Máire Ní Eidhin The Lass from Bally-na-Lee
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Máire Ní Eidhin The Lass from Bally-na-Lee

Ar mo dhul chuig an Aifreann le toil na ngrásta,

Bhí an lá ag cur báistí is d’ardaigh gaoth,

Casadh an ainnir liom le taobh Chill Tartain

Is thit mé láithreach i ngrá le mnaoi.

Labhair mé léi go múinte mánla,

Is de réir a cáilíochta d’fhreagair sí,

’Sé dúirt sí - “Raifteirí, tá m’intinn sásta,

Agus gluais go lá liom go Baile Uí Laí.”

Nuair a fuair mé an tairscint níor lig mé ar cairde í,

Rinne mé gáire agus gheit mo chroí,

Ní raibh le dul againn ach trasna páirce

Agus thug sin slán sinn go tóin an tí.

Leagadh chughainn bord a raibh gloine is cárta air,

Is bhí an chúileann fáinneach le m’ais ina suí,

’Sé dúirt sí - “Raifteirí, bí ag ól is céad fáilte,

Tá an siléar láidir i mBaile Uí Laí.”

On my way to Mass
    To say a prayer,
The wind was high
    Sowing rain,
I met a maid
    With wind-wild hair
And madly fell
    In love again.
I spoke with learning,
    Charm and pride
And, as was fitting,
    Answered she:
‘My mind is now
    well satisfied,
So walk with me
    To Bally-na-Lee.’
Given the offer,
    I didn’t delay,
And blowing a laugh
    At this willing young lass,
I swung with her over
    The fields through the day
Till shortly we reached
    The rump of the house.
A table with glasses
    And drink was set
And then says the lassie,
    Turning to me:
‘You are welcome, Raftery,
    So drink a wet
To love’s demands
    In Bally-na-Lee.’

 

    Antoin Ó Raifteirí/ anthony raftery
c.1779-1835

Ealaíontóir/Artist:
Peannaire/Calligrapher:
Aistritheoir/Translator:
Ainmníodh ag/Nominator:
Michael Kane
Frances Breen
Desmond O’Grady
The Editorial Panel

 

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