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himself. Of all poems in the language of Ireland the king than the head poet such was the poet’s power. For
Amra is said to be the oldest one dateable. a king to come to power, the poet would publicly recite
Supernatural power is ascribed to these poems as the geneology of the royal family thus acknowledging
attested to by successor of Colmcille at Iona . Abbot a newcomers’ claim to the kingship. The king was then
Adamnan wrote in Latin circa 700AD: symbolically wedded to the land. If the king ruled in
“poems in the Scotic (Irish) language recited praising line with cosmic harmony – there would be abundance
Colm Cille so that a group of men “were saved from the and prosperity would follow for the people of Ireland.
hands of their enemies who in the night had surrounded The poet/ druid was a Kings spiritual link with this
the house in which they were singing these hymns. They Otherworld, and his knowledge of the workings of the
safely escaped through the flames, the swords and the universe and the Laws of Nature would ultimately ensure
spears. Strange to tell, a few of those only who despised a successful partnership.
these commemorations of the holy man, and refused to As Traditional stores of Irish memory and a root of
join in the hymns, perished in that assault of the enemy.” the power of the Irish kingship, once the poet’s rank
pp90 Amra Choluim Chille was cut away and Ireland’s royal line set asunder, it was
In later years , as part of the colonisation of Ireland, setting the stage for a loss of the Irish language. Too long
the power of the poet’s tongue was finally severed( identified with the poverty and disempowerment that
sometimes literally!). Through the loss of her poets, followed successive waves of oppression and deliberate
Ireland was short a powerful figure of authority and suppression of Irish culture – today there are strides
source of meaning. It was the decline of the Noble in reclaiming a new vision for the language of Ireland.
classes, as native Irish families were disowned of A portal to deeper understanding and connectedness
their lands, that would ensure the poets demise as a to Self and Environment. Today, the Irish language
professional class. Doomed to wander the roads in can be a portal to that world of draíocht of magic
penury, such was the loss of the poets once glorified and enchantment – beyond the Materialism that is a
position within Irish society. The strength of Ireland’s seemingly dominant force in todays world to an eternal
literary and musical traditions continue to testify to the world of wonder and imagination! Where lives the spirit
rich vein of draíocht or magic that remains in the land of the Tuatha Dé Dannen in their Fairy realms and those
of Ireland to this day. Poetry was once the mainstay of words of Amerighin echo in our ears – As man becomes
the kingship in Ireland – none was more close to the one with the waves, the dove, the eagle, the mountain,
the dew. One with all of Creation.
Portsalon Milky Way © Brendan Alexander
264
Amra is said to be the oldest one dateable. a king to come to power, the poet would publicly recite
Supernatural power is ascribed to these poems as the geneology of the royal family thus acknowledging
attested to by successor of Colmcille at Iona . Abbot a newcomers’ claim to the kingship. The king was then
Adamnan wrote in Latin circa 700AD: symbolically wedded to the land. If the king ruled in
“poems in the Scotic (Irish) language recited praising line with cosmic harmony – there would be abundance
Colm Cille so that a group of men “were saved from the and prosperity would follow for the people of Ireland.
hands of their enemies who in the night had surrounded The poet/ druid was a Kings spiritual link with this
the house in which they were singing these hymns. They Otherworld, and his knowledge of the workings of the
safely escaped through the flames, the swords and the universe and the Laws of Nature would ultimately ensure
spears. Strange to tell, a few of those only who despised a successful partnership.
these commemorations of the holy man, and refused to As Traditional stores of Irish memory and a root of
join in the hymns, perished in that assault of the enemy.” the power of the Irish kingship, once the poet’s rank
pp90 Amra Choluim Chille was cut away and Ireland’s royal line set asunder, it was
In later years , as part of the colonisation of Ireland, setting the stage for a loss of the Irish language. Too long
the power of the poet’s tongue was finally severed( identified with the poverty and disempowerment that
sometimes literally!). Through the loss of her poets, followed successive waves of oppression and deliberate
Ireland was short a powerful figure of authority and suppression of Irish culture – today there are strides
source of meaning. It was the decline of the Noble in reclaiming a new vision for the language of Ireland.
classes, as native Irish families were disowned of A portal to deeper understanding and connectedness
their lands, that would ensure the poets demise as a to Self and Environment. Today, the Irish language
professional class. Doomed to wander the roads in can be a portal to that world of draíocht of magic
penury, such was the loss of the poets once glorified and enchantment – beyond the Materialism that is a
position within Irish society. The strength of Ireland’s seemingly dominant force in todays world to an eternal
literary and musical traditions continue to testify to the world of wonder and imagination! Where lives the spirit
rich vein of draíocht or magic that remains in the land of the Tuatha Dé Dannen in their Fairy realms and those
of Ireland to this day. Poetry was once the mainstay of words of Amerighin echo in our ears – As man becomes
the kingship in Ireland – none was more close to the one with the waves, the dove, the eagle, the mountain,
the dew. One with all of Creation.
Portsalon Milky Way © Brendan Alexander
264
