The Finest Music: An Anthology of Early Irish Lyrics

by Maurice Riordan (Editor)

In a series of timeless and modern-day renditions, Maurice Riordan brilliantly introduces us to the poems that founded Ireland's rich literature. Memorable and accessible, these early lyrics are presented in their classic incarnations by literary giants from both sides of the Irish Sea: in examples by W. H. Auden, Flann O'Brien, Alfred Lord Tennyson, John Montague, Robert Graves and Frank O'Connor. But the anthology is much more than a survey of canonical texts; through a series of specially commissioned poems, fresh eyes are brought to bear on these ancient poems: by Seamus Heaney and Eil�an N� Chuillean�in, by Paul Muldoon and Kathleen Jamie, by Ciaran Carson and Christopher Reid, and many others. The experience is enhanced still further by the enabling hand of Riordan himself, in a sweep of exquisite translations of his own made especially for this publication. Unforgettable and inspirational, a book for giving and for keeping: The Finest Music by some of the art-form's finest players.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2014

Reviews

[Domhnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully produced book, a pleasure to hold and read, difficult to put down, bringing together 70 Irish poems in exquisite translations by some of the finest modern poets. These poems have their origins more than a thousand years in the past, though the treatment is of course contemporary, yet the centuries are lightly brushed aside; the poems are moving now in their sentiment and in much of their imagery, and remain a template for what might be written in the future. I am quite sure that we have so many translations by leading modern poets precisely because they expected to learn more about their craft from these early models. It is hard to doubt that our ancestors live on in these poems and our own best hope is to emulate their example.

[Brendan McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This excellent little volume contains an excellent variety of medieval Irish poetry - I for one bought it for the poem “Myself and Pangur” alone! Evocative yet approachable, this is the perfect collection for people new to these types of poems. However, though each poem is good by itself, the choice to have a range of translators did hold it back. This was especially the case when the poems came from a single source - for example, the name of some character alternates confusingly from Irish to English spellings based on the translator. Still, it is a good volume for beginners and worth the read

[The Unsafe Lorekeeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent compilation and translation of early poetry in Irish. Includes poems about Colm Cille, the Otherworld, Sweeney the Wild Man, the Finn Cycle, and some epigrams and nature poetry. Engaging and compelling.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting compilation of Early Irish Lyrics plus a very good introduction. Sadly, the original versions of the texts are missing and each one would've needed more context. Pangur Ban <3