Modern Irish Language

Edited by Cecile O'Rahilly.
Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1984.
Regarded as Ireland’s defining epic narrative, the Tain bo Cuailgne, or “The Cattle Raid of Cooley”, was transcribed in the 7th Century, although scholars believe it was transmitted orally much earlier than this.

Edited by Patrick S. Dinneen.
London: Published for the Irish Texts Society by D. Nutt, 1900.
O’Rahilly, who wrote scathing political satires following the Restoration, is one of Ireland’s most influential poets. O’Rahilly is believed to have started the ‘Aisling’ (Irish word for ‘dream’) poetic tradition, wherein Ireland as a nation is personified as a woman in distress.

[For print copy, see UofT Catalogue]

Presented by Seán Ó Tuama ; with translations into English verse by Thomas Kinsella.
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1981.
Since the use of the Irish language has declined significantly since the Famine, this book showcases some of Ireland’s greatest poets and poems from 1600-1900 to generate enthusiasm for the language.

By Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill ; translated by Michael Hartnett.
Dublin: New Island Books, 1993.
Nuala Ni Dhomnaill is among the most widely-read and criticized Irish language poets of this generation. Because the poems are presented in both languages, Irish learners can take note of the translations and build up their vocabulary.

By Cathal O’Searcaigh.
Indreabhán, Conamara: Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 1993. 2nd ed.
O’Searcaigh is one of the most celebrated, and controversial, contemporary Irish language poets. Irish and English translations are included to allow the experienced Irish speaker and the learner to access the text.

Mairtin A" Cadhain ; illustrated by Charles Lamb R.H.A. 2nd edition.
Conamara, County Galway: Clo Iar-Chonnachta Teo, 2009.
The best-known full-length novel in the Irish language (and one of the only ones), this comic work consists of the dialogue between sisters who are buried and begin feuding over why one of them received the better burial plot.

Brendan Behan.
Dublin: Gallery Books, 1981.
This is one of the earliest plays in the Irish language. Known for his IRA involvement, his love of the drink, and his embodiment of Irish culture in almost every way, Behan learned Irish from O Cadhain, and wrote many of his plays while in jail. Although this text contains only the Irish text, English translations are available in the Kelly Library, and the fact it was written in English first and that Behan’s knowledge of Irish is not as advanced as some other authors make it a viable read for Intermediate-level Irish speakers.