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The Irish language is so rich in metaphor, meaning, wit, and wisdom and when it comes to love, you need look no further than a seanfhocal (proverb) to get the point across.
These following proverbs on love are not just about the love between a couple but the love between friends and family too. Here is a insightful selection of Irish proverbs on love!
If you’re stuck on the pronunciation check out Abair.ie here.
1. Capall an beatha an grá
This proverb literally translates as “the horse of life is love” but what what it really means is that love makes the world go around.
2. Is í an eorna nua tú a fheiceáil
This is quite an interesting agrarian reference, proverbs are commonly metaphoric and this one is no different. It translates as, “Seeing you is like seeing the new barley”. While the translation here is a simile, the proverb is indeed a metaphor. The harvest was an anticipated time in the community calendar and the proverb essentially welcomes the new season’s crop.
3. Níl aon leigheas ar an ngrá ach pósadh
This translates as, “There is no cure for love but marriage” i.e. The only cure for love is marriage. An easy one to slip into a toast to a couple!
4. Folaíonn grá gráin
This cynical proverb translates to “love veils ugliness”, in other words, love is blind! There is an addition to this proverb which isn’t often quoted: “…ach feiceann fuath a lán” (but hatred sees much).
5. An mháthair leis an mac agus an iníon leis an athair
This proverb references the stereotype that mothers dote on their sons, and while daughters are ‘daddy’s girl’. It translates as: “The mother (sides) with the son, and the daughter with the father”. Interestingly the focus is on the females in this proverb and it doesn’t clarify who exactly the son or father sides with.
6. Is doiligh éalú ó ghéasa an ghrá
There is truth to this proverb which translates as, “It’s hard to escape from the bonds of love”!
Image by Viktoriya Yu from Pixabay
7. Fearg is fuath naimhde an fíorghrá
One to mull over. This means, “Anger and hate are the enemies of true love”.
8. Galar an grá nach leigheasann luibheanna
Love is a powerful thing and this proverb states that “No known herb cures love”.
9. Más maith leat do cháineadh, pós.
A tongue-in-cheek Irish proverb, this one translates as: “If you like to be criticised, get married”.
10. Ceileann searc ainimh ‘s locht.
Similar to “Folaíonn grá gráin”, this one means love conceals blemish and fault.
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(Lead image by Duncan Dao from Pixabay)