Knott, Eleanor. Irish Classical Poetry: Commonly Called Bardic Poetry.
Dublin: Colm O Lochlainn, The Sign of the Three Candles, 1957 (First Edition). 82 pp., 19 cm, softcover, in English.
The book Irish Classical Poetry: Commonly Called Bardic Poetry by Eleanor Knott is a scholarly introduction to the tradition of Irish bardic poetry, a highly formalized and sophisticated poetic form practiced by professional poets in Ireland from the 13th to the 17th centuries. The work explores the historical, cultural, and literary significance of this poetry, which was composed in Classical Irish (Gaelic) and typically served to praise patrons, record genealogies, or commemorate events. Knott, a renowned Celtic scholar, provides insights into the structure, themes, and linguistic features of bardic poetry, making it accessible to both academic and general readers interested in Irish literature and history.
