Bardic poetry is the writings produced by a class of
poet
A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wri ...
s trained in the
bardic schools of Ireland and the
Gaelic parts of
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
, as they existed down to about the middle of the 17th century or, in Scotland, the early 18th century. Most of the texts preserved are in
Middle Irish
Middle Irish, sometimes called Middle Gaelic ( ga, An Mheán-Ghaeilge, gd, Meadhan-Ghàidhlig), is the Goidelic language which was spoken in Ireland, most of Scotland and the Isle of Man from AD; it is therefore a contemporary of late Old Engl ...
or in early
Modern Irish
Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was t ...
, however, even though the manuscripts were very plentiful, very few have been published. It is considered a period of great literary stability due to the formalised literary language that changed very little.
Background
According to the
Uraicecht Becc in
Old Irish Law, bards and ''
filid'' were distinct groups: ''filid'' involved themselves with law, language, lore and court poetry, whereas bards were versifiers. However, in time, these terms came to be used interchangeably.
With the arrival of Christianity, the poets were still given a high rank in society, equal to that of a bishop, but even the highest-ranked poet, the ''ollamh'' was now only 'the shadow of a high-ranking pagan priest or druid.'
The bards memorized and preserved the history and traditions of
clan and country, as well as the technical requirements of the various poetic forms, such as the ''
dán díreach'' (a
syllabic
Syllabic may refer to:
*Syllable, a unit of speech sound, considered the building block of words
**Syllabic consonant, a consonant that forms the nucleus of a syllable
*Syllabary, writing system using symbols for syllables
*Abugida, writing system ...
form which uses
assonance
Assonance is a resemblance in the sounds of words/syllables either between their vowels (e.g., ''meat, bean'') or between their consonants (e.g., ''keep, cape''). However, assonance between consonants is generally called ''consonance'' in America ...
,
half rhyme and
alliteration
Alliteration is the conspicuous repetition of initial consonant sounds of nearby words in a phrase, often used as a literary device. A familiar example is "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers". Alliteration is used poetically in various ...
).
Much of their work consists of extended genealogies and almost journalistic accounts of the deeds of their lords and ancestors: the Irish bard was not necessarily an inspired poet, but rather a professor of literature and letters, highly trained in the use of a polished literary medium, belonging to a hereditary caste of high prestige in a conservative, aristocratic society, and holding an official position therein by virtue of extensive training and knowledge.
[
]
Role in Irish and Scottish society
As officials of the court of king or chieftain, they performed a number of official roles, such as chroniclers and satirists. Effectively, their job was to praise their employers and curse those who crossed them. Their approach to official duties was very traditional and drawn from precedent. However, even though many bardic poets were traditional in their approach, there were also some who added personal feelings into their poems and also had the ability to adapt with changing situations although conservative.
While they were employed by kings and other powerful figures in Irish society, bards also acted independently and were highly respected individuals for their own power. Irish society focused largely on a fame or shame mentality. Which one you received largely depended on if the bard liked you or not, therefore, many people would go out of their way to please the bards in the hopes that they would get a song or poem composed about them. The Irish people had no illusions about death, knowing that everything eventually died, but they believed the way into immortality was through a great story that only a bard could compose. This led the bards to have great power among the Irish because the ability to provide great fame or great shame to any individual.
The bardic tradition was incredibly important to Irish society and even infatuated many outsiders. This sparked a tradition of founding bardic schools which often only would teach to people that had a bard in their family history. Other requirements included being skilled at reading and having a good memory. In these schools the fundamentals of being a bard were taught and often students would have to compose overnight so as to not be able to write things down, therefore keeping the oral tradition alive. The next morning they would be allowed to write them down, perform them, and critique their compositions. Overall, these schools were at least partly responsible for keeping the bardic tradition alive into the modern era.
Example
The following is an example of a bardic poem from the translations of Osborn Bergin
Osborn Joseph Bergin (26 November 1873 – 6 October 1950) was a scholar of the Irish language and early Irish literature, who discovered Bergin's Law.
He was born in Cork, sixth child and eldest son of Osborn Roberts Bergin and Sarah Reddin, ...
:
Consolations
Filled with sharp dart-like pens
Limber tipped and firm, newly trimmed
Paper cushioned under my hand
Percolating upon the smooth slope
The leaf a fine and uniform script
A book of verse in ennobling Goidelic.
I learnt the roots of each tale, branch
Of valour and the fair knowledge,
That I may recite in learned lays
Of clear kindred stock and each person's
Family tree, exploits of wonder
Travel and musical branch
Soft voiced, sweet and slumberous
A lullaby to the heart.
Grant me the gladsome gyre, loud
Brilliant, passionate and polished
Rushing in swift frenzy, like a blue edged
Bright, sharp-pointed spear
In a sheath tightly corded;
The cause itself worthy to contain.
Anonymous
An example of a bardic poet can also be seen in the novel ''The Year of the French'' (1979) by Thomas Flanagan. In this book, a character by the name of Owen MacCarthy is a bard known for his training with the native language as well as English. He is turned to write specific, important letters by a group named the "Whiteboys". They are in need of someone skilled with writing letters, such as a bard like MacCarthy.
Bardic texts
* Tinnakill Duanaire
* Royal Irish Academy MS 24 P 33
* 23 N 10
Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, MS 23 N 10, formerly Betham 145, is a Gaelic–Irish medieval manuscript.
Overview
MS 23 N 10 is a late sixteenth-century Irish manuscript currently housed in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. It w ...
* The Book of the White Earl
* Egerton 1782
* Dunaire Mheig Shamhradháin ( Book of Maguran)
* Saltair na Rann
Selected poets
*Dallán Forgaill
Eochaid mac Colla ( 560 – 640), better known as Saint Dallán or Dallán Forgaill ( sga, Dallán Forchella; la, Dallanus Forcellius; Primitive Irish: ''Dallagnas Worgēllas''), was an early Christian Irish poet and saint known as the writer of ...
()
*Colmán mac Lénéni
Colmán or Colman is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include:
Medieval Irish people
* Colmán Bec (died ''c''. 585), Irish dynast
* Colmán mac Cobthaig (died ''c''. 622), Irish king
* Colmán mac Lénéni (died ''c ...
(530–606)
* Niníne Éces ()
* Óengus Céile Dé (d. 824)
*Saint Dungal
Dungal of Bobbio (floruit, fl. 811–828) was an Irish monk, teacher, astronomer, and poet. He was to live at Saint-Denis, Pavia, and Bobbio.
He may be the same person as ''Hibernicus exul''.
Biography
Dungal was born in Ireland sometime in th ...
(828)
*Sedulius Scottus
Sedulius Scotus or Scottus ( fl. 840–860) was an Irish teacher, Latin grammarian, and scriptural commentator who lived in the 9th century. During the reign of the Emperor Lothair (840–855), he was one of a colony of Irish teachers at Liège. ...
(860)
*Flann mac Lonáin
Flann mac Lonáin (died 896) was an Irish poet.
Background and career
Flann mac Lonáin was a famed and at times controversial poet. He was the Chief Ollam of Ireland He seems to have been born in the east Clare/west Tipperary region. Distinguis ...
(d. 896)
* Cináed Ua Hartacáin (d. 975)
* Mael Ísu Ó Brolcháin (d. 1086)
*Gilla Cómáin mac Gilla Samthainde
Gilla Cóemáin mac Gilla Samthainde was a Medieval Irish poet ( fl. 1072).
He was author of ''Annálad anall uile'', a poem of fifty-eight quatrains, and a number of other works. Some of his works were incorporated into Lebor Gabála Érenn.
Re ...
()
* Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside ()
*Muireadhach Albanach
Muiredach (Old Irish), Muireadhach or Muireach, anglicized variously to Murdoch, Murtagh, Murray, Murdac, Mordacq and other forms, is a Goidelic name (meaning "chieftain") popular in Scotland and Ireland in the Middle Ages:
* Muiredach Bolgrach ...
()
*Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe
Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe, or Gilbride McNamee () was an Irish poet.
Background and family
Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe was hereditary Ollamh to the Cenél nEógain. The '' Ceart Uí Néill'', a late medieval document dealing with the rights a ...
()
* Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh (d. 1244)
* Máeleoin Bódur Ó Maolconaire (d. 1266)
* Philip Ó Duibhgeannain (d. 1340)
*Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh (died 1387), of Duhallow, Country Cork, was an Irish poet and Chief Ollamh of Ireland.
He is known to be one of the most important professional poets of fourteen-century Ireland.''The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writin ...
(d. 1387)
* Seaán Ó Clumháin (1500)
* Aithbhreac Inghean Coirceadal ()
* Fear Feasa Ó'n Cháinte ()
* Eoghan Carrach Ó Siadhail ( )
* Fear Flaith Ó Gnímh ()
* Tadhg Dall Ó hÚigínn ()
* Baothghalach Mór Mac Aodhagáin (1550–1600)
* Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa (1567–1617)
* Mathghamhain Ó hIfearnáin ()
* Muircheartach Ó Cobhthaigh ()
* Tadhg Olltach Ó an Cháinte ( )
* Lochlann Óg Ó Dálaigh ( )
*Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh (fl. 1624–1664) was an Irish historian and genealogist, known in English as Peregrine O'Clery.
Life and work
Ó Cléirigh was a son of Diarmaid Ó Cléirigh, and thus a third-cousin once removed to Brother Míche ...
(1664)
* Cormac Mac Con Midhe (d. 1627)
*Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh
Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh (; fl. 1630), sometimes spelt in English as Carroll Oge O'Daly, was a 17th-century Irish language poet and harpist, who composed the song "".
Cearbhall (Carroll) was a common name amongst people of the Ó Dálaigh ( ...
()
* Diarmaid Mac an Bhaird ()
* Proinsias Ó Doibhlin (d. )
* Tarlach Rua Mac Dónaill ()
Selected poems
* ''Amra Choluim Chille'' '' Le dís cuirthear clú Laighean'' '' Is acher in gaíth in-nocht...''
* '' Is trúag in ces i mbiam'' '' Sen dollotar Ulaid ...'' '' Sorrow is the worst thing in life ...''
* '' An Díbirt go Connachta'' '' A aonmhic Dé do céasadh thrínn'' '' Foraire Uladh ar Aodh''
* ''A theachtaire tig ón Róimh
A theachtaire tig ón Róimh ("Messenger, come from Rome") is a poem "somewhat doubtfully attributed to Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe"
The poem insists upon the need for genealogy to "preserve due class distinctions in Irish society, while the vers ...
'' '' An sluagh sidhe so i nEamhuin?'' '' Cóir Connacht ar chath Laighean''
* '' Dia libh a laochruidh Gaoidhiol'' '' Pangur Bán'' ''Liamuin
Liamuin is a poem in Dinnsenchas Erann explaining the medieval Irish placelore relating to nine assemblies and noted places in Ireland. The premise is largely dedicated to the etymological legend for Lyons, a hill, former royal inauguration site ...
'' ''Buile Shuibhne
''Buile Shuibhne'' or ''Buile Suibne'' (, ''The Madness of Suibhne'' or ''Suibhne's Frenzy'') is a medieval Irish tale about Suibhne mac Colmáin, king of the Dál nAraidi, who was driven insane by the curse of Saint Rónán Finn. The insanity ma ...
''
* ''The Prophecy of Berchán
''The Prophecy of Berchán'' is a relatively long historical poem written in the Middle Irish language. The text is preserved in the Royal Irish Academy as MS 679 (23/G/4), with a few early modern copies. It is a prophecy made in the Early Middle ...
'' '' Bean Torrach, fa Tuar Broide'' ''Timna Cathaír Máir'' ''Caithréim Cellaig''
See also
*Early Irish literature
Early Irish literature is one of the oldest vernacular literatures in Western Europe, though inscriptions utilising Irish and Latin are found on Ogham stones dating from the 4th century, indicating simultaneous usage of both languages by this p ...
* Irish poetry
* Irish syllabic poetry
* Dán díreach
References
Further reading
*Michelle O'Riordan, ''Irish Bardic Poetry and Rhetorical Reality'', Cork University Press (2007)
*Robert Welch and Bruce Stewart, ''The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature''
*Eleanor Knott
Eleanor Marie Knott (born Philippa Marie Eleanor Knott; 18 November 1886 – 4 January 1975), was an Irish scholar, academic and lexicographer, as well as one of the first women elected to the Royal Irish Academy.
Early life and education
Kno ...
, The bardic poems of Tadhg Dall Ó Huiginn (1550-1591),An introduction to Irish syllabic poetry of the period 1200-1600 with selections, notes and glossary (Cork, 1928),Irish classical poetry commonly called bardic poetry (Dublin, 1957).
*
External links
Authors and textual sources at celt.dias.ie
, by Osborn Bergin
Osborn Joseph Bergin (26 November 1873 – 6 October 1950) was a scholar of the Irish language and early Irish literature, who discovered Bergin's Law.
He was born in Cork, sixth child and eldest son of Osborn Roberts Bergin and Sarah Reddin, ...
, in ''Irish Bardic Poetry'', Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (1970).
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bardic Poetry
Poetry
Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...
Irish literature
Scottish literature