cúirt

Cúirt is an Irish word meaning court, used to denote a royal or judicial gathering as well as a ceremonial assembly. In Irish language and culture, cúirt can refer to a court of law, a royal or noble court, or other formal gatherings, and it appears in place names, legal terms, and literary titles.

The best-known literary use in Gaelic literature is the poem Cúirt an Mheán Oíche (The Midnight Court), attributed to the late 17th/early 18th century Gaelic poet Aodhagán Ó Rathaille. The poem presents a dreamlike court held at midnight where men and women argue about love, desire, and social norms. It is celebrated for its inventive language, wit, and emotional intensity, and it holds a central place in the Gaelic literary canon. The work has been widely translated and has influenced subsequent Irish-language poetry and satire.

In contemporary usage, cúirt continues to denote a court in the legal sense in Irish, and it appears in cultural contexts that evoke the idea of a gathering or contest of ideas. It is also used in modern Irish literary and cultural settings, such as the Cúirt International Festival of Literature in Galway, which draws its name from the court metaphor to highlight literary debate and exchange.

Overall, cúirt reflects Ireland’s Gaelic linguistic heritage and its enduring influence in both historical and modern contexts, spanning official terminology, literature, and cultural events.