My colleague Dan left for the Christmas holidays which he’ll spend home with his family and friends.
I must admit that I’m a bit jealous… and sad. I wish I could have joined him on his journey to Golden Ireland.

Merry Christmas to you, Dan, and you family. See you next year!
And, BTW, thanks very much for the tea. 😉

Idir dhá láimh
Daoine funtach
Scríobh an ogham
I mbanba óir

I nglas béinne
Fial ó nádúir
Fonn ceoil
I mbanba óir

Lios na aileach
Draícht draiotheach
Tuamaí ríthe
I mbanba óir

Clochán naofa
Cill is caisléain
Truit na gceilteach
I mbanba óir

Idir dhá láimh i mBanba óir
Fonn ceoil i mBanba óir
Scríobh an agham i mBanba óir
I mBanba óir

Both two hands
Of noble people
Write the ogham
In Golden Ireland

In young company
Noble of nature
Desire of music
In Golden Ireland

Ring forts of rock
The magic of the druids
Tombs of kings
In Golden Ireland

Holy clochan*
Churchyards and castles
Sound of the Celtic (or secret?) language**
In Golden Ireland.

Both two hands in golden Ireland
Desire of music in golden Ireland
Write the ogham in golden Ireland
In golden Ireland

* Clochan are the beehive huts found at early Celtic monasteries
** Meaning uncertain. „Truit“ might come from „trut“, which means noise. „Gceilteach“ is definitely from „ceilteach“, which means either „Celtic“ or „secretive.“

[Clannad – Banba Óir]