Foclóiropedia

Fatti and John Burke Gill Books €24.99

Tá mé beagánín neirbhíseach. I haven’t written a book review for years, so to be a little bit nervous is only natural. Luckily there’s only a small space to fill! Neirbhíseach is one of the few Irish words that I use any more, because after 15 years of Irish in primary, secondary and college education, I can barely string a coherent sentence together in my native tongue. How pathetic is that? Mind you, there are those who’d question whether I can do so in any language, but sin scéal eile! Into this sad world dropped a beautiful book this week, though. While Foclóiropedia was designed, I assume, with children in mind, I found it highly entertaining to flick through and come up with such forgotten gems as sceitimíní (excited) and (another I regularly use) pus. Bhí pus air nuair a chaill sé an cluiche. And why wouldn’t he have a pus on him if he lost the match? There are many such words that have crept into general parlance, especially among us rural types, who are fond of the craic! With the spread of gaelscoileanna around the country I expect that many parents will want to be at least vaguely familiar with the language. This collection, put together expertly by John and Fatti Burke is a great addition to any Irish home, especially those with children. John and Fatti have already created a little industry in pumping out these very useful books with two already outdoing themselves, Irelandopedia and Historopedia. This latest can only add to those earlier triumphs. Comhghairdeas!