Philippa, need your expertise

Subject: Philippa, need your expertise
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 07 Nov 99 - 06:28 PM

Hi Philippa,

Alison suggested I speak with you about my "question"...but you were not listed in the Personal Message list...(or my machine just isn't working), thus this thread.

I read in an essay about Yeats and Innisfree that the name Innisfree means "heathery island"... I know the following words from my Irish/English dictionary:

inis = island fraoch = heather

I wanted to know how the two words are put together to form the Irish version of "Innisfree/Inisfree/Inishfree" (I've seen it spelled all three ways.)

If you would prefer to email me you may at: [e-mail]

Many thanks!

Mary

Subject: Inisfree, Innisfree, Inishfree, Inis Fraoich
From: Philippa
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 04:59 PM

Yes it does come from Inis (island) and fraoch (heather); I think Inisfree is the usual transliteration but any collection of Yeats should give it too you (The Lake Isle of I...).

This query is lyric (well, poetry at least)related and I really think you could have titled the thread something like "Innisfree Origin?" (I'm using your preferred spelling this time) and there are others besides me who could answer the query!

Subject: Inisfree, Innisfree, Inishfree, Inis Fraoich
From: Philippa
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 04:59 PM

Yes it does come from Inis (island) and fraoch (heather); I think Inisfree is the usual transliteration but any collection of Yeats should give it to you (The Lake Isle of I...).

This query is lyric (well, poetry at least)related and I really think you could have titled the thread something like "Innisfree Origin?" (I'm using your preferred spelling this time) and there are others besides me who could answer the query!

Subject: RE: Philippa, need your expertise
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 05:17 PM

Shure, but then we wouldn't get to hear your lovely voice mouthin' the ancient tongue, and makin' the music of speech like the breath of God moving over the sunlit heather, now would we?

Subject: RE: Philippa, need your expertise
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 07:49 PM

Thanks Philippa,

I had other posts regarding my questions about the song "Isle of Inisfree", this I felt was a more specific question...

A friend of mine emailed me saying "Inis Fraoigh" would be the actual phrase meaning "Heathery Island" or more literally, "Island of Heather", but her Irish is very rusty and thus thought I should confirm this... What do you think?

Incidentally, Yeats seems to spell Inisfree with two "n"'s, and "heathery island" was the only explaination of the name I have come across. The books I can get my hands on just don't have enough background information.

I'll have to remember the use of the word "origins" in a thread title...hadn't thought to.

Thanks again!

Mary

Subject: RE: Philippa, need your expertise
From: Mían
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 08:09 PM

According to a recent dictionary, "fraoch" means "heather" and the genitive form "of heather" is "fraoigh" therefore I believe "Inis Fraoigh" is the spelling for which you are looking - Island of Heather.

Subject: RE: Philippa, need your expertise
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 10:22 PM

Hi Mary, it seems as if Philippa is dropping in here but just incase she's absent for a bit she's visiting the western side of the "pond" & sounds as if she'll be here for about another week (just spoke to her on the phone, hopefully we'll meet up Wed.at the singer's session). I'll let on that she's being called upon. Barry

Subject: RE: Philippa, need your expertise
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 11:39 PM

Barry, it seems as though Mían has answered the primary question, so there is no need for me to "bother" Philippa again with the matter. Philippa, you can enjoy your visit to "our side of the pond" in peace. LOL

Thanks everyone for the help!!

Mary