INDEX AND PRONUNCIATION OF THE MORE FREQUENTLY OCCURRING PLACE AND PERSONAL-NAMES.
It will simplify matters for the English reader if the following points respecting the pronunciation of proper names in medieval Irish,áinBóCú are borne in mind:
Each _simple_ word is accented on the first syllable.
á (long), as in _aught_; a (short), as in _hot_. c with slender vowels (e, i), as in _king_; never as _s_. c with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _car_; never as _s_. ch with slender vowels (e, i), as in German _Ich_; never as in _church_. ch with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in German _Buch_; never as in _church_. d with slender vowels (e, i), as in French _dieu_. d with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _thy_. é (long), as in _ale_; e (short), as in _bet_. g with slender vowels (e, i), as in _give_; never as _j_. g with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _go_; never as _j_. gh with slender vowels (e, i) is slender ch _voiced_. gh with broad vowels (a, o, u) is broad ch _voiced_. í (long), as in _feel_; i (short), as in _it_. mh and bh intervocalic with slender vowels, as _v_. mh and bh intervocalic with broad vowels, as _w_. ó (long), as in _note_; o (short), as in _done_. s with slender vowels (e, i), as in _shine_; never as _z_. s with broad vowels (a, o, u), as _s_. t with slender vowels (e, i), as in _tin_. t with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _threw_. th, like _h_. ú (long), as in _pool_; u (short), as in _full_.
The remaining consonants are pronounced almost as in English.
Aidne: a district comprising the barony of Kiltartan, in the south-west of the County Galway
Aifè: one of the three women-teachers of Cuchulain and Ferdiad (pronounced _Eefe_)
Ailè: north-east of Baile, on Medb's march from Cruachan into Ulster
Ailill: king-consort of Queen Medb, dwelling in Cruachan Ai (pronounced _Ayeleel_)
Ailill Find Miltenga: one of the chief heroes of Ulster
Amargin Iarngiunnach: a leading Ulster hero; father of Conall Cernach and brother of Iliach (pronounced _Avergin_)
Ane: a district in which is Knockaney in the County Limerick
Ard Ciannachta: a place in the barony of Ferrard, in the County Louth
Ard Cuillenn: in Ulster, east of Moin Coltna
Assè: north of Finnabair (Fennor), on Medb's march out of Connacht into Ulster