What are the great works of literature in Irish?

I have bought the obvious, Peig, but as a bit of a book worm I'd like to build a collection of great works that one day I will either read or look at on my shelf

My personal opinion:

I'd say Cré na Cille is probably the greatest modern novel in Irish, written by Mairtín Ó Cadhain from An Spidéal. A close second is Mo bhealach féin by Seosamh Mac Grianna, there are so many quotable lines in that book, it is incredible. Liam Mac Cóil's books (An Litir for example) are probably around third place.

The best essayists are probably Séamus Ó Grianna and Pádraig Ua Maoileoin. There are collections of their essays available.

Séadna is a classic, not necessarily good itself, but later writers do draw on it.

Taidhgín by Tomás Ó Duinnshléibhe is an old classic that doesn't get mentioned much anymore, but the writing style is incredible, even though the characters and story are a bit run of the mill. He probably has the best style in the language, at least I think so.

Mise by Colm Ó Gaora from Ros Muc is the best autobiography, I think.

Of all the works of the Blasket writers I would say it is a toss up between An t-Oileánach or Allagar na hInise, I love all of them, but An Criothanach was far and away the best writer.

An Seansaighdiúir agus scéalta eile is one of my favourite collections of short stories.

Bóithrín na hAille Báine set in Conamara and An Béal Bocht set on an exagerrated version of Na Blascaodaí are probably the best books for humour. Tae le Tae by Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé is probably the best 'light' novel.

Máire Nic Artáin is my favourite love story.

Going back further: Foras Feasa Ar Éirinn is a historical text that is extremely well written and poetic in parts.
Aislinge Meic Con Glinne is the language's best satire, but very hard to read.

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The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

I'm sure you know about Litríocht.com but don't neglect Cló Iar-Chonnacht.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Cré na Cille has been ordered, I nearly got the kindle version but realised I won't be able to read it yet if ever so it might as well look good on the shelf.

And don't forget to check out the movie while you're at it!

http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_i ... CSMcEti8rU

A good "lighthearted" book is An Béal Bocht by Myles na gCopaleen.
It's a humorous book, but it's lacerated with satire.

Of course, Seán Ó Ríordáin and Máirtín Ó Direáin. Two different approaches that shaped modern Gaelic poetry.

Wow. I didn't realize he was that well known, honestly. I picked up An Litir at random because I saw an add for it in a magazine and liked the premise. What a surprise!

An Béal Bocht is a fantastic book, but for anybody who might read it, I would say it is best left until you have read broadly in Irish. Especially until you have read An t-Oileánach and Fiche Blian ag Fás (It's not really a parody of the "auld miserable life" from Peig's books as many believe) and have some knowledge of the language movement in the 1900s to 1930s. It's still funny anyway, but most of the jokes are about tropes of Gaelic literature, like the moral rants in folklore novels or the overt archaising. It is probably the most "Irish" book I have ever read, in every sense of the word.

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The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

Yeah, it and Fontenoy are very good. The way he jumps back to the Irish of the time in Fontenoy is impressive (it's also completely accurate) and the characters are fully three dimensional.

They have great stories, characters and a fantastic writing style. I actually enjoyed these more than my number one and two, but they are more profound. Cré na Cille is very dark.


And there is the radio drama version:
http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_i ... CSqIPldXsY

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The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

The Midnight Court/Cúirt an Mheán Oíche by Brian Merriman - the bi-lingual edition published by Mercier (ISBN 978 1 8563 5280 2) and to help you understand the literary background to it, there's the book of the same name published by Syracuse University Press (ISBN 978 0 8156 3260 3). There's also a dramatisation of it by RTÉ/Peacock and Abbey Theatres on YouTube, which I posted up here on the forum earlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW1qEu-iGpY
and if you ask them, Clare County Arts Office can send you a copy of the CD recording made in 2005.