An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 35, October 1939--September 1940

An Ceitein, 1940.
AN GAIDHEAL.
121
HEROIC POETRY,
From the Book of the Dean of Lismore.
Edited by Neil Ross, C.B.E., D.D., D.Litt.
Published by Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh,
for the Scottish Gaelic Text Society, 16/-.
This is the third volume published by the
Scottish Gaelic Texts Society and like its
predecessors it is excellently produced and is
uniform with them in format and letterpress.
This Society has already done good and useful
work for Gaelic scholarship and culture, and
deserves the active help of all who have the
culture of our land at heart. Membership
of the Society is only 10/6 and all members
receive a copy free of each volume produced
annually. The Secretary is Mr. Fred. T.
MacLeod, 10 George Street, Edinburgh; and
new members are urgently needed if the work
of the Society is to continue in these difficult
times, as the Council of the Society has rightly
decided that it should. The book is sold to
non-members at 16/-.
This volume contains all the Heroic Poems
in the Dean’s Manuscript—29 in all. The
ballads were current among the Gaelic folk
in the Middle ages, and some of them even
down to our own day. They are about the
exploits and doings of the Feinn, and were
among the mental pabulum of our folk for
several generations. Fourteen of the poems
are attributed to Ossian, one to Caoilte Mac
Ronain, one to An Caoch 6 Chluain, one to
Conall Cearnach MacEidirsgeoil, two to
Fearghus File, two to Ailein Mac Ruaidhri,
one to Giolla Caluim Mac an Ollaimh, and
seven are anonymous.
The Editor has restored the original language
and different metres. There is a literal trans¬
lation into English on the opposite page;
and many alternate readings have been cited
in notes from versions that have survived
orally or in other manuscripts.
As might have been expected from Dr.
Ross’s scholarly equipment and bardic gift
the work is thoroughly and excellently done.
The translation into English is easy and clear;
and even one who is not at home in the Gaelic
of the ballads will know something of the charm
and attraction of the poems, and will derive
pleasure and profit from the translation.
There are full and informative notes to each
poem, three appendices, and a most useful
glossorial index. The volume is a real enrich¬
ment to our published Gaelic literature, and a
ray of light into the mental outlook and life
of our forefathers, C. McL,
PROPAGANDA NOTES.
Northern Area.
A visit to the Outer Isles is always a source
of pleasure and encouragement and the visit
of Mr. Marjoribanks (Clann an Fhraoich,
Convener) and the Northern Organiser proved
no exception.
All the Feachdan from Lochmaddy to
Lochboisdale, 21 in number, were visited, North
Uist and Benbecula by both representatives
of An Comunn and South Uist Area by Mr.
Macphail. Owing to the stringent permit
regulations, the Convener had to leave the
protected area before the new order came into
force on 11th March.
113 new: members were enrolled in Comunn
na h-Oigridh during the visit. All the Feachdan
showed keen interest in the work of the young
Comunn, and too much praise cannot be given
to the teaching staffs for their practical interest
in the young Gaels. As is the case with all
Feachdan, excellent work is being done in the
knitting of comforts for Highlanders on service
and many articles were displayed for inspection
These were much admired.
If one were asked to name the most interest¬
ing item of news in this tour, it Would probably
be the enrolment of Lachlan Grant MacKinnon
into Comunn na h-Oigridh at Cnoc na-Mona,
Benbecula. Lachlan is 10 years of age, was
born and brought up in New York, but speaks
Gaelic as pure as any Uibhisteach. His mother
hails from Yallay, N. Uist, and his father from
Benbecula. Gaelic was his first language,
H-uile latha sona dhuit a’ Lachlainn !
For the benefit of distant readers the following
are the names of the Feachdan in the Uists.
Loch na Madadh, Sollas, Tigh Ghearraidh,
Ceann-a-Bhaigh, Cladach-Chircebost, Cair-innis,
Loch-euport, Am Baile Sear, Griomsaidh, Baile
Mhanaich, Cnoc-na-Mona, Cill Leir a’ Bhagh,
lochdar, Loch a’ Charnain, Geirinnis, An
Togh Mor, Staoinbhrig, Cill-Donan, Dalabrog,
Gearraidh na Mona and Loch Baghasdail.
It Was not possible to arrange meetings
of all the adult branches, but very happy
Ceilidhs were held at Cairinnis, lochdar, How
more and Lochboisdale. The Schools were
packed to overflowing at each of these meetings.
Comunn na h-Oigridh members sustained a
large share of the programmes in story, song
and dance at lochdar and Cairinnis. Tradition
is strong in these districts. Regret was felt
at the absence through illness of Tormod