Here's some of it that came up on a search.
https://listserv.heanet.ie/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GAIDHLIG-B
Is there a difference at all between "gradh" and "gaol"?
I always think of "A Ghraidh" as something you'd say to your child,
but "Gaol" as something you have for your lover... I'm aware of "Leannan"
etc
Item #3022 (14 Oct 1998 06:37) - Re: gaol vs. gradh
From: vincam aut moriare <vincam>
Subject: Re: gaol vs. gradh
In-Reply-To: <Pine>
>I don't think there is much difference at all between them in
>Scottish Gaelic. In Irish Gaelic "gaol" means "relationship",
>and "Tá gaol agam leat" means "I am related to you". Maybe there
>are traces of this meaning in Scottish Gaelic?
and your answer somewhat supports what he said. The question, though, is
whether there's a difference between the two Gaelic words. I know that in
English (and my facility with that language is a shade better than average)
there are almost no absolute synonyms. Like Mark Twain said, "The
difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the
difference between "lightning" and "lightning bug [firefly to those not
conversant in US Southern]." I'll bet money there's a difference between
"gaol" and "gradh", even if it's a small difference. Since in English the
synonyms for "love" can mean so many things, some of them likely to cause
snickers if the word is misused, this is something that gives me pause.
I am glad to hear, though, that the difference might be a small one,
which would explain why my dictionary doesn't seem to think it necessary to
Item #3019 (13 Oct 1998 18:49) - gaol vs. gradh
From: vincam aut moriare <vincam>
Subject: gaol vs. gradh
Cross-referencing didn't help me to distinguish between the two, so I come
here to ask what is the exact difference between "gaol" and "gradh". The
word I wish to find would be for the romantic type of love. The phrase I
expect to end up with would go something like, "Gradh(?) agus Dleasdanas."
Right now I hope I haven't said anything too laughable.
Item #1092 (27 May 1997 09:11) - Re: Love
> Is there a particular difference in usage between 'gaol' and 'gràdh'?
'gràdh' is less intimate than 'gaol', and the latter is customarily
Item #1088 (26 May 1997 05:36) - Love
Is there a particular difference in usage between 'gaol' and 'gràdh'?
Other than personal preference.
Item #1096 (28 May 1997 05:31) - Re: Love
> Is there a particular difference in usage between 'gaol' and
> 'gràdh'? Other than personal preference.
>
Yes. You can use gaol of your wife, your mistress, your parents,
your gradparents, your fiancee, your lover, your children, your
siblings. You can use gradh for all those things too; but you
could use gradh for a casual date, which could never be gaol.
Gaol implies something closer, more intimate, more serious
than gradh.
Item #1092 (27 May 1997 09:11) - Re: Love
> Is there a particular difference in usage between 'gaol' and 'gràdh'?
'gràdh' is less intimate than 'gaol', and the latter is customarily
relationships could also call for that word usage.
Item #1088 (26 May 1997 05:36) - Love
Is there a particular difference in usage between 'gaol' and 'gràdh'?
Other than personal preference.