Donn na Duimhche: ‘Hail, Donn of the Sandhills!’ Aindrias Mac Cruitín’s Celebrated Poem: Background, Context, and Literal Translation

Abstract

This essay presents a literal translation of the poem, Donn na Duimhche by Clare seanchaidhe and poet, Aindrias Mac Cruitín. The text presented here is intended primarily to focus on the life and activity of Mac Cruitín and his historical and literary milieu in mid-eighteenth-century Clare. The discussion is not intended to provide a detailed linguistic analysis or editorial treatment of the original text in Irish. Rather, by focusing on the poet and his world, as well as some of the themes addressed in his poem, new light is cast on the classical Gaelic tradition of north Munster at a time when that scholarly tradition was becoming obsolete.