Dallán Forgaill is one of the most significant poets from early Ireland. There are few Christians in the world today who haven’t heard a translation of his most famous poem, Rop tú mo baile. From a young age, he was known for his intensive studying. According to the Dictionary of the Irish Language, it is said that he studied so hard that he went blind, earning the nickname Dallán, meaning “little blind one”. Forgaill also became the Chief Ollamh (high poet) of Ireland, the highest position attainable for a poet. Achieving this rank put him on the same social level as the High King or Ireland. Forgaill was also known as the writer of many eulogies, specifically those for Colm Cille (one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland), St. Senan (another Apostle of Irleand), and St. Connall (Irish Bishop). He was killed in 598, when a band of pirates broke into the monastery of Inniskeel where he was staying and beheaded him. It is said that after the pirates threw his head into the sea, it was “recovered and miraculously reunited to his body.” In the Catholic Church, he became a saint during the 11^th Century.

Below, you will find a video containing his Rop tú mo baile sung to the Irish tune Slane. Many of you will recognize it as the same tune as Be Thou My Vision, which is an English translation of the very same poem. In the latter half of the song, she does sing a few verses in English as well.

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