Éistidh a Dhaoine: Amhráin agus Dánta Gaeilge ó Bhileoga Bailéad

Songs in Irish have come down to us in many ways. One such way was by means of the small, printed sheets which used to be sold on fair and market days of yore. Songs transmitted in this way usually employed both English type and spelling, and consequently, are sometimes unintelligible or unclear. These documents form part of the social history of the nineteenth century, as well the history of print at a local level in Ireland. It could even be said that they constitute a mysterious part of the history of Irish literature.

In this book, the text of over fifty songs is presented, edited from the ballad sheets which preserve them by Dr. Pádraig de Brún. These texts are furnished with the music which accompanied them, arranged by Dr. Ríona Ní Churtáin. With a substantial introduction, commentary and comprehensive glossary, this book provides a foundation of knowledge on an aspect of Irish language and history which has not previously been considered in such depth.