Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature
‘In Irish there are so many great rain words and magic words and highly specific natural words (such as the material put on the hooves of donkeys to stop them slipping in ice), or words to communicate with animals, or evocative plant words, or the gorgeous words for different amounts of light in the sky, or words that hint at different ways of seeing colour, or twilight words … ’
Manchán Magan is fascinated by words, particularly Irish words, with all of their complex meanings and associations and their connections to the natural world. Having enjoyed huge success with his bestselling book Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchán now brings his infectious wonder and enthusiasm for the Irish language to a younger audience, offering delightful translations and explanations of animal, bird, fish, insect and nature words.
When you see the world through Irish, you see the world differently. Get ready to share the magic with this delightful book for readers of all ages.
ISBN
9780717192557Publication Date
October 2021Language(s)
EnglishFormat
Hardback, 96 pagesCountry of Origin
IRELANDPublisher
Gill Children'sAuthor(s)
By Manchán Magan Illustrated by Steve DooganAvailability Status
Temporarily unavailableManchán Magan was a writer and documentary-maker. His groundbreaking book Thirty-Two Words for Field led the way for the recent revival of the Irish language. He wrote occasionally for the Irish Times, reported on travel for various radio programmes, and presented dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture for TG4, RTÉ and the Travel Channel. Manchán lived in an oak wood, with bees, hens, and occasionally pigs, in a grass-roofed house near Lough Lene, Co Westmeath. He passed away in October 2025.
Steve Doogan works in a wide variety of media and styles. He loves printmaking - etching, linocut and monoprints - and drawing.
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