In 1906, Kuno Meyer published The Triads of Ireland as volume 13 of the Todd Lecture Series of the Royal Irish Academy. The publisher was Hodges, Figgis, & Co., Ltd. of Dublin and London.
The original name of this collection is Trecheng Breth Féne . Meyer translated this as "a triadic arrangement of the sayings of Irishmen", and noted that "it is but a small portion of the large number of triads scattered throughout early Irish literature." The text of Trecheng Breth Féne is found in largely identical form in the following manuscripts:
The Yellow Book of Lecan (L)
The Book of Ballymote (B)
The Book of Húi
Maine (M)
The Book of Lecan (Lec)
A paper MS written in 1575 (N)
A
paper MS written by Tadhg Tiorthach Ó Neachtain in 1745 (H')
Meyer used these six manuscripts to construct his critical text. He noted that he followed the order of triads found in the Yellow Book of Lecan "in the main." The material on this webpage consists of the "Text and Translation" portion of Meyer's edition of Trecheng Breth Féne, including footnotes, but not including variant readings of the Irish text. The Preface, Glosses and Notes, Index Locorum, Index Nominum, and the Glossary are not included here at this time.
NB: There are 256 items in the Text and Translation section. We will be adding items in batches until we have completed that section. We hope to include other portions of the book thereafter.
| 1 - 31 | Logainmneacha Singile | Single Placenames |
| 32 | Trí tairleme Éirenn | The three places of Ireland to alight at |
| 33 | Trí aithechpuirt Hérenn | The three rent-paying places of Ireland |
| 34 | Trí clochraid Hérenn | The three stone-buildings of Ireland |
| 35 | Trí háenaig Hérenn | The three fairs of Ireland |
| 36 | Trí dúine Hérenn | The three forts of Ireland |
| 37 | Trí slébe Hérenn | The three mountains of Ireland |
| 38 | Trí haird Hérenn | The three heights of Ireland |
| 39 | Trí locha Hérenn | The three lakes of Ireland |
| 40 | Trí srotha Hérenn | The three rivers of Ireland |
| 41 | Trí machaire Hérenn | The three plains of Ireland |
| 42 | Trí dorcha Hérenn | The three dark places of Ireland |
| 43 | Trí díthruib Hérenn | The three desert places of Ireland |
| 44 | Trí dotcaid Hérenn | The three unlucky places of Ireland |
| 45 | Trí huilc Hérenn | The three evil ones of Ireland |
| 46 | Trí cáemnai Hérenn | The three comfortable places of Ireland |
| 47 | Trí trága Hérenn | The three strands of Ireland |
| 48 | Trí hátha Hérenn | The three fords of Ireland |
| 49 | Trí sligid Hérenn | The three highroads of Ireland |
| 50 | Trí belaige Hérenn | The three mountain-passes of Ireland |
| 51 | Trí drommanna Hérenn | The three ridges of Ireland |
| 52 | Trí maige Hérenn | The three plains of Ireland |
| 53 | Trí clúana Hérenn | The three meadows of Ireland |
| 54 | Trí tellaige Hérenn | The three households of Ireland |
| 55 | Trí hessa Hérenn | The three waterfalls of Ireland |
| 56 | Trí fothirbi Hérenn | The three fields (?) of Ireland |
| 57 | Trí tiprata Hérenn | The three wells of Ireland |
| 58 | Trí haimréide Hérenn | The three uneven places of Ireland |
| 59 | Trí hinbera Hérenn | The three estuaries of Ireland |
| 60 | Trí hairderca Hérenn | The three conspicuous places of Ireland |
| 61 | Trí gnátha Hérenn | The three familiar places of Ireland |
| 62 | Trí hamrai la Táin Bó Cúailgne | Three wonders concerning the Táin Bó Cúailgne |
| 63 | Trí meinistri fer Féne | The three halidoms of the men of Ireland |
| 64 | Trí dotcaid duine | Three unfortunate things for a man |
| 65 | Trí dotcaid threbtha | Three unfortunate things of husbandry |
| 66 | Trí hairgarta ecalse | Three forbidden things of a church |
| 67 | Trí fáilti co n-íarduibi | Three rejoicings followed by sorrow |
| 68 | Trí bróin ata ferr fáilti | Three sorrows that are better than joy |
| 69 | Trí fáilti ata messu brón | Three rejoicings that are worse than sorrow |
| 70 | Trí fiada co n-anfhiad | The three worst welcomes |
| 71 | Trí dotcaid maic athaig | Three unfortunate things for the son of a peasant |
| 72 | Trí dotcaid threbairi | Three unfortunate things for a householder |
| 73 | Trí búada trebairi | Three excellent things for a householder |
| 74 | Trí hóenaig eserte | Three holidays of a landless man |
| 75 | Trí cóil ata ferr folongat in mbith | Three slender things that best support the world |
| 76 | Trí duirn ata dech for bith | Three hands that are best in the world |
| 77 | Tréde conaittig fírinne | Three things which justice demands |
| 78 | Tréde conaittig brethemnas | Three things which judgment demands |
| 79 | Trí túarascbála étraid | Three characteristics of concupiscence |
| 80 | Tréde ara carthar escara | Three things for which an enemy is loved |
| 81 | Tréde ara miscnigther cara | Three things for which a friend is hated |
| 82 | Trí buirb in betha | Three rude ones of the world |
| 83 | Trí buidir in betha | Three deaf ones of the world |
| 84 | Trí cáin docelat éitchi | Three fair things that hide ugliness |
| 85 | Trí héitich docelat cáin | Three ugly things that hide fairness |
| 86 | Trí óible adannat seirc | Three sparks that kindle love |
| 87 | Trí haithne co fomailt | Three deposits with usufruct |
| 88 | Trí búada téiti | Three glories of a gathering |
| 89 | Trí ségainni Hérenn | Three accomplishments of Ireland |
| 90 | Trí comartha clúanaigi | Three ungentlemanly things |
| 91 | Trí gena ata messu brón | Three smiles that are worse than sorrow |
| 92 | Trí báis ata ferr bethaid | Three deaths that are better than life |
| 93 | Trí húathaid ata ferr sochaidi | Three fewnesses that are better than plenty |
| 94 | Trí brónaig choirmthige | Three sorrowful ones of an alehouse |
| 95 | Trí cuitbidi in domain | Three laughing-stocks of the world |
| 96 | Trí cuil túaithe | Three ruins of a tribe |
| 97 | Trí fuiric thige degduni | Three preparations of a good man's house |
| 98 | Trí fuiric thige drochduni | Three perparations of a bad man's house |
| 99 | Trí gretha tige degláich | Three shouts of a good warrior's house |
| 100 | Trí dorchae ná dlegat mná do imthecht | Three darknesses into which women should not go |
| 101 | Trí sailge boccachta | Three props of obstinacy |
| 102 | Trí airisena boccachta | Three characteristics of obstinacy |
| 103 | Trí comartha meraigi | Three signs of a fop |
| 104 | Trí máidme clúanaigi | Three ungentlemanly boasts |
| 105 | Trí bí focherdat marbdili | Three live ones that put away dead things |
| 106 | Trí scenb Hérenn | Three places of Ireland to make you start |
| 107 | Trí hingnad Hérenn | Three wonders of Ireland |
| 108 | Trí daurthige Hérenn | Three oratories of Ireland |
| 109 | Trí hingena berta miscais do míthocod | Three maidens that bring hatred upon misfortune |
| 110 | Trí hingena berta seirc do cháintocud | Three maidens that bring love to good fortune |
| 111 | Trí túa ata ferr labra | Three silences that are better than speech |
| 112 | Trí labra ata ferr túa | Three speeches that are better than silence |
| 113 | Trí ailgesa étúalaing | Three impossible demands |
| 114 | Trí hamaite bít[e] i ndrochthig óiged | Three idiots that are in a bad guest-house |
| 115 | Trí hairig na dúalche | The three chief sins |
| 116 | Tréde neimthigedar crossán | Three things that constitute a buffoon |
| 117 | Tréde neimthigedar círmaire | Three things that constitute a comb-maker |
| 118 | Tréde nemthigedar sáer | Three things that constitute a carpenter |
| 119 | Tréde neimthigedar liaig | Three things that constitute a physician |
| 120 | Tréde neimthigedar gobainn | Three things that constitute a blacksmith |
| 121 | Tréde neimthigedar cerdai | Three things that constitute an artificer |
| 122 | Tréde neimthigedar cruitire | Three things that constitute a harper |
| 123 | Tréde neimthigedar filid | Three things that constitute a poet |
| 124 | Dá mígairm míthocaid | Two ominous cries of ill-luck |
| 125 | Teora airi[se]na iarnduba | Three things betokening trouble |
| 126 | Trí bainne cétmuintire | Three drops of a wedded woman |
| 127 | Trí coiri bíte in cach dúini | Three caldrons that are in every fort |
| 128 | Trí comartha láthraig bendachtan | Three tokens of a blessed site |
| 129 | Trí comartha láthraig mallachtan | Three tokens of a cursed site |
| 130 | Teora muimmecha táide | Three nurses of theft |
| 131 | Teora ranna sluinte fri cáintocad | Three qualities* that bespeak good fortune |
| 132 | Teora ranna sluinte dotcaid | Three qualities that bespeak misfortune |
| 133 | Dí derbshiair | Two sisters |
| 134 | Dá derbráthair | Two brothers |
| 135 | Trí fuidb dotcadaig | Three unlucky . . . |
| 136 | Trí sethracha góa | Three false sisters |
| 137 | Trí bráthair uamain | Three timid brothers |
| 138 | Trí mairb fortgellat for bíu | Three dead things that give evidence on live things |
| 139 | Trí brothcháin rátha | Three pottages of guaranteeing |
| 140 | Trí dubthrebtha | Three black husbandries |
| 141 | Trí hiarnduba | Three after-sorrows |
| 142 | Trí maic beres drús do lonnus | Three sons whom folly bears to anger |
| 143 | Trí maic beres féile do ainmnit | Three sons whom generosity bears to patience |
| 144 | Trí maic beres neóit do deinmnait | Three sons whom churlishness bears to impatience |
| 145 | Trí húar fíchte | Three cold things that seethe |
| 146 | Trí fúammann móaigthe | Three sounds of increase |
| 147 | Trí hana antreinn | Three wealths in barren places |
| 148 | Trí aithgine in domuin | Three renovators of the world |
| 149 | Trí diubarta forsná íada dílse | Three concealments upon which forfeiture does not close |
| 150 | Trí cuir tintaiter do réir britheman | Three contracts that are reversed by the decision of a judge |
| 151 | Trí nata[t] túalaing sainchuir | Three that are incapable of special contracts |
| 152 | Trí maic nad rannat orbai | Three sons that do not share inheritance |
| 153 | Trí ái nad eplet faill | Three causes that do not die with neglect |
| 154 | Trí fuile ná dlegat frecor | Three bloodsheds that need not be impugned |
| 155 | Trí fuchachta nad increnat slabrai | Three cohabitations that do not pay a marriage-portion |
| 156 | Trí ná dlegat turbaidi | Three that are not entitled to exemption |
| 157 | Trí aithne ná dlegat taisec | Three deposits that need not be returned |
| 158 | Trí mairb direnaiter beoaib | Three dead ones that are paid for with living things |
| 159 | Trí[ar] ná ditoing ná fortongar | Three that neither swear nor are sworn |
| 160 | Trí ná dlegat athchommus | Three that are not entitled to renunciation of authority |
| 161 | Trí nát fuigletar cia beith ar a ngáes | Three who do not adjudicate though they are possessed of wisdom |
| 162 | Trí fors ná tuit aititiu 'na ré | Three on whom acknowledgment does not fall in its time |
| 163 | Trí foimrimme ná dlegad díre | Three usucaptions that are not entitled to a fine |
| 164 | Trí duilgine conrannat gníaid | Three wages that labourers share |
| 165 | Trí nóill doná dlegar frithnóill | Three oaths that do not require fulfilment |
| 166 | Trí gráda coillte túath inna ngói | Three ranks that ruin tribes in their falsehood |
| 167 | Trí sóir dogníat dóeru díb féin | Three free ones that make slaves of themselves |
| 168 | Trí ruip conberat duinechinaid | Three brutes whose trespasses count as human crimes |
| 169 | Trí ruip ara tíagat cinta | Three brutish things that atone for crimes |
| 170 | Trí imuscrenat | Three things that ... |
| 171 | Trí comartha aragella i tig britheman | Three signs that ... |
| 172 | Trí dlegat aurfocrai | Three things that should be proclaimed |
| 173 | Trí doruis gúa | Three doors of falsehood |
| 174 | Trí doruis a n-aichnither fír | Three doors through which truth is recognized |
| 175 | Trí búada airechta | Three glories of a gathering |
| 176 | Trí tonna cen gáissi | Three waves without wisdom |
| 177 | Trí búada insci | Three glories of speech |
| 178 | Trí cumtaig gáisse | Three ornaments of wisdom |
| 179 | Trí miscena indsci | Three hateful things in speech |
| 180 | Trí fostai dagbanais | Three steadinesses of good womanhood |
| 181 | Trí fóindil drochbanais | Three strayings of bad womanhood |
| 182 | Trí búada étaig | Three excellences of dress |
| 183 | Trí ná dlegat othras | Three that are not entitled to sick-maintenance |
| 184 | Trí tharsuinn archuillet othras | Three sauces that spoil a sick-bed |
| 185 | Trí mná ná dlegat díri | Three women that are not entitled to a fine |
| 186 | Trí dofortat cach flaith | Three things that ruin every chief |
| 187 | Trí túarascbaid cach ngenmnaide | Three things that characterise every chaste person |
| 188 | Trí ara n-aichnider cach fergach | Three things by which every angry person is known |
| 189 | Trí thúarascbait cach n-ainmnetach | Three things that characterise every patient person |
| 190 | Trí thúarascbait cach n-úallach | Three things that characterise every haughty person |
| 191 | Trí forindet cach n-umal | Three things that tell every humble person |
| 192 | Trí airdi gáisse | Three signs of wisdom |
| 193 | Trí airdi drúisse | Three signs of folly |
| 194 | Tréde immifoilnge gáis do báeth | Three things that make a fool wise |
| 195 | Tréde immifoilnge báis do gáeth | Three things that make a wise man foolish |
| 196 | Tréde faillsiges cach ndagfheras | Three things that show every good man |
| 197 | Tréde faillsigedar cach ndrochfheras | Three things that show a bad man |
| 198 | Trí foglúaiset fóenledchu | Three things that set waifs a-wandering |
| 199 | Trí slabrada hi cumregar clóine | Three chains by which evil propensity is bound |
| 200 | Trí all frisa timargar béscna | Three rocks to which lawful behaviour is tied |
| 201 | Trí caindle forosnat cach ndorcha | Three candles that illumine every darkness |
| 202 | Tréde neimthigedar ríg | Three things that constitute a king |
| 203 | Trí glais foríadat rúine | Three locks that lock up secrets |
| 204 | Trí heochracha aroslicet imráitiu | Three keys that unlock thoughts |
| 205 | Trí orbai rannaiter fiad chomarbaib | Three inheritances that are divided in the presence of heirs |
| 206 | Trí seithir óited | Three youthful sisters |
| 207 | Trí seithir sentad | Three aged sisters |
| 208 | Trí seithir sognáise | Three well-bred sisters |
| 209 | Trí seithir dognáise | Three ill-bred sisters |
| 210 | Trí seithir sotcaid | Three sisters of good fortune |
| 211 | Trí seithir sochlatad | Three sisters of good repute |
| 212 | Trí seithir dochlatad | Three sisters of ill repute |
| 213 | Trí seithir ferge | Three angry sisters |
| 214 | Trí seithir deirmiten | Three irreverent sisters |
| 215 | Trí seithir airmiten | Three reverent sisters |
| 216 | Trí banlae | Three woman-days |
| 217 | Trí ferlae | Three man-days |
| 218 | Trí gníma rátha | Three duties of guarantorship |
| 219 | Trí brotcháin rátha | Three pottages of guarantorship |
| 220 | Trí húais rátha 7 aitiri 7 nadma | Three things hard to guarantee and to become a hostage and to make a contract for |
| 221 | Trí as anergnaid do neoch | Three things that are undignified for everyone |
| 222 | Trí bassa téchtai | Three lawful handbreadths |
| 223 | Cia mesam hi trebod | What is worst in a household |
| 224 | Trí galair ata ferr sláinti | Three illnesses that are better than health |
| 225 | Trí fáilti coirmthige | Three welcomes of an alehouse |
| 226 | Trí fognama ata messam dogní duine | Three services the worst that a man can serve |
| 227 | Trí ata ferr i tig | Three things that are best in a house |
| 228 | Trí ata messum i tig | Three that are worst in a house |
| 229 | Trí comartha tirdachta | Three signs of boorishness |
| 230 | Cenéle amus | Various kinds of mercenaries |
| 231 | Cenéle dáileman | Various kinds of dispensers |
| 232 | Trí as anso bís do accallaim | Three that are most difficult to talk to |
| 233 | Trí as mó menma bís | Three whose spirits are highest |
| 234 | Cetharda forná bí cosc nó ríagail | Four on whom there is neither restraint nor rule |
| 235 | Trí húais dóib | Three hard things |
| 236 | Trí hamra Glinne Dalláin i tír Eogain | Three wonders of Glenn Dallan* in Tirowen |
| 237 | Trí hamra Connacht | Three wonders of Connaught |
| 238 | Trí luchra ata mesa | Three worst smiles |
| 239 | Cisne trí ana soitcedach? | What are the three wealths of fortunate people? |
| 240 | Trí maic beres genas do gáis | Three sons whom chastity bears to wisdom |
| 241 | Trí airfite dála | Three entertainers of a gathering |
| 242 | Trí ata ferr do fhlaith | Three things that are best for a chief |
| 243 | Trí ata mesa do fhlaith | Three things that are worst for a chief |
| 244 | Ceithre báis breithe | The four deaths of judgment |
| 245 | Trí adcoillet gáis | Three things that ruin wisdom |
| 246 | Trí muime ordain | Three nurses of dignity |
| 247 | Trí muime menman | Three nurses of high spirits |
| 248 | Cetheora miscne flatha | Four hatreds of a chief |
| 249 | Trí dorcha in betha | Three dark* things of the world |
| 250 | Trí urgarta bíd | Three prohibitions of food |
| 251 | Cetheora aipgitre gáise | Four elements* of wisdom |
| 252 | Cetheora aipgitre báise | Four elements* of folly |
| 253 | Teora sírechta flatha | Three tabus of a chief |
| 254 | Trí indchoisc ordain do duine | Three indications of dignity in a person |
| 255 | Trí gúala doná fess fudomain | Three coffers whose depth is not known |
| 256 | Trí féich nach dlegar faill | Three debts which must not be neglected |