A Hymn on the Life, Virtues and Miracles of St. Patrick Composed by his Disciple, Saint Fiech, Bishop of Sletty

This volume brings to life a rare early‑medieval hymn composed by Saint Fiech, a close disciple of Ireland’s patron saint. The original Irish verses sit opposite a careful English rendering, letting listeners hear the rhythm of a language spoken a thousand years ago while following a clear, line‑by‑line translation. Accompanying notes explain obscure words, cultural references, and the scholarly debate surrounding the hymn’s authenticity, offering a window into the scholarly world of early Irish studies.

Beyond the poetry itself, the editorial material sketches the historical context: the ways oral tradition and written records intertwined, and how later scholars argued over the hymn’s date and its claims about Saint Patrick’s early life. For anyone fascinated by early Christian poetry, the formation of Irish literary tradition, or the vivid portrait of a missionary’s virtues and miracles, the recording offers both a lyrical experience and an informative guide to a foundational piece of Ireland’s spiritual heritage.