It is said Ireland's greatest contribution to the world of arts and
culture has been its literature. Always known for a rich oral and
storytelling tradition, Ireland transformed into a literate island with
the coming of Christianity in 400-500 AD (heralded by St. Patrick
himself). Monks were hard at work illuminating Gospel manuscripts, such
as the Book of Kells, while the rest of Europe began its descent into the Dark
Ages... Featured this week in ABE's Rare Books Room is Literature from the Emerald Isle just in time for St. Patrick's Day later this week. There's a short feature on Collecting the Irish, from Jonathan Swift to Roddy Doyle, James Joyce to Edna O'Brien. Are you a collector of Celts? Perhaps you'll find a pot of gold waiting for you here.
