It will simplify matters for the English reader if the following points respecting the pronunciation of proper names in medieval Irish, are borne in mind: Each simple word is accented on the first syllable.
Pronounce:
á (long), as in "aught;" a (short), as in
"hot."
c with slender vowels (e, i), as in "king;" never as s.
c with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in "car;" never as s.
ch with slender vowels (e, i), as in German "Ich;" never as in
"church."
ch with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in German "Buch;" never as
in "church."
d with slender vowels (e, i), as in French "dieu."
d with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in "thy."
é (long), as in ale; e (short), as in "bet."
g with slender vowels (e, i), as in "give;" never as j.
g with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in "go;" never as j.
gh with slender vowels (e, i) is slender ch voiced.
gh with broad vowels (a, o, u) is broad ch voiced.
í (long), as in "feel;" i (short), as in it.
mh and bh intervocalic with slender vowels, as v.
mh and bh intervocalic with broad vowels, as w.
ó (long), as in "note;" o (short), as in
"done."
s with slender vowels (e, i), as in "shine," never as z.
s with broad vowels (a, o, u), as s.
t with slender vowels (e, i), as in "tin."
t with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in "threw."
th, like h.
ú (long), as in "pool;" u (short), as in "full."
The remaining consonants are pronounced almost as in English.