An Introduction to Early Irish Literature

This book discusses the rich written heritage of the Old and Middle Irish period, 600–1200, and is suitable for students of medieval Ireland as well as the general reader who wants to learn about the stories, poetry and themes of early Irish literature. Early chapters deal with the poets, druids, monks, the beginnings of writing manuscripts as well as an introduction to each of the saga cycles. These sagas contain the stories of heroes such as Cú Chulainn and Finn mac Cumaill as well as kings, such as Cormac mac Airt. Further chapters focus on the poets and their poetry, the heroes visiting the Otherworld, the births and deaths of famous heroes as well as stories about kings, kingship and sovereignty goddesses. Included also is a bibliography and a comprehensive index including personal and place names. Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin has taught medieval Irish literature and history for 25 years at NUI Maynooth. ‘This is a tremendously useful book and one that has been needed for some time … Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin’s achievement is the production of a volume for students … it is thorough and comprehensive, packed with references for further reading, and yet still highly accessible … a valuable book’, Jessica Hemming, The Folklore Society UK (2012). ‘The author presents a digest of the current scholarly consensus in unshowy, attractive prose … Ní Bhrolcháin strikes a useful balance between overview and detail in her discussions … the book is handsomely produced and benefits from some very fine colour plates … the beginning student is provided with a sensible overview of the material, and is introduced to the major scholars who have worked on it', Mark Williams, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies (Winter 2012). ‘Ní Bhrolcháin has twenty-five years’ experience teaching medieval Irish literature and history at NUI Maynooth. Her book is a survey of literature in Ireland from AD 600 to 1200 and is aimed at both the university study and the general reader … the colour photographs of manuscripts and artifacts relevant to this subject make the book more attractive. Ní Bhrolcháin has achieved the difficult task of writing a book which is lively and undaunting but which still maintains its integrity as a serious study of its subject', Books Ireland (December 2009) ‘Dr Ní Bhrolcháin[‘s]…extensive scholarship and teaching experience are both evidenced in her book: it is a treasury of information replete with tales, and the style is that of the confident, sympathetic teacher who knows that the novice needs clear guidance. Consequently, the book can be enjoyed by amateurs and aspiring students alike, as an overview of the saga and poetic literature of the six centuries up to AD 1200 … the stories are told in an admirably clear style … apart from its readability, the book will stand as a work of reference and will guide readers to further material over a wide range of scholarship from the pioneers to the contemporary, as it has a comprehensive bibliography … the design, layout and general presentation of the book are all of a high standard', Siobhán Ní Fhoghlú, Books Ireland (March 2010) Read more