Tag: RTE Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1: Say a Song

Doireann Ní Ghlacáin approached me some time ago about the Say a Song Project which explores the rich and vibrant sean-nós tradition. I enjoy sneaking references to sean-nós songs into my poems now and then, so I was curious about her proposal. She suggested I take on Molaí Ní Mhaoileoin, a song once recorded by Sorcha Ní Ghuairim. The resulting English translation plus an interpretation of the original by the mighty Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin can be heard on the RTÉ Radio website here. Well worth listening to the entire series and keep an eye out for a further dimension to the project involving visual artists!

Crossways 2021 and the Poetry Programme

Crossways 2021, the Irish Scottish Cultural and Literary Festival, is online this year and there has been some stellar reading so far this weekend. A special mention to Winnie Brook Young, who travelled all over Ireland and Scotland during the restrictions to film the poets. Treise leat, a Winnie! Myself and Catrìona Lexy Chaimbeul are due to read tomorow 14th February at 2pm and we will be followed by Phillip Cummings and Pàdraig MacAoidh, Áine Uí Fhoghlú and Iain Mac a’ Phearsain, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Aonghas Dubh Mac Neacail, Biddy Jenkinson and Maoilios Caimbeul, and Alan Titley and David Kinloch.

Also tomorrow evening, the Poetry Programme on RTÉ Radio 1 will feature love poems for Valentine’s Day. Delighted that ‘Grasse Mattinée’ will be included, with its translation by Alan Gillis.

RTE Arena and Merriman Summer School

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I was interviewed about the upcoming Merriman Summer School on RTE Radio 1’s arts show, Arena, on Wednesday 5 August. You an listen back here.

Linda Connolly is this year’s director of the Summer School and she has assembled a great programme on the theme of ‘Cumann agus Céileachas: Love and Marriage Revisited’ encompassing talks on literature, society, folklore, culture and a musical gala.

There are three free poetry readings as part of the Summer School in Glór theatre in Ennis, County Clare called Cúirt an Mheán Lae (12.15pm). I’m reading in English and Irish on Thursday the 13th August, Rita Ann Higgins is on Friday the 14th, and Doireann Ní Ghríofa is on Saturday the 15th.

The always entertaining Cónal Creedon will giving his take on the Summer School’s theme in a talk called ‘Love OR Marriage’ on Friday and Dónal Ryan will be interviewed by Doireann Ní Bhriain on Saturday. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing Máire Ní Annracháin and Pat Coughlan on Thursday morning.

The full programme is available here.

Twitter: @scoilsamhraidh

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