Liam Mac Curtain an Dúna facts for kids
Liam Mac Curtain an Dúna (also known as William Curtain) was an important Irish poet and scholar. He lived a long time ago, from about 1668 to 1724. Most of his writings are still in the old Irish language, called Gaelic.
Life of a Poet and Scholar
Liam Mac Curtain was part of the Macartan family from County Down in Ireland. However, he was born in a town called Doon in County Cork. His father, Phelim Mac Curtain, was a soldier for King Charles II. It's a bit of a mystery which "Doon" he was born in, as it's a common name in Ireland.
Liam Mac Curtain came from a well-known family, the Lords of Kinelarty. They were quite wealthy among the Gaelic gentry (important Irish families). During a big war called the Williamite Wars, Liam fought as a soldier. He was part of a Spanish cavalry group that supported King James II. He also fought alongside local MacCarthy lords.
He even fought in a battle near his family's old home. This was at Béal Átha Salainn (also known as Six Mile Water) in County Antrim in 1691. Liam led his local men in a surprise attack against some enemy soldiers.
After the war ended in the 1690s, Liam settled down. He moved to a town called Dromboy, near Carrignavar in County Cork. There, he became a schoolmaster. He spent his time translating old texts from Latin and Gaelic. He also wrote many poems.
Most of his poems were written for the Gaelic gentry. These were the Irish families who had lost their land to the English government. Liam wanted to keep their stories and culture alive.
In 1705, another important scholar, Dermot Mac Carthaig, passed away. Liam Mac Curtain took his place as the head of the bardic school. A bardic school was a special place where poets and scholars learned and taught the old Irish traditions. Liam led this school until he died in 1724. After his death, the school moved to Blarney, further south in County Cork.
Most of Liam Mac Curtain's work has not been translated into English. However, we know he wrote for other smart Gaelic people who survived the war. He dedicated one of his works to his good friend, John Baptist MacSleyne, who was a Bishop. Liam also collected local legends and stories. These stories were later used by James Macpherson in his famous works about Oisín in the early 1700s.
Liam Mac Curtain passed away in Longstone, near Whitechurch, County Cork. He was buried there. Liam had a brother named Conchobhar Mac Curtain and an uncle named Fr. Cornelius Curtain. He had several children, including two sons and at least one daughter. After Liam, Liam Ruadh Mac Coitir took over the bardic school. Liam's grandson, John MacCurtain, also helped support the school later on.
Literary Works by Liam Mac Curtain
Here are some of the literary works Liam Mac Curtain wrote:
- Address to Sir James FitzEdmond Cotter (1700)
- A leabhair bhig trath do dhail dam sult ar fhiannaib’ (1701)
- The Lion of the Province of Ulster (1703)
- Song of Grainne Mhaol (1703)
- Trí bhile den Mhumhain, trí túir, trí heaspoig, trí threóin
- Do-chuala sgata ban gur suigheadh fá mheidhir
- A Sheáin Uí Mhurchadha, bí fineamhail faobhrach
- Tá fáilte romhat, a Sheóin mhic Diarmada
- On Tentoring in Horseback
- A dhíograis mh’anma, a dhalta dhil, a uain ’s a stóir
- The horseman in the North of Doudhrim
Translations of His Work
Here are some examples of his translated writings:
Conduct, I beseech thee, O Father and King of Heaven, Home across the main our cavalcade of strong heroes, In Justice and valour and vigour without loss of health, And scatter without much respite the army beyond the sea.
Through riches and wealth I have none, I have squandered and lost them too soon, I cherish the friendship of one, Who is constant, kind-hearted and true.
