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Correct Pronunciation

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  • 07-07-2004 6:28am
    #1
    kheanmurphy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭


    I have been unable to find a correct (consistant) pronunciation for my last name in gaeilge:

    MacMurchadha.

    I have found everything from phonetically: "Mer - kada" to "Moore - hawa".

    I would like some verification on the correct way.

    Thank you


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    #2
    simu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,730 ✭✭✭✭simu


    Off the bat, I'd say

    Mac Mur-a-cha (where you pronounce the ch like in loch, the "mur" like in femur).

    The dh wouldn't have been pronounced in centuries.

    There could well be other accpeted pronunciations as well - I'll try to get more info for you on that!


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    #3
    uberwolf
    Registered Users Posts: 7,578 ✭✭✭uberwolf


    I'm swinging with 'moore kada' kinda thing...

    btw if your surname is murphy then murchada isn't ur surname anyway afaik. Ó Murchú (I think) is the translation...


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    #4
    simu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,730 ✭✭✭✭simu


    Both Ó Murchú and MacMurchadha exist in Irish, they were used in different parts of the country - they have the same basic meaning - grandson (Ó) or son (mac) of Murchadh. (Murchadh is a first name).


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    #5
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,519 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    I'd just pronounce it like O'Murchú, as I know one person who spells it the old-fashioned way, yet pronounces it as above.

    Though I've also heard O-Mur-cha-da


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    #6
    kheanmurphy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭kheanmurphy


    Grand,

    Thanks


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    #7
    simu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,730 ✭✭✭✭simu


    Yeah, apparently like Ó Murchú is the commonest pronunciation in Munster for the surname. There's a few other pronunciations as well, depending on dialect though.


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