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Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin

Gaelic noblewoman, poet

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About Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin

Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin was a poet and writer.

Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin, Gaelic noblewoman and poet, fl. 1500. Despite being the ancestor of many members of the Scottish nobility, Iseabail is best known today as the writer of one of the most famous works of erotic poetry in Scottish Gaelic literature.

A daughter of Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll and Chief of Clan Campbell (died 1493). She married William Drummond, Chief of Clan Drummond. She became the grandmother of David Drummond, 2nd Lord Drummond of Cargill and is the ancestor of the Earls of Perth.

Three poems by Iseabail are preserved in the Book of the Dean of Lismore - Atá fleasgach ar mo thí, Éistibh, a Luchd an Tighe-se and Is mairg dá ngalar an grádh.

Thomas Owen Clancy notes that Éistibh, a Luchd an Tighe-se "is a fairly obscene boast to the court circle on the size and potency of her household priest's penis. The authenticity of the attribution to Iseabail has been questioned, but without substantial grounds."

In a 2017 article about Scottish Gaelic erotic literature, Peter Mackay suggested that Iseabail may have been following the established tradition in Scottish Renaissance literature of exposing, mocking, and criticizing the sexual sins of priests and consecrated religious. Mackay conceded, however, that Iseabail's poem could just as easily be an unashamed celebration of female promiscuity and lust.

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Important facts

Occupation
Also known as
Iseabail Ni Mheic Cailein, Lady Isabel Campbell

Frequently asked questions

Who was Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin?

Gaelic noblewoman, poet

What was Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin's occupation?

Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin was a poet and writer.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin

· Wikidata: Q3776677

· DBpedia: Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin. https://biography.guide/iseabail-ni-mheic-cailein/

MLA: "Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/iseabail-ni-mheic-cailein/.

Chicago: "Iseabail Ní Mheic Cailéin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/iseabail-ni-mheic-cailein/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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