Turlough O'Carolan, the lastest traditionnal Irish bard

On the end of 17^th century, the tradition of "Big House" was still alive, and they were numerous harpists. They were considered as prestigious guests, playing their compositions, and giving some private lessons to their host. This profession included to travel all years long around Ireland.

Turlough O'Carolan was one of the lastest bards in Ireland, who lived in the 17th century 1670/1738.

Loyal with the bardic tradition, he walked all around Ireland during 50 years. He composed his poems and songs for the aristocratic society, but again for the English middle classes established in Ireland. He was a very estimated composer, and was appreciated because of his talents, but again for his joviality.

Most of the time, he composed his songs and poesies during his travels around the country. His particularity was that he began by the melody, before to write the words in the honor of his hosts. He still use Gaelic words, which were at this period a well-spoken language by a majority of Irish people.

He composed around 220 songs, and most of them are still known today, and used by the professional. The more notable compositions that he did are "Carolan's Concerto", "Carolan's Welcome" or else "Carolan's Draught".

If you want more information about one of the latest Irish Bard, click here:
http://www.contemplator.com/carolan/

More than the poet, the Messenger

Bards had a predominant role in the tribe/kingdom story. Indeed, Celts had an oral tradition, and their stories was known by the next generations thanks to songs and stories that the bards composed. They were the keeper of the tribe story, and it's probably thanks to them that we know today what happened before the Christianization of Ireland.

When there was a war, bards was more considered as a diplomat. It was well established on the mind of the tribes leaders that the bards should not be attacked, because of their mission: describe the battles, with of course the right dose of heroism, particularly if the winner is his own sovereign. After a battle, the bard travelled all around the country, with the intention of everybody in the country know what's happened.

That's why bards were very assailed by request by the aristocratic families or by the other tribes: they were the only way for people who lied far from the power center to be in touch about the last events in the country.

Important place in the Gaelic Society

In Celtic Ireland, there were numerous poets, but it could be a mistake to think that all of them had the same place in the hierarchy.

According to Greek and Roman ancient texts, the Celtic society was organized in 3 social classes: military class, priest class and populate people. Bards were members of the priest class, with the druids and the forecasters.

Bards was members of one group of poets, that we may distinguish with the other one, called "Fili".

The Early Irish Law text on poets specified that the disctinction between Bards and Fili can be explain because bards were a lesser class of poets, not allowed to obtain the higher poetic roles. One other version say that the distinction between Bards and Fili come from the Christianization of Ireland, in the Middle Age. In fact, it seems to be that Fili was attached to the Church, instead of Bards were still attached to their previous religion.

But Bards were members of the priest cast, and naturally the nature of their poetry is predominantly religious, being mainly used in ritual, or certainly in a spiritual context. Their main preoccupation is the perception of what they call "poetic truth" and its subsequent translation and refinement into exact statement.

Since a long time, their place in the society was recognized, and estimated. They had an official situation, and they were respected because of the quality of their knowledge about History and traditions.