jmg@houxk.UUCP (12/08/83)
The following is the introduction to "The Book of Conquests" a modern translation and rendering of ancient Irish tales. Each page of this book is beautifully illuminated and illustrated in a style very close to that of ancient manuscripts: The literature of ancient Ireland has been called "the earliest voice from the dawn of western European civilisation". Unfortunately much of early Irish literature has been lost, what remains is contained in a few important manuscripts that have survived the centuries of warfare and invasion. The earliest Irish stories are divided into four groups or cycles: 1) The Early Mythological Cycle 2) The Ulster Cycle 3) The Fenian Cycle 4) The Historical Cycle The chief characters in the Early Mythological Cycle belong to the Tuatha De Danann (The Tribes of the Goddess Danu), a supposedly divine race which inhabited Eireann (Ireland) before the time of Christ. The Ulster Cycle is composed of stories which tell mainly of the exploits of Cuchulainn (pronounced Coo-coo-lain), the Hound of Ulster; King Conchobor and the warriors of the Red Branch. The Fenian Cycle is made up of the tales of the deeds of mighty Finn Mac Cumaill (pronounced Mac Cool), his son Oisin (pronounced Oy'-shin), Conann Goll (refered to as Conan the Barbarian in other modern books), Oscar and the Champions of the Fianna. The Historical Cycle contains stories of a more miscellaneous nature celebrating various high-kings of Ireland and set between the third century B.C. and the eighth century A.D. The Book of Conquests is drawn from the Early Mythological Cycle and relates the story of Tuan, The Coming of the Tuatha (pronounced Too'-a-ha) De Danann and the First Battle of Moy Tura. Early story tellers working within the oral tradition found it difficult to determine whether the Tuatha De Danann were men, demons or gods. The oldest of the surviving manuscripts is Lebor na h Uidre, written about the year 1100. This contains the story of Tuan which speculates about the origins of the Tuatha which, it says, even learned men did not know for certain though the wisdom and prowess of their race indicated a heavenly descent. The heroic Tuatha De Danann are supposed to have fought and won two battles at Moy Tura. In the first battle they defeated the Fir Bolg (an Irish tribe) and in the second they routed the Formor (another Irish tribe). The later inhabitants of Ireland worshipped the Tuatha De Danann as Gods and according to surviving manuscripts they continued to be honoured as divinities as late as the fifteenth century. In Lebor Gabala Eireann, the poet, probably a Christian scribe writing about 1100 A.D. finds it necessary to comment that although he enumerates them, he does not worship them. In early times, traditional tales such as The Story of Tuan, The Coming of the Tuatha De Danaan and The First Battle of Moy Tura were transmitted and preserved from generation to generation by several orders of druids. These sagas served as the oral "scriptures" of the pre-Christian Celts of Ireland and blessings were said to accrue to those who related them accurately and to those who heard them told. The ancient Celts were a cultured warrior-race with a rigidly structured social organisation. Their religion was administered by druids who jealously guarded their eloquent heritage of heroic legends and sagas. Even today in Donegal, Cork, Kerry and the west of Ireland these tales and ancient arts survive - kept vividly alive by local storytellers and musicians. These stories have been pased on through generations by the tellers or "seanachai" (pronounced shan'-a-kee) as they are called in my native tongue. Such respect for ancient tradition has made the west of Ireland and the islands a deep lake of legend in which the hearer and the reader may catch glimpses of a long vanished world, the dim and wavering outlines of a glorious age now passed. My material was forged for me long ago; I can only hope I have done it justice in the telling. Jim Fitzpatrick 1978 - More to follow in further articles -
elwell@cwruecmp.UUCP (Clayton Elwell) (12/08/83)
The Book of Conquests is an excellent piece of workmanship. The translation of the original texts into English is good, and the artwork is an incredible blend of authentic Celtic design elements and modern pictorial style. Being a specialist in Celtic calligraphy and illumination (references available upon request), I wouldn't say that it's "close to the original style," but it is an excellent modern interpretation. I heartily recommend it, both for the visual treats and the poetry.