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Gaelic Literature
of the Traditional Prose: collections and
collectors |
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This page is best viewed on a
desktop or laptop PC MACLEOID,
Niall (1843-1913) Author of Clàrsach
an Doire, first
published in 1883, Niall MacLẹid
lived to see the publication of its fourth edition in 1909. In addition to the poetry, the second and
subsequent editions include prose material written by MacLẹid: see items
listed below. All four items are to be
found in each edition from the second onwards, but references below are to
the sixth edition only. For a
discussion of Niall MacLẹid and his work, as well as bibliographical details
of all six editions of
Clàrsach an Doire, see his entry in the
section for poetry and song
of known authorship. ____________ Niall
MacLẹid. Clàrsach an Doire: Dàin,
Orain is Sgeulachdan. An siathamh cḷ-bhualadh. Glaschu: Gairm, 1975. i ‘Gilleasbuig Aotrom’, dd.
229-239. This is the most extensive of the
published collections of tales of Gilleasbuig Aotrom which I have seen. It includes two which I have not found
elsewhere in print. ii ‘Cailleach nan Cṇ agus Tàillear
nan Clàr’, dd. 239-243 Story which
pokes gentle fun at superstition and credulity, using motifs frequently found
in traditional storytelling: a reputed witch, dark deeds in a graveyard, a
tailor who has a way with words, etc. iii ‘Domhnull MacThormaid, agus Leanabh-śthe Cnoc-a’-Chuilinn’,
dd. 244-252. One of the most popular themes in
traditional storytelling, that of a fairy child being substituted for a human
one. This particular story is unusual
in that it does not end with the restoration of the human child to his
parents, but simply with them at last getting rid of the changeling by means
of a trick. The trick, pretending that
the fairy hill is on fire, is a common motif in stories all over the
Gaidhealtachd (Campbell 2, 1890:62-65). iv ‘Gaol Gàidhealach:
Sgeul Firinneach’, dd.
253-274 See Niall MacLẹid’s entry in the
section for non-traditional creative
prose. |
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© Sabhal Mòr Ostaig 2018