hedge-school (noun)
small informal illegal schools, particularly in 18th- and 19th-century Ireland designed to secretly provide the rudiment of primary education to children of 'non-conforming' faiths.
byre (noun)
A cowshed.
zeal (noun)
great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
anglicize (verb)
make English in form or character.
Gaelic (adjective)
Relating to the ancient Celtic language and the dialects derived from it, especially those native to Ireland.
lame (adjective)
unable to walk normally because of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot.
flaxen (adjective)
(especially of hair) of the pale yellow color of dressed flax.
hermetic (adjective)
closed in on itself; airtight.
colonialism (noun)
A political strategy whereby a dominant nation occupies another geographic region for the purpose exploiting its resources, while denying its native inhabitants a role in governance.
Athene (proper noun)
goddess of wisdom and useful arts and prudent warfare in Greek mythology.
vesperal (adjective)
pertaining to evening.
maypole (noun)
a painted pole, decorated with flowers, around which people traditionally dance on May Day, holding long ribbons that are attached to the top of the pole.
Red Coat (proper noun)
a British soldier.
spud (noun)
Informal term for a potato.
poteen (noun)
alcohol made illicitly, typically from potatoes.
hibernophile (noun)
a person who is fond of Irish culture, Irish language and Ireland in general.
creel (noun)
a wicker basket for carrying fish.
indefatigable (adjective)
persisting tirelessly.
brio (noun)
vigor or vivacity of style or performance.
William Wordsworth (proper noun)
an English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic movement.
