Restrain

Kill

Parsing the Language of Blocking Sickness in Irish Charms

Nicholas Wolf, New York University

Ortha anaghaidh na h-Achma	Charm against the Farcy
Marbhaim arpuidhan achma úr Marbhaim cnumh an fhéir Marbhaim an phéist úr Cuirim ortha-nimhe nimhneach Ar an gconach marbhthach Ortha do chuir Peadar agus Pól Mharbhas na cnuimh i bhfeóil Mharbhas cnuimh i ndéid agus i n-éaduigh	I kill _____ fresh farcy I kill the maggot of the grass I kill the fresh worm I put a poisonous poison-charm On the deadly murrain A charm that Peter and Paul sent That kills the maggots in the flesh That kills maggots in teeth and clothing

Source: Douglas Hyde, Abhráin Diadha Chúige Connact (1906): 2:387

Words of Healing and Vanquishing Illness

in 18th- and 19th-Century Irish-Language Charms

Words of Healing and Vanquishing Illness

in 18th- and 19th-Century Irish-Language Charms

Orrtha mharbhuigh achma asbuin, no peiste a bfeoil	A charm for the killing of _____ farcy, or worms of the flesh
Marbhuim thú a pheist ruadh Marbhuim thú a pheist ceannruadh Cuirrim Criost dod lagan, Dia fire don lagan Na 9 noird Ainglidhe ata a bflaithios Dod ruagadh agus dod lasgad as do leabaigh Agus na raibh do shaoghal agad a pheist Acht go ndearfaid missi mo phaidir	I kill you, red worm I kill you, red worm Christ places _____, the true God of ______ The nine orders of angels that are in heaven Your expulsion and your _____ from your bed And you will not have your life, worm When I will say my prayer

Source: RIA Ms 23 E 7, Brian Ó Fearrghaile (ca. 1770s-1780s)

Ortha na Fola do Chosg	Charm to Staunch Blood
Allevemus ainm an fír do sgoilt air taobh an dáluigh(?) hug uisge fuil & fion amach air taobh árdrighe An nomine patrie* cois an fuil et fili tá camhair spiriti sancti amen Jesus coisg an fhuil & tá si trean	Allevemus [i.e. Longinus] is the name of the man who split the side _______ water, blood, and wine on behalf of (to the side of?) the High King In nomine patrie staunch the blood et fili help it spiriti sancti amen Jesus staunch the blood that is flowing strongly

Source: NLI Ms G 233, Tomás Ó Conchubhair (1791)

Ortha Cosgtha Fola	Charm for Stopping Blood
Taraidh a athair le do chabhair Taraidh a mhic agus fóir Taraidh a Bhrighid a bhan-naoimh Agus an dá abstol déag Agus cuir coisg ar an fhuil Ata teacht go tréan	Come, Father, with your help Come, Son, and relieve Come, Bridget, female saint And the twelve Apostles And put a stop to the blood That is coming powerfully

Source: Douglas Hyde, Abhráin Diadha Chúige Connact (1906): 2:381

Artha Mná a d-Tinneas Cloinne	Woman's Charm for Child Pain
Do dhá gheal cioch, a Mhuire, máthair agus búime Iosa, ó n-gádh rug slán sin a tabhairt fóir a’s fuasgladh anála don m-ban so tinn a b-pianta gaibhtheach. Saor í a athair, saor í, a mhic, ó s tú fuair thús baisde do ghein a Spiriod naomh, fhág do cabhar aguinn agus beir leat isi slán.	Your two white breasts, Mary, mother and nurse of Jesus, from distress carried safe, give help and release breath to this women sick from dangerous pains free her, Father, free her, Son, as you who received a baptismal start born of the Holy Spirit leave us your help and carry her safe.

Source: NLI Ms G 1252, Daniel Sheahan (1860)

By Nicholas Wolf