Games_June 2009 - The Galway City & County Childcare Committee

Traditional Irish Games, 

Songs and Rhymes 

Partnership for Quality Childcare Project funded by 

the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and 

Administered by Pobal Presented by the BMW and Meath 

partnership for Quality Childcare Steering Group 

A Resource 

Manual for 

use with 

Children of 

all ages 

This project is supported and 

funded by the Irish Government 

and European Union Structural 

Funds under the National 

Development Plan 2000 - 2006

Disclaimer 

All of the games, songs and rhymes included were contributed by individuals 

who remember them from their childhood. The contributors believe that they and 

their childhood friends ‘own’ these games. As such we have no control over the 

origins of the games or their potential copyright. Therefore it is possible that the 

contents of this manual have appeared elsewhere and remained 

unacknowledged here. We have no control over this occurrence but sincerely 

apologise to other authors if it is the case. 

Séanadh 

Tá na cluichí, amhráin agus rannta uile sa leabhar seo tugtha ag daoine ar leith 

a chuimhnigh as a n-óige iad. Measann na scríbhneoirí seo gur leo féin agus 

cairde a n-óige na cluichí seo. Dá bharr sin, níl aon smacht againn ar bhunús 

na cluichí ná ar a gcumas cóipchirt. Ar an ábhar sin, d’fhéadfadh sé go raibh 

ábhair an lámhleabhair seo feicthe in áit éigin eile agus níl siad admhaithe 

anseo. Níl aon smacht againn ar a leithéid de rud ach gabhaimid fiche 

leithscéal leis na húdair eile sa chás sin de. 

Feidhm a bhaint as an Lámhleabhar 

Táimid sásta go ndéanfadh iomlán a bhfuil suim acu san 

fhoilseachán seo, a bhfuil ann a úsáid agus a atáirgeadh, 

ach é a chúiteamh linn 

Use of this Material 

We are glad for all interested in this publication to use and 

reproduce its contents but would appreciate 

acknowledgement in this context. 

Sábháilteacht 

Ní mór na cluichí agus na himeachtaí seo a stiúradh ar 

dhóigh sábháilte agus cairdiúil ag coinneáil leis na 

modhanna cleachtaí a mbíonn i dtimpeallacht cúram 

leanaí. Iarrtar fosta ar lucht cúram leanaí an aois 

oiriúnach do na himeachtaí seo a chur san áireamh. 

Safety 

These games and activities need to be conducted in a safe 

and friendly manner, adhering to best practise procedures 

within a childcare setting. Also childcare providers are 

asked to give consideration to the age appropriateness of 

these activities 

15th September 2006 

2

Acknowledgements 

(In Alphabethical Order) 

We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the following to 

the development of this manual. 

Funding and Administration 

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform 

Pobal 

Sources 

All of the individuals who contributed games, songs and rhymes 

from their childhood. 

Béal Oideas 

Forbairt Naíonraí Teo 

Kidsown Publishing Partnership 

The Athenry Women’s Group 

The Steering Committee 

Cavan County Childcare Committee – Treasa Quigley 

Donegal County Childcare Committee – Maria Gallo and 

M a ry McGowan 

Galway County Childcare Committee – M a ry Giblin 

Laois County Childcare Committee – Muriel Dempsey 

Leitrim County Childcare Committee – Aedamar Gillespie, 

Olivia Nolan 

L o n g f o rd County Childcare Committee – Kay Cassidy and 

Marie McArd l e 

Louth County Childcare Committee – C l a i re Wo o d s 

Mayo County Childcare Committee – Jim Power 

Meath County Childcare Committee – Fiona Healy 

Monaghan County Childcare Committee – B reda McKenna 

O ffaly County Childcare Committee – Áine Bru m m e l l 

Roscommon County Childcare Committee – I rene Cafferky and 

Orla McKeon 

Sligo County Childcare Committee – S h a ron Boles 

Westmeath County Childcare Committee – Muriel Mart i n 

Childminding Ireland – M a ry McGrath 

F o r b a i rt Naíonraí Teo – Bríd Uí Lionáird 

The National Childre n ’s – Rita Melia 

Nurseries Association 

The Steering Group also acknowledges the Boards of Management 

on the County Childcare Committee’s and National Vo l u n t a ry 

C h i l d c a re Org a n i s a t i o n ’s for their support on this pro j e c t 

3

Introduction 

Welcome to the manual of traditional Irish games, songs and rhymes. This 

manual was first conceptualised by Mary McGowan, of the Donegal County 

C h i l d c a re Committee and from there the idea grew into a project. 

This project is a collaborative action involving seventeen partners from the 

C h i l d c a re Sector. Funding was granted by the Department of Justice, Equality 

& Law Reform under the National Development Plan and European Union 

S t ructural Funds. This funding was administered by Pobal. 

The Steering Group thanks Cothrom Community Consultancy which was 

contracted to develop the manual. The manual was developed by contacting 

the public in all fourteen of the target counties, these being; - Cavan, 

Donegal, Galway, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, 

O ff a l y, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath. 

Notices were sent to all local newspapers and radio stations; posters were 

sent out to local community groups and childcare services. 1400 letters were 

sent out to a mixture of schools, groups, services, org a n i s a t i o n s , 

p rofessionals and individuals. Lots of lovely people got in touch and share d 

their childhood memories of games, songs and rhymes. Contributions were 

made in both Irish and English and both languages are also reflected in this 

Manual. Some riddles and tongue twisters are also included as they are 

needed for some of the games and because they are good fun! Where 

possible we stuck to re p roducing the activities exactly as people had 

described them to the re s e a rchers, but in a few cases we had to slightly 

adapt activities to make them suitable for modern use. 

F o r b a i rt Naíonraí Teo was a fantastic source of Irish Games, Songs and 

Rhymes and any Irish Language item not attributed to an individual was 

contributed by them. The Béal Oideas Libraries in Dublin and Galway also 

p rovided a great richness of context and understanding for the pro j e c t . 

A training programme is also available to complement this re s o u rce manual. 

Please contact your local County Childcare Committee or National Vo l u n t a r y 

C h i l d c a re Committee for more details. 

It has been a great pleasure to lead the development of this manual and we 

s i n c e rely hope that you enjoy using it. 

The BMW and Meath Partnership for Quality Childcare Steering Group - 2006 

4

Réamhrá 

Fáilte chuig an lámhleabhar de chluichí, amhráin agus rainn traidisiúnta na 

h É i reann. Ba í Mary McGowan as an Coiste Cúram Páistí Chontae Dhún na 

nGall Teo a shamhlaigh an chéad coincheap den lámhleabhar seo. Tháinig 

r a n n p h á i rtithe eile linn agus rinneadh tionscnamh den choincheap. Is 

comhoibriú idir seacht pháirtnéir dhéag ón Earnáil Cúram Páistí atá sa 

tionscnamh seo. 

Ba í an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí a thug 

maoiniú de réir an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus Cistí Stru c h t ú rtha agus 

Comhtháite an Aontas Eorpaigh. Bhí an maoiniú seo riartha ag Pobal. 

Ba mhaith leis an Grúpa Stiúrtha a mbuíochas a thabhairt do Cothro m 

Community Consultancy a rinne conradh leis an saothar seo a chur le chéile. 

Chun seo a chur i gcrích rinneadh teagmháil leis an phobal ins na ceithre 

sprioc-contaetha déag. Is iad sin; An Cabhán, Dún na nGall, Gaillimh, Laois, 

L i a t roim, An Longfort, Lú, Maigh Eo, An Mhí, Muineachán, Uíbh Fhailí, Ros 

Comáin, Sligeach agus An Iarm h í . 

Tharla seo tré teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an pobal ó na ceithre sprioccontae 

déag. Is iad sin; An Cabhán, Dún na nGall, Gaillimh, Laois, Liatro i m , 

An Longfort, Lú, Maigh Eo, An Mhí, Muineachán, Uíbh Fhailí, Ros Comáin, 

Sligeach agus An Iarmhí. 

Seoladh fógraí chuig na nuachtáin áitiúil agus na stáisiúin raidió. Rinneadh 

póstaeir a sheoladh chuig na grúpaí pobail áitiúil agus chuig na seirbhísí 

cúram páistí. Seoladh 1400 litir chuig scoileanna, grúpaí, seirbhísí, 

eagraíochtaí, muintir gairmiúil agus daoine aonaracha. Fuair alán daoine 

b reátha i dteagmháil linn agus roinn siad a gcuid cuimhní ar chluichí, 

amhráin agus rainn na hóige linn. Bhí leaganacha as Gaeilge agus as 

Béarla tugtha dúinn agus tá an dá theanga le feiceáil sa lámhleabhar. Tá 

roinnt tomhais agus casfhocail san áireamh chomh maith mar go bhfuil 

feidhm leo i roinnt de na cluichí agus fosta go bhfuil craic maith iontu! 

Chomh maith agus a bhí ar ár gcumas, d’aistrimid na himeachtaí go díre a c h 

mar a hinsíodh iad do na taighdeoirí ach i roinnt cásanna bhí gá le 

m i o n a t h ruithe a dhéanamh leis na himeachtaí a bheith níos óiriúnigh don lá 

atá inniu ann. 

Bhí Forbairt Naíonraí Teo mar fhoinse ar dóigh do na cluichí, amhráin agus 

rainn na Gaeilge agus is iad a thug na hábhair as Gaeilge sin nach bhfuil 

luaite ag daoine aonaracha eile. Sholáthair na Leabharlanna Béal Oideas i 

mBaile Átha Cliath agus i nGaillimh saibhreas mhór ar an gcomhthéacs agus 

tuiscint ar an tionscnamh. 

Tá clár traenála ar fáil chomh maith leis an lámhleabhar acmhainne seo a 

chomhlánú. Déan teagmháil le do Choiste Cúram Páistí Contae nó Coiste 

Deonach Cúram Leanaí Náisiúnta chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil. 

Bhain muid taitneamh mhór as treorú forbairt an lámhleabhair seo agus tá 

súil dílis againn go mbainfidh tú sult as a úsáid. 

The BMW and Meath Partnership for Quality Childcare Steering Group - 2006 

5

Table of Contents 

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

GAMES IN ENGLISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

All In Together Guys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Ballio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Blind Mans Buff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Chain Hide and Seek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Conkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Daisy Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Dodge Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Donkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Duck, Duck, Goose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Dusty – Blue Bells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Fish in the pan/frog in the middle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Five Slates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Fox and Chickens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Gathering Nuts and Maize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Group Hide and Seek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

High Gates (Long Wig Short Wig) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Hopscotch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Jackstones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Jelly On A Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Mother May I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Mowl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Musical Statues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

My Aunt Jane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

One, Two, Three O’Leary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Oranges And Lemons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Peggin Pennies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Pitch and Toss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Queen-E-I-O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Rabbit Burrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

6

Red Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Red Rover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

Relieve -E-O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Rounders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Sardines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

Sevensy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

Skittles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Snap The Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Statues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Sticky Apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Stuck In The Mud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Taw The Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

The Grand Old Duke Of York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

Thread Thread the Needle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 

TIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 

Tip The Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 

Towns & Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

Traffic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

Wall Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

What’s The Time Mr Wolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

SONGS IN ENGLISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

Galway Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

Happy and You Know It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 

Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Hush Little Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 

I’m A Little Teapot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 

Irish Molly O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 

My Grandfather’s Clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 

Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 

Old MacDonald had a Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 

She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 

The Farmer Wants a Wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 

The Hokey Pokey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

An excerpt from ‘The Spinning Wheel’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 

Up the Airy Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 

7

RHYMES IN ENGLISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 

Dan, Dan The Funny Wee Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 

Do you know the Muffin Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 

Do Your Ears Hang Low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 

Eencey Weencey Spider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 

Hey Diddle Diddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 

Hickory, Dickory, Dock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 

Humpty Dumpty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 

It’s raining, it’s pouring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 

Jack and Jill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 

Jack, Be Nimble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 

Little Jack Horner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 

Little Miss Muffet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 

Mary Had a Little Lamb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 

Michael Finnegan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 

Monday’s child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

Old Mother Hubbard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

One, Two, Buckle my Shoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 

One, Two, Three, Four, Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 

Polly, Put The Kettle On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 

Pop Goes the Weasel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 

Pussycat Pussycat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 

Rain, Rain Go Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 

Ring a-Round The Roses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 

Rock-A-Bye Baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 

Row, Row, Row Your Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

See-Saw, Margery Daw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

The Queen of Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 

The Man in the Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

Three Blind Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 

Three Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 

Yankee Doodle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 

CLUICHÍ GAEILGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 3 

Tá leibhéil leagtha amach leis an úsáid a dhéanamh níos éasca. Léiríonn Leibhéal 1 go 

bhfuil an Gaeilge measartha simplí agus léiríonn Leibhéal 3 go bhfuil sí níos casta. 

8

Nó 1 ABC (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 

Amuigh ag Siúl, Amuigh ag Siúl (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 

An Frog san Uisce (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 

Anuas, Aníos (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 

Bean an Tí (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 

Bróga (Leibhéal 1/2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 

Bula, Bula, Báisín (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 

Cá bhfuil tú Anois (Leibhéal 1/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 

Cat agus Luch (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 

Cé mhéad Adharc ar mo Phéire Poc? (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . 113 

Cé tá in Airde? (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 

Cearca (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 

Cipín Cipín (Leibhéal 3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 

Cniogaide, Cnagaide (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 

Cuitse! Cuitsiú! (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 

Féach ar an Leipreachán (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 

Gad na nGé, Gad na nGé (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 

Geataí Arda (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 

Is mise Rí/Banríon na gCoileach (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 

Láir Bhán (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 

Madra Rua agus Sicíní (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 

Mac Tíre (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 

Páiste (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 

Rí na nÉan (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 

Roille, Roille Ráinne (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 

Suas Síos, Suas Arís (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 

Táimid ag Rince Rince (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 

Thart an Bhróg! Thart an Bhróg! (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 

AMHRÁIN GHAEILGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 

Tá leibhéil leagtha amach leis an úsáid a dhéanamh níos éasca. Léiríonn 

Leibhéal 1 go bhfuil an Ghaeilge measartha simplí agus léiríonn Leibhéal 3 

go bhfuil sí níos casta. 

Ag Rolladh (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 

Ag Siúl (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 

Aon Dó (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 

An Maidrín Rua (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 

An Poc Ar Buile (Leibhéal 3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 

Báidín Fheilimí (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 

9

Beidh Aonach Amárach (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 

Bheir Mí Ó (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 

Brúigh is Fáise (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 

Buail Bos (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 

Buail do Bhosa (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 

Bulla Bá Báisín (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 

Capaillíní a’ Rothlú (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 

Ceithre Rón (Leibhéal 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 

Cúig Ubh (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 

Cúigear Fear (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 

Cuimil do Bhosa (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 

Dilín Ó Deamhas (Leibhéal 3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 

Gaineamh Mín Réidh (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 

Hóra mise Fear a’ Phoist (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 

Hup leat a Chapaillín (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 

Indiach Dearg (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 

Is Buachaill Bó Mise (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 

Istigh sa Zú (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 

Máire an Chlocháin Léith (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 

Micilín Muc (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 

Nigh na hÉadaí (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 

Óró ’Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 

Péint is Scuab is Páipéar (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 

Rírá is Cur i gCéill (Leibhéal 3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 

Roille Roille Ráinne (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 

Sailí Lacha (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 

Sín do Lámha (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 

Smidín (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 

Suas Liom (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 

Tá an Béirín Beag (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 

Tá Duine ag an Doras (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 

‘Tá Leoraí Mór ag Teacht’ (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 

Tá Mise ag Bualadh na Cré (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 

Tá Mise ag Tógáil Tí (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 

Teidí Tinn (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 

Téimis chun Siúil (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 

Timpeall Timpeall (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 

Tiománaí Traenach (Leibhéal 1/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 

Uisce (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 

10

RAINN GHAEILGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 

Tá leibhéil leagtha amach leis an úsáid a dhéanamh níos éasca. Léiríonn 

Leibhéal 1 go bhfuil an Ghaeilge measartha simplí agus léiríonn Leibhéal 

3 go bhfuil sí níos casta. 

1 – 2 Muc agus Bó (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 

A Bhóín Bheag Dé (Leibhéal 1/2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 

A hAon, a Dó, a Trí, Lucha Beaga Buí (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . 173 

A Phuisín, a Phuisín (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 

A Sheanbhean, A Sheanbhean (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 

An Madra ag Caint le Cearc (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 

An Trá (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 

An tSeamróg (Leibhéal 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 

Bah, Bah Caoire Dubh (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 

Bó agus Caora (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 

Cat agus Luch (Leibhéal 1/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 

Ceithre Choirnéal ar mo Leaba (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 

Chuaigh an Muicín seo ar an Margadh (Leibhéal 2). . . . . . . 179 

Dhá Éinín Bheaga (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 

Drighligh Drighligh (Twinkle Little Star) (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . 180 

Féileacáin (Leibhéal 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 

Gugalí Gug (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 

Haigh Didil Didil (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 

Hócaí Cócaí (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 

Istigh sa Zú (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 

Lúrabóg, Lárabóg (Leibhéal 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 

Slubar Slabar! (Leibhéal 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 

Ta Dhá Ghabhairín Bhuí Agam (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 

Tic-Toc Clog (Leibhéal 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 

Trup Trup a Chapaillín (Leibhéal 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 

TOMHAIS / RIDDLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 

R A B H L Ó G A / TONGUE TWISTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 

C I T Y / C O U N T Y CHILDCARE COMMITTEE CONTA C T S. . 196 

N AT I O N A L V O L U N TA RY CHILDCARE ORGANISAT I O N 

C O N TA C T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 

11

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea 

Contributed by Gabrielle Boyle, Ilistrin, Co. Donegal 

Two children stand opposite each other and sing the song, 

clapping with each other for the first half of each line, then doing 

the relevant action for the second half. 

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea, (tap side of forehead) 

To see what he could see, see, see 

But all that he could see, see, see 

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea 

A sailor went to chop, chop, chop (chop in crook of elbow) 

To see what he could chop, chop, chop 

But all that he could chop, chop, chop 

Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop 

A sailor went to knee, knee, knee (Tap your knee) 

To see what he could knee, knee, knee 

But all that he could knee, knee, knee 

Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee 

A sailor went to sea, chop, knee (Tap all three starting with head) 

To see what he could see, chop, knee 

But all that he could see, chop, knee 

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, chop, knee 

A sailor went to Hawaii (make Hula Hula movement with hands) 

To see what he could Hawaii 

But all that he could Hawaii 

Was the bottom of the deep blue Hawaii 

13

All In Together Guys 

Contributed by David Leonard, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal 

All in together guys, this fine weather guys. 

When it is your birthday please jump in – January, February … 

December 

When everyone is in – start again 

This time people jump out. 

SKIPPING RHYME 

14

Ballio 

Contributed by Liz McColgan, Isle of Doe, Co. Donegal 

One player is ‘it’. They stand in front of a row of other players 

and turn their back to them. They have a small ball that they 

throw to the crowd of players without seeing where it goes. 

One player gets the ball but all put their hands behind their 

backs and pretend they have it. 

The person who is ‘it’ has three attempts to guess who has the 

ball. If they are right then the person they identified becomes ‘it’. 

If they guess wrong then they are ‘it’ again. 

15

Beds 

Contributed by Áine Murphy, Portlaois, Co. Laois 

Draw out the bed playing board as shown below. The piggy is 

an old shoe polish tin filled with sand. 

The game begins with the first player throwing the piggy onto 

bed number one and then whilst hopping they must kick the 

piggy from one bed to another until they reach bed 12. 

If they complete the round without fault they progress into bed 

two and then go through all the beds as above. 

If at any time they miss a bed or touch a line or lose balance 

they are out and the next person takes their turn. When the turn 

comes around again to the first player, they restart on the bed on 

which they got put out last round. 

Bed 3, 6, 9 are called the “rest bed” and this is the only bed on 

which a player can put both feet on the ground. 

The game continues until the winner completes all boxes. 

16

Blind Mans Buff 

Contributed by Paddy Egan, Kenagh, Co. Longford 

One person is blind folded using for example a scarf. 

The ‘blind man’ then searches around the room until they 

catch someone. 

The person that is caught is then blind folded and the 

game continues 

Chain Hide and Seek 

Contributed by Mary O’Malley, Galway City 

The child who is ‘it’ counts to 50 while everyone hides. 

When the first child is found, he takes ‘it’s’ hand and goes 

with him to find the others. Each child joins the chain when 

they are found. 

17

Corners 

Contributed by Gerard Tannian, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 

There are four corners. 

Up to four people stand in each of the corners 

One person stands in the centre. 

Then the person in the centre calls “change corners” Everyone 

runs to try and change their corner. The one in the middle must 

try and get into one of the corners while the others are changing. 

If they succeed whoever is left with no corner becomes the one 

in the middle. 

Seats, tables or coats can be used to mark out the playing area. 

18

Conkers 

Contributed by Ger McGovern, Rhode, Co. Offaly 

Each player has a conker on a string. Player A holds the string 

and lets their conker fall down straight. Then Player B swings 

their conker to hit Player A’s conker. After each hit they swap 

places. The conker that breaks first, is the loser. The other conker 

is the winner. The winning conker gets a credit of 1 and then 

enters a fresh match with the opponent having a new conker. The 

more credits your conker has, the better it is. 

Daisy Chains 

Contributed by Laura Mahon, Sligo Town, Co. Sligo 

Collect a bunch of daisies. Choose long daises with thick stems. 

Make holes in the stems using your nail or a pin. Make a long 

chain by inserting the stems into each other. Join both sides 

together to make a necklace. 

19

Dodge Ball 

Contributed by Robbie McEnteggart, Co. Louth 

A soft ball must be used for this game. 

Two teams of equal size are divided. One player has the ball. 

They throw the ball, aiming to hit any member of the other team. 

If they succeed, the player they hit is out. Then whoever can get 

the ball does the same. Catching the ball does not count as 

being hit by it. The team of the last player left is the winning 

team 

You are not allowed to kick or throw the ball hard. 

20

Donkey 

Contributed by Paul McGarry, 

Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

The group stand in a circle and the ball is thrown to every one in 

turn or to make it that little bit more interesting to anyone at 

random. When a person drops the ball, as they will eventually 

do, that person is given a D and next an O and so on till one of 

the players has all the letters of “DONKEY” that person is then 

out and stops playing. The last person not out wins the game. 

These instructions are recognised as being based on a book by 

Eilish Brady, All in! All in! 

Published 1984 

Duck, Duck, Goose 

Contributed by Michelle Rudden, Co. Cavan 

Everybody sits on the ground in a circle. A player is chosen to be 

‘it’. The person who is ‘it’ has to go around the outside of the 

circle tapping heads and say ‘duck, duck, duck’ and then they 

say ‘goose’ while patting someone’s head. The ‘goose’ chases 

after the person who is ‘it’ around the circle and tries to catch 

them before they take their place. 

21

Dusty – Blue Bells 

Contributed by Claire Finan, Crogheny, Co. Roscommon 

All the players stand in a circle holding hands. The one who is 

‘it’ walks around the outside of the circle until they tap someone 

on the back. Then the circle all raise their hands to make arches. 

The player who is tapped on the back has to catch the one who 

tapped them. Then they both go in and out under the arches 

made by the rest of the group and sing… 

In and out goes dusty – blue bells, 

In and out goes dusty – blue bells, 

In and out goes dusty – blue bells early 

In the morning. 

Tapa – Rapa – Rapper on my Shoulder 



You are my friend. 

22

Fish in the pan/frog in the middle 

Contributed by Ann Scully, Athenry, Co. Galway 

Everyone holds hands to form a 

ring. 

One person goes into the middle 

of the ring, hunches down and closes their eyes. 

The people in the ring then run around the person in the middle 

and say “frog in the middle, fish in the pan, jump around and 

catch all you can”. 

The first person who is caught then becomes the person in the 

middle. 

Five Slates 

Contributed by Lorna Elms, Castelbar, Co. Mayo 

Each player has five pieces of slate or five small flat stones. 

A target board is drawn out as below 

Each player stands at an agreed spot and takes five turns to 

throw their five stones. The score is 

noted down on paper. The player 

with the highest score wins. If a 

stone lands on a line between two 

numbers, the player gets zero for 

the throw. 

23

Fox and Chickens 

Contributed by Niamh Moore, 

Co. Monaghan 

The group forms a line. The first person in the line is called the 

hen and the remainder, except the last, are called the chickens. 

The last person in the line becomes the fox. 

The fox tries to get the chickens by chasing them and the hen 

tries to save them. If the fox catches any of the chickens they 

are out. 

Gathering Nuts and Maize 

Contributed by Michelle King, Boyle, Co. Roscommon 

Two teams are picked, usually starting with the oldest to the 

youngest with alternate ones going on either team 

The teams stand in 2 rows facing each other, a line is drawn on 

the ground in the centre and neither team cross it. Team members 

hold hands. Each team takes turns to dance or skip or run 

towards the opposing team and back out away from the team as 

they sing the following rhyme; 

Team 1 sing as they dance: 

Here we go gathering nuts and maize, nuts and maize, 

nuts and maize 

Here we go gathering nuts and maize on a cold and frosty 

morning 

24

Team 2 sing as they dance in and out: 

Who do you want for nuts and maize, nuts and maize, 

nuts and maize 

Who do you want for nuts and maize on a cold and frosty morning 

Team 1 sing: 

We want (child’s name – from 2nd team) for nuts and maize, 

nuts and maize, nuts and maize 

We want (child’s name) for nuts and maize on a cold an 

frosty morning 

Team 2 sing: 

Who do you want to pull her/him away, pull her/him away, pull 

her/him away 

Who do you want to pull her/him away on a cold and 

frosty morning 

Team 1 sing: 

We want (Child’s name – from own team) to pull her/him away, pull 

her/him away, pull her/him away 

We want (child’s name) to pull her away on a cold and 

frosty morning. 

The two named children from each team catch hands, stand equal 

distance from the central line and they try to pull each other across 

the line. The winner is the person who pulls the other child over the 

line – it’s like a tug-o-war. The losing child joins the winning team. 

The game continues as above with the winning team starting the 

rhyme and having the choice of picking the children who have to 

‘pull’ each other away. 

The game is over when all children are pulled on to one team. 

25

Group Hide and Seek 

Contributed By Annette Henry, Kesh, Co. Sligo 

Two teams/groups are selected 

One group hides while the other keep their heads down and 

count to a hundred at the den. 

They then go to look for the group hiding. 

The group who are hiding try to follow them and catch them. 

If they make it back to the den they cannot be caught. 

Whoever sees the other group first gets 10 points 

Each player tries to catch a member of the other team 

You get 4 points for each player you catch 

The team with the biggest score wins 

High Gates (Long Wig Short Wig) 

Contributed by Anne Coogan, Kells, Co. Meath 

The group join hands and form a ring. One person goes outside 

the ring and says “long wig short wig” as they go around the 

ring once or twice. 

They then tap someone on the shoulder who must leave the ring. 

The others remake the ring and hold their hands up high saying 

“high gates”. 

The person selected chases the first person as they run in and out 

of the gates. 

When caught they become ‘it’ and the process begins again. 

26

Hopscotch 

Contributed by Marie Treanor, Co. Monaghan 

Using chalk, the above is drawn on a path. 

Whoever goes first starts by throwing the pickey (e.g. a stone) 

into box number 1. 

Then they hop over box number 1 on to box number 2, to box 3, 

lands each foot on boxes 4 and 5, hops on to box 6 and lands 

each foot on boxes 7 and 8, turns to face the opposite direction, 

lands again on boxes 7 and 8, hops on to box 6 and so on. 

When they are on box 2 they pick up the pickey and jump over 

box 1. 

If they complete the round without fault they start round two and 

throw the pickey into box number 2 and so on. 

If they miss the box or it touches a line or they lose balance they 

are out and the next person takes their turn. 

The game continues until the first person completes all 8 boxes. 

These instructions are recognised as 

being based on a book by Eilish 

Brady, All in! All in! Published 

1984 

27

Jackstones 

Contributed by Agnes Durkin, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo 

First Round: 

Five stones are thrown on the ground. Pick one of them up and toss 

it straight up in the air and before catching it pick one of the other 

stones from the ground. Leave the one you just picked aside and 

go again. Keep doing this till you have picked all your stones. 

Second Round: 

Five stones are thrown on the ground. Pick one stone and toss it 

in the air. Before catching it again pick two of the stones from the 

ground, before catching the falling stone. Place the two stones 

aside and repeat the process again until you have all five stones. 

Third Round: 

Five stones are thrown on the ground. Again pick one and toss it 

in the air and before catching it pick one of the four stones fro m 

the ground. Put this to one side and toss the single stone in the air 

then pick the remaining three before catching the falling stone. 

Fourth Round: 

Five stones are thrown on the ground. Pick one and toss it in the 

air, before catching this descending stone you must pick all four 

remaining stones from the ground. 

The game ends when this is completed and the winner is the 

person who completes all four rounds the quickest. As you 

progress through the rounds you must call I’m for two or I’m for 

three depending on which round you are on. 


Eilish Brady, All in! All in! published 1984 

28

Jelly On A Plate 

Contributed by Gabrielle Boyle, Ilistrin, Co. Donegal 

Jelly on a plate 


Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble 


Sausage in the pan 

Sausage in the pan 

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle and sizzle 

Sausage in the pan. 

THIS IS A SKIPPING RHYME. 

29

Mother May I 

Contributed by Rose McGrath, Tuam, Co. Galway 

One person is at the top and they are the “Mother” or “Father”. 

The rest are in a line about 5 metres (15 feet) away. The Mother 

says to each person in their turn “Take _________ steps forward”. 

The person must say “Mother May I?” And Mother always says 

Yes. If the person forgets to ask “Mother May I” then they cannot 

move forward. The first one to finish becomes the new “Mother”. 

Examples of steps: 

Giant step – one long step 

Baby step – one foot 

Scissors step – jump while crossing your feet, then jump when 

uncrossing them 

Banana step – lie down with feet in the same place as they were 

when you were standing, mark where the top of your head is. 

This is your new spot. 

Bunny step – one hop. 

Umbrella Step – twirl around. 

Choo-choo step – like a train until Mother says stop. 

30

Mowl 

Contributed by Lorna Elms, Castlebar, Co. Mayo 

A tin is placed at a distance of 1 to 2 metres (3 to 6 feet) from 

the players. Each player has small flat stones or coins and they 

aim to throw these into the tin. 

Each person takes a turn at throwing his or her stone or coin into 

the tin. 

If they get it in then they score 4 points. If they miss but manage 

to get within spanners distance of the tin (Spanners being the 

distance between the players outstretched wrist and elbows) then 

they get to take a shot at hitting another player’s stone or coin. 

This shot is taken by standing beside the tin and shooting from 

there, if they manage to hit the other players stone or coin then 

they get 1 point. 

The winner is the first player to reach 50 points. 

31

Musical Statues 

Contributed by Breege Doodes, Tubbertelly, Co. Sligo 

Music is played and everyone dances. 

The music stops and every child has to stop and stand still and 

not move a muscle. 

The last child to move is out and has to sit out of the game. 

The music continues and the game continues as above until there 

is only one child left. 

My Aunt Jane 

Contributed by Brid Barr, Milford, Co. Donegal 

My aunt Jane 

She took me in 

She gave me tea in her wee tin 

Half a bap with sugar on the top 

And three wee sweety balls after that 

Skipping Rhyme 

32

One, Two, Three O’Leary 

Contributed by Ollie Joyce, Salthill, Co. Galway 

One, two, three O’Leary 

Four, five, six O’Leary 

Seven, eight, nine O’Leary 

Ten, O’Leary catch the ball. 

One, two, three O’Bouncey 

Four, five, six O’Bouncey 

Seven, eight, nine O’Bouncey 

Ten, O’Bouncey catch the ball. 

One, two, three O’Rickety 

Four, five, six O’Rickety 

Seven, eight, nine O’Rickety 

Ten, O’Rickety catch the ball. 

One, two, three O’Leggy 

Four, five, six O’Leggy 

Seven, eight nine O’Leggy 

Ten, O’Leggy catch the ball. 

One, two, three O’Fronty 

Four, five, six O’Fronty 

Seven, eight, nine O’Fronty 

Ten, O’Fronty catch the ball. 

This is used as a skipping game but is also a throwing game for 

two players. 

33

In verse one they throw the ball back and forth. 

In verse two they do the same but stand on only one leg. 

In verse three they throw while quickly shaking legs. 

In verse four they throw while quickly alternating legs to 

stand on. 

In verse five they throw while kicking their legs out in front 

of them. 

If either drops the ball they get a mark and both start at the 

beginning again. 

The one with the least amount of marks wins. The game stops 

whenever the players are tired of it. 

34

Oranges And Lemons 

Contributed by Marie Joyce, Salthill, Co. Galway 

Two people stand opposite each other and join hands to make 

an archway. They decide without telling the others which one is 

oranges and which one is lemons. Everyone sings the oranges 

and lemons song and goes around through the archway. When 

the song comes around to the word “dead” the people bring 

down their hands and catch the person going through the arch. 

They ask the person “oranges or lemons?” Then they stand 

behind the one they chose. 

Oranges and Lemons say the Bells of St. Clements, 

I owe you five farthings say the Bells of St. Martins, 

When will you pay me say the Bells of Old Bailey, 

When I grow rich say the Bells of Shoreditch, 

Here comes the candle to light you to bed, 

Here comes the chopper to chop off your head, 

Chip, chop, chip, chop the last person is dead. 

35

Peggin Pennies 

Contributed by Mary and Bridget McDonagh, St. Patrick’s Park, 

Mohill, Co. Leitrim 

Any number of children can play this game. 

The children take turns to throw coins at a wall from a set 

distance away – approximately 6-8 feet or 2-3 metres away. 

The aim of the games is to throw the coin and the child whose 

coin lands nearest the wall is the winner. 

Children are told to bear in mind that the coin will bounce back 

if it hits the wall. 

Pitch and Toss 

Contributed by Kerrie Anne Sharpe, Monaghan Town, 

Co. Monaghan 

A stone called the ‘spud’ is placed out in front. 

Then each person takes turns to pitch a penny at the ‘spud’. 

The person’s penny that goes nearest to the ‘spud’ gets to toss 

the pennies. Any of them that land with heads facing up can 

be kept. 

Any that land on harps cannot be kept. Instead these are tossed 

by the person who was the next closest to the ‘spud’ and so on. 

36

Queen-E-I-O 

Contributed by Mary Masterson, Navan, Co. Meath 

Someone is elected to be it. This is the Queen or Queenie. 

The Queenie turns her back to the group and throws the ball over 

her shoulder. 

If one person in the group catches the ball before it touches the 

ground then that person is on and takes a turn as Queenie. 

If the ball is not caught straight away then there is a scramble for 

the ball. Once the ball is with someone the whole group put their 

arms behind their backs and the whole group says together 

Queen-e-i-o, 

Who has the ball? 

Are they small or are they tall? 

Queenie then turns round and has to guess who has the ball. If 

he or she guesses right then they stay as the Queenie. If he or 

she guesses wrong then the person who has the ball gets to be 

Queenie. 

37

Rabbit Burrow 

Contributed by Mai Fallon, Sligo 

The players are called rabbits and whoever is ‘it’ is called 

the ‘dog’. 

Several places are set aside as burrows. 

Then all the rabbits but one go into a burrow each. 

The ‘rabbit’ with no burrow is first up 

The ‘dog’ chases this rabbit 

This rabbit must run into a burrow before the ‘dog’ catches them 

There is only room in a burrow for one rabbit so the rabbit that is 

already in whatever burrow they enter must now leave the 

burrow and be chased by the ‘dog’ until they too enter another 

burrow. 

When a rabbit is caught they act as the ‘dog’ 

38

Red Letter 

Contributed by Alison Stoddart, Rathmullan, 

Co. Donegal 

The leader stands with their back to the rest of the group, 

about 10 metres in front. The leader picks a Red Letter 

e.g. “B”. 

Any letter that the leader chooses at the beginning of the 

game is called the red letter. 

So if “B” is called no one can move. If you move when 

the red letter is called you have to go back to the 

beginning. 

The leader starts calling out different letters from the 

alphabet. If these letters are in your name you take a step 

forward (unless it is the Red Letter). 

This continues until somebody gets up beside the leader. 

Then it is their turn to be leader. 

If you have two or more of the same letter in your name, 

you take that amount of steps. 

If you take a step when the red letter is called then you 

have to go back to the beginning. 

39

Red Rover 

Contributed by Tullamore Active Retirement Group, 

Co. Offaly 

The group splits into two with equal numbers on each side. 

The side going first, calls the name of a child on the 

opposite team. 

They call them by shouting… 

Red rover, red rover, I call (NAME) over. 

Then they start counting to ten slowly and the child who was 

called has to try to break through the line. 

If they fail to break through in time then they are captured 

and have to join the other team. 

If the person who was called manages to break the line then 

they can rejoin their team. 

Then the other team takes a turn repeating the process until 

one team has no players left. 

40

Relieve -E-O 

Contributed by Luke McGuinness, Ashbourne, Co. Meath 

Two teams are selected. One team are the chasers and the other 

team are the runners. The team doing the chasing chase 

members of the other team. When somebody from the other team 

is captured they are brought to a “den”. 

They have to remain within the boundary of the den. 

The chasing team need to leave a sentry at the den. It is the 

sentry’s job to prevent members of the running team who are 

being chased from sneaking close to the den and then charging 

through it shouting “Relieve – E – O” at which point any captives 

are free to make a run for it. 

41

Rings 


To play Rings first you need a board with hooks and numbers 

beside them 

Measure a fair distance from the board and draw a line. 

Take aim with one of the rings and throw it to catch the hooks 

on the board. 

42

Rounders 

Contributed by Breege Doodes, Tubbertelly, Co. Sligo 

Two teams are selected. There are four corners marked on the 

ground. 

One person throws the handball and has to run from one corner 

to the next corner before the opposing team catches the ball. 

Once the ball is caught, it is thrown at the running person, if that 

person is hit between the corners, they are deemed to be out and 

have to leave the game. 

The winning side is the one with the most players at the end of 

the session. 

43

Sardines 

Contributed by Michelle Gildea, Carrick-on-Shannon, 

Co. Leitrim 

Hide and seek in reverse. 

At the beginning, only one person goes and hides while the rest 

of the group close their eyes. 

The idea is that if you find the person hiding, you must jump 

in/lie down beside them without anyone else noticing. 

Then someone else will come along and jump in with the two 

of you etc. 

The game continues until there is only one person left. 

44

Sevensy 

Contributed by Katrina Duffy, Co. Cavan 

The game of Sevensy is played with a handball or 

tennis ball. It goes backwards from Sevensy right through 

to Onesy. 

You start the game of Sevensy by hitting the ball off the wall 

and catching it. This is knows as Sevensy. You repeat the 

action seven times. 

Sixsy means hitting the ball off the wall, letting it bounce off the 

ground and catching it. You repeat the action six times. 

Fivesy is played by using your hand and putting the ball under 

your leg, bouncing it off the wall and catching it. You repeat the 

action five times. 

Foursy is played by bouncing the ball off the ground and the wall 

and catching it all in one throw. You repeat the action four times. 

Threesy is played by bouncing the ball off the ground repeatedly 

three times. 

Twosy is played by bouncing the ball off the wall and crossing 

your hands over your chest before catching it. You repeat this 

action twice 

Onesy is played by hitting the ball off the wall, crossing your 

hands over your chest and clapping before catching it. 

If you don’t catch the ball it is the next person’s turn. 

45

Shops 

Contributed by John McNulty, Drumkerrin, Co. Leitrim 

This game requires at least 10 players. The children are 

divided into two sides. Each side selects a hideout. This is their 

safe place during the game and any person in their hideout 

cannot be caught. One side is selected as ‘it’. This group 

select among themselves a certain thing that they have bought 

in the shop e.g. a pint of milk. 

Then they move towards the other group saying: 

As I went to Shop, I bought a P O M. 

Calling out only the first letter of the object that they have 

chosen. The other side then has to try and guess what the 

object is if they guess correctly then the side that was ‘it’ turn 

and run for their den. The other team chases them and anyone 

caught has to join that team. Then the side that guessed 

correctly takes a turn at going to the Shop and so the game 

continues untill one of the teams has no players left. 

46

Skittles 


To play Skittles first you need a flat smooth area on which the 

bowls can travel easily. 

Arrange the 10 skittles like so: 

Measure a fair distance from the point skittle and draw a line. 

Take aim with one of the bowls and roll it through the skittles to 

knock as many of them as you can. 

If you do not knock all the skittles on your first try you get 

a second turn. 

You get one point for each skittle knocked and the first to score 

100 points is the winner. 

Plastic bottles can be used in place of skittles if necessary. 

Place some sand in the bottom of the bottles to weigh them 

down a little. 

47

Snap The Bacon 

Contributed by Claire O’Donnell, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal 

Divide the group in two with an even number on each side. 

A person has to be selected as the leader and will lead the game. 

The two teams stand facing each other with the “Bacon” between 

them. The bacon is represented by a stone or stick. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Bacon 

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 

Then the leader calls out any number at random saying: “number 

six snap the bacon” or “number two snap the bacon” with this 

number six or number two from each team steps forward and 

slaps/snaps the stone or stick. 

The aim of the game is to slap/snap the Bacon before your 

opposite number does and then get back to your place in the line. 

If your opponent slaps/snaps the bacon before you do you have 

to chase and catch them before they reach their spot in the line. 

If you slap/snaps the bacon and get back safely to your place 

in the line then you win a point for your team. If you are caught 

then the other team wins the point. 

The team with the most points win. 

48

Statues 

Contributed by Ann McKenna, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan 

A leader is chosen. The group then stand in a line. The leader 

then moves along the line choosing each member of the group 

and making them jump out of the line. The person who jumps 

must land in a funny position. At this point the leader will go to 

the person and tickle them under the chin to try to make them 

laugh. If they laugh then they are out and must wait for the next 

round to join in play again. 

Once the leader has gone the full length of the line, they go back 

to the ones that are still left and go along the line and give each 

player a choice: 

They ask ‘What would you like? A plate, a tickle or 

a funny face.’ 

Each gets whichever he/she chooses as follows: 

A plate: The leader claps their hands together near 

the eyes, but if player blinks they are out 

A tickle: Player is tickled but must not laugh 

A funny Face: The leader makes a funny face at player, 

player must not laugh 

The last person out takes the role of the leader for the next game. 

49

Sticky Apple 

Contributed by Áine O Toole, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Someone is selected to be ‘it’. That person then has to chase 

after the others in the group. Once a person is caught then they 

are ‘it’. The difference between Sticky Apple and Tig is that when 

a person is caught they hold hands with the catcher until they 

catch someone else. After they catch someone else, the original 

catcher becomes free but the second catcher must hold hands 

with the player they caught until they catch another player. 


Eilish Brady, All in! All in! 

Published 1984 

Stuck In The Mud 

Contributed by Deirdre McBride, Drogheda, Co. Louth 

One person is ‘it’ and chases the others. 

The rest try to avoid being caught. 

If tapped they stand with their arms out wide. 

If someone runs under their hands they are free to run again. 

When the person that is ‘it’ catches everybody they become 

the winner. 

50

Taw The Hole 


Needs to be played in an area with a hard flat clay surface 

with a hole and marbles 

Set a distance from the hole that everyone is happy with and 

mark it. This will be from where you take your shots. 

Using the larger marbles or the “Master” marbles flick them 

along the ground trying to sink them in the hole. 

If you hit another player’s marble along the way then you 

can claim one of his smaller marbles 

Also if you get within “spanners” distance of another player’s 

marble then you can attempt to span them. Spanners distance is 

the distance between your out stretched thumb and middle finger. 

In order to span an opponent you try to hit your marble off 

his/hers by flicking it between your thumb and finger, if this is 

done and the two marbles hit each other then you earn a marble 

from that player. If you miss however then that player gains a 

marble from you. 

The aim is to be the first to get their master marble in the hole. 

The real winner though is the one who gets the most marbles 

from his opponents. 

The trick is when you have more small marbles than anyone else 

try to pot your master marble as quickly as possible. 

These instructions are recognised as being based on a book 

by Eilish Brady, All in! All in! Published 1984 

51

The Grand Old Duke Of York 


An even number is needed to play this game. 

All players divide into pairs, each pair stand opposite each other 

until they have formed two lines. The two people at the top hold 

hands. They skip down the middle as the others sing the song. 

When they get to the bottom they go straight back up to top 

again. Then the one on their right turns to the right and goes 

down the outside of the line. All others on that line follow 

him/her. As they are doing this the ones on the left do the same. 

When the two who were at the top meet they form an arch with 

their hands. All the other partners go under the arch and start the 

game again. 

Oh the Grand Old Duke of York 

He had ten thousand friends, 

He marched them up to top of the hill, 

And he marched them down again. 

And when they were up they were up, 

And when they were down they were down, 

And when they were only half way up, 

The were neither up nor down 

52

Thread Thread the Needle 

Contributed by Thomas Grall, Oldcastle, Co. Meath 

Two leaders are chosen. 

Each leader selects a word e.g. hare/fox which is kept secret 

from the rest of the group. 

The leaders hold each other’s hands high over their heads. 

The remaining group line up in front of each other to form a 

train. 

They march between the leaders singing “thread thread the 

needle sew sew sew.” 

The last person to pass through is asked which they rather the 

hare or fox. 

They then stand behind the corresponding leader. This continues 

until there is a line behind each leader. 

The game ends with a tug-o-war. 

Each side hold onto a rope at opposite ends. Each side pulls until 

the other team falls down or let go of the rope. 

53

TIG 


Whoever is ‘it’ has to chase the others. The aim is to touch 

another player and shout ‘tig’. Then that player becomes ‘it’ 

Any player who wishes to rest for a few minutes can show this 

by crossing their fingers, raising their arms above their head 

and calling ‘out’. 

Other variations of this game include High Tig and Den Tig. In 

the High Tig version a player is exempt from being caught if 

they are standing on something higher than the ground. 

In the Den Tig version, a special place called ‘the den’ is 

decided on at the beginning of the game and players cannot 

be caught when they are in this place. 

54

Tip The Can 

Contributed by Mary O’Neill, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 

Four or more players are needed. One is selected as ‘it’. They 

are given an object that acts as the ‘can’. This can be a ball, 

lunch box, a wall or anything else. 

The object is placed in a stationery place and whoever is ‘it’ 

stands beside it. They count to thirty while everyone else hides. 

When they have finished counting they go in search of the 

other players. 

If they see one, they have to run back to the ‘can’ and shout 

“Tip the can, I can see _________” and say the name of the 

player they saw and where they saw them. If they are right then 

that player is out. 

For one of the hiding players to win the game, they must get past 

the searcher to touch the can and shout “tip the can I free all”. If 

the person who is ‘it’ catches everybody, the first person who 

was caught is next person to be ‘it’ 

55

Towns & Counties 


Any number of children can play this guessing game. The group 

is divided equally into two teams. It is then decided which side 

goes first. Whichever side it is decides on the name of a Town or 

County. They then invent a story that contains the various 

syllables of the place chosen. The other side must then try and 

guess the place. 

Examples: 

Wicklow: “ one dark winters night a little girl went to visit her 

grandmother, there were no lights on the road so she took a 

lamp with her. She put a new wick in before she set out. She 

couldn’t open the gate when she got to her grandmothers house 

but it was low down so she was able to climb over it” 

Mayo: “There was once a little girl who asked if her Auntie May 

could help her to learn her vowels. She had no trouble learning 

A E I and U but she could never remember the O” 

Donegal: “There was once a man called Doni (Done) who told 

me that the Irish word for bright was gal (geall).” 

The group who have picked the place can help the opposing 

team in identifying the place by doing all sorts of miming actions. 

If they succeed in guessing the location correct they take their 

turn. If they do not guess correctly then the other team get 

another turn. 

56

Traffic Lights 

Contributed by Linda Heydon, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim 

This game is played between two kerbs. It can also be played 

between two lines drawn on the ground if a suitable kerb area 

cannot be found. 

First a leader is chosen. This person is called the boss. It is this 

person’s job to call the colours of a traffic light. 

On GREEN and ORANGE the others in the group run from one 

kerb to the other but if RED is called then all the children in the 

group must stop. 

Anyone caught moving after red is called is ‘out’. The last person 

out becomes the boss for the next game. 

Wall Ball 

Contributed by Stephen Casburn, Moycullen, Co. Galway 

Each person takes a turn at kicking the ball against the wall. 

The ball must hit against the wall or the person is out. Wherever 

the ball goes you have to stop the ball and then hit the wall from 

that point. 

If only two people are playing: 

If any player misses the wall, instead of being out, they give the 

other player a point. The first player up to ten is the winner. 

57

What’s The Time Mr Wolf 

Contributed by Louise Branigan, Mornington, Co. Louth 

Any number can play. One person is Mr Wolf and the other 

players stand behind in a straight line. Then they will say to the 

wolf “What’s the time Mr. Wolf” and Mr Wolf will say a number 

between 1 and 12. If they say 3 o’clock, then the players take 

three steps forward. 

After a few “what’s the times” Mr Wolf will say “dinner time” and 

turns quickly and try to catch as many of the others as they can 

before everyone reached the line where they are safe. 

The last player caught then automatically becomes “Mr Wolf” 

58

Galway Bay 

Contributed By The Athenry Woman’s Group, Athenry, 

Co. Galway 

If you ever go across the Sea to Ireland 

It may be at the closing of your day 

You will sit and watch the Moon rise over Claddagh 

And watch the Sun go down on Galway Bay. 

Just to see again the ripple of the Trout Stream 

The Women in the Meadow making Hay 

Or to sit beside the Turf Fire in a Cabin 

And watch the Barefoot Garsoons at their play 

For the Breezes blowing o’er the Sea from Ireland 

Are perfumed by the Heather as they blow 

And the Women in the Uplands digging Praties 

Speak a Language that the Strangers don’t know 

O the Strangers came and tried to teach us their Ways 

They scorned us for being what we are 

Well they might as well go chasing after Moonbeams 

Or light a Penny Candle from a Star. 

60

Happy and You Know It 

Contributed By Ann McKenna, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan 

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) 

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) 

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely 

show it 

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap) 

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet (stomp stomp) 

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet (stomp stomp) 


show it 

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp stomp) 

If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hurray!” (hoo-ray!) 



show it 


If you’re happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, 

stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!) 




show it 



61

Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush 

Contributed By Denise Murphy, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Here we go ‘round the mulberry bush, 

The mulberry bush, 

The mulberry bush 


So early in the morning. 

These are the chores we’ll do this week, 

Do this week, 

Do this week 

These are the chores we’ll do this week, 

So early every morning. 

This is the way we wash our clothes, 

Wash our clothes, 

Wash our clothes 

This is the way we wash our clothes, 

So early Monday morning. 

This is the way we iron our clothes, 

Iron our clothes, 

Iron our clothes 

This is the way we iron our clothes, 

So early Tuesday morning. 

This is the way we scrub the floor, 

Scrub the floor, 

Scrub the floor 

This is the way we scrub the floor, 

So early Wednesday morning. 

62

This is the way we mend our clothes, 

Mend our clothes, 

Mend our clothes 

This is the way we mend our clothes, 

So early Thursday morning. 

This is the way we sweep the floor, 

Sweep the floor, 

Sweep the floor 

This is the way we sweep the floor, 

So early Friday morning. 

This is the way we bake our bread, 

Bake our bread, 

Bake our bread 

This is the way we bake our bread, 

So early Saturday morning. 

This is the way we get dressed up, 

Get dressed up, 

Get dressed up 

This is the way we get dressed up, 

So early Sunday morning. 


The mulberry bush, 

The mulberry bush 


So early in the morning. 

63

Hush Little Baby 

Contributed By Severene Cronin, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal 

Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a mockingbird. 

And if that mockingbird don’t sing, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a diamond ring. 

And if that diamond ring turns brass, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a looking glass. 

And if that looking glass gets broke, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a billy goat. 

And if that billy goat won’t pull, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a cart and bull. 

And if that cart and bull turn over, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a dog named Rover. 

And if that dog named Rover won’t bark, 

Mammy’s going to buy you a horse and cart. 

And if that horse and cart fall down, 

You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town. 

64

I’m A Little Teapot 

Contributed By Michelle Gildea, Carrick-on-Shannon, 

Co. Leitrim 

I’m a little teapot, short and stout 

Here is my handle [one hand on hip], 

here is my spout [other arm out straight] 

When I get all steamed up, hear me shout 

Just tip me over and pour me out! 

[as song ends, lean over and tip arm out like a spout] 

I’m a clever teapot, yes it’s true 

Here’s an example of what I can do 

I can change my handle to my spout 

[switch arm positions and repeat tipping motion] 

Just tip me over and pour me out 

65

Irish Molly O 

Contributed By Liz McBride, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal 

Molly dear now did you hear the news 

Down in a corner of my heart, a love 

And every time I look into your eyes 

They seem to whisper “Darling Boy 

Oh Molly, my Irish Molly, my sweet 

I’m fairly off my trolley, my Irish Molly 

Springtime you know is ring time 

Come dear now don’t be slow 

Change your name, go out with game 

Begorra wouldn’t I do the same 

My Irish Molly O 

Molly dear now did you hear I furnished 

Three little cosy rooms with bath and bed 

It’s five pounds down and two a week 

We’ll soon be out of debt. 

It’s all complete except I haven’t you 

Molly dear and did you hear what all I said 

About the hundred sovereigns you have 

They say that’s why I love you 

Ah but Molly that’s a shame if you think so 

I’d love you just the same. 

66

My Grandfather’s Clock 

Contributed By Peadar Lynch, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois 

My Grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf 

So it stood ninety years on the floor 

It was taller by half than the old man himself 

Yet it weighed not a pennyweight more 

It was bought on the morn on the day that he was born 

It was always his treasure and pride 

But it stopped, short, never to go again 

When the old man died 

CHORUS: 

Ninety years without slumbering, 

Tick tock tick tock 

His life’s seconds numbering 


But it stopped short, 

Never to run again 


In watching its pendulum swing to and fro 

Many hours he had spent when a boy 

And through childhood and manhood, the clock seemed to know 

And to share both his grief and his joy 

For it struck 24 when he entered at the door 

With a blooming and beautiful bride, 



67

CHORUS: 

My grandfather said that of those he could hire 


Not a servant so faithful he’d found, 


For it kept perfect time 

And it had one desire 

At the close of each day to be wound 

And it kept to its place, not a frown upon its face 

And its hands never hung by its side 



It rang an alarm in the still of the night, 

An alarm that for years had been dumb 

And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight 

That his hour of departure had come 

CHORUS: 

Still the clock kept the time 


With a soft and muffled chime 


As we silently stood by his side 



68

Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly 

Contributed By Mai Fallon, Co. Sligo 

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. 

I dunno why she swallowed that fly, 

Perhaps she’ll die. 

There was an old lady who swallowed a spider, 

That wriggled and jiggled and wiggled inside her. 

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. 

But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - 


There was an old lady who swallowed a bird; 

How absurd, to swallow a bird! 

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider 



But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - 

Perhaps she’ll die 

There was an old lady who swallowed a cat. 

Imagine that, she swallowed a cat. 

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ... 




But I dunno why she swallowed that fly 

Perhaps she’ll die 

There was an old lady who swallowed a dog. 

What a hog! To swallow a dog! 

69

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat... 







There was an old lady who swallowed a goat. 

Just opened her throat and swallowed a goat! 

She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ... 

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat. 







There was an old lady who swallowed a cow. 

I don’t know how she swallowed a cow! 

She swallowed the cow to catch the goat... 

She swallowed the goat to catch the dog... 

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat... 







There was an old lady who swallowed a horse - 

She’s dead, of course. 

70

Old MacDonald had a Farm 

Contributed by Mary Coyle, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O 

And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O 

With a moo, moo here and a moo, moo there, 

Here a moo, there a moo, 

Everywhere a moo-moo, 

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. 

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O 

And on his farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O 

With an oink, oink here and an oink, oink there 

Here an oink, there an oink, 

Everywhere an oink-oink; 

With a moo-moo here and a moo-moo there, 

Here a moo, there a moo, 

Everywhere a moo-moo, 

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. 

This song can continue for as long as you wish by adding 

animals and noises such as; 

Horse – goes neigh 

Sheep – goes baaa 

Duck – goes quack 

Goose – goes Gabble 

Dog – goes woof 

Cat - goes Meow 

Mouse – goes eeek 

And so on … 

71

She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain 

Contributed by Mary Martin, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 

She’ll be comin’ round the mountain 

When she comes, (When she comes) 

She’ll be comin’ round the mountain 


She’ll be comin’ round the mountain, 



When she comes, (When she comes). 

She’ll be drivin’ six white horses 


She’ll be drivin’ six white horses 


She’ll be drivin’ six white horses, 




Oh, we’ll all go out to greet her 


Oh, we’ll all go out to greet her 


Oh, we’ll all go out to greet her, 




72

The Farmer Wants a Wife 

Contributed by Sinead Murphy, Co. Laois 

The farmer wants a wife 

The farmer wants a wife 

Ey-ay-ma-deirie-o 

The farmer wants a wife. 

The wife wants a child 

The wife wants a child 

Ey-ay-ma-dearie-o 

The wife wants a child. 

The child wants a nurse 

The child wants a nurse 


The child wants a nurse. 

The nurse wants a dog 

The nurse wants a dog 


The nurse wants a dog. 

The dog wants a bone 

The dog wants a bone 


The dog wants a bone. 

We all throw the bone 

We all throw the bone 


We all throw the bone. 

We all throw the bone. 

73

The Hokey Pokey 


You put your right foot in, 

You put your right foot out; 

You put your right foot in, 

And you shake it all about. 

You do the Hokey-Pokey, 

And you turn yourself around 

That’s what it’s all about! 

You put your left foot in, 

You put your left foot out; 

You put your left foot in, 





You put your right hand in, 

You put your right hand out; 

You put your right hand in, 





You put your left hand in, 

You put your left hand out; 

You put your left hand in, 





74

You put your right side in, 

You put your right side out; 

You put your right side in, 





You put your left side in, 

You put your left side out; 

You put your left side in, 





You put your nose in, 

You put your nose out; 

You put your nose in, 





You put your tail in, 

You put your tail out; 

You put your tail in, 





You put your head in, 

You put your head out; 

You put your head in, 

75





You put your whole self in, 

You put your whole self out; 

You put your whole self in, 





Can also be used as a game. All players stand in a circle and 

do the actions of the song as they sing it. 

76

An excerpt from ‘The Spinning Wheel’ 

Contributed By Athenry Woman’s Group, Co. Galway 

Mellow the moonlight to shine is beginning 

Close by the window young Eileen is spinning 

Bent o’er the fire her blind grandmother’s sitting 

Is crooning and moaning and drowsily knitting 

Merrily, merrily, noiselessly whirring 

Swings the wheel, spins the wheel 

While the foot’s stirring 

Sprightly and lightly and merrily ringing 

Trills the sweet voice of the young maiden singing 

Eileen, a chara, I hear someone tapping 

‘Tis the ivy dear mother, against the glass flapping 

Eily, I surely hear somebody sighing 

‘Tis the sound, mother dear, of the autumn winds dying 

What’s the noise that I hear at the window, I wonder 

‘Tis the little birds chirping, the holly-bush under 

What makes you be shoving and moving your stool on 

And singing all wrong that old song of ‘The Coolin’? 

77

Up the Airy Mountain 


Up the airy mountain, down the rushy glen 

We daren’t go a hunting for fear of little men, 

Wee folk, good folk trooping all together 

Green jacket, red cap and white owl feather. 

Down along the Rocky shore some make their home 

They live on crispy pancakes of yellow tide foam 

Some in the reeds of black mountain lakes 

With frogs for their watchdogs all night awake 

By the craggy hillside through the mosses hare 

They have planted thorn trees for pleasure here and there 

If any man’s so daring as to dig them up for spite 

He shall find the sharpest thorns in his bed at night. 

78

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep 

Contributed by Zona Christy, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

Baa, baa, black sheep, 

Have you any wool? 

Yes sir, yes sir, 

Three bags full. 

One for the master, 

One for the dame, 

And one for the little boy 

Who lives down the lane. 

Baa, baa, black sheep, 

Have you any wool? 

Yes sir, yes sir, 

Three bags full. 

80

Dan, Dan The Funny Wee Man 

Contributed by The Travelling Community of Co. Sligo with 

permission from Kidsown Publishing Partnership 

Dan, Dan the funny wee man, 

Washed his face in a frying pan 

Combed his hair 

With the leg of a chair 

Dan, Dan the funny wee man 

Do you know the Muffin Man 


Do you know the Muffin Man, 

The Muffin Man, 

The Muffin Man? 

Do you know the Muffin Man 

Who lives in Drury Lane? 

Yes, I know the Muffin Man, 

The Muffin Man, 

The Muffin Man 

Yes, I know the Muffin Man 

Who lives in Drury Lane. 

81

Do Your Ears Hang Low 

Denise Murphy, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Do your ears hang low? 

Do they wobble to and fro? 

Can you tie ‘em in a knot? 

Can you tie ‘em in a bow? 

Can you throw ‘em over your shoulder? 

Do your ears hang low? 

Eencey Weencey Spider 

Contributed by Desiree Cronin, Churchill, Co. Donegal 

Eencey Weencey spider 

Climbed up the water spout; 

Down came the rain 

And washed poor Eencey out; 

Out came the sun 

And dried up all the rain; 

And the Eencey Weencey spider 

Climbed up the spout again 

82

Hey Diddle Diddle 

Contributed by Lorraine Hackett, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo 

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, 

The cow jumped over the moon; 

The little dog laughed to see such sport, 

And the dish ran away with the spoon. 

Hickory, Dickory, Dock 

Contributed By Emma Jane McLaughlin, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Hickory, dickory, dock, 

The mouse ran up the clock. 

The clock struck one, 

The mouse ran down, 

Hickory, dickory, dock. 

83

Humpty Dumpty 


Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall 

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men 

Couldn’t put Humpty together again! 

I t ’s raining, it’s pouring 

Contributed by Michelle Gildea, Co. Leitrim 

It’s raining, it’s pouring, 

The old man is snoring 

Bumped his head 

And he went to bed 

And he couldn’t get up in the morning. 

84

Jack and Jill 

Contributed By Mary Masterson, Navan, Co. Meath 

Jack and Jill went up the hill 

To fetch a pail of water. 

Jack fell down and broke his crown, 

And Jill came tumbling after. 

Then up got Jack 

And said to Jill, 

As in his arms he took her, 

Let’s fetch that pail of water. 

Up Jack got 

And home did trot 

As fast as he could caper 

Went to bed and plastered his head 

With vinegar and brown paper. 

So Jack and Jill went up the hill 

To fetch the pail of water, 

And took it home to Mother dear, 

Who thanked her son and daughter. 

85

Jack, Be Nimble 


Jack, be nimble, 

Jack, be quick, 

Jack, jump over 

The candlestick 

Little Jack Horner 

Contributed by Mary O’Neill, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 

Little Jack Horner 

Sat in a corner, 

Eating a Christmas pie. 

He put in his thumb, 

And pulled out a plum, 

And said, “What a good boy am I!” 

86

Little Miss Muffet 

Contributed by Áine Murphy, Portlaoise, Co. Laois 

Little Miss Muffet 

Sat on a tuffet 

Eating her curds and whey; 

Along came a spider, 

Who sat down beside her 

And frightened Miss Muffet away 

87

Mary Had a Little Lamb 

Contributed by Mary Taheny, Gurteen, Co. Sligo 

Mary had a little lamb, 

Little lamb, little lamb, 

Mary had a little lamb, 

Its fleece was white as snow. 

And everywhere that Mary went, 

Mary went, Mary went, 

Everywhere that Mary went 

The lamb was sure to go. 

It followed her to school one day 

School one day, school one day 

It followed her to school one day 

That was against the rule. 

It made the children laugh and play, 

Laugh and play, laugh and play, 

It made the children laugh and play 

To see a lamb at school. 

88

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary 

Contributed By Áine O’Toole, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, 

How does your garden grow? 

With silver bells and cockle shells, 

And pretty maids all in a row. 

Michael Finnegan 

Contributed by Marianne O’Donnell, Gortahork, Co. Donegal 

There was an old man named Michael Finnegan 

He had whiskers on his chinnegan 

They fell out and then grew in again 

Poor old Michael Finnegan 

Begin again. 


He went fishing with a pinnegan 

Caught a fish and dropped it in again 


Begin again. 


He grew fat and then grew thin again 

Then he died and had to begin again 


Begin again. 

89

Monday’s child 

Contributed by Thea Allen, Co. Meath 

Monday’s child is fair of face, 

Tuesday’s child is full of grace, 

Wednesday’s child is full of woe, 

Thursday’s child has far to go, 

Friday’s child is loving and giving, 

Saturday’s child must work for a living, 

But the child that’s born on the Sabbath day 

Is fair and wise and good and gay 

Old Mother Hubbard 

Contributed by Áine Connors, Kinvara, Co. Galway 

Old Mother Hubbard 

Went to the cupboard 

To fetch her poor dog a bone; 

But when she got there 

The cupboard was bare, 

And so the poor dog had none. 

She went to the grocer’s 

To buy him some fruit; 

But when she came back 

He was playing the flute. 

90

She went to the hatter’s 

To buy him a hat; 


He was feeding the cat. 

She went to the barber’s 

To buy him a wig, 


He was dancing a jig. 

She went to the cobbler’s 

To buy him some shoes, 


He was reading the news. 

She went to the seamstress 

To buy him some linen, 


The dog was a-spinnin’. 

She went to the hosier’s 

To buy him some hose, 


He was dressed in his clothes. 

The dame made a curtsey, 

The dog made a bow; 

The dame said, “Your servant.” 

The dog said, “Bow wow!” 

91

One, Two, Buckle my Shoe 


1, 2 

One, two, buckle my shoe; 

3, 4 

Three, four, knock at the door; 

5, 6 

Five, six, pick up sticks; 

7, 8 

Seven, eight, lay them straight; 

9, 10 

Nine, ten, a good fat hen; 

One, Two, Three, Four, Five 

Contributed by Zona Christy, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

One, two, three, four, five, 

Once I caught a fish alive 

Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 

Then I let it go again. 

Why did you let it go? 

Because it bit my finger so 

Which finger did it bite? 

The little one upon the right. 

92

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake 

Contributed by Kerrie Anne Sharpe, Monaghan Town, 

Co. Monaghan 

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, 

Bake me a cake as fast as you can; 

Pat it and prick it, and mark it with B, 

Put it in the oven for baby and me. 

Polly, Put The Kettle On 

Contributed by Anne Coogan, Kells, Co. Meath 

Polly, put the kettle on, 



We’ll all have tea. 

Sukey, take it off again, 



They’ve all gone away. 

Blow the fire and make the toast, 

Put the muffins on to roast, 

Blow the fire and make the toast, 

We’ll all have tea. 

93

Pop Goes the Weasel 

Contributed by Marlene Gerity, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Round and round the cobbler’s bench 

The monkey chased the weasel, 

The monkey thought ‘twas all in fun 

Pop! Goes the weasel. 

A penny for a spool of thread 

A penny for a needle, 

That’s the way the money goes, 


A half a pound of tupenny rice, 

A half a pound of treacle. 

Mix it up and make it nice, 


Up and down the big road, 

In and out of the Eagle, 

That’s the way the money goes, 


I’ve no time to plead and pine, 

I’ve no time to wheedle, 

Kiss me quick and then I’m gone 


94

Pussycat Pussycat 

Contributed By Patricia McLoughlin, Co. Sligo 

Pussycat, pussycat, 

Where have you been? 

I’ve been to London 

To visit the Queen. 

Pussycat, pussycat, 

What did you do there? 

I frightened a little mouse 

Under her chair. 

95

Rain, Rain Go Away 


Rain, rain, go away; 

Come again another day; 

Little Johnny wants to play. 

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day 

Rain, rain, go to Spain, never show your face again 

Rain, rain, pour down, 

But not a drop on our town. 

Rain on the green grass, and rain on the tree, 

And rain on the housetop, but not on me. 

Rain, rain, go away, come again on washing day 

Rain, rain, go to Germany, and remain there permanently 

Rain, rain, go away, come on Martha’s wedding day. 

Ring a-Round The Roses 

Contributed by Anne Blanch, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan 

Ring a-round the roses, 

A pocket full of posies, 

A-tishoo! A-tishoo! 

We all fall down! 

96

Rock-A-Bye Baby 

Contributed by Michelle Kavanagh, Greencastle, Co. Donegal 

Rock-a-bye, baby 

In the treetop 

When the wind blows 

The cradle will rock 

When the bough breaks 

The cradle will fall 

And down will come baby 

Cradle and all 

Baby is drowsing 

Cosy and fair 

Mother sits near 

In her rocking chair 

Forward and back 

The cradle she swings 

And though baby sleeps 

He hears what she sings 

From the high rooftops 

Down to the sea 

No one’s as dear 

As baby to me 

Wee little fingers 

Eyes wide and bright 

Now sound asleep 

Until morning light 

97

Row, Row, Row Your Boat 

Contributed By Patricia McLoughlin, Co. Sligo 

Row, row, row your boat 

Gently down the stream. 

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, 

Life is but a dream. 

See-Saw, Margery Daw 

Contributed by Mairéad Martin, Sligo Town, Co. Sligo 

See-saw, Margery Daw, 

Jacky shall have a new master; 

Jacky shall have but a penny a day, 

Because he can’t work any faster. 

98

The Queen of Hearts 

Contributed by Sinead Murphy, Athenry, Co. Galway 

The Queen of Hearts, 

She made some tarts 

All on a summer’s day. 

The Knave of Hearts, 

He stole the tarts 

And took them clean away. 

The King of Hearts, 

Called for the tarts 

And beat the Knave full sore. 

The Knave of Hearts, 

Brought back the tarts 

And vowed he’d steal no more. 

99

The Man in the Moon 

Contributed by Deirdre Kennedy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath 

The Man in the moon 

Looked out of the moon, 

And this is what he said, 

‘Tis time that, now I’m getting up, 

All babies went to bed 

Three Blind Mice 

Contributed by Isobel Forde, Kinvara, Co. Galway 

Three blind mice, see how they run! 

They all ran after the farmer’s wife, 

Who cut off their tails with a carving knife, 

Did you ever see such a thing in your life, 

As three blind mice? 

100

Three Young 

Contributed by The Travelling Community of Co. Sligo with 

permission from Kidsown Publishing Company 

Three young rats in satin suits 

Three young cats in leather boots 

Three young ducks in Gabardines 

Three young dogs in denim jeans 

Went out to walk with two young pigs 

In mini skirts and orange wigs 

But suddenly it changed to rain 

And so they all went back again 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star 

Contributed by Lorraine Hackett, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo 

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, 

How I wonder what you are! 

Up above the world so high, 

Like a diamond in the sky. 

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, 

How I wonder what you are! 

101

Yankee Doodle 

Contributed by Michelle Rudden, Co. Cavan 

Yankee Doodle came to town, 

Riding on a pony, 

He stuck a feather in his cap 

And called it macaroni. 

102

Tá leibhéil leagtha amach leis an úsáid a dhéanamh níos éasca. 

Léiríonn Leibhéal 1 go bhfuil an Gaeilge measartha simplí agus 

léiríonn Leibhéal 3 go bhfuil sí níos casta. 

103

Leibhéal 3 

ABC 

A an béal mór A ardán 

B an práitín B bord 

C an crú capaill C cupa 

D an tsáil bhróige D duine 

E an tsúilín E éan 

F an fleasc F fuinneog 

G an spéacla G garda 

H an dréimire H hata 

I an colpa súiste I iasc 

J an camán J jacaí 

L an chrúiscín L lá 

M an t-im M mí 

N an oíche N neart 

O an fáinne O oscail 

P an piostal P peata 

Q an eireaball Q quinín 

R an bhuatais R rírá 

S an péistín S siopa 

T an maide croise T tábla 

U an t-ancaire U uafásach 

V gob na gé V vóta 

X an chrois bheag X xileafón 

Y an ghabhlóigín aitinn Y y-chruthach 

Z an brístín Z zú 

Cluiche cuimhne atá anseo. Nuair a bhíonn scata maith páistí 

bailithe le chéile, tugann duine acu focal faoi leith do gach duine 

sa ghrúpa, mar atá thuas, cur i gcás. Nuair a bhíonn na 

hainmneacha sin go léir tugtha, cuirtear an cheist orthu ina nduine 

agus ina nduine, ‘Cen t-ainm a thug mé duit-se?’ nó ‘Cén t-ainm a 

thug mé dó/dí siúd?’ An té is fearr a chuimhneoidh ar na 

hainmneacha go léir, is aige a bheidh an bua. 

This is a memory game. A specific word is given to each child; 

you have to remember yours and others. Two versions are 

available. Depending on the level of Irish the group has, there is a 

simple and a difficult version. The child with the best memory wins. 

104

Leibhéal 2 

Amuigh ag Siúl, Amuigh ag Siúl 

Beireann na páistí greim láimhe ar a chéile go ndéanann siad 

fáinne, agus iad ag canadh. 

Sac sac salainn 

Pingin ar an tsalann 

Leath phingin ar an tsiúcra 

Sac Sac salainn. 

Seo iad na gadaithe 

Amuigh ag siúl, amuigh ag siúl, 

Amuigh ag siúl 


Amuigh ag siúl, amuigh ag siúl, 




Lá breá aoibhinn samhraidh 

The children hold hands in a circle while singing. 

105

Leibhéal 1 

An Frog san Uisce 

Tá na páistí uilig socraithe i bhfáinne agus an frog sa lár ina shuí 

san uisce. 

Téann na páistí ag scipeáil thart agus iad ag canadh. 

“A Fhroig, a stór 

Rith ar mo thóir” 

Go tobann léimeann an frog suas agus 

ritheann sé ar a dtóir. 

All the children are in a ring with the ‘frog’ in the middle. They 

then skip around while singing the little verse. Suddenly the frog 

jumps up and chases them. 

106

Leibhéal 2 

Anuas, Aníos 

Anuas, aníos, 

Suas arís. 

Coinnigh do ghreim 

Nó titfidh tú síos, 

Is beidh do mhargadh déanta. 

Tá do mhargadh, 

Níl do mhargadh, 

Beidh do mhargadh déanta. 

Anonn, anall, 

Thiar is thall. 

Is agamsa an clár 

Is tusa ar barr. 

Is tá do mhargadh déanta. 

Tá do mhargadh, 

Níl do mhargadh, 

Tá do mhargadh déanta. 

Amhrán é sin le rá nuair a bhíonn páistí ag súgradh ar an 

gcrandaí bogadaí. 

Song for the see-saw 

107

Leibhéal 2 

Bean an Tí 

Roghnaítear beirt pháistí. Is í ‘bean an tí’ duine acu. Téann sí síos ar a dhá 

ghlúin agus ligeann sí uirthi féin gur ag feistiú boird atá sí. Tá na páistí eile ar 

chúl an dara pháiste agus greim acu ar a chéile. Labhraíonn an dara pháiste 

(‘an chearc’) le bean an tí agus bíonn an comhrá seo a leanas acu: 

C é a rd tá tú a dhéanamh ansin? 

Ag feistiú na bhoird . 

Cad chuige an bord ? 

Chun uisce a bheiriú. 

Cad chuige an t-uisce? 

Chun mo sceana a ghlanadh. 

Cad chuige na sceana? 

Chun do shicíní a mharú. 

Cad chuige mo shicíní a mharú? 

Mar d’ith siad mo choirc e . 

Níor ith siad agus ní bhfaighidh tú iad. 

D’ith siad agus gheobhaidh mé iad. 

Caithfidh tú troid liomsa. 

Troidfidh mé thusa. 

Ansin tosaíonn bean an tí ag iarraidh breith ar na sicíní (na páistí eile) agus 

bíonn an chearc ar a seacht ndícheall ag féachaint len iad a chosaint uirt h i . 

Nuair a bheireann bean an tí ar shicín, cuireann sí é ina luí marbh mar dhea, 

faoin mbord í. Nuair atá na sicíní go léir marbh, tá deireadh leis an gcluiche. 

This game involves picking two people, the housekeeper and one other. The 

rest of the children go behind the other child (the chicken) and hold onto each 

o t h e r. The housekeeper, on his/her knees, pretends to be setting the table. 

They engage in the conversation above. Once the last line has been said the 

housekeeper tries to catch the chicks (the other children). When she catches all 

the chicks and lays them under the table the game is over. 

108

A bhróigín, a bhróigín, 

Cá bhfuilir ó mo stóirín? 

Is fuar atá mo choisín beag 

Ag feitheamh leat, a 

bhróigín. 

Brostaigh chugam, a deirim 

leat, 

Nó beadsa tinn is breoite. 

Leibhéal 1/2 

Bróga 

Baineann na páistí go léir a mbróga díobh agus iad amuigh sa 

pháirc. Cuireann siad iad uile in aon charnán amháin. Beireann 

an ceannaire ar na bróga agus scaipeann sé uaidh iad ar fud 

na páirce, bróg anseo agus bróg ansiúd. Bíonn lucht na mbróg 

ina seasamh ar mharc áirithe agus nuair a thugtar an fógra, 

tosaíonn siad ag rith agus iad ag iarraidh a mbróga féin a 

aimsiú agus a chur orthu féin. Is iondúil go mbíonn ceann de na 

deilíní thuas ar siúl acu agus iad ag cuardach. An té is túisce a 

rachaidh ar ais go dtí an marc agus a bhróga féin dúnta ceart 

air, is aige siúd a bheidh an bua. 

This was a game that was played outside and involved taking off 

your shoes. Whoever is ‘it’ scatters the shoes away from the 

others. The object of the game was to find your shoes and get 

back to the starting line first while reciting the above. 

109

Leibhéal 1 

Bula, Bula, Báisín 

Bula, bula, báisín, 

Tá na gabhair sa ghairdín; 

Rith amach, a Sheáinín, 

Bula, bula, báisín. 

Bula bula báisín, 

Tá na ba sa ghairdín! 

Má tá, ruaig iad! 


Táid na ba sa ghairdín. 


Tá an bhó sa ghairdín, 

Síos Libh! Síos Libh! 

Síos libh go léir! 

Cluiche do pháistí óga é sin. Beireann siad ar lámha a chéile 

agus déanann siad fáinne. Téann siad timpeall agus ceann de 

na ranna thuas á rá acu. A thúisce is a bhíonn an rann ráite, 

caitheann siad iad féin ar an talamh agus greim láimhe acu ar a 

chéile i gcónaí. 

Ring Game and they all fall down on the last line holding hands. 

A bit like the end of ‘ring a ring a rosie’ 

110

Leibhéal 1/2 

Cá bhfuil tú anois? 

Tá beirt chailíní ar a nglúine nó ina suí ós comhair a chéile. Tá 

púicín ar an mbeirt acu agus ribín ina lámh ag gach duine den 

bheirt. Labhraíonn an chéad chailín agus deir sí: 

Cá bhfuil tú anois, a Nóirín? 

Deir an dara duine: 

Tá mé anseo i mo shuí ar mo stóilín. 

Dá mbeifeása marbh agus mise a bheith beo, 

Bheinnse anseo ar mo stóilín go deo. 

Chomh luath agus a labhraíonn cailín amháin, bíonn a fhios ag 

an gcailín eile cá bhfuil sí sin, agus buaileann sí buille den ribín 

uirthi. Ní bhuailtear an cailín eile i gcónaí, áfach, mar claonann 

an dara duine a ceann, agus a cuid cainte ráite aici, leis an 

mbuille a sheachaint. B’fhada mar sin go mbuailfí aon duine. 

Two girls kneel down opposite each other- blindfolded - they have 

the equivalent of a ribbon or string in their hand. First girl says 

“Where are you”? To which the second girl replies with the 

rhyme above. The game works as once the girl speaks she knows 

where she is from the sound of her voice and the aim of the 

game is to try and tap her with the ribbon or string. This however 

could take a while as the other girl tries to avoid being hit by 

ducking once her rhyme is said. 

111

Leibhéal 1 

Cat agus Luch 

Beireann na páistí greim láimh ar a chéile go ndéanann siad 

fáinne cuíosach mór. Ardaíonn siad a lámha i dtreo go mbíonn 

bearna mhór idir gach beirt. Déantar beirt a thoghadh, cat agus 

luch. Seasann an cat lasmuigh den fháinne agus an luichín istigh 

i lár baill. Ansin deir an chuid eile go hard: 

Rith sé amach, an teo teo, 

Rith sé isteach, an teo teo, 

Tháinig rí na gceithre cos 

Is sciob sé leis an teo teo. 

nó 

Siúd isteach an teo teo, 

Siúd amach an teo teo; 

Féach ar rí na gceithre cos, 

Is sciobfaidh sé an teo teo. 

Ansin tosaíonn an fiach. Bíonn ar an gcat rith tríd na bearnaí 

céanna ar rith an luichín tríothu roimhe. Bíonn an dream eile á 

ngríosadh. Nuair a bheireann an cat greim ar an luichín, cuirtear 

deireadh leis an bhfiach ach fanann sé mar chat. Má éiríonn leis 

an luichín éalú iompaíonn sé ina chat agus tosaíonn fiach eile le 

luichín eile. 

This game involves the children forming a ring with their hands 

held high. Two are chosen to be the cat and the mouse. The cat 

stands outside the circle and the mouse stands inside the circle. 

Those in the ring are repeating loudly either of the above rhymes 

and with that the chase starts. The cat has to follow the exact 

way the mouse goes and has to try and catch the mouse. If it 

catches the mouse it stays on as cat. If the mouse escapes it 

becomes the cat. The game starts again with a new mouse. 

112

Leibhéal 3 

Cé mhéad Adharc ar mo Phéire Poc? 

Druingide, draingide 

Ar chnámh do chruite, 

Taibhse mé thaighse, 

Ladhra má ira. 

An bhfuil an gabha dubh ansin? 

Tá sé amuigh ansin. 

Dúirt sé liomsa 

Dul go dtí an cheárta, 

Boilg a shéideadh, 

Spící a dhéanamh, 

Agus cúpla crú 

A chur faoin gcapall 

Atá ag dul go Conga 

Le hualach bainne. 

Téirse síos 

Go cul an tí 

A chuaichín buí na dtor. 

Hóra, háighre, hop, 

Cé mhéad adharc ar phéire poc? 

Hurlai, burlai 

Trumpa trae, 

Cá bhfios duitse 

Céard siúd é? 

Haigh-mon-ailli, 

Seo is siúd, 

Cé mhéad méar ag seasamh suas? 

113

Is cluiche ‘breithe’ é seo, a imritear go minic tar éis ‘Lúrabóg, 

Lárabóg’ nó rann eile díbeartha atá cosúil leis. An té atá fágtha 

agus leathchos aige amuigh tar éis an rann díbeartha, bíonn air 

cromadh síos lena chloigeann ar ghlúine an cheann siamsa. 

Buaileann sé siúd buillí dá dhorn gach ré seal ar dhroim an té 

atá thíos agus é ag rá leagan den deilín thuas. Ansin cuireann 

an ceann siamsa líon áirithe méar suas agus bíonn ar an duine 

thíos a thomhais cé mhéad méar atá ina seasamh. Má 

thomhaiseann sé ceart iad, scaoiltear saor é. Mura 

dtomhaiseann, caithfidh sé pionós eile a fhulaingt. 

Played after Lúrabóg, Lárabóg or a similar game. Whoever is left 

after Lúrabóg, Lárabóg (in rhymes section) has to go down on 

their knees, with their hands and elbows together over their eyes, 

so that they can’t see the person above. All the time they repeat 

the rhyme. The person above raises so many fingers and the 

person below has to guess how many. 

114

Leibhéal 3 

Cé tá in Airde? 

Cé tá in airde? 

Ceann an stáca. 

Leag ar lár é 

Chun go bhfaighidh sé práta agus bolgam bláthaí. 

Cé tá thíos? 

Arán is im. 

Cá bhfuil mo chuidse? 

Sciob an luch é. 

Cá bhfuil an luch? 

Siúd faoin sop í. 

Cá bhfuil an sop? 

Dhóigh an tine é. 

Is cá bhfuil an tine? 

Mhúch an abhainn í. 

Is cá bhfuil an abhainn? 

D’ól an damh í. 

Is cá bhfuil an damh? 

Mharaigh an tua é. 

Is cá bhfuil an tua? 

Rinne Dhein tua mhór di. 

Is cá bhfuil an tua mhór? 

Rinne Dhein tua bheag di. 

Is cá bhfuil an tua bheag? 

Rinne Dhein biorán ramhar di. 

Is cá bhfuil an biorán ramhar? 

Rinne Dhein biorán caol de. 

115

Dúnann na páistí a ndoirne. Cuireann duine acu a dhorn dúnta 

anuas ar an mbord. Cuireann an cara duine a dhorn anuas air 

sin, agus mar sin dóibh go mbíonn dorn ó chách sa chuideachta 

in airde ar a chéile. Bíonn na doirne in aon stáca amháin agus 

tosaíonn an té atá thíos ar an deilín leis an gcéad cheist; ‘Cé tá 

thuas?’. Freagraíonn an duine is airde agus deir sé: ‘Ceann an 

stáca’. Nuair a deir an duine thíos, ‘Leag ar lár é’ (nó ‘Leag 

anuas é’), tógtar an dorn sin anuas agus deir fear an doirn sin, 

‘Cé tá thíos?’ ‘Arán is im’, a deir an fear thíos uile. Ansin 

leanann siad leis an gceistiúchán go ndeir an fear thíos, ‘Sea, 

nílimse sásta, srl.’ Ansin tógann gach uile dhuine a dhorn as an 

stáca. Bíonn béal dúnta ag gach duine agus é ag iarraidh na 

daoine eile a chur ag gáire. Aon duine a dhéanann gáire, 

caithfidh sé fanacht as an gcluiche go mbeidh an babhta sin 

thart. 

A game similar to ‘one potato, two potato’, with each child 

having to say a line of the game. If you laugh you’re out for one 

round. 

116

Leibhéal 1 

Cearca 


fáinne, agus iad ag canadh 

Chonaic mé bóthairín. Bhí na cearca ag dul isteach. 

Dúirt mé leis na cearca. Anois tagaigí amach. 

Tháinig amach na cearca mar bhíodar faoi smacht. 

Aon dó trí ceathair cúig sé seacht. 

The children hold hands in a ring and sing 

117

Leibhéal 3 

Cipín Cipín 

Bainimse díotsa, a chruaichín móna, 

Móin is díon is gach ní atá fónta, 

Chun airgead scuit is airgead póna 

Is airgead stocaí Sheáin Reotha. 

Bainimse díotsa, a chruaichín móna, 

A i rgead scuit agus airgead póna 

Laistiar síos de do cholpaí móra 

Chun an bhó dhearg a fhuascailt ó Thomás an Lópais. 

C u i rtear carn beag ithir nó gaineamh amach ar an urlár. Cuirt e a r 

cipín ina sheasamh i mbarr an chairn. Faigheann gach páiste cipín 

nó geataire. Tosaíonn siad i ndiaidh a chéile ag scríobadh den 

c h a rn ghainimh agus iad ag rá an rainn thuas. Ní fada go mbíonn 

an carn ag dul i laghad agus an cipín ag faire ar thitim. Cibé duine 

a mbeidh de cheann air an cipín a leagan, caillfidh sé an cluiche. 

Leanann an cluiche go dtiteann an cipín. Déantar suas an carn arís 

agus leantar den chleas. 

A bit of soil or sand is laid out and a twig or rush is put standing in 

the heap. Every child gets a twig and starts writing in the sand with 

the rhyme. Whoever causes the original twig to fall loses the game. 

118

Leibhéal 3 

Cniogaide, Cnagaide 

Cniogaide, cnagaide, 

I lár do dhromasa, 

Isteach i bpoll adhairce, 

Amach i bpoll adhairce, 

Cé mhéad adharc ar an bpocán poic? 


Ceann do ghimide, 

Steafóg ar staighre, 

Ladharmán ladhrach, 

Buailim an buille seo 

Ar éadan do chruitese, 

Is cé mhéad adharc ar an bpocán poc? 

Clugaiste, clabainte, 

I lár mo dhromsa, 

Púca is taibhse 

Is eireaball na trine. 

Cé mhéad adharc ar mo phocaide poc? 


Cá mbuailfidh mé an buille seo 

Ar íochtar do chruitese? 

Cé mhéad adharc ar an mbocán bocht? 


A ghearr a ghimide, 

Stóg staighre, 

119

Ladhar i mbun laidhre, 

Nóinín muileata. 

Cá mbuailfidh mé an buille seo? 

Cé mbéad ladhar an an bpocán poc? 

Druingide, draingide 

Ar chnámh do chruitese, 

Taoghse má taighse, 

Laidhre má laidhre. 

An bhfuil an gabha dubh ansin? 

Tá sé amuigh ansin. 

Dúirt sé liomsa 

Dul go dtí an cheárta, 

Boilg a shéideadh, 

Spící a dhéanamh. 

Húra, hára, hop, 

This is a fun nonsense rhyme which for use as either a skipping 

rhyme or to rhyme off between two children while clapping their 

hands off each others hands. 

120

Leibhéal 2 

Cuitse! Cuitsiú! 

Cuitse! cuitsiú! 

Rincfidh na cearca é, 

Cuitse! Cuirsiú! 

Rince na ngeafairí. 

Geafairí óga is geafairí críonna; 

Dá mbeadh geafairí eile ann 

Bheadh lán tí againn. 

Cuitse! Cuitsiú! 

Cuitsí, cuitsiú, 

Rince na ngeafairí. 

Cluiche do pháistí óga é sin. Téann duine acu síos ar a 

ghogaide, buaileann sé a dhá bhois ar a chéile agus tosaíonn sé 

ar an rann a rá. Téann sé ag léimneach timpeall an urláir agus é 

ar a ghogaide i gcónaí. Déanann an chuid eile acu aithris air 

féachaint cén duine is fearr a dhéanfaidh an cleas. 

Whoever is ‘it’ goes down on his/her hunkers and he starts the 

rhymes, jumping about and the others follow him. 

121

Leibhéal 2 

Féach ar an Leipreachán 


fáinne, agus iad ag canadh. 

Children hold hands in a circle and sing 

Féach ar an leipreachán 

Is é ina shuí 

É ag coiriú bróga le solas 

na gealaí 

Teac-Teac. Teic-Teac éist lena ghlór 

Beireann air, beireann air a chailín a stór 

D’imigh an leipreachán isteach i lios na sí 

Is ní fhaca an cailín 

Arís é le solas na gealaí 

The children hold hands in a circle and dance around singing the 

above. 

122

Leibhéal 1 

Gad na nGé, Gad na nGé 

Gad na ngé, gad na ngé 

Buidéal lán de ros, 

Síos, síos, síos! 

Déanann na páistí fáinne; téann siad timpeall agus an rann thuas 

ar bun acu. Ansin caitheann siad iad féin ar an talamh. An té is 

túisce a bhíonn ina sheasamh arís, eisean a bhuann. 

Ring game they go around saying the rhyme, with this one the 

first up after touching the ground is the winner. 

123

Leibhéal 1 

Geataí Arda 

Seasann na himreorí i bhfáinne ag breith ar lámha a chéile. 

Seasann an ceannfort i lár an fháinne agus comhaireann sí suas 

go deich nó fiche. An cailín a bhfuil an uimhir áirithe aice, 

caithfidh sí rith isteach is amach as na ‘geataí’ (.i. na háirsí a 

dhéanann na himreoirí eile lena lámha ardaithe) ag iarraidh éalú 

ón gceannfort. Nuair a bheireann an ceannfort ar an teifeach, 

téann sí sin isteach i lár an fháinne agus glaíonn sí ar aon 

chailín is maith léi. Árdaíonn na cluicheoirí a lámha arís le 

‘geataí’ a dhéanamh, agus tosaíonn an fiach arís. 

Seo é an t-amhrán a bhíonn á rá ag lucht an 

fháinnele le linn an fhiaigh 

Geataí arda, geataí arda, 

Geataí arda aerach’, 

Geataí arda tríd na páirceanna 

Thart faoi chearna Éireann. 

Geataí beaga is geataí móra, 

Is geataí beaga gan éifeacht, 

Geataí boga is geataí crua 

Is buailfead buille béim’ ort. 

Everyone is given a number. The children form a circle with one 

child in the middle. The child in the middle counts to 10, then she 

calls out a number and the child with that number is to be 

chased. The children in the circle make arches/gates by holding 

each other’s hands up high. The child who is chasing must run 

after the child who is to be chased, they can only run in and out 

of the arches. The rhyme is being sung during this time. 

124

Leibhéal 1 

Is mise Rí/Banríon na gCoileach 

Imreoidh mé leatsa, cé nach maith leat é, 

Mar is mise Rí/Banríon na gCoileach atá tréan. 

Páistí beaga is mó a imríonn an cluiche seo. Déanann an 

múinteoir/ceannaire trí thomhas a roghnú. Déantar rí/banríon a 

thoghadh. Seasann sé/sí i lár báire agus suíonn an chuid eile, 

ina thimpeall ar an talamh. Ansin síneann an rí/banríon a mhéar 

chuig duine éigin acu, agus deir sé/sí ós ard na focail thuas. 

Ansin tagann an duine eile amach i lár an chiorcail. Téann an 

bheirt i mbonn na tomhaise a réiteach. An té a fhaigheann an 

freagra ceart a bhuafaidh an cluiche. 

Tá roinnt tomhais ar fáil sa lámhleabhar. 

Three riddles are picked by the teacher/leader. A king/queen is 

picked and he/she stands in the middle and the others sit around 

him. The king/queen points at one and repeats the rhyme above. 

Whoever is picked comes to the centre of the circle. Then they 

work out the 3 riddles. The one who gets them right first is the 

king/queen next. 

A selection of riddles is available in this manual 

125

Leibhéal 3 

Láir Bhán 

Istigh a imrítear an cluiche seo. Suíonn na páistí i bhfáinne. Ina 

lár suíonn páiste eile a bhfuil slaitín draíochta ina lámh aige 

agus fód móna nó práta os a chomhair. Is é an fód móna nó an 

práta an ‘Láir Bhán’. Caithfidh an páiste a dhá shúil a choinneáil 

dúnta agus an rud atá os a chomhair a bhualadh leis an slaitín 

draíochta. Bíonn sé ag iarraidh mar sin gan ligean do na páistí 

eile teacht in aice leis an ‘Láir Bhán’. Féachann siadsan leis an 

‘Láir Bhán’ a ghoid, ach gan buille den slaitín draíochta a fháil. 

Má éiríonn le duine ar bith an ‘Láir Bhán’ a sciobadh, glaonn 

siad uile: ‘Goideadh, goideadh an Láir Bhán!’ Osclaíonn páiste 

an tslaitín draíochta a dhá shúil ansin agus deir sé: 

Níor goideadh fós an Láir Bhán. 

D’fhág sí an tsrathair, 

An trama is an t-iarach 

Ó Bhóthar Buí an Bheadaí 

Go doras tí an ghadaí. 

Níor goideadh riamh láir ab fhearr ná í. 

Gháir sí, bhéic sí, 

Is d’fhág sí an tsrathair, 

An trama is an t-iarach, 

Is an rud a bhíonn thiar faoina coirpe. 

D’imigh sí síos go doras tí an ghadaí, 

Agus, a ghiolla mhín bhradaigh, 

Cuirse uait an Láir Bhán. 

Níor goideadh, níor goideadh 

Aon láir ab fhearr. 

126

D’fhág sí an tsrathair, 

A hama is a hualach – 

Agus cuirse abhaile í, 

An Láir Bhán! 

Nuair a deir an páiste leis an slaitín draíochta an líne dheiridh, 

leagann sé an tslat ar an té is dóigh leis a ghoid an ‘Láir Bhán’. 

Má tá an ceart aige tógann an páiste sin an slaitín. Mura bhfuil, 

coimeádfaidh sé féin an tslaitín uair amháin eile 

This game involves the children sitting in a circle. The middle 

child has potatoes in front of him. This is called the ‘Láir Bhán’. 

There is a child in the centre with a magic wand and he has to 

keep his eyes closed and try to stop the other children from 

stealing the ‘Láir Bhán’. The other children have to try and steal it 

without getting touched by the wand. If they steal it they shout out 

‘Goideadh, goideadh an Láir Bhán’. With this the child in the 

middle opens his eyes and says the rhyme above. When he says 

the last line he taps with his wand who he thinks is the thief. If he 

is right, the person that he accused is ‘it’ and if he is wrong he 

has to be ‘it’ again. 

127

Leibhéal 2 

Madra Rua agus Sicíní 

Is mar a chéile an cluiche seo agus ‘Bean an Tí’. Seo an comhrá 

idir an tóirí (an madra rua) agus an cosantóir (an chearc): 

Cá bhfuil tú ag dul? 

Go dtí an trá. 

Cad chuige? 

I gcomhair mála gainimh. 

Cad chuige an mála gainimh? 

Chun mo scian is m’fhorc a ghlanadh. 

Cad chuige an scian is an forc? 

Chun na sicíní a ithe. 

Cá bhfuil siad? 

Tá siad taobh thiar de do dhroim. 

Lorg iad! 

This game is in the same vain as Bean an Tí. It involves the 

saying of the rhyme. 

128

Leibhéal 1 

Mac Tíre 

Cén t-am é a Mhac Tíre? 

Ritheann an Mac Tíre thart agus na páistí ina dhiaidh 

Scairteann siad amach 

‘Cén t-am é a Mhac Tíre?’ 

Freagraíonn an Mac Tíre, ‘A seacht a chlog srl …. 

Ach nuair a deir sé, 

“Am dinnéir” ritheann na páistí uaidh agus an 

Mac Tíre ar a dtóir ag iarraidh greim a fháil orthu. 

This is an Irish version of “Whats the time Mr Wolf?” 

129

Leibhéal 2 

Páiste 

Siúd cleas; 

Is deas an cleas é. 

Páiste a dhéanfadh é, 

Is páiste nach ndéanfadh é. 

Buileann páiste ar an mbodhrán a seacht nó a hocht d’uaireanta 

agus é ag rá na bhfocal thuas. Ansin aistríonn sé an bodhrán 

óna lámh dheas go dtí a lámh chlé, agus tugann sé an bodhrán 

don duine atá in aice leis. Bíonn ar an duine sin aithris bheacht 

a dhéanamh ar an gceann siamsa, .i. an chéad duine. Thug an 

dara himreoir na buillí agus an chaint faoi deara, ach b’fhéidir 

nár chuir sé suntas san aistriú ó lámh go lámh. Ní thuigeann sé 

cén fáth mar sin nach bhfuil an cleas ceart aige féin. 

A child taps the bodhrán 8 times with a bodhrán bone. He then 

changes it from hand to hand a few times and passes it on. The 

child next to him has to observe what hand he uses to pass it 

and make sure he receives it with the same one. So if the first 

child passes it with his left hand, the second child has to receive 

it into his left hand. Then he says the rhyme and passes it on. The 

child who receives it in the wrong hand is out. 

130

Leibhéal 3 

Rí na nÉan 

Téann na himreoirí i bhfolach. Glaonn an ceann siamsa ar roinnt 

áirithe agus deir sé: 

An lon dubh, an dreoilín, an chuach, an spideog, 

An chéirseach, an seabhac, an traonach, an fhuiseog, 

Tagaigí i mo ghaobhar agus éistigí le mo ghlór, 

Is toghfaidh mé rí beag a shuífidh i gcóróin. 

An té a déarfadh an rann seo gan creathadh ina ghlór 

Beidh maoin agus ríocht aige, aoibhneas is spórt. 

Ansin deir sé casfhocal crua mar seo: 

Chuaigh mo chatsa go tigh chait Gharsail. 

Ghaibh cat Gharsail ar mo chatsa. 

Cár chóra do mo chatsa gabháil ar chat Gharsail, 

Ná do chat Gharsail gabháil ar mo chatsa? 

An té a n-éirionn leis é sin a rá gan botúin ná gáire a 

dhéanamh, is dó a thugtar an ríocht. 

Whoever is ‘it’ shouts out the above rhyme and then says a 

tongue twister (several of these available) and then each player 

has to try and repeat it all, without making a mistake or 

laughing. The player that laughs or makes a mistake is out. 

131

Leibhéal 2 

Roille, Roille Ráinne 

Roille, roille ráinne 

Timpeall linn, i bhfáinne 

Rileo ró, Rileo ró 

Suas san aer le mo choisín ó. 

Bullabá báisín 

Bullabá báisín 

Tá na gabhair sa ghairdín. 

Bullabá báisín. 

Buailimid bosa 

‘Gus greadaimid cosa 

‘Gus casaimid timpeall 

Gan tuirse gan stopadh. 

Suas liom, suas liom 

Go hard sa spéir 

Suas liom, suas liom 

Thar bharr na gcraobh! 

Suas i bhfad suas 

Thar na néalta glé 

Ach cá ndeachaigh néalta 

Na hoíche go léir? 

The children call out the above rhyme while standing in a circle. 

They match the actions to the rhyming. In the first verse, they 

move around and around in the circle. In the second verse they 

clap hands. In the third verse they stamp their feet. In the last 

verse they jump up and down. 

132

Leibhéal 2 

Suas Síos, Suas Arís 



Suas síos, suas arís 

Mise ‘gus tusa ‘gus mise arís, 

Suas síos, suas arís, 

Mise ‘gus tusa ‘gus mise arís. 

Anuas Anuas 

Suas arís, 

Coinnigh do ghreim 

Nó titfidh tú síos! 

Anonn Anall! 

Thiar is thall! 

Mise ar barr 

Is tusa ar lár. 

Suas síos, suas arís 

Mise ‘gus tusa ‘gus mise arís, 

Suas síos, suas arís, 

Mise ‘gus tusa ‘gus mise arís. 

The children hold hands in a circle and sing the above. 

133

Leibhéal 2 

Táimid ag Rince Rince 



Táimid ag rince rince 

Táimid ag rince rí 

Táimid ag rince rince 

Táimid ag rince rí 

Cuirigí bhur lámha isteach 

Cuirigí bhur lámha amach 

Corraigí sibh féin, iompaigí isteach. 

Táimid ag rince, rince, táimid ag rince rí 

Cuirigí bhur gcosa isteach 

Cuirigí bhur gcosa amach 


Táimid ag rince, rince, 

Cuirfidh bhur gcinn isteach 

Cuirfidh bhur gcinn amach 


The children hold hands in a circle and move around following 

the actions of the song as they sing it. In the first verse they 

dance. In the second verse they put their hands into the middle 

of the circle. In the third verse they put the feet into the middle 

of the circle. In the last verse they put their heads into the middle 

of the circle 

134

Leibhéal 3 

Thart an Bhróg! Thart an Bhróg! 

Suíonn scata daoine idir bhuachaillí agus chailíní i bhfáinne ar 

an urlár. Bíonn a nglúine ardaithe acu. Bíonn tuí faoi na 

himreoirí agus tharstu go minic, rud a chuireann le deacracht an 

chluiche don té atá i lár báire. Bíonn duine amháin i lár an 

fháinne ar a nglúine agus bíonn air siúd tomhais cé aige a bhfuil 

an bhróg (nó an rópa nó an stoca lán de ghaineamh, srl.). Bíonn 

an bhróg á cur thart ag na himreoirí eile faoina nglúine ó dhuine 

go duine. Má bhíonn an tomhas ceart aige téann sé ar ais sa 

chiorcal. Mura mbíonn, caithfidh sé tomhas arís. Nuair a bhíonn 

an rud á chur thart faoi na glúine bíonn rann ar siúl go glórach 

ag na himreoirí: 

Thart an bhróg! Thart an bhróg! 

Beas go buartha, beas go buartha. 

Beidh ina shuaimhneas, beidh ina shuaimhneas. 

Scaoilí tharaibh é, tharaibh é, faic! 

Iontaigh do phóca liom, 

Is tabhair dom achar mo bhuille dom. 

Scaoilí tharaibh é, tharaibh é, faic! 

Crúite cille, áit abhaile, 

Beannchor Iorrais, mise ag bualadh. 

Suigh te! Thart! Thart! 

135

Má thomhaiseann an duine i lár an fháinne go ceart cé aige a 

bhfuil an bhróg, malartaíonn an bheirt áit lena chéile. Mura 

dtomhaiseann, leantar ar aghaidh leis an gcur thart agus leis an 

mbualadh go dtomhaiseann. 

This is a ring game. There is someone in the middle. The other 

children are in a ring on their hunkers. They pass around a boot 

under their knee to one another saying the above rhyme. The 

person in the middle has to try and guess who has the boot when 

he turns around. If he guesses incorrectly he has to stand up and 

has to get it right to kneel down again, if he guesses correctly 

they switch places. 

136


Léiríonn Leibhéal 1 go bhfuil an Ghaeilge measartha simplí agus 


137

Leibhéal 1 

Ag Rolladh 

Contributed by Forbairt Naoinrai Teo 

Ag rolladh, is ag rolladh, is ag rolladh; 

Ag rolladh is ag fuint an taois: 

Ag rolladh, is ag rolladh is ag rolladh; 

Ag rolladh, is ag fuint arís. 

Leibhéal 1 

Ag Siúl 


Ag siúl, ag siúl, ag siúl, 

Gan trup, gan torann, go ciúin – 

Sneachta álainn glé, 

Nach aoibhinn, aoibhinn é! 

138

Leibhéal 1 

Aon Dó 


Aon dó, 

Aon, dó, trí 

luichíní istigh sa tuí! 

Aon dó, 

Aon, dó, trí 

luichíní istigh sa tuí! 

Ceathar, cúig, 

Ceathar, cúig, sé 

tháinig gandal is cúpla gé! 

Ceathar, cúig, 

Ceathar, cúig, sé 

tháinig gandal is cúpla gé! 

Seacht, ocht, 

Seacht, ocht, naoi 

Thosaigh siad ag déanamh spraoi! 

Seacht, ocht, 

Seacht, ocht, naoi 

Thosaigh siad ag déanamh spraoi! 

139

Leibhéal 3 

An Maidrín Rua 

Contributed by Athenry Woman’s Group, Co. Galway 

Ag gabháil ó thuaidh dom thar Shliabh Luachra, ‘ 

‘Gus mise’ cur tuairisc ’mo ghéanna, 

Ar mo chasadh aduaidh sea ‘fuair mé a dtuairisc 

Go raibh maidrín rua á n-aoireacht! 

Curfá 

An maidrín rua, rua, rua, rua, 

An maidrín rua ‘tá gránna 

An maidrín rua ‘na luí sa luachair, 

‘Gus barr a dhá chluas in airde. 

“Oh! No indeed, ní áil liom í, 

Ní bhlaisfead pioc dí ar aon chor, 

But I vow and swear you’ll dearly pay 

For my fine fat goose you’re ateing!” 

(Curfá) 

Greadadh croí cráite ort, a mhaidrín ghránna, 

A rug uaim m’ál breá géanna, 

Mo choiligh ‘bhí go hálainn, 

Is mo lachain bheaga ab fhearr a bhí in Éirinn! 

“Ní bhlaisfead pioc is ni íosfad giob, 

is ní rachaidh aon smut i mo bhéal de, 

But I vow and swear you’ll dearly pay 

For my fine fat goose you’re ateing!” 

(Curfá) 

140

Leibhéal 3 

An Poc Ar Buile 


Ar mo ghabháil dom siar chun Droichead Uí Mhórdha, 

Pic im’ dhóid s’ mé dul i mitheal, 

cé chasfaí orm i gcumar ceo, 

ach poc an cron is é ar buile 

Curfá 

ail – i – liú, puil – i – liú, ail – i – liú, 

tá n’ poc ar buil-e, 

ail – i – liú, puil – i – liú, 

ail – i – liú, 

tá n’ poc ar buil-e! 

Ritheamar trasna trí ruilleogach, 

Is ghluais an comhrac ar fad na móinge 

treascairt dá bhfuair sé sna tortóga, 

Is chuas n’ainneoin ar a dhroim le fuineamh 

Níor fhág sé carraig a raibh scot ann 

Ná gur rith le fórsa chun mé a mhilleadh 

Is ansin a chaith sé ‘n léim ba mhó 

Le fána mhór na Faille Brice. 

(Aililiú, srl) 

Bhí Garda mór i mBhaile an Róistigh 

Is bhailigh fórsa í chun sinn a chlipeadh; 

Bhuail sé rap dá adharc sa tóin air, 

‘S dá bhríste nua rinne giobail. 

(Aililiú, srl.) 

141

Leibhéal 2 

Báidín Fheilimí 

Contributed by Bernard O Donnell NT, Gortahork, Co. Donnell 

Báidín Fheilimí d’imigh go Gabhla, 

Báidín Fheilimí ‘s FeilIimí ann. 

Báidín FheilIimí d’imigh go Gabhla, 

Báidín FheilIimí ‘s FeilIimí ann. 

(Curfá) 

Báidín bídeach, 

Báidín beosach, Báidín bóidheach 

Báidín FheilIimí 

Báidín díreach, báidín deontach, 

Báidín FheilImí ’s FeilIimí ann. 

(Curfá) 

Báidín fheilimí, dímigh go Toraigh, 

Báidín fheilimí ’s feillimí ann. 

Báidín fheilimí, dimigh go Toraigh, 


(Curfá) 

Báidín Fheilimi briseadh I dToraigh, 

Báidín Fheilimí ‘s Feilimí ann; 

Báidin Fheilimí briseadh I dToraigh, 

Báidín Fheilimí s ‘Feilimí ann. 

(Curfá) 

Báidín fheilimí, dímigh go Toraigh, 


Báidín fheilimí, dimigh go Toraigh, 


142

Leibhéal 2 

Beidh Aonach Amárach 


Beidh Aonach Amárach i gContae an Chláir, 



Cén mhaith dom é, ní bheidh mé ann. 

(Cúrfá) 

‘S a Mháithrín an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé? 

A mháithrín an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé? 

A mháithrín an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé? 

A mhuirnín ó ná héiligh é! 

2. 

Níl tú a deich ná a haon déag fós! 



Nuir a bheidh tú trí déag beidh tú mór! 

(Cúrfá) 

3. 

B’fhearr liom féin mo ghréasaí bróg 



Ná oifigeach airm faoi lásaí óir. 

(Cúrfá) 

143

Leibhéal 2 

Bheir Mí Ó 

Contributed by Ester Corcoran, Bullan, Co Galway 

Cúrfá 

Bheir Me ó, óró ‘bhean ó, 

Bheir Me ó, óró ‘bhean í, 

Bheir Me ó óró ó, 

‘S mé tá brónach ‘s tú imdhíth. 

1. 

‘S iomaí oíche fliuch is fuar, 

Thug mé cuairt is mé liom féin, 

Nó gur ráinig mé san áit, 

Mar a raibh grá geal mo chléibh. 

2. 

I mo chláirseach ní raibh ceol, 

I mo mheoraibh ní raibh brí, 

Nó gur luaigh tú do rún, 

‘S fuair mé eolas ar mo dhán 

144

Leibhéal 1 

Brúigh is Fáise 

Contributed by Forbairt Naíonrai Teo 

Brú is fáisc; 

Brú is fáisc; 

Brú is fáisc is tarraing an chré. 

Leibhéal 1 

Buail Bos 

Contributed by Forbairt Naíonrai Teo 

Buail bos, 

Gread cos, 

Cas timpeall 

Is glac sos 

145

Leibhéal 1 

Buail do Bhosa 

Contributed by Forbairt Naíonraí Teo 

Buail do bhosa, 


Bosa beaga míne, 



Is gheobhaidh tú féirín Dé hAoine! 

Buail do ghlúine, 


Glúine beaga míne, 




Buail do chosa, 


Cosa beaga míne, 




Cuimil do bhosa 

Cuimil do bhosa 

Suas is síos 

Dún do lámha 

Oscail do lámha 

Dún is oscail arís. 

146

Leibhéal 1 

Bulla Bá Báisín 


Bulla bá báisín 

Bulla bá báisín – 

Timpeall is timpeall 

Is timpeall go sásta! 

Buailimid bosa, 

Greadaimid cosa, 

Casaimid timpeall, 

Gan tuirse gan stopadh! 

147

Leibhéal 2 

Capaillíní a’ Rothlú 


Capaillíní a’ rothlú, a’rothlú, a’rothlú, 

Capaillíní a’ rothlú – timpeall linn go léir! 

Capaillíní a’ brostú, a’ brostú, a’brostú, 

Capaillíní a’ brostú – timpeall linn go léir! 

Capaillíní a’ damhsa, a’ damhsa, a’ damhsa, 

Capaillíní a’ damhsa – timpeall linn go léir! 

Capaillíní a’ moilliú, a’ moilliú, a’ moilliú, 

Capaillíní a’ moilliú – timpeall linn go léir! 

148

Leibhéal 2 

Ceithre Rón 


Ceithre rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 

thuas ar a’ gcloch, 


Ceithre rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 

Léim ceann amháin isteach sa loch! 

Trí rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 



Trí rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 


Dhá rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 



Dhá rón thuas ar a’ gcloch, 


Rón amháin thuas ar a’ gcloch, 



Rón amháin thuas ar an’gcloch, 

Léim sé siúd isteach sa loch! 

149

Leibhéal 2 

Cúig Ubh 


Cúig ubh istigh sa nead, 

Cearc ar gor: glug, glug, glag – 

Scoilt blaosc, scoilt sí arís, 

Tháinig sicín amach: tsíp! tsíp! 

Ceithre ubh istigh sa nead, 




Trí ubh istigh sa nead, 




Dhá ubh istigh sa nead, 




Ubh amháin istigh sa nead, 




150

Leibhéal 2 

Cúigear Fear 


Cúigear fear a’ tógáil tí, 

A’ tógáil tí, 


Cúigear fear a’ tógáil tí, 

Shuigh fear síos is lig sé’ scith! 

Ceathrar fear a’ tógáil tí, 



Ceathrar fear a’ tógáil tí, 


Triúr fear a’tógáil tí, 



Triúr fear a’ tógáil tí, 


Beirt fhear a tógáil tí, 



Beirt fhear a’ tógáil tí, 


Fear amháin a’tógáil tí, 

A’tógáil tí, 


Fear amháin a’ tógáil tí, 

Shuigh sé síos is lig sé’ scith! 

151

Leibhéal 1 

Cuimil do Bhosa 


Cuimil do bhosa, 

Cuimil do bhosa, 

Suas is síos! 

Dún do lámha, 

Oscail do lámha, 

Dún is oscail arís! 

Dorn ar dhorn, 

Dorn ar dhorn, 

Suas, suas, suas! 



Thuas, thuas, thuas! 

152

Leibhéal 3 

Dilín Ó Deamhas 


Curfá : Di-lín ó deamhas, ó deamhas, 

Di-lín ó deamhas ó dí; 

di-lín ó deamhas, ó deamhas, ó deamhas, 

ó, Di-lín ó deamhas ó dí. 

Cuir-fead mo rún chun suain, 

Cuir-fead mo rún ‘na luí; 

Cuir-fead mo rún chun suain go ciúin, 

Le di-lín ó deamhas ó dí. 

(Curfá) 

‘S bua-chaill maith súis – te, súist’, 

Is bua-chaill maith súist’ é Páid; 

Is bua-chaill maith súis-te, súist’, súiste 

‘S is cail-ín deas tuirn’ í Cáit. 

(Curfá) 

Is buachaill aniar, aniar, 

Is buachaill aniar an fear; 

Is buachaill aniar, aniar, aniar, 

‘S is cailín ón tsliabh an bhean. 

(Curfá) 

Caithimis suas is suas é, 

Caithimis suas an páiste; 

Caithimis suas is suas is suas é, 

‘S tiocfaidh sé anuas amárach. 

(Curfá) 

153

Leibhéal 1 

Gaineamh Mín Réidh 


Gaineamh mín, réidh; 

Gaineamh mín, réidh; 

Líonfaidh mise an leoraí 

Leis an ngaineamh mín réidh. 

Leibhéal 2 

Hóra mise Fear a’ Phoist 


Hóra mise fear a’ phoist! 

Hóra mise fear a’ phoist! 

Ní dhéanaim moill, 

Ní dhéanaim moill, 

Táim éadrom ar mo chois! 

Agus cén chaoi ‘bhfuil tú féin? 

Agus cén chaoi ‘bhfuil tú féin? 

Bí soineanta, 

Bí soineanta, 

Ar feadh an lae go léir! 

154

Leibhéal 2 

Hup leat a Chapaillín 


Hup leat a chapaillín! 

Seo linn ar an aonach. 

Hup leat a chapaillín 

Siar amach faoin sliabh linn. 

Hup leat a chapaillín! 

Fillfimid roimh oíche, 

Is beidh ribíní ar do mhoing agam 

Is iad ag gabháil na gaoithe! 

Leibhéal 2 

Indiach Dearg 


Indiach dearg ar a chapall a’ teacht, 

Ar a chapall a’ teacht, 

Ar a chapall a’ teacht, 

Indiach dearg ar a chapall a’ teacht – 

Cliotaram, Cliotaram, Clois! 

Slua mór dá mhuintir aniar ina dhiaidh, 

Aniar ina dhiaidh, 

Aniar ina dhiaidh, 

Slua mór dá mhuintir aniar ina dhiaidh, 

Cliotaram, Cliotaram, Clois! 

155

Leibhéal 1 

Is Buachaill Bó Mise 


Is buachaill bó mise, hó! hó! hó! 

Ag marcaíocht ar mo chapall ó! 

Is buachaill bó mise, hó! hó! hó! 

Hí-eip! Hí-eip! Hó! hó! hó! 

Leibhéal 1 

Istigh sa Zú 


Istigh sa Zú, 

Tá an Babaí Cangarú – 

Léim anois, 

Léim anois, 

Léim anois go luath! 


Tá an Mamaí Cangarú – 

Léim anois, 

Léim anois, 



Tá an Daidí Cangarú – 

Léim anois, 

Léim anois, 


156

Leibhéal 3 

Máire an Chlocháin Léith 

Mary From Dungloe 

Contributed by Mairanne O’Donnell, Gortahork, Co. Donegal 

Mo shlán óm’ chroí le mo dhúthaigh dhíl – 

Tír Chonaill na mbán ‘sna gcruach 

Ní mór dom triail thar an bhfarraige siar 

Thar tonntracha fiana is fuar’. 

Mo chrá is mo phian mo thaistil siar 

Óm’ mhuintir tá fial agus suairc. 

Fágaim slán is míle lem’ ghaolta gcroí’ 

’S mé ag triall ar Shasan Nua. 

A Mháire lách, is tú mo ghrá, 

Mo shaol iomlán is mo laogh 

Marach gráin d’athar gach lá 

Ní bhéinn ar an bhfarraige fhiain. 

Dá fhaid a bhím i bhfad ó mo mhian 

Is dílse a fhanfaidh mo chroí. 

Go gcumhdaí Dia mo chailín caoimh 

Go bhfillfead arís ar mo thír. 

A Dhia na nGrás, is é mo chás, 

Gan bheith seal sa Chlochán Liath, 

Ag ól go sámh amuigh ar an mbán 

Is mo Mháire lách lem’ thaobh. 

Ghlaofainn cairt den bhfíon a b’fhearr 

Is d’íocfainn reicneáil go réidh 

Is d’fháiscfainn le grá mo Mháire lách 

I mbaile an Chlocháin Léith. 

157

Leibhéal 2 

Micilín Muc 

Contributed by Katie Clarke, Tournmakeady, Co. Mayo 

Chuaigh Micilín Muc 

ar an aonach lá, 



Chuaigh Micilín Muc 


Hí, Hó! Micilín Muc! 

Cheannaigh sé hata, 

le cur ar a cheann, 



Cheannaigh sé hata 



Tháinig sé abhaile 

le port na habhann, 



Tháinig sé abhaile 



Sciorr a chos is 

thit sé isteach, 



Sciorr a chos is 



158

Leibhéal 2 

Nigh na hÉadaí 


Nigh na héadaí, 

Nigh na héadaí, 

Cuimil agus cuimil agus nigh na héadaí! 

Fáisc na héadaí, 

Fáisc na héadaí, 

Fáisc agus fáisc agus fáisc na héadaí! 

Croch amach na héadaí, 

Croch amach na héadaí, 

Croch agus croch agus croch amach na héadaí! 

Séid, a ghaoth, 

Séid, a ghaoth, 

Séid agua séid agus triomaigh na héadaí! 

Crap isteach na héadaí, 

Crap isteach na héadaí, 

Crap agus crap agus crap isteach na héadaí! 

Rith isteach abhaile, 

Rith isteach abhaile, 

Rith agus rith agus rith isteach abhaile! 

159

Leibhéal 3 

Óró ’Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile 

Contributed by Kay Ward, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan 

‘Sé do bheatha a bhean ba léanmhar, 

B’é ár gcreach tú ’bheith i ngéibhinn, 

Do dhúthaigh bhreá i seilbh méirleach, 

‘S tú díolta leis na Gaillibh. 

Curfá 

Óró ’sé do bheatha ’bhaile, 



Anois ar theacht an tSamhraidh. 

2. 

Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile, 

Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda; 

Gaeil iad féin is ní Gaill ná Spáinnigh, 

Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaigh. 

3. 

A bhuí le Rí na bheart go bhfeicim, 

Mura mbeinn beo ’na dhiaidh ach seachtain, 

Gráinne Mhaol is míle gaiscíoch, 

Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh. 

160

Leibhéal 1 

Péint is Scuab is Páipéar 


Péint is scuab is páipéar! 

Péint is scuab is páipéar! 

Déanfaidh mise pictiúr duit, 

Le péint is scuab is páipéar. 

Leibhéal 3 

Rírá is Cur i gCéill 


Rírá is cur i gcéill, 

Timpeall linn go léir! 

Féileacáin is éiníní 

Ag eitilt thuas sa spéir. 



Géanna agus góislíní, 

Ag siúl amach go réidh. 



Cangarú is coiníní 

A’ léim, a’ léim, a’ léim. 

Ruaille buaille buaille bú, 

Siúd amach ón Zú: 

Moncaí agua Eilifint, 

Tíogar is Cangarú 

161

Leibhéal 2 

Roille Roille Ráinne 


Roille, roille, ráinne, 

Timpeall linn i bhfáinne – 

Ríleoró! Ríleoró! 

Suas san aer le mo choisín ó! 

Leibhéal 3 

Sailí Lacha 


Sailí Lacha, níl sí luath, 

Tá sí mall is trom sa siúil – 

Luascadh ó dheas is luascadh ó thuaidh 

’Teacht ón loch abhaile. 

Scuaidrín aniar ina diaidh, 

’Tabhairt na gcoiscéim deas is clé – 

Scuaidrín aniar ina diaidh, 

’Teacht ón loch abhaile. 

162

Leibhéal 2 

Sín do Lámha 


Sín do lámha suas thar do cheann, 

Cas thart timpeall uair amháin, 

Déan luascadh beag anonn is anall, 

Is síos le do lámha, síos go mall! 

Leibhéal 1 

Smidín 


Smidín beag, an seilide, 

Ag snámh go righin is go mall – 

Suas an balla, 

Suas an balla, 

Anuas arís ar ball! 

163

Leibhéal 2 

Suas Liom 


Suas liom, suas liom, 

Go hard sa spéir! 

Suas liom, suas liom, 

Tharr bharr na gcraobh! 

Suas, i bhfad suas, 

Thar na néalta glé – 

Ach cá ndeachaigh réalta 

Na hoíche go léir? 

164

Leibhéal 2 

Tá an Béirín Beag 


Tá an béirín beag ‘na chodladh go sámh, 

‘na chodladh go sámh, 

‘na chodladh go sámh, 

Tá ‘n béirín beag ‘na chodladh go sámh! 

Coc-a-dúdal-dú! 

Arsa ‘n coilichín rua. 

Béarfaidh mé ort, a coilichín rua, 

A coilichín rua, 

A coilichín rua, 

Béarfaidh mé ort, a coilichín rua! 

Ní bhéarfaidh tú, 

Coc-a-dúdal-dú! 

165

Leibhéal 1 

Tá Duine ag an Doras 


Tá duine ag an doras – 

Bing-bong! Bing-bong! 

Tá duine ag an doras – Bing-bong! 

Cé tá ansin ar maidin go moch? 

Is mise atá ann, arsa fear an phoist – 

Bing-bong! Bing-bong! Bing-bong! 

Leibhéal 1 

‘Tá Leoraí Mór ag Teacht’ 


Tá leoraí mór a’ teacht, 

Tá leoraí mór a’ teacht, 

Fág ‘n bealach, coinnigh isteach, 

Tá leoraí mór a’ teacht 

166

Leibhéal 1 

Tá Mise ag Bualadh na Cré 


Tá mise a’ bualadh na cré, 

Tá mise a’ bualadh na cré; 

A haon, dó, trí, 

A haon, dó, trí, 

A ceathair, a cúig, a sé. 

Leibhéal 1 

Tá Mise ag Tógáil Tí 


Tá mise a’ tógáil tí; 

Tá mise a’ tógáil tí; 

Bríce anuas ar bhríce; 

Tá mise a’ tógáil tí. 

167

Leibhéal 2 

Teidí Tinn 


Teidí beag álainn, Teidí beag buí, 

Thit sé sa pháirc agus tá sé an-tinn; 

Tá sé ina leaba bheag, tá sé ina luí, 

Teidí beag álainn, Teidí beag buí. 

Ghortaigh sé a cheann agus ghortaigh sé a shúil, 

Ghortaigh sé a lámha, ghortaigh sé a ghlúin; 



Tháinig an dochtúir i gcarr chun an tí; 

“Cá bhfuil Teidí beag, Teidí beag buí?” 



D’fhéach sé ar a cheann agus d’fhéach sé ar a shúil, 

D’fhéach sé ar a lámha, d’fhéach sé ar a ghlúin; 



168

Leibhéal 1 

Téimis chun Siúil 


Téimis chun siúil – 

La, la-la, la! 

Téimis chun siúil – 


Seo linn ag rith, 

Seo linn ag rith, 

La, la-la – 

La, la-la – 


Leibhéal 1 

Timpeall Timpeall 


Timpeall! Timpeall! Rothaí an chairr, 



Rothaí ag casadh timpeall! 

Bíp! Bíp! Bíp! ag adharc an chairr, 



Géilligí don Bíp! Bíp! 

169

Leibhéal 1/2 

Tiománaí Traenach 


Hóra, is mise an tiomanaí traenach – 

Hóra, hóra, bó aerach! 

’S ná bíodh tusa déanach, 

Is mise an tiománaí, 

Is mise an tiománaí, 

Is mise an tiománaí traenach! 

Leibhéal 1 

Uisce 


Uisce, uisce, uisce glé, 

Tá sé go deas 

Is maith liom é. 

170


Léiríonn Leibhéal 1 go bhfuil an Ghaeilge measartha simplí agus 


171

Leibhéal 1 

1 – 2 Muc agus Bó 


Aon, dó, 

Muc is bó, 

Trí, ceathair, 

Bróga leathair, 

Cúig, sé, 

Cupán tae, 

Seacht, ocht, 

Seanbhean bhocht, 

Naoi, deich, 

Cáca te. 

172

Leibhéal 1/2 

A Bhóín Bheag Dé 


A Bhóín bheag Dé, 


Oscail do sciatháin 

Is bí ag eitilt san aer. 



Oscail do sciatháin 

Is bí ag eitilt san aer. 

Leibhéal 1 

A hAon, a Dó, a Trí, Lucha Beaga Buí 


A hoan, a dó, a trí, 

Lucha beaga buí, 

Ag ithe píosa cáise, 

I ngan fhios d’fhear an tí. 

Cat mór liath, 

Tháinig sé isteach; 

Cad a dhein na lucha? 

Ritheadar amach! 

173

Leibhéal 2 

A Phuisín, a Phuisín 


“A phuisín, a phuisín, cár chaithis an lá?” 

“Ag lorg luichín amuigh sa pháirc.” 

“A phuisín, a phuisín, ar mharaíos é?” 

“Chuaigh sé i bpoillín is níor mharaíos é.” 

“A phuisín, a phuisín, cá raghair anois?” 

“Raghaidh mé ag fiach nó ag iascach sa loch.” 

“A phuisín, a phuisín, tá an t-uisce ró-fhliuch.” 

“Má tá, tabhair dom braon bainne is fanfad anseo.” 

174

Leibhéal 2 

A Sheanbhean, A Sheanbhean 

Contributed by Paul Pendrose, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal 

“A sheanbhean, a sheanbhean, 

A sheanbhean, a sheanbhean, 

A sheanbhean, a sheanbhean, 

An ólfá té? 

“D’ólfainn,” arsa an tseanbhean, 

“Dá mbeadh siúcra agus bainne ann. 

D’ólfainn lán an channa de, 

Dá bhfaighinn uait é.” 

Leibhéal 2 

An Madra ag Caint le Cearc 

Contributed by Bernard O’Donnell NT, Gortahork, Co. Donnell 

Codail, codail, a chircín donn, 

Siúd é an préachán bréagach bradach, 

Trasna an churraigh chugainn anall, 

Codail, codail, a chircín donn. 

Codail, codail, a chircín donn, 

Istigh sa chró bí ciúin go maidin, 

Beidh tú gnóthach sa chlós ar ball, 

Codail, codail, a chircín donn. 

175

Leibhéal 2 

An Trá 


Chuaigh mé síos go dtí an trá, 

Go dtí an trá, go dtí an trá, 

Chuaigh mé síos go dtí an trá, 

Is fuair mé cipín bán. 

Rinne mé bád, Rinne mé bád, 

Rinne mé bád, Rinne mé bád. 

Is d’fhág mé leath an adhmaid slán, 

Is d’fhág mé leath an adhmaid slán. 

Leibhéal 2 

An tSeamróg 


Is maith liom an tseamróg, 

An planda beag glas; 

Trí dhuilleog bheaga 

Le chéile ar ghas. 

Is maith liom an tseamróg, 

An planda beag glas; 

Trí dhuilleog bheaga 

Le chéile ar ghas. 

176

Leibhéal 1 

Bah, Bah Caoire Dhubh 


Bah, Bah caoire dhubh, bhfuil aon olann agat? 

Cinnte cinnte, tá trí mhála lán 

Ceann don mháistir, is ceann dá bhean 

Is ceann don bhuachaill ina chónaí sa gleann 

Leibhéal 1 

Bó agus Caora 

Katie Clarke, Tournmakeady, Co. Mayo 

‘Mú Mú’ a deir an bhó, 

‘What, What,’ a deir an chaora. 

‘By Dad’, a deir an bhó, 

‘Ta Béarla ag an gcaora.’ 

177

Leibhéal 1/2 

Cat agus Luch 


Siúd amach a’ teo teo, 


Tháinig rí na gceithre chos 

Is sciob sé leis a’ teo teo. 



Tháinig rí na gceithre chos 

Is sciob sé leis a’ teo teo. 

Leibhéal 2 

Ceithre Choirnéal ar mo Leaba 

Contributed by Annette Cronin, Kilcar, Co. Donegal 

Ceithre choirnéal ar mo leaba, 

Aingle Dé fá dtaobh de scapaithe 

Má fhaighimsa bás anois go maidin 

I bhFlaithis Dé go raibh mo leaba. 

178

Leibhéal 2 

Chuaigh an Muicín seo ar an Margadh 


Chuaigh an muicín seo ar an margadh, 

D’fhan an muicín seo sa bhaile, 

Fuair an muicín seo arán is im, 

Ní bhfuair an muicín seo tada. 

“Duig duig duig duig”, 

a deir an muicín seo, 

Cá bhfuil mo chuidse?” 

179

Leibhéal 1 

Dhá Éinín Bheaga 

Zona Christy, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim 

Dhá éinín bheaga 

Thuas ar an gcrann, 

Seo é Peadar, 

Seo é Séan. 

Imigh uaim, a Pheadair! 

Imigh uaim, a Sheáin! 

Tar ar ais, a Pheadair! 

Tar ar ais, a Sheáin! 

Leibhéal 2 

Drighligh Drighligh (Twinkle Little Star) 


Drighligh drighligh réalt an-bheag 

Is orm atá ionadh tú a lorg 

suas ón talamh, suas san spéir 

Cosúil le diamant thuas san aer 

Drighligh, drighligh réalt an-bheag 

Is orm atá ionadh, cé h-é tú? 

180

Leibhéal 2 

Féileacáin 


Féileacán bán is féileacán buí 

Ag eitilt leo go ciúin sa ghaoth; 

Féileacán bán is féileacán buí 

Ag tuirlingt ar na nóiníní. 

Leibhéal 1 

Gugalí Gug 

Contributed by Denise Murphy, Westport, Co. Mayo 

Gugailí gug, mo chircín dubh 

Suíonn sí ar nead agus beireann sí ubh 

Ubh inné, ubh inniu 

Gugailí gug mo chircín dubh. 

181

Leibhéal 1 

Haigh Didil Didil 

Contributed by Mairanne O’Donnell, Gortahork, Co. Donegal 

Haigh didil didil, an cat is an fhidil, 

Léim an bhó thar an ré, 

An madra beag donn dhéan gáire le fonn, 

Is d’imigh an spúnóg ar strae. 

Leibhéal 1 

Hócaí Cócaí 


Cuir do lámh chlé isteach 

Cuir do lámh chlé amach 

Cuir do lámh chlé isteach 

Amach, isteach amach 

Déan an hócaí, cócaí 

Agus cas mar seo 

Sin mar atá an scéal 

Ó hócaí cócaí 

Ó hocaí cócaí 

Ó hócaí cócaí 

Glún glún, lámh, lámh 

RA, RA, RA. 

Is féidir véarsaí eile a chanadh ag úsáid: 

Lámh dheas 

Cos chlé 

Cos dheas 

Corp uilig 

182

Leibhéal 1 

Istigh sa Zú 

Contributed by Annette Cronin, Kilcar, Co. Donegal 

Istigh sa zú 

Tá ’n Babaí Cangarú 

Léim anois 

Léim anois 


Istigh sa zú 

Tá ’n Mamaí Cangarú 

Léim anois 

Léim anois 


Istigh sa zú 

Tá ’n Daidí Cangarú 

Léim anois 

Léim anois 

Léim anois go luath. 

183

Leibhéal 3 

Lúrabóg, Lárabóg 


Lúrabóg, larabóg 

Buí Ó Néill 

Néill an plubán 

Plubán súlach 

Súlach ag méileach 

cúl na gcaorach 

lomán lathaí 

beireann gach deas 

más é do leas 

do leathchos dheas 

a chrapadh as 

an fhideog í cois. 

184

Leibhéal 1 

Slubar Slabar! 


“Slubar, slabar,” arsa an ghé, 

“Uisce Uisce, 

Is maith liom é”. 

Uisce Uisce 

Ní maith liom é. 

Cuir síos an citeal, 

B’fhearr liom tae. 

Leibhéal 2 

Tá Dhá Ghabhairín Buí Agam 

Contributed by Paul Pendrose, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal 

Tá dhá ghabhairín buí agam 

Tá dhá ghabhairín buí agam 

Is minseach bhainne, minseach bhainne 

Briseann said an croí ionam 

A dtabhairt abhaile, a dtabhairt abaile 

Níl áit agam go mblifinn iad 

Ach síos i mo hata, siós i mo hata. 

Ligeann mo hata tríd é 

Ar fud an bhaile ar fud an bhaile. 

185

Leibhéal 1 

Tic-Toc Clog 

Contributed by Kay Ward, Carrickmacross, 

Co. Monaghan 

Tic toc, tic toc, a deir clog mo Dhaidí, 

Tic toc, tic toc, sin é clog mo Dhaidí. 

Deir clog mo Mhamaí, 

Tic, toc, tic toc, tic toc, tic 

Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc, tic. 

Leibhéal 2 

Trup Trup a Chapaillín 

Contributed by Mairanne O’Donnell, Gortahork, 

Co. Donegal 

Trup, Trup a chapaillín, 

Ar an mbóthar 

Siúl go mall agus sodar go réidh 

As go bráth 

go barr Bhinn Éadair 

Tiocfaimid abhaile in am don tae 

Trup, Trup, Trup, Trup, Trup, Trup, Trup. 

186

Tomhais 

Riddles 

Contributed by Maureen Doohan NT, Murroe, Co. Donegal 

Is airde é ina shuí ná ina sheasamh. Cad é? 

Madra 

It’s taller sitting than standing. What is it? 

A dog 

Fuarthas amach sa bhliain 1841 gurbh é Sliabh Everest an 

sliabh is airde ar domhan; cérbh é an sliabh ab airde roimhe 

sin? 

Sliabh Everest ar ndóigh, mar bhí sé ann i gcónaí. 

It was discovered in 1841 that Mount Everest is the highest 

mountain on the planet, what was the highest before then? 

Mount Everest of course, as it was always there! 

Cén fáth a mbíonn meigeall ar ghabhar? 

Mar níl sé in ann é féin a bhearradh. 

Why do goats have beards? 

Because they can’t shave themselves. 

Cén lámh a gcorraíonn tú do chuid tae léi? 

Is dócha go gcorraíonn tú do chuid tae le spúnóg, is cuma cén 

lámh ina ‘mbíonn sí! 

What hand do you stir your tea with? 

You probably stir it with a spoon, doesn’t matter what hand 

it’s in! 

187

Cad a thógtar díot sula dtugtar duit é? 

Do phictiúr. 

What is taken of you before it’s given to you? 

Your picture/photograph 

Cad a théann suas ach nach dtagann anuas? 

D’aois. 

What goes up but never comes down? 

Your age 

Tá ceann amháin i Londain, dhá cheann i nDún Dealgan, agus níl 

aon cheann i nGaillimh. Cad é? 

An litir D. 

There’s one in London, two in Dundalk, but there aren’t any in 

Galway. What is it? 

The letter D 

Cad a tharlaíonn uair amháin sa soicind, dhá uair i ngach coicís, 

ach nach dtarlaíonn oiread is uair amháin sa bhliain? 

An litir C 

Cad a bhíonn ag caora nach mbíonn ag aon ainmhí eile? 

Uan 

What does a sheep have that no other animal has? 

A lamb. 

Cén fáth a n-iompraíonn fir mhóra scáthanna báistí dubha? 

Chun an bháisteach a choimead uathu. 

Why do big men carry big black umbrellas? 

To keep the rain off them 

188

Cé mhéad ubh a d’fhéadfadh duine a ithe ar bholg folamh? 

Ní fhéadfá a ithe ar bholg folamh ach ubh amháin mar ina 

dhiaidh sin ní bolg folamh a bheadh ann. 

How many eggs can someone eat on an empty stomach? 

You can only eat one egg on an empty stomach, because after 

one it won’t be empty anymore. 

Caitheann sé bróga ach níl aon chosa air. Cad é? 

Ní air féin a bhíonn na bróga ach ar na daoine a bhíonn ag siúl 

air. Is éard atá i gceist ná an bóthar. 

Cén chuid de Londain atá sa Fhrainc? 

Is é an chuid de Londain atá sa Fhrainc ná ain* (*Londain, An 

Fhrainc.) 

Saothraíonn sé a bheatha ach ní dhéanann sé lá oibre riamh. 

Cé hé? 

Fear faire oíche. 

He labours his life, but he never does a day’s work. Who is he? 

A night-watchman 

Cé mhéad gabhar a thug Maois isteach san Áirc leis? 

Níor thug Maois aon ghabhar isteach san Áirc leis mar b’é 

Naoi, ní hé Maois, a bhí i mbun na h Áirce. 

How many did goats did Moses take on the Ark? 

Moses didn’t take anyone on to the Ark, Noah did! 

Cén fáth nach mbíonn an litir ‘a’, gearr riamh? 

Mar críochnaíonn sé fada i gcónaí! 

189

Cén fáth nach cuimhin leat an fhiacail dhéanach a tarraingíodh 

uait? 

Tá sí imithe as do cheann! 

Why do you never remember the last tooth you got pulled? 

Cos it’s gone out of your head! 

Cá mbíonn grá, sláinte agus saibhreas le fail i gcónaí gan teip? 

San fhoclóir. 

Where are Love, Health and Wealth always found without fail? 

In the dictionary 

Cén áit a dtagann an Aoine roimh Déardaoin? 

San fhoclóir. 

Dá mbeadh sé bhuidéal líomanáide agat, agus d’ól tú ceithre 

cinn acu, cé mhéid buidéal a bheadh fághta agat? 

Bheadh sé bhuidéal fágtha agat. 

If you have 6 bottles of lemonade, and you drink 4, how many 

bottles will you have left? 

You’ll have 6 bottles left but only 2 of them will have lemonade in 

them. 

Caitheann sé crú ach níor shiúil sé riamh. Cad é? 

An bóthar. 

It wears shoes but it’s never walked before. What is it? 

A road. 

190

Tá sé sa chúinne is ní fhágann sé é, ach téann sé ar fud an 

domhain. Cad é? 

Stampa ar litir. 

It’s in the corner and it never leaves it, but it travels the world. 

What is it? 

A stamp. 

Fear nach bhfuil aige ach aon chipín solais amháin, agus nach 

mór dó tine, lampa agus píopa a lasadh. Cad é an chéad rud 

ba cheart dó lasadh? 

An cipín. 

A man has only one match and he needs to light a fire, a lamp 

and his pipe, what should he light first? 

The match. 

Fanann sé te i gcónaí, fiú amháin sa sioc ag an Mol Thuaidh. 

Piobar. Cad é? 

It always stays hot, even in the ice at the North Pole? What is it? 

Pepper 

Cad a bhíonn bán ag dul isteach san uisce agus dubh ag teacht 

amach as? 

Bó dhubh lá sneachta! 

What’s white going in to water, but black coming out? 

A black cow on a snowy day 

Cén droichead is gaire duit? 

Droichead na sróine. 

What bridge is closest to you? 

The bridge of your nose 

191

Bíonn an cóta seo fliuch nuair a chaitear ar dtús é, agus ní 

bhíonn cnaipí ná polláirí ann. Cad é? 

Cóta péinte. 

This coat is wet when you put it on first, and it never has buttons 

or buttonholes. What is it? 

Coat of paint 

Cén sórt uisce is féidir leat a iompar i síothlán? 

Uisce reoite! Cad é? 

What kind of water can you carry in a sieve? 

Frozen water 

Póca folamh ach rud éigin ann. 

Poll! 

What do you sometimes find in an empty pocket? 

A hole! 

Dá mhéad a thógann tú is ea is mó a fhágann tú i do dhiaidh. 

Coiscéimeanna. 

The amount you take, is the amount you leave behind 

Footsteps 

Cad a mhaireann má thugann tú bia dó, ach a fhaigheann bás 

má fhaigheann sé deoch? 

Tine. 

What survives if you give it food, but dies if you give it a drink? 

A fire 

Cén rud nach bhfuil mórán maitheasa ann go dtí go mbristear é? 

Ubh! 

What’s no good unless you break it? 

An egg 

192

Coinneoidh sé uisce cé go bhfuil sé lán le poill. Cad é? 

Spúinse. 

It holds water even thought it’s full of holes. What is it? 

A sponge. 

Dá mhéad a thriomaíonn sé is ea is mó a éiríonn sé fliuch. 

Cad é? 

Tuáille. 

The more it dries, the wetter it gets. What is it? 

Towel. 

Cén rud is mó a ritheann gan cosa? 

Abhainn. 

What runs without legs? 

A river. 

Dá mhéad a dtógann tú as is ea is mó a bhíonn sé. 

Poll. Cad é? 

The more you take out of it, the bigger it gets. What is it? 

Hole. 

Ní itheann tú é, agus ní ólann tú é, agus ní beo thú ina éagmais. 

Codladh. Cad é? 

You don’t eat it, you don’t drink it, but you can’t live without it. 

What is it? 

Sleep. 

Cad a bhíonn dubh nuair a bhíonn sé glan agus bán nuair a 

bhíonn sé salach? Cad é? 

Clár dubh! 

It’s black when it’s clean, but white when it’s dirty, what is it? 

A blackboard. 

193

Rabhlóga 

Tongue Twisters 

Contributed by Maureen Doohan NT, Murroe, Co. Donegal 

Dhá ghé ghlas ghliobach ag gearradh geamhair go gobach. 

Faoitín fánach fostaithe ag faoileán feallmhar falsa. 

Beab bheag bhinn ag bleán bainne na bó brice. 

Chuaigh ceannaí cneasta cliste thar chlaí crua cloch. 

Fástar fataí fada feoite go fairsing le feamainn 

Grabaire gearr gránna ag griogadh gréasaí greannmhar 

gortach. 

Abair ab-ab is ná buail do dhá chab ar a chéile. 

Bean bhán bhinn ag baint bainne bó bleachtáin. 

Bleitheach breá bríomhar ag ól buicéad bláthaí. 

Fear falsa feargach ag faire na farraige fuaire. 

Bhí cleas críonna cleasach ag cleasaí crua cliste. 

194

Cearc cheart le cuircín dearg ag cartadh coirce go cíocrach. 

Bean bhuí bhracach bhacach bhratógach bhalcánta í Bríd. 

Clog beag bog ag bogadh a bheag nó a mhór. 

Cearc bhreac bhrocach, droimcham eireaballach: 

Rug Liam Rua ar luch ramhar liath 

Seacht sicín ina seasamh sa sneachta lá seaca. 

Béar breac bradach ag rith trasna páirce agus bior bog beag 

blonaige ina bhéal aige. 

Blocán beag bog ar bhacóg ag balcaire bruíonach. 

Clog beag bog ag bogadh a bheag nó a mhór. 

Cearc bhreac bhrocach, dhroimcham eireaballach: 

Ní péint dhearg a rinne dearg an deargadaol Fear fial flaithiúil é 

Flaithrí Ó Flannaile. 

Gas glas i ngob gearr gé gheal ghlan. 

Olann oiriúnach óllannach a d’fheilfeadh don obair sin. 

Rug rón liath ar roc leathan rua. 

Sionnach sleamhain slíochta ag seilg sicín séimh socair sochma. 

195

City/County Childcare Committee Contacts 

Carlow 

Áine Gahan Coordinator 

Address: 16 Dublin Road, Carlow Town 

Tel: 059 9140244/40782/40789 

Fax: 059-9140651 

Email: carlowccc@eircom.net 

Web: www.carlowccc.com 

Cavan 

Treasa Quigley Coordinator 

Address: Railway Station, Belturbet, 

Co. Cavan 

Tel: 049-9529882 

Fax: 049-9529881 

Email: cavanccc@oceanfree.net 

Web: www.cavanccc.ie 

Clare 

Karen McCarthy Coordinator 

Address: 1 Kilrush Road, Ennis, 

Co. Clare 

Tel: 065-6864862 

Fax: 065-6865515 

Email: info@clarechildcare.ie 

Web: www.clarechildcare.ie 

Cork City 

Kathryn O’Riordan Coordinator 

Address: 29 Penrose Wharf, Cork 

Tel: 021-4507942 

Fax: 021-4507914 

Email: corkcitychildcare1@eircom.net 

Web: www.corkcitychildcare.ie 

196

Cork County 

Karen McDonnell Coordinator 

Address: Floor 2, The Mill, 

Castletownroche, 

Co. Cork 

Tel: 022-26648 

Fax: 022-26649 

Email: corkchildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.corkchildcare.ie 

Donegal 

Maria Gallo Coordinator 

Shauna McClenaghan Treasurer 

Address: Glenview Business Park, 

Donegal Rd, Ballybofey, 

Co. Donegal 

Tel: 074-9132416 

Fax: 074-9130314 

Email: info@donegalchildcare.com 

Web: www.donegalchildcare.com 

Dublin City 

Nuala Nic Giobuin Coordinator 

Address: Block 4, Floor l, 

Dublin City Council, 

Civic Offices, Woodquay, 

Dublin 8 

Tel: 01-222 3073 

Fax: 01-222 2162 

Email: dccc@dublincity.ie 

Web: www.childcareonline.ie 

197

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown 

Michéle Relihan Coordinator 

Address: 5a Woodpark, Sallynoggin, 

Co. Dublin 

Tel: 01-236 8030 

Fax: 01-236 8012 

Email: info@dlrcountychildcare.ie 

Web: www.dlrcountychildcare.ie 

Fingal 

Michelle Butler Coordinator 

Address: ABCO KOVEX Building, 

Swords Business Park, Swords, 

Co. Dublin 

Tel: 01-8077660 

Fax: 01-8077669 

Email: info@fingalcountychildcare.ie 

Web: www.fingalcountychildcare.ie 

Galway 

Mary Giblin Coordinator 

Address: 9B Liosban Retail Centre, 

Tuam Rd., Galway 

Tel: 091-752039 

Fax: 091-735701 

Email: mail@galwaychildcare.com 

Web: www.galwaychildcare.com 

Kerry 

Oonagh Fleming Coordinator 

Address: 1 Powers Court, Boherbee, 

Tralee, Co. Kerry 

Tel: 066-7181582 

066-7102945 

Email: info@kerrycountychildcare.com 

Web: www.kerrycountychildcare.ie 

198

Kildare 

Julie McNamara Coordinator 

Address: The Woods, Clane, Co. Kildare 

Tel: 045-861307 

Fax: 045-982411 

Email: info@kildarechildcare.ie 

Web: www.kildarechildcare.ie 

Kilkenny 

Gretta Murphy Coordinator 

Address: Rear Choill Mhuire, 

Glendine Rd., Co. Kilkenny 

Tel: 056-7752 865 

Fax: 056-7786 903 

Email: kkccc@eircom.net 

Laois 

Muriel Dempsey Coordinator 

Address: 6 Lismard Court, 

Portlaoise, Co. Laois 

Tel: 0502 61029 

Fax: 0502 81970 

Email: laoischildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.laoischildcare.ie 

Leitrim 

Aedamar Gillespie Coordinator 

Address: Laird House, Church St., 

Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim 

Tel: 071-9640870 

Fax: 071-9640871 

Email: leitrimcountychildcare@eircom.net 

199

Limerick City 

Mary Moloney Coordinator 

Address: City Hall, Merchants Quay, 

Limerick City 

Tel: 061-407427 

Fax: 061-312985 

Email: childcare@limerickcity.ie 

Web: 

www.limerickcitydb.ie/childcare 

Limerick County 

Ann Delaney Coordinator 

Address: 32 Main St., Croom, Co. Limerick 

Tel: 061-600918 

Fax: 061-600898 

Email: clcc@eircom.net 

Web: www.clcc.ie 

Longford 

Marie McArdle Coordinator 

Address: Longford Enterprise Centre, 

Ballinalee, Longford 

Tel: 043-42505 

Fax: 043-42504 

Email: lcchildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.longfordchildcare.ie 

Louth 

Claire Woods Coordinator 

Address: Unit 14 Ardee Business Park, 

Hale St., Ardee, 

Co. Louth 

Tel: 041-6859912 

Fax: 041-6859913 

Email: info@louthchildcare.ie 

Web: www.louthchildcare.ie 

200

Mayo 

Jim Power Coordinator 

Address: 2nd Floor, Mill Lane, 

Bridge St., Castlebar, 

Co. Mayo 

Tel: 094-9034778 

Fax: 094-9034815 

Email: jpower@mayococo.ie 

Web: www.mayocdb.ie 

Meath 

Fiona Healy Coordinator 

Address: 1 Newbridge, Athlumney Rd., 

Navan, Co. Meath 

Tel: 046-9073010 

Fax: 046-9067221 

Email: meathchildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.community.meath.ie 

Monaghan 

Breda McKenna Coordinator 

Address: 7 The Grange, 

Plantation Walk, Monaghan 

Tel: 047-72896 

Fax: 047-72881 

Email: monaghanccc@eircom.net 

Web: www.monaghanchildcare.ie 

201

North Tipperary 

Margaret Cleary Coordinator 

Address: Civic Offices, Limerick Road, 

Nenagh, Co. Tipperary 

Tel: 067-44888 

Fax: 067-31478 

Email: childcare@northtippcoco.ie 

Web: w w w. n o rt h t i p p e r a ry c h i l d c a re . i e 

Offaly 

Áine Brummell Coordinator 

Address: St Josephs Community Centre, 

Kilcormac, Birr, Co. Offaly 

Tel: 057-35878 

Fax: 057-35879 

Email: offalychildcare@eircom.net 

Roscommon 

Irene Cafferky Coordinator 

Address: Antogher Road, Roscommon, 

Co. Roscommon 

Tel: 090-6628669 

Fax: 090-6630617 

Email: roschildcare@eircom.net 

Sligo 

Sharon Boles Coordinator 

Address: 50 The Mall, Sligo 

Tel: 071-9148860 

Fax: 071-9148849 

Email: sccc@eircom.net 

Web: www.sligochildcare.ie 

202 

Roscommon County 

Childcare Committee

South Dublin 

Julia Hackett Coordinator 

Address: Block D, Bawnogue Enterprise 

Centre, Bawnogue, Dublin 22 

Tel: 01-4570122 

Fax: 01-4570322 

Email: info@southdublinchildcare.ie 

Web: www.southdublinchildcare.ie 

South Tipperary 

Tracy Costelloe Coordinator 

Address: Unit 5, Grouns Floor, 

Hughes Mill, Suir Island, 

Clonmel, Co. Tipperary 

Tel: 052-82274 

Fax: 052-28776 

Email: SouthTippCCC@eircom.net 

Web: www.southtippccc.ie 

Waterford City 

Noirin Healy-Magwa Coordinator 

Address: Unit 51, Tycor Business Centre, 

Tycor, Waterford City 

Tel: 051-860444 

Fax: 051-860445 

Email: waterfordcitychildcarecom@eircom.net 

Web: w w w. w a t e rf o rd c i t y c h i l d c a re . c o m 

Waterford County 

Rosemary Kavanagh Coordinator 

Address: 9 Emmet Street, Dungarvan, 

Co. Waterford 

Tel: 058-43601 

Fax: 058-43602 

Email: waterfordcochildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.waterfordcoco.ie 

203

Westmeath 

Muriel Martin Coordinator 

Address: 6 St John’s Terrace, 

Blackhall, Mullingar, 

Co. Westmeath 

Tel: 044-9335454 

Fax: 044-9347962 

Email: info@westmeathcountychildcare.ie 

Web: www.westmeathchildcare.ie 

Wexford 

Joy O’Driscoll Coordinator 

Address: 11 Weafer Street, Enniscorthy, 

Co. Wexford 

Tel: 054-37156 

Fax: 054-39540 

Email: lindacountychildcare@eircom.net 

Web: www.wexfordchildcare.ie 

Wicklow 

Jeremy Kynaston Coordinator 

Address: Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town 

Tel: 0404-64455 

Fax: 0404-64444 

Email: jeremywccc@eircom.net 

Web: w w w. w i c k l o w c o u n t y c h i l d c a re . i e 

204

National Voluntary Childcare 

Organisation Contacts 

Barnardos 

Anne Conroy, National Manager 

Christchurch Sq., Dublin 8 

01 4530 355/01 4530 300 

info@barnardos.ie 

www.barnardos.ie 

National Childminding Association 

of Ireland (NCMAI) 

Patricia Murray, CEO 

Wicklow Enterprise Pk., 

The Murrough, Co. Wicklow 

0404-64007 

0404-64008 

info@childminding.ie 

www.childminding.ie 

Forbairt Naíonraí Teo 

Cliona Frost, Príomhoifigeach 

7 Cearnóg Mhuirfean, 

Baile Átha Cliath 2 

01 6398442/6398449 

01 6398401 

forbairtnaionrai@eircom.net 

IPPA, the Early Childhood 

Organisation 

Irene Gunning, CEO 

Unit 4, Broomhill Business Complex 

Broomhill Rd., Tallaght, Dublin 24 

01 4630010 

01 4630045 

pwalker@ippa.ie 

www.ippa.ie 

Irish Steiner Waldorf Early 

Childhood Association (ISWECA) 

Pearse O’Sheil, NDO 

Cappaduff, Mountshannon, Co. Clare 

061 927944 

pearse@steinerireland.org 

info@steinerireland.org 

www.steinerireland.org 

205 

National Childrens Nurseries 

Assocation (NCNA) 

Catherine Bond, Director of Services 

Unit 12c, Bluebell Business Pk 

Old Naas Rd., Bluebell 

Dublin 12 

01 4601138/4601158 

01 4601185 

info@ncna.ie 

www.ncna.net 

St. Nicholas Montessori Society of 

Ireland Catherine Lawlor, Programme 

Manager 

Ground Floor, 29 Patrick St. 

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin 

01 2805705 

snmta@eircom.net 

www.montessoriireland.ie 

Office of the Minister for Children 

Brian Lenihan 

Minister for Children 

Department of Health and Children 

Hawkins House, Dublin 2 

Telephone: 01 6718184 

Website: www.omc.gov.ie 

Pobal Contacts 

Pobal 

Holbrook House 

Holles Street, Dublin 2 

Tel: 01-2400700 

Fax: 01-6610411 

Email: enquiries@pobal.ie 

Cork Office

Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta 

Roscommon County 

Childcare Committee 

Researched by Cothrom Community Consultancy 

Illustrated by Morgan Ferriter 

Translated by Cordelia Níc Fhearraigh buíochas freisin le Bríd Uí Lionáird 

agus Deirdre Uí Ghrádaigh, Forbairt Naíonraí Teo 

The projects featured in this publication are funded by the Irish 

Government and part financed by the European Union Structural 

Funds under the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006

Games_June 2009 - The Galway City & County Childcare Committee

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