also known as Cuan Bhéil Inse or Song of the Books, Amhrán na Leabhar is a famous 'traditional epic' written by Kerry poet Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1785-1848).

Under British rule the Irish language went into decline as it was banned out of public life (schools, courts etc), and children were taught through English.
However, illegal secret schools known as hedge-schools were set up for Catholic children (as a response to the prohibition of Catholic education in the country and the failure of the government - English and Protestant - to provide schools of any sort for the Catholic majority), where children were taught through the Irish language.

Ó Súilleabháin had been acting-schoolmaster in one of these hedge schools at Caherdaniel but was forced to transfer to Portmagee (Co. Kerry) when another schoolmaster was appointed to the permanent position.
As he was leaving, he placed his treasured books for transport on a boat going from Derrynane to Goleen (Góilín, Valentia Harbour), while he himself travelled by road.
The boat struck a rock and was lost, tragically along with the priceless collection of Irish books.
This lonely and desolate lament reflects the despair of those times.





Notes:

- 0:17 Dairbhre (meaning 'The Oak Wood') is just another name for Valentia Island.

- 0:20 The name Portmagee (Magee's Port, as it was formerly known) comes from Captain Theobald Magee, a notorious 18th-century smuggler. Having served in the army of King James as an officer, Magee 'retired' to a life of merchant shipping between France, Portugal and Ireland.Thanks to the many inlets around the South West coast, his trade in contraband spirits, textiles, tea and tobacco was hard to police and therefore very profitable.

- 3:48 the name of the poet, Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin, lit. means 'Red Tomás'

- in fact the Irish used is a bit archaic/Munstery, so if you notice any errors please let me know!!!







Performed by Éilís Kennedy
Album: Time to Sail (2001)