Gaelic literature includes all the writings in Gaelic, the ancient language of Scotland and Ireland. But often the term is used only for the Gaelic literature of Scotland. For the Gaelic literature of Ireland, see Irish literature.
Irish invaders introduced Gaelic into Scotland about A.D. 500 (see Gaels). Spoken Scottish Gaelic diverged from spoken Irish Gaelic in the 900’s. But the two languages shared a common written form for centuries. The Book of the Dean of Lismore is the first important manuscript to show Scottish Gaelic. It was written about 1520 and includes Scottish and Irish ballads and poetry by poet-minstrels called bards (see Bard).
Scottish Gaelic is rich in poetry, but poor in prose. Mary Macleod and John MacDonald (Iain Lom) were among the chief poets of the 1600’s. Alexander Macdonald and Duncan Ban MacIntyre outshone them in the 1700’s. Interest in ancient literature increased after the 1760’s. In the 1760’s, James Macpherson published alleged translations of works by the legendary poet and warrior Ossian. The translations turned out to be largely the original work of Macpherson and caused considerable controversy, but the publication stimulated interest in classic Gaelic literature. The poets Sorley MacLean and George Campbell Hay began a Gaelic literary revival in the 1940’s that continues today.
See also Gaelic languages.
