Brian O'Cathain wrote:
A Bhríd, around Teach Mór and Lochán Beag in the 40's and 50's the orange colour was always referred to as flannbhuí. I realise that all languages change over time but I don't recall oranges being plentiful in the area (it was wartime).
Yes. Oráiste is an introduced words. Flannbhuí was used more often before that, and still used for the national flag. But today most people use "oráiste" as the colour too.
Oranges would never have been common in poor rural areas, you might be lucky if you got an orange for Christmas. Often people didn't have jam except for special days too. Unless they made their own, but then they'd have to buy loads of sugar for that. And people lived on what they could plant themselves for the most part. Often bartering eggs etc to buy flour and sugar.
I'm from An Cheathrú Rua.
