Literature in Irish, 1690–1800: from the Williamite wars to the Act of Union

Neil Buttimer

doi:10.1017/CHOL9780521822220.010

8 - Literature in Irish, 1690–1800: from the Williamite wars to the Act of Union

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2008

Neil Buttimer

Edited by

Margaret Kelleher and

Philip O'Leary

Show author details

Margaret Kelleher: Affiliation:
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Philip O'Leary: Affiliation:
Boston College, Massachusetts

Book contents

Get access

Summary

Practical as well as conceptual difficulties lie in the way of describing this phase of writing in the Irish language. More manuscript sources survive for the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries together than for any other stage in the Gaelic past. While influenced by print and showing traces of interaction with the oral world, barriers to publishing, accompanied, paradoxically, by the spread of literacy, ensured that the handwritten documentary tradition inherited from medieval times remained the main means of transmission for all forms of creative composition. Most of these original codices have yet to be described (properly or even at all), with their full complement of texts professionally extracted from them. Work in this regard has been under way, particularly from the beginning of the 1900s, approximately, but it too poses its own problems. Early twentieth-century scholarship is characterised by the shortcomings of a newly developing domain: incompleteness of coverage, the tentative nature of either text or translation, and the restricted context in which the material is discussed. Because these editions are often still the only immediate point of contact with the evidence, the present chapter will have to rely on them frequently (and does not underestimate their considerable strengths), without the opportunity to comment in full on any identifiable deficiencies. A brocade of previously unpublished original material must therefore be introduced from time to time to augment the account where necessary.

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of Irish Literature , pp. 320 - 371

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CHOL9780521822220.010[Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Purchase

Buy Book

Buy print or eBook

References

Bartlett, Thomas et al., eds. 1798: A Bicentenary Perspective (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2003).Google Scholar

Bartlett, ThomasThe Fall and Rise of the Irish Nation: The Catholic Question 1690–1830 (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1992).Google Scholar

Bhial, TomásOidheadh an Athar Uí Shíthigh (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1954).Google Scholar

Binéid, DaraSearc na Suadh: Gnéithe de Fhilíocht Dháibhí Uí Bhruadair (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 2003).Google Scholar

Bourke, AngelaKilfeather, Siobhán, Luddy, Maria, Mac Curtain, Margaret, Meaney, Geraldine, Ní Dhonnchadha, Máirín, O’Dowd, Mary and Wills, Clair, eds. The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing, vols. IV and V: Irish Women’s Writing and Traditions (Cork: Cork University Press in association with Field Day, 2002), IV (text and translation), 1398 (notes).Google Scholar

Breatnach, Pádraig A. ‘Muircheartach Óg Ó Súilleabháin (+1754): Stair, Traidisiún agus Marbhnaí’, in Breatnach, , ed. Téamaí Taighde Nua-Ghaeilge (Maynooth: An Sagart, 1997).Google Scholar

Breatnach, R. A., ‘The End of a Tradition: A Survey of Eighteenth-Century Gaelic Literature’, Studia Hibernica 1 (1961).Google Scholar

Bruford, AlanGaelic Folktales and Medieval Romances: A Study of Early Modern Irish ‘Romantic Tales’ and their Oral Derivatives (Dublin: Folklore of Ireland Society, 1969).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Cornelius G. ‘ Cogadh Sagsana Nuadh Sonn: Reporting the American Revolution’, Studia Hibernica 28 (1994)Google Scholar

Buttimer, Cornelius G. ‘The French Sources of Religious Teaching in Pre-Famine Gaelic Ireland’, in Transactions of the Eighth International Congress on the Enlightenment, Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century (1992).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Cornelius G., ‘Gaelic Literature and Contemporary Life in Cork, 1700–1840’, in O’Flanagan, Patrick and Buttimer, Cornelius G., eds. Cork, History and Society: Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County, Dublin: Geography Publications, 1993.Google Scholar

Buttimer, Cornelius G. ‘ Longes mac nUislenn Reconsidered’, Éigse 28 (1994–5).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Cornelius G. ‘Postclassical Modern Irish’, in Ó Murchú, Máirtín, ed. Scoil an Léinn Cheiltigh Tuarascáil Leathchéad Blian / School of Celtic Studies Fiftieth Anniversary Report 1940–1990 (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1990).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Neil ‘An Irish Inscription in the Tower of London’, Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 107 (2002).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Neil ‘Degrés de Perception de la France dans l’Irlande gaélique de la pré-famine’, in Laurent, Catherine and Davis, Helen, eds. Irlande et Bretagne: Vingt Siécles d’Histoire (Rennes: Terre de Brume, 1994).Google Scholar

Buttimer, Neil ‘Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin’s Writings’, in Ó Murchú, Liam P., ed. Cinnlae Amhlaoibh Uí Shúileabháin: Reassessments, Irish Texts Society Subsidiary Series XIV (Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 2004).Google Scholar

Caerwyn-Williams, J. E. and Ní Mhuiríosa, Máirín, Traidisiún Liteartha na nGael, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1979.Google Scholar

Corkery, Daniel, The Hidden Ireland: A Study of Gaelic Munster in the Eighteenth Century, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1924.Google Scholar

Craith, Cuthbert Mhág, ed. Dán na mBráthar Mionúr, 2 vols. (Dublin: Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, 1967), I.Google Scholar

Cullen, L. M. ‘The Contemporary and Later Politics of Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoire ’, Eighteenth-Century Ireland/Iris an Dá Chultúr 8 (1993).Google Scholar

Cullen, L. M., The Hidden Ireland: Reassessment of a Concept, Mullingar: Lilliput Press, 1988.Google Scholar

de Blacam, Aodh, Gaelic Literature Surveyed, Dublin: Talbot, 1933.Google Scholar

de Brún, Pádraig, Lámhscríbhinní Gaeilge: Treoirliosta, Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1988.Google Scholar

Dinneen, Patrick and O’Donoghue, Tadhg, eds. Dánta Aodhagáin Uí Rathaille/The Poems of Egan O’Rahilly, 2nd edn (London: Irish Texts Society, 1911)Google Scholar

Duinnín, Pádraig Ua ed. Amhráin Sheagháin Chláraigh Mhic Dhomhnaill (Dublin: Conradh na Gaedhilge, 1908) (text).Google Scholar

Éinrí, Úna NicCanfar anDán: Uilliam English agus a Chairde, Dán agus Tallann 10 (Dingle: An Sagart, 2003).Google Scholar

FitzPatrick, ElizabethCatalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, Fasciculus IX (Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1933).Google Scholar

FitzPatrick, ElizabethCatalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, Fasciculus XXI (Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1936).Google Scholar

Flower, RobinCatalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum, 3 vols. (London: British Museum, 1926), II.Google Scholar

Gibbon, Philip ; see Fitz-Patrick, Elizabeth, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, Fasciculus XII (Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1934).Google Scholar

Harrison, AlanAg Cruinniú Meala: Anthony Raymond (1675 –1726), Ministéir Protastúnach, agus Léann na Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1988).Google Scholar

Heussaff, AnnaFilí agus Cléir san Ochtú hAois Déag (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1993).Google Scholar

Hyde, Douglas, A Literary History of Ireland from Earliest Times to the Present Day, London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1899.Google Scholar

Kiberd, Declan, Irish Classics, London: Granta, 2001.Google Scholar

Lee, J. J. ‘Irish History’, in Buttimer, Neil, Rynne, Colin and Guerin, Helen, eds. The Heritage of Ireland (Cork: The Collins Press, 2000).Google Scholar

Mac Erlean, John C. ed. Duanaire Dháibhidh Uí Bhruadair/The Poems of David Ó Bruadair, 3 vols., Irish Texts Society XI, XIII and XVIII (London: Irish Texts Society, 1908–17)Google Scholar

Mac Giolla Léith, Caoimhín ed. Oidheadh Chloinne hUisneach: The Violent Death of the Children of Uisneach, Irish Texts Society LVI (London: Irish Texts Society, 1992).Google Scholar

Mahon, William J.The History of Éamon O’Clery (Inverin: ClóIar-Chonnachta, 2000).Google Scholar

McGrath, Michael ed. Cinnlae Amhlaoibh Uí Shúileabháin: The Diary of Humphrey O’Sullivan, 4 vols., Irish Texts Society XXX–XXXIII (London: Irish Texts Society, 1937), IV.Google Scholar

Morley, VincentIrish Opinion and the American Revolution, 1760–1783 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002).CrossRef Google Scholar

My Learned Friends What Source of Dull Despair, in Ó Muirithe, Diarmuid ed. Tomás ÓMíocháin: Filíocht (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1988).Google Scholar

Ní Chléirigh, Meadhbh ed. Eachtra na gCuradh, Leabhair Ó Láimhsgríbhinibh I (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1941).Google Scholar

Ní Chróinín, Áine ed. Beatha Chríost, Leabhar ó Láimhsgríbhnibh XVII (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1952).Google Scholar

Ní Mhuirgheasa, MáireStair an Bhíobla, 4 vols., Leabhair ó Láimhsgríbhinní IV, V, VIII and XIV (Dublin: Oifig Díolta Foillseacháin Rialtais, 1941–5).Google Scholar

Ní Mhurchú, Máire and Breathnach, Diarmuid, eds. 1560–1781 Beathaisnéis, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 2001.Google Scholar

Ní Mhurchú, Máire and Breathnach, Diarmuid, eds. Beathaisnéis 1782–1881, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1999.Google Scholar

Ní Shéaghdha, Nessa ‘Irish Scholars and Scribes in Eighteenth-Century Dublin’, Eighteenth-Century Ireland / Iris an Dá Chultúr 4 (1989).Google Scholar

Ní Shéaghdha, Nessa ed. Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the National Library of Ireland, Fasciculus IV (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1977).Google Scholar

Ní Shéaghdha, , Catalogue. Partridge, Angela (Bourke) discusses the wider background in Caoineadh na dTrí Muire: Téama na Páise I bhFilíocht Bhéil na Gaeilge (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1983).Google Scholar

Nic Éinrí, ÚnaAn Cantaire Siúlach: Tadhg Gaelach, Dán agus Tallann VIII (Dingle: An Sagart, 2001).Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, Breandán ‘“A Line in Aogán Ó Rathile”’, Celtica 24 (2003).Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, Breandán ‘Ó Rathaille, na Cárthaigh agus na Brúnaigh’, Studia Hibernica 31 (2000–1)Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, BreandánAisling Ghéar: Na Stíobhartaigh agus an tAos Léinn 1603–1788 (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1996)Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, Breandán, I mBéal Feirste Cois Cuain, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1968.Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, Breandán ed. Cathal Buí: Amhráin (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1975) (text of two versions) (notes).Google Scholar

Ó Buachalla, Breandán ed. Peadar Ó Doirnín: Amhráin (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1969); Rís, Seán, ed. Peadar Ó Doirnín: a Bheatha agus a Shaothar (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1969).Google Scholar

Ó Ciardha, ÉamonnIreland and the Jacobite Cause (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2004).Google Scholar

Ó Conchúir, Breandán ‘Comhfhreagras sa Deibhidhe ón mBliain 1762’, in Ó Briain, and Ó Héalaí, , Téada Dúchais. Prosóid Gaedhilge (Cork: Cló Ollsgoile Chorcaighe, 1925) and Bhéarsaidheacht Gaedhilge (Dublin: Brún agus Ó Nualláin, 1936).Google Scholar

Ó Conchúir, Breandán ‘Tomás Ó Longáin, Captain Steele’, in Carey, John, Herbert, Máire and Murray, Kevin, eds. Cín Chille Cúile. Texts, Saints and Places: Essays in Honour of Pádraig Ó Riain (Aberystwyth: Celtic Studies Publications, 2004).Google Scholar

Ó Conchúir, Breandán, Scríobhaithe Chorcaí 1700–1850, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1982.Google Scholar

Ó Cuív, Brian ‘Tréadlitir ó 1798’, Éigse II (1964).Google Scholar

Ó Cuív, Brian, ‘Irish Language and Literature, 1691–1845’, in Moody, T. W. and Vaughan, W. E., eds. A New History of Ireland, vol. IV: Eighteenth-Century Ireland (1691–1800), Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986.Google Scholar

Ó Dálaigh, Seán ; see FitzPatrick, Elizabeth, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, Fasciculus XV (Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1935).Google Scholar

Ó Fiaich, Tomás ed., Art Mac Cumhaigh: Dánta (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1973).Google Scholar

Ó Fiannachta, Pádraig, Léas ar Ár Litríocht, Maynooth: An Sagart, 1974.Google Scholar

Ó Fiannachta, Pádraig, Léas Eile ar Ár Litríocht, Maynooth: An Sagart, 1982.Google Scholar

Ó Foghludha, Risteard ed. Éigse na Máighe (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1952) (text), 241 (notes).Google Scholar

Ó hAnluain, Eoghan ed. Seon Ó hUaithnín (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1973).Google Scholar

Ó hÓgáin, DáithíAn File: Staidéar ar Osnádúrthacht na Filíochta sa Traidisiún Gaelach (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1982).Google Scholar

Ó hÚrdail, Roibeárd, ‘An Pleaintéir agus an Gael Díshealbhaithe’, in Riggs, Pádraigín, Ó Conchúir, Breandán and Ó Coileáin, Seán, eds. Saoi na hÉigse: Aistí in Ómós do Sheán Ó Tuama (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 2000), especiallyGoogle Scholar

Ó Madagáin, Breandán, An Ghaeilge i Luimneach 1700–1900, Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1974.Google Scholar

Ó Maonaigh, CainneachSmaointe Beatha Chríost (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1944).Google Scholar

Ó Muirí, Damien, ‘An Cúlra Dlíthiúil leis an Bharántas’, in Ó Briain, Máirtín and Ó Héalaí, Pádraig, eds. Téada Dúchais: Aistí in Ómós don Ollamh Breandán Ó Madagáin (Inverin: Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 2002).Google Scholar

Ó Murchú, LiamCúirt an Mheón-Oíche (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1982).Google Scholar

Ó Neachtain, Eoghan ed. Stair Éamuinn Uí Chléire (Dublin: Macan Ghuill, 1918).Google Scholar

Ó Ríordáin, Traolach ‘Saothrú an Traidisiúin’, in Ó Ríordáin, , Conradh na Gaeilge i gCorcaigh 1894–1910 (Dublin: Cois Life Teoranta, 2000).Google Scholar

Ó Tuama, Seán, and Kinsella, Thomas, An Duanaire: Poems of the Dispossessed, Portlaoise: Dolmen Press, 1981.Google Scholar

Ó Tuama, SeánFilí faoi Sceimhle: Seán Ó Ríordáin agus Aogán Ó Rathaille (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1978).Google Scholar

Ó Tuama, Seán, Repossessions: Selected Essays on the Irish Literary Heritage, Cork: Cork University Press, 1995.Google Scholar

Ó Tuama, Seán ed. Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1961).Google Scholar

Ó Tuathail, ÉamonnRoinn agus Amhráin (Dublin: Brún agus Ó Nualláin, 1944).Google Scholar

O’Connor, Patrick J. ‘ Tuairisc Amhailt Uí Iartáin: An Eighteenth-Century Poem on a Fair’, Eighteenth-Century Ireland / Iris an Dá Chultúr 7 (1992).Google Scholar

Ógáin, Ríonach UíAn Rí gan Choróin: Dónall Ó Conaill sa Bhéaloideas (Dublin: An Clóchomhar, 1984), translated as Immortal Dan: Daniel O’Connell in Irish Folk Tradition (Dublin: Geography Publications, 1995).Google Scholar

O’Rahilly, Cecile ed. Trompa na bhFlaitheas (Dublin: Institute for Advanced Studies, 1955).Google Scholar

Pakenham, ThomasThe Year of Liberty: The History of the Great Irish Rebellion of 1798 (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1969; reprinted London: Fontana, 1992). See also Dunne, Tom, Rebellions: Memoir, Memory and 1798 (Dublin: Lilliput Press, 2004).Google Scholar

Philibín, Maighréad NicNa Caisidigh agus a gCuid Filidheachta (Dublin: Oifig an tSoláthair, 1938).Google Scholar

Riggs, Pádraigín ed. Dáibhí Ó Bruadair: His Historical and Literary Context, Irish Texts Society Subsidiary Series II (Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 2001)Google Scholar

Tipper, Richard ; see Mulchrone, Kathleen, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Academy, Fasciculus IV (Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1929).Google Scholar

Vál, Séamus ‘Oidhreacht Ghaelach Loch Garman’, Irisleabhar Mhá Nuad (1992).Google Scholar

Watkins, Calvert ‘The Etymology of Irish Dúan ’, Celtica 11 (1976).Google Scholar

Welch, Robert, The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature, Oxford: Clarendon, 1996.Google Scholar