Bilingual poems afford us the opportunity to appreciate both languages. What is most appreciated is the effort taken by these poets to make the English translations poems in their own right. This means that even if you do not read Irish, you can appreciate the themes, thoughts and imagery in this collection. Continue reading
D’fhiafraigh sí san amhrán/
arbh eol duit cad is grá ann
She asked in the song if you knew what love was but didn’t hear your answer, and the world went on its way, Continue reading
In that other universe you won’t make the same mistakes; Sa chruinne eile úd/
ní dhéanfaidh tú/
na dearmaid chéanna Continue reading
by Méabh O’Leary Irish-born Méabh O’Leary was prompted to write this poem about an abalone shell she found along the seashore on the Mornington Peninsula. ‘It reminds me of my childhood in Ireland, collecting shells from the strands and placing them to my ear to hear the sea within. Now as an adult in Australia, … Continue reading
In the plush dark of the cinema,
this shy, reclusive man rode out with the drunken Sherriff to El Dorado
understood why the lawman took to the drink
when the saloon girl left town.
Wept for his loss. Continue reading
We have subscribers in 117 countries and on every continent. Our authors have been Irish-born and Irish resident; Irish-born and Australian resident or resident in other countries; Australian-born of Irish descent; or simply interested and involved in the Australian-Irish connection. Continue reading
It had been many, many, years since my sister and I had been upstairs on a double decker bus. Just holding on to the two side bars on the steps going up was enough to bring back memories of running up those steps as teenagers and of boys using them to swing down without touching the steps, to the annoyance of the bus conductor. Continue reading
all public bodies are now obliged to do at least 20% of their annual advertising in Irish and to spend 5% of their advertising budgets on advertising in Irish in the Irish language media. Continue reading
Prose poetry offers freedom from structure, from line markings, while retaining rhythm, imagery and emotional layering. Bilingual prose poetry reveals yet another dimension: word choice that can challenge and provoke. That can make you question your assumptions as you read and reread. Continue reading
Much commemorated in literature and music, the 1798 legend lives on in the town because the geography and townscape have changed little. Wall walks the same trails meandering alongside the Slaney. That is his Enniscorthy, a place of enduring pain, and ancient prayer represented here by his poem, ‘Night Heron’ Continue reading
Tinteán 