The Beginning of Writing in Irish
Irish has one of the oldest vernacular literatures in western Europe (after Greek and Latin).
The Irish became fully literate with the arrival of Christianity in the fifth century. Before that time a simple writing system known as "ogham" was used for inscriptions. The introduction of Latin led to the adaption of the Latin alphabet to the Irish language and the rise of a small literate class, both clerical and lay.
Read more about this topic: Irish Literature
Famous quotes containing the words beginning, writing and/or irish:
“Have you no beginning and end? Which heart is
the real one? Which eye the seer?”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“Historians desiring to write the actions of men, ought to set down the simple truth, and not say anything for love or hatred; also to choose such an opportunity for writing as it may be lawful to think what they will, and write what they think, which is a rare happiness of the time.”
—Sir Walter Raleigh (1552–1618)
“I hope you will not be washed away by the Irish sea.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)