A Literary History of Ireland, from Earliest Times to the Present Day

"A Literary History of Ireland, from Earliest Times to the Present Day" by Douglas Hyde is a detailed exploration of Ireland's literary past, mainly concentrating on works by Irish-speaking people and purposely leaving out English-influenced writers of recent times. The book aims to shine a light on Ireland's diverse literary legacy, stressing its importance in forming national identity. Hyde starts by explaining why it’s important to record Ireland's literary history, which has been ignored by others. He points out the energetic literary activity among Irish speakers, noting their storytelling customs and shared love for literature. He starts to map out how Celtic identity grew, as he discusses the extensive historical base of Irish writings, further alluding to future sections of his book that will examine different kinds of writings, like poems, stories, and accounts of the past that are essential for learning about Ireland's history and its connection to its language and culture.