Tadhg ‘Gaelach’ Ó Súilleabháin (1715?-1795)

Old Graveyard, Ballylaneen, co. Waterford.

Poem in Latin by Donnchadh Rua Mac Conmara (c. 1715-1810) for Tadhg Gaelach Ó Súilleabháin (biography here). Elegiac verse, in classical metre. Wikipedia records that the Irish translation on a separate marble plaque beneath the headstone was done by the village schoolmaster, Tom Walsh, c. 1910.

English translation (CK):

Here lies Tadhg – look this way, traveller,

A little earth covers a famous poet.

Alas, dead he lies, unswerving Fate has won;

His soaring spirit seeks the lofty stars.

Who will sing the praises of the Irish, the deeds of its heroes?

With Gaelach gone, the Irish Muse is silent.

Singing holy songs in learned measures he has passed on;

Victorious now, he has received his sure reward.

By praising God he made beautiful poems,

And now he will sing sweet hymns with gusto.

Weep, ye Muses: your adoptive son is no more,

Eochaigh’s descendant is no longer, and all the fields are quiet.

He hoped for peace, so let him rest in peace eternally;

He reaches now the blessed kingdoms of our heavenly Father.