by Gregory A. Schirmer (Editor)
This anthology demonstrates that verse translation from the Irish represents, in its own right, a significant part of the tradition of Irish poetry written in English. Rather than offering the usual view of verse translation as a means of preserving and providing access to poetry written in Irish, this anthology foregrounds the aesthetic and cultural value of verse translation as poetry. The anthology is historical in form, beginning with a translation done in 1635 and concluding with the work of contemporary poets. The translations are grouped by individual translators and arranged into five sections: Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries; Nineteenth Century; Irish Literary Revival; Modern Ireland; and Contemporary Ireland. Each translator is introduced with a headnote and each translation is fully annotated and accompanied by the original text in Irish and a literal translation of it into English.