the a' usually is a contraction of ag, in which case this makes sense as a verbal noun construction, such as Tá mé ag dul. Drop the verb (as it is all the way at the beginning of the line), and you get [subject] ag/a' [verbal noun]. That would make the original verb barrach, barraim, which would be under my analysis “I bar”.
The trouble is the lack of any particle, unless it is the i back at the start of the line, which would then carry across both clauses.
(And after a little more investigation, there are words like barracht , meaning glue or mortar, which lends to the idea that the root barra has to do with holding (something) fast.
Re: Is dóigh liom é...
the a' usually is a contraction of ag, in which case this makes sense as a verbal noun construction, such as Tá mé ag dul. Drop the verb (as it is all the way at the beginning of the line), and you get [subject] ag/a' [verbal noun]. That would make the original verb barrach, barraim, which would be under my analysis “I bar”.
The trouble is the lack of any particle, unless it is the i back at the start of the line, which would then carry across both clauses.
(And after a little more investigation, there are words like barracht , meaning glue or mortar, which lends to the idea that the root barra has to do with holding (something) fast.