenue, New York
Quin Lynch Margaret 19 1887 14 Oct 1906 Cedric Queenstown Aunt, Delia Casey, 78, Grand Street, New York
Quin Lynch Maria 20 1887 Father, Patrick Walsh 18 Sep 1907 Oceanic Queenstown Sister, Margaret Lynch, 406, Bellevue Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
Quin Mc….. Susan 30 1868 5 Nov 1898 Campania Queenstown Returning home to Chicago, Illinois
Quin McGrath Patrick 24 1897 Mother, Ellen McGrath 28 Feb 1921 Carmania Queenstown Uncle, Michael Clune, 31, St John’s Place, Brooklyn
Quin McGrath Thomas P. 36 1863 19 Feb 1899 Campania Queenstown US Citizen going home to New York
Quin McNamara Mary 18 1892 Father, John McNamara 27 Sep 1910 Caronia Queenstown Sister, Maggie McNamara, 10843, Hampton Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Quin Moylan Thomas 21 1901 Father, William Moylan 10 Sep 1922 Adriatic Queenstown Brother, Michael Moylan, 1357, West Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois
Quin Nihill Michael 28 1885 Friend, Michael White 27 Sep 1913 Baltic Queenstown Sister, Mrs Quinlivan, 198, Abbot? Road, Buffalo, New York
Quin Nihill Patrick 21 1873 25 Apr 1894 Teutonic Liverpool & Queenstown Buffalo
Quin Nihill Thomas 21 1873 25 Apr 1894 Teutonic Liverpool & Queenstown Buffalo
Quin OHalloran Agnes 16 1897 Mother, Mrs O’Halloraan 24 Sep 1913 Oceanic Queenstown Going to Franciscan Convent, Peoria, Illinois
Quin Pewter Mary 23 1878 11 Sep 1901 Oceanic Queenstown Sister, Delia Pewter, 779, ??? Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Quin Reynolds Edmond 25 1881 24 May 1906 Teutonic Queenstown Brother, Patrick Reynolds, 447, West 16th Street, New York
Quin Roe Mary 26 1866 18 Jun 1892 City of Chicago Liverpool New York
Quin Nihil Ellen 24 1885 Father, Michael Nihil 2 May 1909 Celtic Queenstown Cousin, John Hegarty, 271, Bergin Street, Brooklyn, New York
Quin Gallagher Danl 19 1885 22 May 1904 Etruria Queenstown Brother, Thomas Gallagher, 414, Washington Street, New York
Quin Donahue Mary 19 1881 26 May 1900 Lucania Queenstown Sister, Mary Donohue, 319, Malden Avenue, Peekskill, New York
Quin Carmody Patrick 23 1876 21 May 1899 Umbria Queenstown Cousin, D. ?. Moloney, Bloomingdale Farm, White Plains
Quin Duffy Julia 30 1877 5 May 1907 Baltic Queenstown Sister, Mrs Rose Blake, 238, West 46th Street, New York
Quin Fay Bridgt. 17 1876 2 Mar 1893 Teutonic Liverpool & Queenstown New York
Quin Follagher Thomas 26 1873 21 May 1899 Umbria Queenstown ???, 23, West 52nd Street, New York
Quin Murphy Michael 23 1876 2 Jun 1899 Britannic Liverpool Brother, Thomas, 256, Union Street, Brooklyn
Rathclooney McCormack Susaan 20 1904 Mother, Mrs Mary McCormack 13 Oct 1924 Celtic Queenstown Brother, James McCormack, c/o James Doggett, 136, East 84th Street, New York
Rathclooney Rogers Patrick 47 1873 Sister, Mrs Whelan 21 May 1920 Adriatic Southampton Brother, Mr Rogers, 14, Victoria Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Rineen Talty Joseph 20 1885 27 May 1905 Campania Queenstown Brother, Michael Talty, 43, Van Ranasclair Street, Buffalo, New York
Rineen Talty Bridget 17 1890 17 Jun 1907 Etruria Queenstown Brother, Joseph Talty, 43, Van Ranasclair Street, Buffalo, New York
Toonagh Hennessy James P. 26 1896 Father, John Hennessey 8 Oct 1922 Adriatic Queenstown Friend, Doctor O’Reilly, Bishop’s House, Lincoln, Nebraska