Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh facts for kids
Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh (born around 1540, died around 1630) was an important Irish poet. He lived during a time of big changes in Ireland. His poems often showed the feelings of his people during these difficult years.
Life of a Poet
Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh came from a special family in Larne, County Antrim. This family was known for its learning and poetry, and these skills were passed down from parents to children. Fear Flatha was a bard for the powerful O'Neill family. A bard was a poet and storyteller who often worked for important leaders. They would write poems about history, heroes, and important events.
His Surviving Poems
We know of several poems written by Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh that are still around today. These include:
- A Niocláis, nocht an gcláirsigh!
- Beannacht ar anmain Éireann
- Cuimseach sin, a Fhearghail Óig
- Éireannaigh féin fionnLochlannaigh
- Mairg do-chuaidh re ceird ndúthchais
- Tairnig éigse fhuinn Gaoidheal
- Buaidhreadh cóighidh caoi Eanmhná
Poetry and History
A writer named Kinsella noted that Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh's poems often felt sad or serious. This was because he lived during the early 1600s, a time when many Irish lands were taken over and new settlers arrived. These events deeply affected the Irish people and were reflected in his writing.
Two of his famous poems, After the Flight of the Earls and The Passing of the Poets, were included in The New Oxford Book of Irish Verse, published in 1986.
Later, another member of his family, Eoin Ó Gnímh, helped to save many old handwritten books and documents. These had been put together or collected by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, another important scholar.
See also
- Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa
- Mathghamhain Ó hIfearnáin
