Introduction to Early Irish Literature

This book surveys the written heritage of Ireland's Old and Middle Irish period, which runs from 600 to 1200. It is written for students of medieval Ireland and for general readers curious about the tales, verse and recurring motifs of early Irish writing.

The early chapters look at the poets and druids, the monks, the beginnings of writing and the manuscripts that preserve the material. Later sections introduce each of the saga cycles, which hold the stories of many heroes.

Anyone starting out in the field will find it a sound entry point, and readers who already know the sagas can use it to place them in context.

Bibliographic details: published by Four Courts Press, with the ISBN-13 9781846821776.