Here are some of na himeachtaí (the events) that typically happen ar Lá na Saoirse:
1. Beárbaiciú: borgairí, brocairí teo, borgairí soighe do na veigeatóirí
Curiously, at least to me, the Irish for “hot dog” isn’t based on the word “dog,” (which would be “madra”), but on “brocaire” (a terrier).
2. Tinte ealaine (fireworks, lit. “fires of art”) or Piriteicnic (pyrotechnics): these could include the Roth Chaitríona and the coinneal Rómhánach
3. Éadaí a bhfuil na dathanna dearg, bán agus gorm orthu. Especially noticeable are the hataí arda Uncail Sam, made from pluis. A lot of people, and sometimes even madraí, also wear bandánaí dearga nó bandánaí gorma. “Bandana” is one word which requires very little change in Irish, just adding a long mark, or an “i-fada” (í) for the plural. Just as well, since it’s already a “focal iasachta” (borrowed word) in English, coming from Hiondúis via Portaingéilis, a small but active trade route for words, also including the English “verandah.”
4. Daorchluiche, although the English word “baseball” is also widely used in Irish.
5. Paráidí go leor, parades galore.
Maidir leis an téarma “Lá na Saoirse” é féin, ciallaíonn sé “the day of the freedom,” focal ar fhocal (literally). Cloistear freisin “Lá Neamhspleáchais,” lit. “Day of Independence.” Agus, ar ndóigh, “An Ceathrú” (The 4th) nó “An Ceathrú Lá d’Iúil” (The 4th Day of July).
Leideanna Fuaimnithe
soighe [soy-uh, almost like “soy” in English, but the vowel sound is held a little longer]; saoirse [SEER-sheh]
