Amhrán na Leabhar (Song of the Books) - LYRICS + Translation

also known as Cuan Bhéil Inse or Song of the Books, Amhrán na Leabhar is a famous ’traditional epic’ written by Kerry poet Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1785-1848). Under British rule the Irish language went into decline as it was banned out of public life (schools, courts etc), and children were taught through English. However, illegal secret schools known as hedge-schools were set up for Catholic children (as a response to the prohibition of Catholic education in the country and the failure of the government - English and Protestant - to provide schools of any sort for the Catholic majority), where children were taught through the Irish language. Ó Súilleabháin had been acting-schoolmaster in one of these hedge schools at Caherdaniel but was forced to transfer to Portmagee (Co. Kerry) when another schoolmaster was appointed to the permanent position. As he was leaving, he placed his treasured books for transport on a boat going from Der