Keating, Geoffrey (c. 1580–c. 1645)

Irish Gaelic poet and historian, and Roman Catholic priest. Born in Burges, County Tipperary, he was educated on the Continent at Bordeaux and Salamanca. His Forás Feasa ar Éirinn/Groundwork of Knowledge about Ireland (about 1630) refutes other commentators on Ireland, particularly the Elizabethan chroniclers of the preceding generation, and produces the first attempt at a complete compendium of history and legendary material. He also wrote poetry, in densely wrought assonantal metres.