Page:Simple Lessons in Irish, Part 1 - O'Growney.pdf/38



In these, also, it will be noticed, the digraph is pronounced practically with the sound of the vowel marked long; the other vowel is hardly sounded, thus:—

is pronounced (faer), (eesh′-laun),  (kees).

§ 119. Note 1— is still occasionally spelled ; as, (faer), grass. In Munster, in words of one syllable, or  is pronounced ee′-o; thus,  (fee′-or).

Note 2— is used, and wrongly, in words like, where, without any mark of length, should be used. Lengthening of the long vowel-sound noticed in such words is caused by the double (see § 77).

Note 3—We would advise learners always to pronounce like, or ee. In old Irish we always find, wine; , grass. In many monosyllables is yet pronounced ee′-ŭ ; as,  (fee′-ŭn), wine.

§ 120. a hundred thousand welcomes! This popular phrase is seldom, if ever, seen properly spelled.

§ 121.