The cold of May Day Monday : an approach to Irish literary history

__The Cold of May Day Monday__ offers an indvidual view of the history of Irish literature from its very earliest phases up to the present day, more or less, with discussions of major writers such as Friel, Heaney, Derek Mahon, McGahern, and John Banville. Robert Welch traces the roots of Irish literature in myth and legend and explores ancient and pre-Celtic deposits and remembrances; saga literature, as well as devotional writing; the bardic heritage and the cycles of tales of early Ireland; the importance and survival of folklore; and the later phases of Irish literature, from the seventeenth century onwards. Welch frames his study around themes and clusters rather than chronology, seeking to retain coherence by means of a sustained attention to the thematic strains. Substantial attention is paid to the figure of the Hag in Irish literary culture. The often deeply troubled relations between Ireland and England inevitably call for treatment as well, most notably in chapters examining the Great Famine and its consequences for literature and cultural expression. Yeats is one of the key figures, as are O'Casey and Synge, but the focus is on their literary output, not their political experiences (though these are not overlooked).Robert Welch offers a readable account of one of a fascinating literary history, providing insights into the connections between Irish legend and literature, and accounts of the some of the best Irish writers of the twentieth century. Cover 1 THE COLD OF MAY DAY MONDAY: AN APPROACH TO IRISH LITERARY HISTORY 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Acknowledgements 8 Contents 10 Introduction 12 1: Ancient Things 16 2: Iron Age Martial Arts and Christian Scribes 29 3: Reciting from the Finger-Ends: The Bards and Ossian 39 4: The Undoing of Ireland: Conquest and Reconquest 50 5: Ireland: A Colony? 65 6: Romantic Ireland? 80 7: The Folk Tradition 99 8: Famine 115 9: New Departures 131 10: The West’s Awake 145 11: Hearts of Stone 163 12: Matrix of Surds 178 13: Astrakhan Ataraxie 228 14: Coda: By the Bog of Cats 303 15: Conclusion 306 A Bibliography of Literary Histories and Related Works 309 Bibliographical Notes 312 1. ANCIENT THINGS 312 2. IRON AGE MARTIAL ARTS AND CHRISTIAN SCRIBES 312 3. RECITING FROM THE FINGER-ENDS: THE BARDS AND OSSIAN 312 4. THE UNDOING OF IRELAND: CONQUEST AND RECONQUEST 313 5. IRELAND: A COLONY? 313 6. ROMANTIC IRELAND? 313 7. THE FOLK TRADITION 314 8. FAMINE 315 9. NEW DEPARTURES 315 10. THE WEST’S AWAKE 315 11. HEARTS OF STONE 316 12. MATRIX OF SURDS 316 13. ASTRAKHAN ATARAXIE 318 14. CODA: BY THE BOG OF CATS 319 A Note on the Author 320 Index 322 1. Ancient Things -- 2. Iron Age Martial Arts And Christian Scribes -- 3. Reciting From The Finger-ends: The Bards And Ossian -- 4. The Undoing Of Ireland: Conquest And Reconquest -- 5. Ireland: A Colony? -- 6. Romantic Ireland? -- 7. The Folk Tradition -- 8. Famine -- 9. New Departures -- 10. The West's Awake -- 11. Hearts Of Stone -- 12. Matrix Of Surds -- 13. Astrakhan Ataraxie -- 14. Coda: By The Bog Of Cats -- 15. Conclusion. Robert Anthony Welch. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Content: Introduction I. Ancient Things II. Iron Age Martial Arts And Christian Scribes III. Reciting From The Finger Ends: The Bards And Ossian IV. The Undoing Of Ireland: Conquest And Reconquest V. The Colony VI. Romantic Ireland? VII. The Folk Tradition VIII. Famine IX. New Departures X. The West's Awake XI. Hearts Of Stone XII. Matrix Of Surds XIII. Astrakhan Ataraxie XIV. Coda: By The Bog Of Cats XV. Conclusion A Bibliography Of Literary Histories And Related Works A Note On The Author 'The Cold of May Day Monday' offers an indvidual view of the history of Irish literature from its very earliest phases up to the present day, more or less, with discussions of major writers such as Brian Friel, Seamus Heaney, Derek Mahon, John McGahern, and John Banville The Cold of May Day Monday is an account of one of the most interesting literary histories in the world, offering insights into the connections between Irish legend and literature, and accounts of the best Irish writers of the twentieth century.