Dear Friends:
As you know, I've only studied Gaeilge now for about 2.1/2 months. I am taking father, mother and my three college aged kids (and my bride) to Ireland in July and I am arranging a surprise party for him in on July 24th in Omagh (near where we came from in 1764). He will be 80 years old three days before the party. I would like to address him in Irish with all friends about and give them a translation. I know this may be butchered but this was my best go as I sit here this morning. The message is long, so if it is better just to email me direct feel free to (
). I need help as the priest is hoped to come and he is an Irish speaker and I don't want to make a total fool of myself.
Here it is:
Welcome ! This party is a very special celebration.
Cead mile failte! Tá cóisir seo an t-ócáid agus ceiliúradh speisialta.
We are here to give honor to my parents, and especially my father.
Tá muid anseo tabhair onóir don mo thuismitheoir agus mo ahthair go hairithe.
His birthday was three days ago, and he turned 80 years old.
Bhí breitlá do trí lá ó shín agus tá sé ahocht (80) mblianna d’ais.
My father is a man of great accomplishments:
Tá mo ahthair an fear na chriochnú agus éhachta mhór:
He was a good son to his own parents.
Bhí an mac maith é féin don tuismitheoir aige.
He is a good husband.
Is an fear céile maith é.
He is a good father.
Is an athair maith é.
He is a man of books.
Is an fear iontach na lheabhair.
He is a great medical doctor.
Is dochtuir iontach é.
Even now, he is studying to learn a few words in the Irish language.
Tá sé ag foghlaim anois fein labhair cúpla focail sa gaeilge.
Why. Because it is the language of his ancestors. It is the language of his people.
Cad chuige? Mar do is teanga na shinsear aige. Is teanga na daoine aige.
He is such an inspiration to me. My father is a servant even though
Is inspiroáid é dom. Is gille é mo athair, cé go
himself is a descended from many of the Great High Kings of Scotland and Ireland, he
is dirshilioachtach é féin na ard rí na hEirrean agus Albain.
He has been a servant leader his entire life. And today we want to honor
Bhí laidir gille do saol aige. Ba mhaite linn tabhair onóir
him. And so I say to him, “A very very Happy Happy Birthday”
seo lá aige. Abair, “Breithlá shona duit! Go Maire tú an lá”
No one on this forum can say I don't have the "cojones" to give it a go!
Slán go foill,
Faber MacMhaolain
Ps: Wasn't sure exactly when to us "Is" or "Ta" so I just went with my feel. Let's see if my instinct is working.