Hi, all. I am new to the board, and very happy I found you. A lot of my question are already answered! Thank you.

I am part of a celtic band in northeast Texas, where there is little availability (so far) of native speakers to advise. There are songs I want to sing in irish but, knowing only a small fraction of the language, I am unsure about it. I don't want to insult anyone or say something that doesn't make sense. How are the pronunciation rules applied in songs?

Thanks again, Lark

Dia dhuit, a Lark,
I think you mean grammar, not pronunciation - and that's a pretty tough one to answer. The different idiomatic phrases can trip you up pretty good.
I'd kinda like to get opinions from more experienced speakers myself on the usage of poetic license, though, I think it really is basically the same as I just said - knowing the idioms.
I hope someone else will be better able to go deeper into this.
-Maidhc.

There is a book, "Singing in Irish Gaelic" available, author is Mary McLaughlin. ISBN # is 078661707(1 )Any book store can order it for you. It comes w/a CD. I am by no means an expert, but I recognise about half of the songs, and they seem correct, and there is both a written and recorded pronunciation guide. If you mean you want to WRITE songs in Gaelic, well, that's alot more complex. While we're on the subject of music, if anyone can supply the chords, tablature or music to "Jimmy Mo Mhile" I would be very grateful. I have the words.

Karena, a chara,

The score for "Jimmy Mo Mhíle Stór" is listed in Ceolta Gael by Seán Óg and Mánus Ó Baoill - ISBN 1 900428 50 4 published by Ossian Publication, email or available through any good bookstore.

Le meas,

Larry.