(3) When the noun in the genitive case is an indefinite[1] one, which denotes a part of something, the material of which a thing is made, or the contents of the first noun, the article is used with the first noun when it is used in English:—
- an greim aráin, the piece of bread.
- an mála mine, the bag of meal.
- an crúisgín uisge, the little jug of water.
We say blas aráin, for, the taste of bread; bolaḋ éisg, the smell of fish; mac ríoġ, the son of a king; because if the noun in the genitive expresses quality, connection, or origin, the governing noun does not take the article.
472. If a nominative be followed by several genitives the article can be used only with the last (if “the” be used in English), as, truime ċinn an ċapaill, the weight of the horse’s head.
The article is often omitted before a noun which is antecedent to a relative clause; as, Is é duine do ḃí ann. He is the person who was there.
473. In the following cases the definite article is frequently used in Irish though not used in English.
(1) Before surnames, when not preceded by a Christian name, as, Raiḃ an Breaṫnaċ ann? Was Walsh there?
