Irish bardic poetry facts for kids

Bardic poetry is a special kind of writing made by poets called bards. These bards went to special schools in Ireland and parts of Scotland. They wrote poems from around the 12th century until the mid-1600s in Ireland, and a bit later in Scotland. Most of their poems are in old forms of the Irish language. Even though many of these poems still exist, not many have been printed in books for everyone to read. This time was important because the way they wrote poetry stayed very similar for a long time.

What Bards Did

In old Irish law, bards and filid were different. Filid were experts in law, language, and history. They also wrote poems for kings and leaders. Bards were mainly people who wrote verses or poems. Over time, these two words started to be used for the same kind of person.

Even after Christianity came to Ireland, poets were still very important. They had a high rank in society, almost like a bishop. The top poet, called an ollamh, was seen as a very respected person.

Bards had to remember and pass down the history and traditions of their clan or country. They also had to know all the rules for different types of poems. One famous type was dán díreach. This was a syllabic poem, meaning it had a set number of syllables in each line. It also used special sounds like assonance (repeating vowel sounds), half rhyme (similar but not exact rhymes), and alliteration (repeating consonant sounds at the start of words).

Much of their work was about family trees (called genealogies). They also wrote detailed stories about the brave actions of their lords and ancestors. An Irish bard was not just someone who felt inspired to write. They were like professors of literature. They were highly trained in a very formal way of writing. Bards belonged to families where poetry was passed down. They had a lot of respect in society and held official jobs because of their training and knowledge.

Bards in Irish and Scottish Society

Bards worked for kings and powerful leaders. They had several important jobs. They were like chroniclers, recording history and important events. They were also satirists, meaning they could write poems that praised their employers or made fun of (cursed) their enemies. Their way of doing things was very traditional.

Even though many bards followed old traditions, some also put their own feelings into their poems. They could also change their style to fit new situations, even if they were generally traditional.

Bards were hired by powerful people, but they also worked on their own. They were highly respected because of their own power. In Irish society, fame and shame were very important. Whether you became famous or shamed often depended on if a bard liked you. Because of this, many people tried to please bards. They hoped a bard would write a song or poem about them.

Irish people knew that everyone eventually died. But they believed that a great story, told by a bard, could make someone live forever. This gave bards huge power. They could make anyone famous or bring great shame upon them.

The bardic tradition was very important to Irish society. It even fascinated people from other countries. This led to the creation of bardic schools. Often, these schools only taught people who had a bard in their family history. Students also needed to be good at reading and have a strong memory.

In these schools, students learned everything about being a bard. They often had to compose poems overnight without writing anything down. This helped keep the oral tradition (passing stories by speaking) alive. The next morning, they could write down their poems, perform them, and get feedback. These schools played a big part in keeping the bardic tradition going for many years.

Example of a Bardic Poem

Here is an example of a bardic poem, translated by Osborn Bergin:

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

You can also see an example of a bardic poet in the novel The Year of the French (1979) by Thomas Flanagan. In this book, a character named Owen MacCarthy is a bard. He is known for his skill with both the native language and English. A group called the "Whiteboys" asks him to write important letters because they need someone good at writing, like a bard.

Bardic Texts

• Tinnakill Duanaire
• Royal Irish Academy MS 24 P 33
• 23 N 10
• The Book of the White Earl
• Egerton 1782
• Dunaire Mheig Shamhradháin (Book of Maguran)
• Saltair na Rann

Selected Poets

• Dallán Forgaill (c. 530 – c. 598)
• Colmán mac Lénéni (530–606)
• Niníne Éces (fl. 700)
• Óengus Céile Dé (d. 824)
• Saint Dungal (fl. 811 – 828)
• Sedulius Scottus (fl. 840 – 860)
• Flann mac Lonáin (d. 896)
• Cináed Ua Hartacáin (d. 975)
• Mael Ísu Ó Brolcháin (d. 1086)
• Gilla Cómáin mac Gilla Samthainde (fl. 1072)
• Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside (fl. 1147)
• Muireadhach Albanach (fl. early 13th century)
• Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe (c. 1210 – c. 1272)
• Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh (d. 1244)
• Máeleoin Bódur Ó Maolconaire (d. 1266)
• Philip Ó Duibhgeannain (d. 1340)
• Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh (d. 1387)
• Seaán Ó Clumháin (fl. 1450 – 1500)
• Aithbhreac Inghean Coirceadal (fl. 1470)
• Fear Feasa Ó'n Cháinte (fl. 16th century)
• Eoghan Carrach Ó Siadhail (fl. c. 1500 – c. 1550)
• Fear Flaith Ó Gnímh (c. 1540 – c. 1630)
• Tadhg Dall Ó hÚigínn (c. 1550 – c. 1591)
• Baothghalach Mór Mac Aodhagáin (1550–1600)
• Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa (1567–1617)
• Mathghamhain Ó hIfearnáin (fl. 1585)
• Muircheartach Ó Cobhthaigh (fl. 1586)
• Tadhg Olltach Ó an Cháinte (fl. c. 1601)
• Lochlann Óg Ó Dálaigh (fl. c. 1610)
• Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh (fl. 1624 – 1664)
• Cormac Mac Con Midhe (d. 1627)
• Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh (fl. 1630)
• Diarmaid Mac an Bhaird (fl. 1670)
• Proinsias Ó Doibhlin (d. c. 1724)
• Tarlach Rua Mac Dónaill (fl. early 18th century)

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
• An sluagh sidhe so i nEamhuin?
• Cóir Connacht ar chath Laighean
• Dia libh a laochruidh Gaoidhiol
• Pangur Bán
• Liamuin
• Buile Shuibhne
• The Prophecy of Berchán
• Bean Torrach, fa Tuar Broide
• Timna Cathaír Máir
• Caithréim Cellaig