Dán Díreach

Dán Díreach (pronounced [ˈd̪ˠaːn̪ˠ ˈdʲiːɾʲəx], Irish for "direct verse") is a style of poetry developed in Ireland from the 12th century until the destruction of Gaelic society in the mid 17th century. It was a complex form of recitative designed to be chanted to the accompaniment of a harp. This poetry was often delivered by a professional reciter called a reacaire (reciter) or marcach duaine (poem rider). It was the specialised production of the professional poets known as Filidh (Seer).

Many hundreds of poems are still extant as they were collected into poem books called Duanaire by wealthy patrons.

Traditional payment was in gold rings, horses, land or apparel.

Performance

An eyewitness account "The Action and Pronunciation of the Poems, in the Presence of the Maecenas (Chief), or the principal Person it related to, was perform'd with a great deal of Ceremony, in a Consort of Vocal and Instrumental Musick. The poet himself said nothing, but directed and took care that every body else did his Part right. The Bards having first had the Composition from him, got it well by Heart, and now pronounc'd it orderly, keeping even Pace with a Harp, touch'd upon that Occasion; no other musical Instrument being allow'd of for the said Purpose than this alone, as being Masculin, much sweeter, and fuller than any other."

Training

The training took place in schools under an Ollamh and was long and arduous. Poems were created in the dark while lying down. Other notable styles practiced may have been the caoineadh or death lament and the fonn or mantra of repetition. The complexities of the structure becomes more understandable when we consider that Irish poetry evolved primarily as an orally transmitted art. They were not intended to be read, but recited in public. Form, structure, rhythm and rhyme, intonation, and expression all play an essential part of the performance of poets The aim was to amaze an audience with vocal virtuosity, knowledge, and spiritual depth. In this they must have succeeded as the Filidh came to be viewed with a sense of awe, respect and complete fear.

Aer/Satire

As satirists they had the power to destroy the reputation of even the highest nobility. Some satires were reputed to bring disease and blemish to the accused, others humiliation.

Technical Terms

Each poem consisted of quatrains called rann (division) the quatrain is divided into two parts called leathrann (half verse/couplet). A single line is called ceathramhain. Whatever sound, syllable or line a poem begins with, it must end on the same. This is called dúnadh (closing).

• The ornaments used comhardadh rhyme with enhancements

• *amus assonance-the vowels are the same
• uaithne consonance-the consonants are the same
• uaim alliteration-repetition of consonants

• dialt a syllable, or a monosyllabic word

• recomhrac - 2 syllable word

• iarcomhrac - 3 syllable word

• felis - 4 syllable word

• cloenre - 5 syllable word

• luibenchossac - 6 syllable word

• claidemnas - 7 syllable word

• bricht - 8 syllable word

References

• http://books.google.com.au/books?id=n6kRAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA412&dq=dan+direach&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZNhpVN-UOcbFmAWq5IDIBA&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dan%20direach&f=false A Grammar of the Irish Language]