Delighted to have an extract of my forthcoming book published in Poetry Ireland Review 147: Love Poems to Humans. Grateful to Aifric Mac Aodha and Theo Dorgan for its inclusion. Líadain agus Cuirithir will be published by Leabhar Breac later this year.
CÉILIÚRADH AR SHAOL AGUS AR SHAOTHAR MHÍCHÍL UÍ MHUIRCHEARTAIGH
Bhí Éire go léir faoi scamall bróin agus an sárchraoltóir Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, guth chluichí na nGael ar feadh na dtrí scór bliain a chaith sé le gairm na tráchtaireachta, ar shlí na fírinne. Rinne tráchtaireacht shainiúil Mhíchíl agus an tslí a bhí aige leis an dá theanga a úsáid go nádúrtha file cúirte neamhoifigiúil Chumann Lúthchleas Gael de agus bhíodh guth an Chiarraígh mar fhuaimrian an tsamhraidh ag Gaeil le breis is leathchéad bliain. Is ábhar mórtais d’IMRAM é ceiliúradh cuí a dhéanamh ar shaol agus ar shaothar Mhíchíl; Iéamh filíochta agus próis coimisiúnaithe; sleachta as craoltaí leis; agus ceol coimisiúnaithe.
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was without doubt Ireland’s most gifted sports commentator. Across his sixty year career, from his 1949 radio debut to his last All-lreland final on television in 2010, he was a deeply loved companion for generations of GAA fans. On his death, President Michael D Higgins said: ‘…so many matches may in fact be remembered more for his commentary than for the action on the pitch. For Mícheál turned every match into an epic tale, his commentaries capturing like no other the sense of occasion, the atmosphere in the stadium and on the terraces, the ebb and flow of the play and of every movement.’
Bard na Páirce is a literary celebration of Mícheál’s life and work, featuring specially commissioned poetry and prose from Colm Mac Gearailt, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Alan Titley; as well as new songs and music from Colm Ó Snodaigh, accompanied by Brian Hogan. The show will also feature archive recordings of Mícheál’s commentaries; and on-screen images, created by Margaret Lonergan. Curated by Majella Ní Chríocháin.
Delighted to be part of the line up for this weekend’s SoundEye Festival in Cork city. I’ll be reading with Tom Pickard, Maggie O’Sullivan and Sheila Mannix in Shandon Studios at 3pm on Friday 4th July. Full programme available here.
With thanks to Manuel Silva @manuvidal_video who took these pics at the Alguen que Respira festival last month in Santiago de Compostela. Wonder to hear work by Samer Abu Hawwash, Toni Juncosa, Juanpe Sánchez López and Nieves Neira Roca. Special thanks to Antón Lopo for translating my poem to Galego! And to Keith Payne for putting us in touch. Grazas!!
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