Neil wrote:

> (a) mó ar n-éolus úaidh féin
> (b) fios na n-ôg ’s na naos

>> (a) Greater than our knowledge by itself
>> (b) (is) the knowledge of the young and the old
>>     [is the knowledge of precedent and tradition]

> However, if we have here a substantivised adjective corresponding to
> 'óg' (young person), wouldn't it be 'áesach' or 'áesta' ('old person'),
> rather than 'áes'? (I note that FGB lists [under óg]: 'idir óg agus
> aosta'.)

True, but I can imagine the poet truncating "áesta" metri gratia.

> 'Áes' itself is a noun which means 'age' rather than 'aged person'. As
> such, wouldn't 'áes' be contrasted with 'oítiu' (youthfulness), rather
> than 'óg' (young person)? (Cf. DIL A 80.33: etir áes & áetid).

I think these are valid reservations.  Luckily we have your
reading of "knowledge/learning of precedents and traditions"
to hang our hat on.  The "óg" and "áes" as youth and age might
still stand as resonant word-play.

Dennis