Representing the interests of Irish writers
Menu
Menu
Representing the interests of Irish writers
The earliest recorded Irish Gaelic was found in 4th Century inscriptions cut into wood and stone, with 6th Century manuscripts preserving Ireland’s rich folklore, making Irish literature one of the oldest traditions, behind only that of Greek and Latin literature. Among the earliest preserved poems is Amra Choluim Chille “Elegy of St. Columba” (c.597) by Dallán Fórgaill.
This tradition of verse sagas and prose continued throughout the 9th, 10th and 11th Centuries, preserving Ireland’s legends for posterity, such as Fianna bátar in Emain “The Warriors Who Were In Emain” by Cináed ua Artacáin, and Dinnsheanchas “Lore Of Places” said to be written by Amhairgin mac Amhalgaidh in the 6th Century. Leabhar na h-Uidhri “The Book Of The Dun Cow” was compiled by monks in c.1100 and supposedly written on the vellum taken from St. Ciarán’s famous cow.
The advent of the printing press at the end of the 15th Century opened new literary horizons throughout Europe, but a changing political landscape saw the demise of Gaelic. Ireland continued to earn worldwide respect for its great literary tradition, but through English-language writers often writing in exile, such as James Joyce, Edmund Burke, Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, Maria Edgeworth, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.
It was not until the 19th Century that a revival of Gaelic literature occurred and the Irish-language authors of the 20th Century took their work to the rest of the world, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Patrick Pearse, Liam O’Flaherty, Pádraic Ó Conaire, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Máirtín Ó Direáin and Seán Ó Riordáin earning international acclaim for Irish-language poetry and literature.
Writers of renown to emerge from Northern Ireland include Seamus Heaney, C. S. Lewis, Louis MacNeice, Flann O’Brien, Brian Moore, Bernard MacLaverty, Brian Ó Nualláin, Robert Greacen, Bob Shaw and Brian Friel. This fine tradition is continued through the latest works of Jennifer Johnston, Michael Longley, Glenn Patterson, Ian McDonald and Maggie O’Farrell, to name but a few.
The Irish Writers Union represents the interests of Irish writers, whether they were born in Ireland or elsewhere.
