Hi everyone, I have a question about a rather cryptic prayer in Irish. It's an old prayer that was used at a holy well on the Mullet Peninsula. I can't figure out what the translation should be. I would appreciate your help!

Paidir an Tobair
Uisce cloch do do iarraidh
Ní do do iarraidh atá mé
Ach ó tháinig mé an bealach
Is do do iarraidh atá mé

Many thanks,
Annemarie

In addition, this is a different version of the prayer I found here: http://focailfholaithe.fng.ie/content/dabhaidh-0

uisce cloch gan iarraidh,
ní do d' iarraidh thainic mé,
ach' thárlaigh gur casadh an bealach mé,
is do d' iarraidh atá mé anois.

Not so cryptic regarding grammar and wording
except for the intended meaning of the verb iarr.
(iarr = ask, request, demand, search for, want)

Water of stones (being) asked for
I don't ask for you
But since I came the way
I ask for you.


Water of stones unasked for
Not to ask for you I came
But as happened that I met the way
Asking for you I am now.

Thank you Labhras, that makes it clearer (despite the precise meaning of the verb iarr)! Could the 'water of stones' also be translated as 'water of stone' (singular)? As the prayer may have been recited while taking water from a bullaun.

No, literally it means "water of stones".
water of stone: uisce cloiche

Thank you Labhras, I will keep it singular! I have asked two others to translate the prayer as well, and their translation is similar. I would like to use it in a chapter that I am writing about St. Deirbhile and her holy well on the Mullet Peninsula. If it's okay with you, I will reference your help in a footnote, along with the others.

Hi Labhras,

Not sure if you tried to contact me here at ILF, but unfortunately I have no access to private messages, as I'm a new member. According to the 'rules' I haven't participated long enough to be able to access the ILF mailbox?

Would you mind leaving a short message here, if it was you trying to contact me?

No, I wasn’t. I rarely use private messages.