The Bardic poets were historians, genealogists, social commentators and influencers.
The period from 1200 to circa 1600 CE (Common Era) saw a professional class known as the Bardic Poets occupy a significant space in the literary and cultural life of Ireland.
Operating at the highest levels of society, the file (poet) had undertaken formal education and training. He also had the right background - only young men who came from families descended from poets could become poets. Having a strong memory was essential. A poet's qualifications were recognised throughout the Gaelic speaking world,
D'fhoghlaim sé ceird na filíochta mar a d’fhoghlaim dlíodóir an dlí.
Early Modern Irish or An Ghaeilge Chlasaiceach (Classical Irish) was the language in which bardic poetry was composed during this era in Ireland and Scotland. An intricate knowledge of the language plus the accompanying system of complex rules and regulations governing the composition of poetry formed the basis of a poet’s education.
Other subjects such as seanchas (history and genealogy of the nobility) and dinnsheanchas (the history of places) were included. A scoláire (student) studied under an ollamh (master poet) at a scoil filíochta (school of Bardic Poetry) for seven years.
What we know about the education of bardic poets is drawn from 'Memoirs of the Right Honourable The Marquis of Clanricarde, Lord Deputy General of Ireland’ which was published in 1752. It gives an account of their training and duties when qualified and under the patronage of an aristocrat or wealthy landowner,
To record in good metre his marriages, births, death, acquisitions made in war and peace, exploits.
The recitation of a poem was a production directed by the poet himself and took place at a banquet held by his chieftain or on a special occasions such as the major feast days, weddings or funerals. A reachaire recited the poetry accompanied by a harpist, and those present could expect a unique experience, as it was all,
Performed with a great deal of ceremony in a consort of vocal and instrumental music.
This episode of 'Telefís Scoile: An File Gaeilge' was broadcast on 21 January 1969. The presenter is Liam Mac Con Iomaire, and the reader is Diarmaid Ó Muirithe.
'Telefís Scoile' was an educational television programme that gave school lessons in maths, science and literature. It was first broadcast on 4 February 1964 and continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
