back to Main "Amusements" page
Triads are a well-known and distinctive form of Irish proverb. They begin with a statement about three things -- the three sharpest, or worst, or rarest things you'll ever see, or three things that don't leave a trace, or three things that leave a long-lasting mark . . .
That first line, then, sets the category, and then the rest of the triad briefly lays out three things that fit that category. It is a little like, in English, how we say, "There are two kinds of people in the world . . ." (those who speak Irish, and those who don't!)
In the left column below, you'll find five beginnings to triad-type proverbs. In the right column, are fifteen items that can be put, three each, under those first five lines, to form the original proverbs.
Trí rud nach raibh riamh ann: Trí rud nach bhfágann rian: Trí bhua an duine shona: Triúr nach bhfeicfidh solas na bhflaitheas choíche: Trí chomhartha an amadáin: |
aingeal uaibhreach breac ar an linn céile sagairt éinín ar an gcraobh fál maith fead feirc fiafraí foscadh maith gé ar gor i bpluais mada rua giorria i seid con grá mná ar chroí fir mochéirí nead ag luch i gcluais cait páiste gan baiste |