On the use of the Urlann in Deibhidhe and Séadnadh metres in Classical Irish verse

Abstract:This paper examines the very considerable flexibility available to the poet in the rigid framework of the Classical Modern Irish Dán Díreach metre, Deibhidhe, and focuses particular attention on the urlann. It introduces the concept of ‘the urlann space’ and ‘available syllable balance’ and argues that the urlann-friendliness of different metres is related to these criteria. Giolla Brighde ó hEódhasa's statement that there should be ‘one word only’ in the urlann space in Deibhidhe is examined and several exceptions in the form of double-urlann couplets from all periods of Bardic poetry are presented, though it is acknowledged that the phenomenon is rare. A survey of the double urlann in Séadnadh is also carried out and reveals similar results, though one poem is found to contain more examples of this phenomenon than all others examined put together. The paper reaches the conclusion that ó hEódhasa's statement should be interpreted as being descriptive of the majority of Deibhidhe final-couplets, but not as a rule.