May you have an itch
An GaeilgeTochas gan ingne ort An BéarlaMay you have an itch and no nails
May fall on your head
An GaeilgeMullach do chinn fút An BéarlaThat you may fall on your head
In the garden of hell
An GaeilgeGo ndeine an diabhal dréimire de cnámh do dhroma ag piocadh úll i ngairdín Ifrinn An BéarlaMay the devil make a ladder of your backbone [and] pluck apples in the garden of hell.
Is túisce deoch ná scéal
An GaeilgeIs túisce deoch ná scéal. An BéarlaFirst a drink, then your news An brí This is a lovely one, it carries some nice imagery of someone making you a drink and comforting you
An té a bhíonn amuigh fuarann a chuid
An GaeilgeAn té a bhíonn amuigh fuarann a chuid. An BéarlaThe one who is out, his share gets cold.
An té a bhfuil builín aige gheobhaidh sé scian lena ghearradh
An GaeilgeAn té a bhfuil builín aige gheobhaidh sé scian lena ghearradh. An BéarlaWhoever has a loaf will get a knife to cut it.
An tslat nuair a chruann le haois is deacair í a shníomh ina gad
An GaeilgeAn tslat nuair a chruann le haois is deacair í a shníomh ina gad An BéarlaWhen the rod hardens with age it’s difficult to bend it An brí Similar to the English proverb, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.
An t-uan ag múineadh méilí dá mháthair
An GaeilgeAn t-uan ag múineadh méilí dá mháthair An BéarlaThe lamb teaching its mother how to bleat An brí A put down for an uppity child or a bullied parent
An rud nach féidir ní féidir é
An GaeilgeAn rud nach féidir ní féidir é An BéarlaThe impossible cannot be done
An rud nach bhfuil leigheas air caithfear cur suas leis
An GaeilgeAn rud nach bhfuil leigheas air caithfear cur suas leis An BéarlaWhat can’t be cured must be endured