Tristan and Iseult

Christian, death, medieval, Poetry

A review by John O’Donoghue of Hand In Hand, Patricia McCarthy, Agenda Editions/London Magazine Editions £10 €12 $14, 96pp. The legend of Tristan and Iseult has long fascinated poets, writers, artists, and composers. From Wagner to Messiaen, from Daphne du Maurier to Rosemary Sutcliff, from Hollywood – Tony and Ridley Scott – to Bollywood – Subhash Ghai – the doomed …

Tribute to Niall McDevitt

death, London, Poetry, Reflection, walking

We were saddened to hear of the death of the poet Niall McDevitt in September. Known to many of the Society’s followers as a bright presence and the poet in residence at the Hammersmith, Irish Cultural Centre. He was a multi-talented man, self-described as “poet-pyschogeographer, art-activist”. Any who took his animated, expansive and richly enjoyable literary walks will recall a …

Under This Slab / Faoi Lár na Lice seo

death, history, irish, language

Presented below is the latest in the series of translations by ILS member Brian O’Connor of the great Irish poet of the late 17th and early 18th century, Aodhagán Ó Rathaille (c.1670–1726). O’Connor’s earlier translations for us from Ó Rathaille are also available on the ILS blog. For those without Irish it is worth reading the original to appreciate the complexity of …

Cabhair ni Ghoirfead, a new translation.

death, irish, language

A new translation is presented here of ‘Cabhair ni Ghoirfead’ (Poem XXI) by the great Irish poet of the late 17th and early 18th century Aodhagán Ó Rathaille. Patrick Dinneen, lexicographer and translator of Ó Rathaille, considered it the pinnacle of his work. The verse dates from late in the poet’s life (c.1670–1726) and is included in the excellent Dánta Aodhagáin …