Home ⋅ Published Books ⋅ Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape

Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape
Share by Email Share on Messenger Share on Whatsapp Share on Whatsapp

By: Manchán Magan
Publisher: Gill
Published: August 2020
Pages: 386
Categories: Culture, Language
Language: English
Available as: Hardback
On sale at:
ISBN-13: 9780717187973
ASIN: 0717187977

A lyrical reminder of Ireland's lost words that offer a different way of seeing the world. The Irish language has thirty-two words for field. Among them are: Geamhar - a field of corn-grass Tuar - a field for cattle at night Reidhlean - a field for games or dancing Cathairin - a field with a fairy-dwelling in it The richness of a language closely tied to the natural landscape offered our ancestors a more magical way of seeing the world. Before we cast old words aside, let us consider the sublime beauty and profound oddness of the ancient tongue that has been spoken on this island for almost 3,000 years. In Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchan Magan meditates on these words - and the nuances of a way of life that is disappearing with them. A rip-roaring, archaeological and anthropological exploration of the lyricism, mystery and oddities of the Irish language, and the layers of ancient knowledge encoded within.' The Irish Times Manchan Magan is a writer and documentary-maker. He has written numerous books on his travels and two novels. He writes occasionally for The Irish Times, reports on travel for various radio programmes, and has presented dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture. He lives in an oak wood, with bees, hens and veg, in a grass-roofed house near Lough Lene, Co. Westmeath.

Other Books From this Category

View More From This Category

Other Books From this Author

  • 11 Sep 2025 - Gill

    Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun)

    By Manchán Magan

    Meet the néaladóirí (cloud-watchers) and réadóirí (star-gazers) from our past who, without the luxury of Met Éireann at their disposal, observed birds, trees, animals, as well as markers on lan...

  • 20 Nov 2024 - Mayo Books Press

    Brehons and Brahmins

    By Manchán Magan

    Ireland and India seem far apart, with apparently little in common in terms of culture, language, and tradition. Yet appearances can be deceiving: there are, in fact, remarkable similarities between t...

  • 25 Oct 2024 - Gill

    Irish Words for Nature

    By Manchán Magan

    Manchán Magan is fascinated by words, particularly Irish words, and their connections to the natural world. Having enjoyed great success with the bestselling Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Iris...

  • 1 Jan 2024 - Mayo Books Press

    Ireland in Iceland

    By Manchán Magan

    In this richly illustrated journey, Manchán Magan traces the forgotten presence of the Irish in Iceland; monks and migrants, storytellers and shapeshifters who helped shape a land we’ve long imagin...

  • 1 Dec 2023 - Mayo Books Press

    Focail na mBan

    By Manchán Magan

    Focail na mBan is a gathering of Irish words for vaginas, vulvas, clitorises and periods with illustrations from 29 artists. It is meant as a catalyst for those willing to seek out further terms a...

  • 15 Sep 2023 - Gill

    Wolf-Men and Water Hounds: The Myths, Monsters and Magic of Ireland

    By Manchán Magan

    Uncover the secrets of our island in this engrossing look at magical landmarks across the country. Travelling province by province through Ireland, Manchán outlines the stories most closely associate...

  • 30 Sep 2022 - Gill

    Listen to the Land Speak: A journey into the wisdom of what lies beneath us

    By Manchán Magan

    Our ancestors developed a uniquely nature-focused society, centred on esteemed poets, seers, monks, healers and wise women who were deeply connected to the land. They used this connection to the cycle...

  • 22 Oct 2021 - Gill

    Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature

    By Manchán Magan

    A magical illustrated collection of Irish words for the natural world from the author of the bestseller, 32 Words for Field. 'In Irish there are so many great rain words and magic words and highly spe...

  • 9 Apr 2007 - Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd

    'Manchan's Travels: A Journey Through India'

    By Manchán Magan

    This entertaining, offbeat travelogue by an Irish tv documentary maker is a true story of deluded maharajahs, murderous environmentalists, sex-obsessed yogis, and bizarre high-society belles. It stret...

  • 5 Apr 2006 - Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd

    'Angels and Rabies'

    By Manchán Magan

    Angels and Rabies follows the experiences of Mocha/Manchan on a journey through the Americas from a primal screaming commune in the Colombian Andes to contracting rabies in the Peruvian rainforest and...

View More From This Author

About Us

Irish Interest in based on one very simple idea: to bring the contents of any Irish bookshop to people everywhere, especially those outside Ireland who do not have the possibility of keeping abreast of new books published in Ireland. The Irish Interest web platform is purely a provider of information about new publications. The aim of the site is to have every publishing house in Ireland adding their latest titles as they become available. Hyperlinks to each title bring users of the site directly to the publisher's web area or to a sales site where books can be purchased.

Privacy Policy

Irishinterest.ie and its owners strive at all times to preserver the privacy of all personal information stored on its website and servers. Information deemed to be private and confidential will not be communicated to any parties or divulged in any way. Cookies and similar technologies Irishinterest.ie and its owners are not responsible for external data collection entities. Third party sites with access to Irishinterest.ie may be able to acquire or assimilate data. Cookies and similar technologies can be utilized by third parties accessing our site without our knowledge.

Terms & Conditions

Irishinterest.ie, Irishinterest.com, and its owners take no responsibility for information issued on its site that is posted by third parties. It is the sole responsibility of the third parties who utilize the site for publication of any information to ensure that such information is correct and does not infringe laws and the rights of others who may be affected by publication of such information. Disputed material will be removed pending clarification.