Clontarf: An Irish National Drama in Four Acts: An Irish National Drama In Four Acts (1920) - Softcover

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Play of Clontarf is dedicated to the people of Ireland as a National Drama, for, in spite of all that has been said to the contrary, the Irish people constitute a Nation to-day and have always constituted a Nation. Under their own "High Kings" in the past they were even a formidable military Nation. The year of Clontarf marks, perhaps, the most glorious epoch, from a material point of view at least, of all Ireland's history. The crushing of the Danes was an achievement that no other race in the world at that time could accomplish, and therefore Clontarf should forever be an inspiration to Irishmen in all times of trial or of great national peril. The material for this Play has been taken from the Irish accounts in The Wars of the Gael and The Gall" and from the Danish narrative in the Sagas, especially in the great Icelandic Saga of Burnt Njal. One of the most dramatic episodes in all history is that of the taking of Thorstein, Son of Hall, at Clontarf, where he scorned to fly with the rest of the Danes. What is the use of running? he asked with sublime naivete, I could not get home to-night anyway, for I am at home out in Iceland! And the Irish chieftain magnanimously spared his life, which is more than Achilles or Ajax would have done in like circumstances. In the matter of fighting prowess there seems to have been a great deal of mutual respect between the Irish warriors and their Viking foes. When Ireland is a free nation once more, one of her great artists will some day paint a masterpiece. He will depict the battlefield of Cluain-Tarbh. About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology. Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of histori