Category: Old Irish (Goídelc)

Time & Weather

By Simon

Words for time and weather in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) amm = point of time
Irish (Gaeilge) am [aumˠ / ɑːmˠ / amˠ] = time, point of time, occasion, usual, due, proper, opportune, season, period
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) àm [ãũm/amə] = time, occasion, period
Manx (Gaelg) am = time

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *amsterā = time, movement
Old Irish (Goídelc) aimser [ˈamʲsʲer] = point in time, period of time, age, epoch, rule, reign, season, weather
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) aimser [ˈamʲʃər] = time
Irish (Gaeilge) aimsir [ˈamʲʃəɾʲ / ˈæːmʲʃəɾʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) aimsir [ɛmɛʃɪrʲ] = climate, weather, season, era, time, reign
Manx (Gaelg) emshir [ˈɛmʃər] = weather, weather conditions, tense, time
Old Welsh amser = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) amser [ˈamser] = time
Welsh (Cymraeg) amser [ˈamsɛr / ˈamsar] = time, occasion, date, opportunity
Cornish (Kernewek) amser = (grammatical) tense
Breton (Brezhoneg) amzer = time, weather

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂meh₁- (to mow, reap, harvest).

Proto-Celtic *trātu = time, hour
Old Irish (Goídelc) tráth [traːθ] = period of time, hour, point in time, day
Irish (Gaeilge) tráth [t̪ˠɾˠɑː / t̪ˠɾˠæː] = hour, time, occasion, day, period
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tràth [traː] = time, meal, (grammatical) tense, when, phrase, season
Manx (Gaelg) traa = duration, time, period, occasion, tempo

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross, pass).

Proto-Celtic *kʷritus = time, movement
Old Irish (Goídelc) cruth [kruθ] / crud [kruð] = form, shape, manner, way
Irish (Gaeilge) cruth [kɾˠʊ(h)] = shape, appearance, state, condition, manner, mode
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cruth [kruh] = form, shape, figure
Manx (Gaelg) croo = shape, appearance, format, coinage, creation, create, coining, form, build
Proto-Brythonic *prɨd = shape, form. time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) pryd/pryt = time. occasion
Welsh (Cymraeg) pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, occasion, period, season, day, meal(time), when, while
Old Cornish prit = time
Cornish (Kernewek) prys = time, season
Middle Breton pred = moment, meal
Breton (Brezhoneg) pred = moment, meal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (to do, make, build).

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tywyd = weather
Welsh (Cymraeg) tywydd [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ð / ˈtəu̯.ɪð] = weather
Cornish (Kernewek) tewedha = weather

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

DUBLIN

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Knees

By Simon

Here are some words for knee, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc) glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Irish (Gaeilge) glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node
caipín glúine, gealacán glúine = kneecap, patella
bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, lap, joint (of boat)
copan na glùine / cnap-glùine / falman = kneecap, patella
lùbadh-glùin = curtsey
bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg) glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, crooked timber, knee
rollian ny gliooney = kneecap, patella
moddey glioon = lap dog, toy dog
glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection
Proto-Brythonic *glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg) glin [ɡliːn], pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee
clwyd y glin = kneecap, patella
llinach = lineage, genealogy, pedigree, ancestry, stock, kindred, offspring, succession, generation
camu glin = to curtsey
Cornish (Kernewek) glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee
padell bedn glin / penn glin = kneecap, patella
Breton (Brezhoneg) glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee
koubloù = kneecap, patella

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee).

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

The word knee comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English kne, from the Old English cnēow, from the Proto-West Germanic *kneu, from the Proto-Germanic *knewą.

The word genuflect (to bend the knee) also comes from the same PIE root, via the Latin genū (knee) and flectō (to bend) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Nails, Claws and Talons

By Simon

Words for nails in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail
Old Irish (Goídelc) ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail
Irish (Gaeilge) ionga [ˈɔŋə] = nail, claw, talon; hoof; clove (of garlic); quid (of tabacco)
ionga méire finger nail
ionga ordóige = thumbnail
ionga coise / ionga laidhre toenail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset
Manx (Gaelg) ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic)
ingin ordaag = thumbnail
ingin choshey toenail
Proto-Brythonic *ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec) ewin = nail
Welsh (Cymraeg) ewin [ˈɛu̯.ɪn] = nail of a finger or toe; claw or talon (of bird), claw (of carnivorous beast); division of a cloven hoof; worthless remnant; power of grip; cog of a wheel; jutting edge of rock; clove (of garlic), small piece, particle
ewin bawd thumbnail
ewin troed toenail
Old Cornish euuin = fingernail
Cornish (Kernewek) ewyn = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail; clove (of garlic)
Old Breton eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton euin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg) ivin [ˈboːs] = fingernail, tab

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source].

30: Shiny

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Fingers and Toes

By Simon

Words for fingers and toes in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc) mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Irish (Gaeilge) méar [mʲeːɾˠ] = finger, digit, toe, leg (of crustaceans, mollusks, etc), arm (of a cuttle fish)
an mhéar thosaigh/cholbha = the forefinger, index finger
an mhéar fhada/láir/mheáin = (the) middle finger
méar an fháinne = ring finger
an mhéar bheag / lúidín / lúideog = (the) little finger
méar coise = toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) meur [miar] = finger, digit, branch (of an organisation/family), key (in music), point (of an antler), knot (in wood)
meur-meomhair = forefinger, index finger
meur-meadhain / (am) meur fada / (am) meur meadhanach = middle finger
màthair na lùdaige / mac an aba / am madadh fada = ring finger
meur beag an airgid / plaoisgeag = little finger
Manx (Gaelg) mair = finger, digit, prong, ray, (piano) key, hand (of clock), tributary (of river)
corrag / corvair = the forefinger, index finger
mair vooar = the middle finger
mair ny fainey = ring finger
mair veg = the little finger
mair chass / mair choshey = toe
mair choshey veg / mair veg ny coshey = little toe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros (lean, meager), which is also the root of the English word meagre/meager, via Old French and Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic *bissī / *bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc) biss = icicle
Welsh (Cymraeg) bys [bɨːs / biːs] = finger (of hand/glove), toe; medium, agency; hand (of clock); latch
bys bawd = thumb
bys blaen = forefinger, index finger
bys y cogwrn = middle finger (“knuckle finger”)
bys y gyfaredd = ring finger
bys bach = little finger, ear-finger; minute-hand
Old Cornish bis/bes = finger
Cornish (Kernewek) bys/bes = finger, digit
bys bras = thumb
bys rag = index finger
bys kres = middle finger
bys bysow = ring finger
bys byghan / bes bian = little finger
Breton (Brezhoneg) biz = finger, hand (of clock), tooth (of tool), leg (of anchor), tentacle, tendril
biz-meud = thumb
biz-yod = index finger
biz bras = middle finger
biz-gwalenn / biz bizou = ring finger
biz bihan / skouarnel = little finger

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷist- (twig, finger). The French word bijou (a piece of jewellry), comes from the same root, via the Breton bizoù (ring), from biz (finger). [source]

Proto-Celtic *māto = finger
Welsh (Cymraeg) bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof
bawd troed = big toe
Cornish (Kernewek) meus = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg) meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē-.

Old Irish (Goídelc) ordu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge) ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pinces, bit, piece, fragment
ordóg coise = big toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) òrdag [ɔːr̪ˠdag] = thumb, big toe
òrdag-coise / òrdag-mhór = big toe
òrdag-làimhe = thumb
òrdag bheag an airgid = little toe, little finger
Manx (Gaelg) ordaag = thumb
ordaag chass / ordaag choshey / ordaag vooar = big toe

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish ord/ordd (hammer, piece, fragment, stub), from the Proto-Celtic *ordos (hammer).

Irish (Gaeilge) ladhar [lˠaiɾˠ] = space between toes or fingers, toe, claw, prong, (clawed) hand
ladhar mhór = big toe
ladhar bheag = little toe
laidhricín = little toe, little finger
lúidín / lúideog = little finger, little toe
lúidín coise = little toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ladhar [l̪ˠɤ.ər] = hoof, prong, toe, claw (of lobster)
ladhrag [l̪ˠɤːrag] = toe, prong, hoof
an ladhar mór = big toe
lùdag / lùdag bheag / lùdag dhubh na catha [l̪ˠuːdag] = little finger, hinge

Etymology: unknown

Laugh

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Seals

By Simon

Words for seal in Celtic languages.

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Old Irish (Goídelc) rón = seal
Irish (Gaeilge) rón = seal
rón beag = harbour/common seal
rón glas = grey seal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ròn [r̪ˠɔːn], morlo = seal
ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal
ròn glas = grey seal
Manx (Gaelg) raun = seal
raun beg = harbour/common seal
raun glass/ghlass = grey seal
Welsh (Cymraeg) moelrhon/moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus
morlo = seal, sealskin
morlo cyffredin = harbour/common seal
morlo llwyd = grey seal
Cornish (Kernewek) reun = seal
reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal
reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg) reunig = seal
reunig morleue = harbour/common seal
reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from the Anglo-Saxon hron/hrón/hrán (whale, mussel), from the Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish).

The Welsh word morlo comes from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The similar words in other languages have similar meanings.

Seals

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Water Snakes (Eels)

By Simon

Words for eel in the Celtic languages.

In Celtic-speaking areas, the most common species of eels are the European eel or silver eel (Anguilla anguilla) ,and the European conger (eel) (Conger conger). Other eels are available.

Old Irish (Goídelc) escong / escumg / esconga / escuma = eel
Irish (Gaeilge) eascann [ˈasˠkən̪ˠ] = eel, reptile, snake
eascann abhann = freshwater eel
eascann choncair / eascann mhara = conger eel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) easgann [esgən̪ˠ] / feasgainn [fesgɪn̪ʲ] = eel
easgann-mhara / easgann-dhubh a’ chladaich = conger eel
Manx (Gaelg) astan = eel
astan marrey = sea eel, conger eel
Welsh (Cymraeg) llysywen / ‘slywen = eel
llysywen ariannaidd = silver eel
llysywen fôr (y môr) / congren = European conger eel
Cornish (Kernewek) sylli = eel
Breton (Brezhoneg) silienn = eel
silienn-dour-dous = European eel
silienn-vor = European conger eel

Etymology: possibly from *esc (water) and the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éngʷʰis (snake).

Eels

Should you find that eels have infested your hovercraft, as they often do, here’s how you can say that in Celtic languages:

  • Irish: Tá m’árthach foluaineach lán d’eascanna
  • Scottish Gaelic: Tha a’ bàta-falbhain agam loma-làn easgannan
  • Manx: Ta my lhong chrowal lane dy astanyn
  • Cornish: Leun a sylli yw ow skath bargesi
  • Welsh: Mae fy hofrenfad yn llawn llyswennod
  • Breton: Leun gant sili eo ma dourruzer

This phrase in many more languages

Here’s a song I wrote some years ago which features hovercrafts and eels and has verses in Welsh and Irish.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Trout

By Simon

Words for trout in the Celtic languages.

The species of trout most common found in and around the Celtic speaking lands are the brown trout (Salmo trutta), and the sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta), which is also known as finnock in Scotland, sewin in Wales and white trout or salmon trout in Ireland [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) brecc = trout
Irish (Gaeilge) breac [bʲɾʲak] = trout; fish
breac buí / breac rua = brown trout
breac-mara = sea trout
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) breac [brʲɛxɡ] = trout
breac-donn, breac-mara, breac-sàile = brown/sea trout
Manx (Gaelg) brack/breck = trout, brown trout; speckled, spotted
breck awin / breck dhoan = brown trout
breck gial = sea trout
Welsh (Cymraeg) brychyn = a speckled one, freckled person, freckled face; trout
brychiad = spotted or freckled person; sea trout, sewin
brych y dail = sea trout, sewin

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *brikkos (speckled, spotted). from the Proto-Indo-European *perḱ- (motley, coloured, spotted).

Some trout-related expressions:

  • Irish: Chomh folláin le breac = as fit as a fiddle (“as healthy as a trout”)
  • Irish: An breac sa bhainne = the fly in the ointment (“the trout in the milk”)
  • Irish: Ní breac é go raibh sé ar an bport = don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched (“It’s not a trout until it’s in the port”)
  • Manx: Ta breck ‘sy laue ny share na braddan ‘sy lhingey = A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (“The trout in the hand is better than the salmon in the pool”)
  • Manx: Ta breck ‘sy vainney = a fly in the ointment (“a trout is in the milk”)
  • Manx: T’eh cha follan as breck = He’s a fit as a fiddle (“He’s as healthy as a trout”)
Welsh (Cymraeg) brithyll = trout
brithyll môr = sea trout, salmon trout
Old Cornish breithil = trout
Cornish (Kernewek) brythel = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg) brezel = mackerel

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *mrixtil(l)o- / *mr-ī- (trout).

Cornish (Kernewek) truth = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg) dluzh = trout
dluzh fario = brown trout
dluzh-mor = sea trout

Etymology: unknown

Trout

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Salmon

By Simon

Words for salmon in the Celtic languages. The species of salmon most common found around Celtic speaking lands is the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Other species of salmon are available.

There are three words for salmon in Proto-Celtic: *esoxs / *esāk, *φenk-īnjo and *φorko. Only the first one has descendents in the modern Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *esoxs / *esāk = salmon
Gallaecian *īsis = salmon
Gaulish *esoks = salmon
Old Irish (Goídelc) eo [eːo̯] = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge) eo [oː / ɔː] = salmon; noble being, prince
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eò [jɔː] = salmon (archaic)
eog = salmon
Proto-Brythonic *esāx = salmon
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ehawc = salmon
Welsh (Cymraeg) eog [ˈɛ.ɔɡ / ˈeː.ɔɡ] = salmon, sea-trout, sewin, samlet
Old Cornish ehoc = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek) eghek = salmon
Middle Breton eheuc = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg) eog = salmon

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *peysḱ- (fish).

Old Irish (Goídelc) bratán = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge) bradán [bˠɾˠəˈd̪ˠaːn̪ˠ / ˈbˠɾˠad̪ˠaːnˠ / ˈbˠɾˠɑd̪ˠɑnˠ] = salmon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) braden [bradan] = salmon
Manx (Gaelg) braddan = salmon

Etymology: from the Old Irish brat (captivity, bondage, robbery) and án (diminutive suffix).

Welsh (Cymraeg) samon / samwn = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek) sowman = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg) somon = salmon

Etymology: from the English salmon, from the Middle English samoun, samon, saumon (salmon), from the Anglo-Norman saumon (salmon), from the Old French saumon, from the Latin salmō (salmon), either from the Proto-Celtic *esoxs / *esāk, or from the Latin saliō (to leap).

Salmon Jumping Falls (NPS/D. Jacob)

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Blackbirds

By Simon

Words for blackbirds, thrushes, ouzels and starlings in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *mesal-(s)kā / *meisalko = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge) smólach = thrush
smólach ceoil = song thursh (Turdus philomelos)
smólach mór = mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) smèarach [smɛːrəx] / smaolach [smɯːl̪ˠəx] / smeòrach [smjɔːrəx] = thrush, mavis
smeòrach-choitcheann = song thrush
smólach mór = mistle thrush
Proto-Brythonic *miyalx- = blackbird
Welsh (Cymraeg) mwyalchen [muɨ̯ˈalχɛn / mui̯ˈalχɛn] = blackbird
mwyalchen y mynydd = ring ouzel
Cornish (Kernewek) molgh = thrush
molgh dhu = blackbird
molgh loos = song thrush
molgh glas = mistle thrush
molgh meneth = ring ouzel
Breton (Brezhoneg) moualc’h / moualc’h zu = blackbird
moualc’h-venez = ring ouzel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ems- (black, blackbird).

Old Irish (Goídelc) lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge) lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula),
lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel
lon-monaidh = ring ouzel
Manx (Gaelg) llondoo = blackbird
lhonnag = (immature) blackbird
lhon ny keylley = mistle thrush
lhon fainnit / lhon ny greg = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *traskl / *trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc) truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge) truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg) treshlen = song thrush
treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg) tresglen = (mistle) thrush
tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg) drask(l) = thrush
drask-su = song thrush
drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

blackbird

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Owls

By Simon

Words for owls in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) ulchobc(h)án / ulchubc(h)án = owl
Irish (Gaeilge) ulchabhán / ulcachán = (barn) owl (Tyto alba)
ulchabhán donn = tawny/brown owl (Strix aluco)
ulchabhán réisc / ulchabhán chluasgearr = short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ullaid [ul̪ˠadʲ] = (barn) owl
ullaid-sgreuch = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg) hullad = owl
hullad vane / hullad soailt = barn owl
hullad ghoan = tawny/brown owl
hullad eairkagh = long-eared owl (Asio otus)
hullad ny gurreeyn = short-eared owl
Cornish (Kernewek) oula / ula = owl
ula gwynn = barn owl
ula kernek = long-eared owl
ula gwenn = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

Irish (Gaeilge) cailleach oíche = barn owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cailleach-oidhche [kal̪ʲəxˈɤ̃ĩçə] = (tawny) owl, spiritless fellow
cailleach-oidhche gheal = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg) caillagh oie = barn owl, white owl

Etymology: means literally “night crone/witch”

Irish (Gaeilge) ceann cait = long-eared owl
Manx (Gaelg) kione kiyt = long-eared owl

Etymology: means literally “cat head”

Proto-Celtic *kawannos = owl
Gaulish *cauannos = owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) comhachag [kõ.əxag] = owl
comhachag-ruadh / comhachag-dhonn = tawny/brown owl
comhachag-adharcach = long-eared owl
comhachag-chluasach = short-eared owl
Welsh (Cymraeg) cuan = owl
Cornish (Kernewek) kowan [ˈkɔwan / ˈkɔwɐn] = owl
Old Breton couann = owl
Breton (Brezhoneg) kaouenn = owl
kaouenn penn-tev = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kaw- (owl) – of imitative origin. Related to the Latin căvannus (night owl) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) tylluan [təˈɬɨ̞.an / təˈɬiː.an] = owl
tylluan wen / tylluan ysgubor = barn owl
tylluan frech / tylluan felynddu / tylluan y coed / tylluan lwyd / tylluan rudd / y dylluan fig = tawny/brown owl
Breton (Brezhoneg) toud penn-kazh = long-eared owl
toud-lann = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin. I’m not sure if these words are cognate.

Breton (Brezhoneg) grell voutin = barn owl

Etymology: unknown

Welsh (Cymraeg) gwdihŵ [ɡʊdɪˈhuː] = owl
gwdihŵ frech / gwdihŵ goch = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

The owls included here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of owls are available.

tylluan/owl

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis