In this critical study, Adam Wyeth unravels the many rich and varied ancient Celtic legends which run through contemporary Irish poetry. Each chapter begins with a poem by one of Ireland's leading poets, followed by sharp, shrewd analysis of its making and references. As well as poetry's inner workings, the reader will discover a wealth of Celtic culture - their gods, heroes, and folklore - and its continuing role in Ireland's identity today. "Recommended for Celtophiles as well as poetry and mythology enthusiasts." --Library Journal.
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Table of contents provided by Syndetics
Introduction (p. 13)
Chapter 1 Badb (p. 17)
Chapter 2 Promise (p. 23)
Chapter 3 Westering Home (p. 29)
Chapter 4 Well (p. 37)
Chapter 5 Helmet (p. 43)
Chapter 6 The Making of an Irish Goddess (p. 51)
Chapter 7 The Mayo Accent (p. 59)
Chapter 8 The Shannon Estuary (p. 67)
Chapter 9 Synge Dying (p. 73)
Chapter 10 Bean Sidhe (p. 83)
Chapter 11 A Mayfly (p. 89)
Chapter 12 Soldier's Heart: The Book of Sweeney (p. 99)
Chapter 13 The Eagle (p. 109)
Chapter 14 Borders (p. 115)
Chapter 15 Oisíns on Tractors (p. 127)
Chapter 16 The Old Ways (p. 135)
Acknowledgments (p. 144)
About the Author (p. 147)
Reviews provided by Syndetics
Library Journal Review
Wyeth, an English-born poet (Silent Music) now living in County Cork, Ireland, states that this book has a threefold purpose: to showcase contemporary Irish poetry, to serve as a primer for readers interested in exploring verse in depth, and, primarily, to take readers on a journey through Celtic mythology as referenced in the poems included. The volume consists of essays, many of which originally appeared in the Cork newspaper The Southern Star, on 16 poems by contemporary Irish poets--Seamus -Heaney, Eavan Boland, Derek -Mahon, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, and -Desmond O'Grady, among others. The selected verse are contemporary in approach but rooted in ancient tradition. The pieces begin with quotations about mythology from well-known figures in various disciplines, including Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche, William Blake, D.H. Lawrence, and W.B. Yeats. The text of each poem is followed by background on the author and an explication of the work with an emphasis on the Celtic mythological concepts on which it is based. Definitions of poetic terms and pronunciations of Irish words are also provided. VERDICT Recommended for Celtophiles as well as poetry and mythology enthusiasts, although the numerous grammatical and punctuation errors are distracting.-Denise J. Stankovics, formerly with Rockville P.L., CT (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
TextPublication details: UK Salmon Poetry 2013Description: 160pISBN: 
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