Oíche eile, ócáid eile. Another night, another event. D’éirigh liom bheith i láthair do sheoladh, Blaiseadh Pinn (Cois Life), cnuasach nua scríbhneoireachta le scríbhneoirí óga agus úra Gaeilge. Tá saothar le seachtar scríbhneoirí óga sa chnuasach agus ba mar chuid d’imeachtaí an fhéile litríochta, Imram, a seoladh an leabhar. Is léir go bhfuil scríbhneoirí fiúntacha nua ag teacht chun cinn. Go n-éirí leo sna blianta romhainn. Agus más scríbhneoir óg thú, bí i dteagmháil leis an chumann ag scribhneoirioga.blogspot.com
Another night, another occasion. I managed to make it to the launch of Blaiseadh Pinn (Cois Life) in Dublin last night, a collection of work by seven new and young writers. It was certainly a happy occasion. Ríona Nic Congáil, who founded Cumann na Scríbhneoirí Óga agus Úra, last year was there and it was a great testament to her abilities and hard work that so much has been achieved in such a short space of time. Ríona is a published author herself and has Northern connections. Her father is Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil who hails from Derry. He has done Trojan work in promoting the work of Donegal writers, Seosamh Mac Grianna and Séamus Ó Grianna. (Indeed, learners of Irish might also be familiar with his excellent Irish Grammar (Cló Iar-Chonnachta) which he published as Noel McGonagle.)
Anyway, while the young writers were enjoying their moment in the sun, I also got some recognition. On the way home on the train, a man introduced himself to me in faultless Irish: “An tusa Pól Ó Muirí?” (Are you Pól Ó Muirí?) Having admitted that I was, he then told me that he was just after reading one of my collections and had thoroughly enjoyed it. He even name-checked a couple of the poems – so, no, he wasn’t spoofing. (How could you even think that?)
Recognised on a train! Is this how Seamus Heaney feels when he goes out?
(Ar scor ar bith, pictured is Ríona Nic Congáil.)
Another night, another occasion. I managed to make it to the launch of Blaiseadh Pinn (Cois Life) in Dublin last night, a collection of work by seven new and young writers. It was certainly a happy occasion. Ríona Nic Congáil, who founded Cumann na Scríbhneoirí Óga agus Úra, last year was there and it was a great testament to her abilities and hard work that so much has been achieved in such a short space of time. Ríona is a published author herself and has Northern connections. Her father is Professor Nollaig Mac Congáil who hails from Derry. He has done Trojan work in promoting the work of Donegal writers, Seosamh Mac Grianna and Séamus Ó Grianna. (Indeed, learners of Irish might also be familiar with his excellent Irish Grammar (Cló Iar-Chonnachta) which he published as Noel McGonagle.)
Anyway, while the young writers were enjoying their moment in the sun, I also got some recognition. On the way home on the train, a man introduced himself to me in faultless Irish: “An tusa Pól Ó Muirí?” (Are you Pól Ó Muirí?) Having admitted that I was, he then told me that he was just after reading one of my collections and had thoroughly enjoyed it. He even name-checked a couple of the poems – so, no, he wasn’t spoofing. (How could you even think that?)
Recognised on a train! Is this how Seamus Heaney feels when he goes out?
(Ar scor ar bith, pictured is Ríona Nic Congáil.)
3 comments:
Today recognition on the Enterprise, tomorrow the Nobel Prize for Literature ;)
Well, if I do win it, I hope you don't expect me to give all the prize money away like a certain J. Hume!
Perish the thought! Although I would expect a small stipend to head my direction ;)
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