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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.
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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 |