Childhood memories, family, grief, the beauty of nature, climate change and war are my main themes. I write to make sense of life and to shape my memories and feelings. I have a lyrical style of writing. Continue reading
Tagged with Irish language …
Agallaimh le Scríbhneoirí na Gaeilge/Interviews with Irish Language Writers
Language has always been of interest to Colin Ryan as a way of shaping and expressing the world, and he began writing quite early. Continue reading
Poetry/Prós Fhilíocht/Prose Poetry: Anne Casey, Julie Breathnach-Banwait, Daragh Byrne.
Mise Aisling By Anne Casey After Eavan Boland’s ‘Mise Éire’ I lost my tonguelong ago in exile,refound it in a ghost childcalling for her mother. Elizabeth O’Brien casting offto the deep: Bíonn súil le muirach ní bhíonn súil le tír(hope in the sea,no hope in the land)as she clutchesher grizzling Eliza,slipping away. I am the … Continue reading
Agallaimh le Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge/Interviews with Irish language writers
Her work is known for its lyrical style and strong ties to the Irish language and culture. She addresses emotional and controversial issues, including clerical abuse in the Catholic Church and the trauma felt by the Irish people. The imagery she creates evokes a profound sense of grief and historical pain. Continue reading
Is ‘So Long’ an Irish ‘Goodbye’?
Lexicographers and linguists have indeed puzzled over the American English term ‘So Long’ and some have advanced a possible origin in Irish slán. Continue reading
What we are reading at the moment: Hilary Mantel, Donal Ryan, Emma Donaghue, Colette Ní Ghallchóir
A little snippet, a snapshot, insights that convey so much. A sentence that describes one man’s grief ‘Chris, his poor heart smashed…’ is an example of how much emotion is expressed in so few words. Continue reading
Agallaimh le scríbhneoirí gaeilge/Interviews with Irish language writers
Put on the spot, the one piece of advice I would feel comfortable to impart on other writers would be to look upon the act of writing not merely as self-expression, but rather as communication. Continue reading
Halloween Oíche Shamhna Recipes
In Ireland at Halloween, it is just as easy to buy Barm Brack from a bakery or even the supermarket. But here is a lovely traditional recipe that is easy to make with simple ingredients to bring the taste of Halloween here. Some bakeries would put a ring for marriage or a pea for poverty. Continue reading
Giving British Imperialism the middle finger
A film review of Kneecap by Isla Sutherland Kneecap, Screen playwright and Director, Rich Peppiat, Starring Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Cinematography by Ryan Kernaghan, Distribution by Wildcard [1](Ireland) Curzon Film (United Kingdom), 2024. Kneecap explores Northern Irish identity and what it means to be part of the ‘ceasefire generation’ amidst … Continue reading
Ó Chréanna Eile From Other Earths
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
Tinteán 