Celtic Stencil Design G–“Two Words from Bearchán’s Mouth”

Brian Ó Ruairc mo rogha leannán

lór a bhuga ag bronnadh séad;

‘sis lór a chruas i gcrú chaoilshleagh,

an cnú do chnuas Ghaoidheal nGréag.

Murchadh mhac Briain, bradán Sionna,

samhail Í Ruairc ó Raith Té;

nó Niall Caille nár éar aoinfhear,

déar aille na n-aoigheadh é.

Rí Calraighe na gcreach líonmhar

budh leis Teamhair, treabh na Niall;

bé Bearchán do bhí dhá labhra

budh rí ar seanchlár Banbha Brian.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Brian Ó Ruairc, my chosen darling,

gentle enough at the bestowal of a jewel;

and hard enough in an enclosure of slim spears,

the nut from the cluster of the Gael of the Gréag.

Another Murchadh mac Brian, a salmon of the Shannon—

Í Ruairc has a likeness to Te’s Fort—

or Niall Caille who did not refuse one man,

his face’s —– cliff.

King of Calraighe of the numerous raids,

and also of Tara; plow of Niall;

two words from Bearchán’s mouth;

and king on the old plains of Banba — Brian.

Stencils are rendered by Dutch artist Co Sinhoven and are his modern interpretation of “The Book of Kells.” All of this artwork is in the public domain. Learn more about the artist here.