Celtic literature

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Celtic literature may be literature about Celts, or elements of Irish literature, British literature or Celtic-influenced literature from elsewhere. Although often written in English, Celtic literature may be composed in Celtic languages: Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx, Scottish Gaelic and Breton or their older forms; literature in Scots and Ulster Scots may also be included within the concept.

For information on the development of particular national literatures, see: Irish literature, Scottish literature, Welsh literature, Literature in Cornish, Breton literature and Manx literature.

1 Traditional literature
2 Modern literature
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Traditional literature

Some surviving Celtic texts concern stories about deities, some about mythology and some about more mundane matters. British sourced Celtic literature is almost always based around the legend of King Arthur. This is a feature that it shares with Welsh writings, though it is more prevalent amongst British texts.

Irish texts were translated by monks and this contributes to the Christian elements of the stories. These writings occur in cycles and the first cycle is entitled the Book of Invasions.

Surviving examples of Scottish literature from this period are inscriptions made by the Picts in stone. These inscriptions have not yet been fully translated or understood.

Cornish writings featured giants and other mythical creatures.

[edit] Modern literature

The Gaelic Revival reintroduced Celtic themes into modern literature. The concept of Celticity encouraged cross-fertilisation between Celtic cultures.

There have been modern texts based around Celtic literature. Bernard Cornwell writes about the Arthurian legends in his series The Warlord Chronicles. Other writers of Celtic literature in English include Dylan Thomas and Sian James.