Transcript of media clip Giota Chun Cinn Lesson 14: Prepositions with Place Names

With place names the prepositions ‘in’ and ‘to’ present a particular challenge for
learners. We must distinguish between those place names which are preceded by the
definite article (an) and those which are not. We must also distinguish between the
names of towns and townlands and the names of countries.

Firstly, we will look at towns and townlands. Here are some examples of places which aren’t
preceded by the article: Béal Feirste (Belfast), Doire (Derry) and Anagaire
(Annagry).
As an example of place names which are preceded by the article we will use An Clochán
Liath (Dungloe), An Bún Beag (Bunbeg) and An Fál Carrach (Falcarragh).
If we are going to Béal Feirste, Doire or Anagaire we use the simple
preposition go although go does not inflect (that is aspirate or eclipse) the
following constant does prefix h to vowels.
Examples:
‘I’m going to Belfast’ Tá mé ag dul go Béal Feirste
‘I’m going to Derry’ Tá mé ag dul go Doire
‘I’m going to Anagaire’ Tá mé ag dul go hAnagaire (with a h prefixed)

Once you have arrived and want to say that you are in Béal Feirste/Doire/Anagaire
you use the simple preposition i, however we must remember that ‘i’ eclipses
consonants and becomes in before a vowel.
Examples:
Tá mé i mBéal Feirste ‘I am in Belfast’
Tá mé i nDoire ‘I am in Derry’
Tá mé in Anagaire ‘I am in Annagry’

Where we have the article (an) in front of a place name we will use the preposition
chun to say that we are going to that place. This complicates matters slightly as
chun requires that following the noun and adjective be in the genitive case. So if
you are going to An Clochán Liath, An Bun Beag and An Fál Carrach.
Tá mé ag dul chun a’ Chlocháin Léith ‘I am going to Dungloe’
Tá mé ag dul chun a’ Bhuna Bhig ‘I’m going to Bunbeg’
Tá mé ag dul chun an Fháil Charraigh ‘I’m going to Falcarragh’

Once we reach our destination and want to say that we are in An Clochán Liath, An
Bun Beag or An Fál Carrach we use the simple preposition ar. However, we must remember that this will aspirate the noun and the adjective following it.
Tá mé ar an Chlochán Liath ‘I’m in Dungloe’
Tá mé ar an Bhun Bheag ‘I’m in Bunbeg’
Tá mé ar an Fhál Charrach ‘I’m in Falcarragh’

If the article (an) is in the plural such as Na Rosa or Na Dúnaibh you say;
Tá mé sna Rosa ‘I’m in the Rosses’
Tá mé sna Dúnaibh ‘I’m in Downings’

As matter or interest, in Kerry they generally follow the same pattern except they
don’t use chun at all when there is an article. They use ar in both instances.
Examples:
Táim ar an mBuailtín ‘I’m in Ballyferriter’
Táim ag dul ar an mBuailtín ‘I’m going to Ballyferriter’
Táim sa Daingean ‘I’m in Dingle’
Táim ag dul ar an Daingean ‘I’m going to Dingle’

In terms of countries, those without the article follow the same pattern as townlands
and towns.
Examples:
Tá mé ag dul go Sasana ‘I’m going to England’
Tá mé ag dul go hAlbain ‘I’m going to Scotland’
Tá mé ag dul go hÉirinn ‘I’m going to Ireland’

Tá me i Sasana ‘I’m in England’
Tá mé in Albain ‘I’m in Scotland’
Tá mé in Éirinn ‘I’m in Ireland’

However, when the name of the country is preceeded by the article eg. An Fhrainc
(France), An Spáinn (Spain), An Ghearmáin (Germany) we use sa or san instead of ar an
examples;
Tá mé ag dul chun na Spáinne ‘I’m going to Spainn’
Tá mé sa Spáinn ‘I’m in Spain’
Tá mé ag dul chun na Gearmáine ‘I’m going to Germany’
Tá mé sa Ghearmáin ‘I’m in Germany’
Tá mé ag dul chun na Fraince ‘I’m going to France’
Tá mé sa Fhrainc ‘I’m in France’

With eclipsis we add a new first letter to the word.
Examples:
‘in Belfast’ (Béal Feirste) i mBéal Feirste
‘in Cork’ (Corcaigh) i gCorcaigh
‘in Derry’ (Doire) i nDoire
‘far’ (fad) i bhfad
‘in Gortahork’ (Gort a’ Choirce) i nGort a’ Choirce
‘in Paris’ (Páras) i bPáras
‘in the North of Ireland’ (Tuaisceart Éireann) i dTuaisceart Éireann