Similes, Metaphors & Kennings

It lúaithidir...

It lúaithidir gaíth n-erraig.
… roth mbúaile.
… boicshimin ar lár srotha.

(they are) (as fast as) (wind) (of spring)
… (mill-wheel)
… (rush) (on) (middle) (of stream)

Three similies for speed:

They are as fast as a spring wind.
… as a mill wheel.
… as a rush in the middle of a stream.

Is laa ⁊ adaig in bith uile.

(is * day * and * night * the * world * all)

Day and night are the whole world.

Dia·fagbainn-se bróin úachtair...

Dia·fagbainn-se bróin úachtair, do·géntae bró íochtair dím.

(if I were to find * millstone * upper * would be made * millstone * lower * of me)

If I found an upper millstone, I would be the lower millstone.

Isat craebsa nar craithead fa cnomheas.

(you are * branch * that not * was shaken * for its * nut-mast)

You are a branch that has not been shaken for its nut crop.

Boí coire féile la Laigniu, Buchat a ainm.

(was * cauldron * of generosity * with * Leinstermen * Buchat * his * name)

The men of Leinster had a cauldron of generosity, and his name was Buchat.

Guirmithir aigred a rosc...

Guirmithir aigred a rosc,
dergithir nua-partaing a bél,
gilithir frasa némann a dét,
áillithir snechta n-oenaidche a chorp

(as blue * as ice * his * eye
as red * as new Parthian leather * his * mouth
as bright * as showers * of pearls * his * teeth
as beautiful * as snow * of one night * his * body)

His eye as blue as ice, his mouth as red as new Parthian leather, his teeth as bright as showers of pearls, his body as beautiful as freshly fallen snow.

Ingelt súile sochaide.

(grazing * of eyes * of multitude)

He is a grazing for the eyes of a multitude.
He is a feast for the eyes.

Deog a topur éca itib...

Deog a topur éca itib
i cath Detna la Lagnib.

(draught * from * well * of death * he drank /
in * battle * of Detna * with * Leinstermen)

He took a drink from the well of death
in the Battle of Detna against Leinster.

ith ocus blicht

(grain * and * milk)

grain and milk

Robudh aíbhnes gan eocha dam-sa sin...

Robudh aíbhnes gan eocha dam-sa sin,
7 robudh chuirm gan chorna,
7 robudh chonách gan cheól,
7 robudh thigernas gan taithighe ,
7 robudh iasacht gan indlacad dam-sa.

(would be * festivity * without * horses * for me * that /
& would be * feast * without * drinking horns /
& would be * wealth * without * music /
& would be * lordship * without * visiting /
& would be * loan * without * repayment * for me)

That would be like a festival without horses for me,
and a feast without drinking horns,
and having wealth without music,
and being a lord without receiving guests,
and a loan without its return.