Prospectus for Dánta Dé

Page 1

Collection of Irish Sacred Poems, with Irish Music, to be called "τάπα τέ." PROSPECTUS DEAR (SIR OR MADAM), I hope shortly to publish a Collection of Irish Gaelic Sacred Poems, with Irish Music (all from authentic native sources), suitable for public and congregational use, or for private devotion; also for students. I have been engaged upon this work for many years. The letter-press consists of some 90-100 Gaelic Poems, old and modern, complete in themselves, or of extracts from poems too long to include in their entirety. Some are traditional; many are from unpublished MSS.; and a few already published, I have been allowed, very kindly, to borrow from other Collections. For this courtesy, I have specially to thank the Cualacht Cuilm-Cille of Maynooth, Father P. Breathnach, and Dr. Douglas Hyde. Dr. Hyde has also given me much help with the difficulties of translation; as has Father Thomas O'Kelly, of University College, Galway, who has read the whole collection, and has given me many valuable hints. There will be a translation into English, as literal as possible, of every poem. The Music is also purely Irish. Some of it is directly traditional, and of this, part was taken down by me for the first time, and part was supplied to me by Mr. & Mrs. Clandillon and others. The rest is from Petrie, Joyce, etc., with a few tunes from a Highland Gaelic source, lent me by Mr. Lachlann MacBean. My friend Mrs. Clandillon (Maighréad ní Annagáin), has helped me much with regard to questions of preserving the purity of traditional melody. Professor Robert O'Dwyer, University College, Dublin, has kindly consented to undertake the harmonising of the tunes for organ or piano, and to act as musical editor. Father Eoin MacAoidh, C.S.S.R., has also assisted me about the music. I purpose publishing the book in a form similar to that of most hymnals, but with the first verse printed between the lines of music, the other verses below, with a literal English translation either in parallel columns, or immediately following. The Collection includes Hymns and Sacred Songs suitable for the chief Church Seasons, Holy Communion, Morning and Evening, National and General use. The high cost of printing, binding, etc., makes it difficult at present to estimate the exact price, but I shall endeavour to keep it as low as possible, probably from 5/- to 7/6. I hope that you will help to guarantee its success by sending me an order for one or more copies, as without this I could not proceed with publication. Is mise, τίπα πί οχάιν. BROCKLEY PARK, STRADBALLY, LEIX.