I am going to Ireland on Monday and am planning on getting a tattoo while I am there. The following words are possibilities for the tattoo. Also, does anyone recommend a tattoo artist in Killarney, Galway, or Letterkenny?

Now, for the translations. I am working out of a Gaelic dictionary, so I think I am probably wrong. Please let me know if the words are spelled right, if the translation is correct or if there is a better translation, if I am a moron...

1. red-head/fierce = rua (what is its connotation in Gaelic? Is it simply a hair color or does it mean what it does in America--stubborn, fiery, has a temper, etc.)

2. strong/stubborn/able to endure obstacles = stóinsithe / acmhainneach / inmhe

3. independent = neamhspleách

4. such is life = is ait an mac an saol

5. there is many a twist in life = is iomaí cor sa tsaol

6. I am who I am = is mé sin mé

7. this bird you cannot change (this is a song lyric) = ??

8. exist/be = bí

9. authentic = barántúil / údarach

10. woman = mná


Sorry I have such a long list--I just want a lot of options before I fly out, and I need to make sure I have the right words and meanings.

Thank you so much for the help.

Beth

inmhe = maturity

woman = bean (mná is the plural)

this bird you cannot change =
(depends on the meaning you want)
a) ní féidir leat an t-éan seo a athrú (you cannot change this bird)
b) is éan do-athraithe mé (I am an unchangeable bird)

I am sure there will be more suggestions ...

Please, can anyone else help me out? I leave on Monday. I would really appreciate help, and promise to post a photo...but I need help first.

Beth

Hi Beth,

4. such is life = is ait an mac an saol

Fine. It's a well-worn saying.

5. there is many a twist in life = is iomaí cor sa tsaol

Ditto, but the most "standard" version would have "sa saol".

6. I am who I am = is mé sin mé

Not quite. Possibley "is mise mise", but this one works better in English.

7. this bird you cannot change (this is a song lyric) = ??

Dub's suggestions are both good.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat! (Agus ná dearmad an pictiúr!)

Another thought for you, since you are who you are and can't be changed:

"What you see is what you get." (otherwise known as "wizziwig" WYSIWYG)

In Irish:

Faigheann tú a bhfeiceann tú.

Or in a more condensed form:

Faightear a bhfeictear. (literally, "one gets what one sees")

Thanks to all who helped. If I can find a tattoo artist in Ireland, I will be getting my tattoo and will post a pic if I can get one that's not too blurry. I'll check here again Sunday night for any last bits of wisdom, but otherwise I'll go with what I have. I was hoping to find out more about "rua" as I am red-headed and might use that word if I knew exactly what connotations it brings, if any. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

Beth

"Rua" normally means a red-haired person, or a reddish-brown colour. As an adjective, "rua" means red, reddish-brown, wild, fierce, strong.

"Rua" on its own would not have any unpleasant connotations.

An Cailín Rua = the red-haired girl. There is a book by that name:-
http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=3159

An Bhean Rua = the red-haired woman
Bean Rua = a red-haired woman

"An Rua" can also mean the skin disease (erysipelas) which is called Rose or St. Anthony's Fire in English, but I only discovered that when looking at my dictionary.

How about this Dineenism:

"Glac a bhfaghair, lit take all you get; a hold all, one of the numerous receptacles carried by mendicants.