Independent TD Mattie McGrath has offered his full support to the launch by Proinsias Ó Drisceoil and Padraige Ó Macháin of a significant work of Irish language heritage which is to occur in Newcastle Clonmel this Friday at 8pm. Deputy McGrath makes his comments in the run up to the event which is widely seen as a milestone in the efforts to translate distinctive works of the Irish language into English in order to communicate on a wider basis the cultural reality of native Irish speakers:
“The translation of Seamus O’Maolchathaigh’s ‘An Gleann agus a raibh ann’, who was himself a Newcastle native, into the English language will be a great cultural addition to our store of accurate knowledge about how the 19th and early 20th century was for native Irish speakers.
The Éigse in the Muintir na Tire Community Hall that is set to launch this translation is a great testament to the enduring appeal of this man’s work and his ability to weave a wonderful narrative that is immersed in the richness of the Irish dialect spoken at the time.
Once again credit must go to the Knockmealdown Active group, who have worked hard to promote Newcastle’s Irish speaking tradition since 2011 as well as Foras na Gaeilge.
Particular mention must also go Helen McGrath who some time ago produced a ‘foclóir’ or glossary of ‘An Gleann agus a raibh ann’ to help readers access this wonderful text.
I firmly hope that the newly translated work will reach a very wide audience and that through it many more people will gain access to a beautiful evocation of rural life in native Irish speaking Ireland at the turn of the last century,” concluded Deputy McGrath.