When Brian Friel wrote Translations almost four decades ago, he included references that may be less familiar to people today. To ensure you’re fully immersed in the world he envisioned, here are terms explained from the play:
Hedge-school: Informal, illegal schools which were set-up in Ireland during the 18th century. Hedge-schools were designed to secretly provide education to children of ‘non-conforming’ faiths.
Daniel O’Connell: Nationalist leader in Ireland, also known as ‘The Liberator’ for his mobilization of Catholic Ireland. For more information, refer to Historical Context.
‘The road to Sligo’/1798: Refers to the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which saw the Society of United Irishmen lead an unsuccessful effort for Irish independence. For more information, refer to Historical Context.
Byre: Cowshed.
‘Diarmuid’s Grania’: Referring to the Irish mythological characters of Diarmuid and Gráinne, who became tangled in a love triangle with Fionn mac Cumhaill, leader of a band of warriors known as the Fianna. Gráinne, a princess, betrays her betrothal to Fionn by running away with Diarmuid, one of Fionn’s warriors.
‘Sweet smell’: Referring to the smell of potato blight from the fields, foreshadowing the Great Famine which began in 1845.
Red Coat: A British soldier.
Spud: Informal term for a potato.
Poteen: Alcohol made illicitly, typically from barley, oats, and potatoes.
Hibernophile: A person who is fond of Irish culture, Irish language, and Ireland in general.