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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Topic started by: Lumber-Jack on Thursday 02 October 14 14:17 BST (UK)
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Hi Roots Chatters....I am writing a biography and my subject used the expression "slauntha garth Maroureen" when addressing the the PM of Canada Sir John A Macdonald....can any one tell me what it means......I suspect it means the drinking equivalent of "bottoms up" ! I hope this is not a profane post. Thanks, Lumber-Jack
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Mavoureen is traditionally used as a name for Ireland and slainte (a typical toast) means health so I suspect what you've found is a mangled version of something like 'good health to Ireland.'
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Thanks very much.....I thought it was a little stronger....it seems to have been in common use in the 19th century. Lumber-Jack
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Mavourneen could also be simply a term of endearment so the phrase could be simply
'good health my darling' or 'good health my friend'.
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http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mavourneen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl%C3%A1inte
often heard in older films as good health to you me darlin's
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Sláinte geal mo mhuirnín.
Good (bright) health my darling.
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Thanks everyone....the person I am writing about used it as drinking toast .....I guess therefore, "good health my friends". Lumber-Jack