author
Osborn Bergin
1873–1950
A pioneering scholar of the Irish language and early Irish literature, he reshaped the study of Old Irish and identified the grammatical principle now known as Bergin’s law. He was also an accomplished Irish-language poet, translator, and editor.
1 Audiobook
Maidean i mBéarra agus dánta eile
by Osborn Bergin
About the author
Born in Cork on November 26, 1873, Osborn Joseph Bergin became one of Ireland’s leading Celtic scholars. After studying at Queen’s College Cork and pursuing advanced work in Germany, he taught Irish and joined the Gaelic League. He later served as editor of Ériu and general editor of the Royal Irish Academy’s dictionary of the Irish language.
Bergin published influential editions, translations, grammars, and studies of Irish texts, including work on Lebor na hUidre and Old Irish poetry. His research on Irish syntax led to the formulation of Bergin’s law, while his poetry collection Maidean i mBéarra reflected his creative side. Remembered by contemporaries as a “prince of Gaelic scholars,” he died in Dublin on October 6, 1950.