Léamh Filíochta

Poetry Reading

I recently attended a poetry class that I really enjoyed. We had to read our poems out loud in class, and then the other students had the opportunity to share feedback with the author. In this way, we were all learning in two main ways. Firstly, we heard the poems that other people in the class had composed, which was very interesting. Secondly, we received feedback on our own poems, and with that information, we were able to improve the poems. At the end of the course, an open poetry reading was organised for us, which everyone was welcome to attend. I read three poems in English at the event, and I read an introduction to each of them, to put them in context. I have an English and an Irish version of two of the poems, since they relate to Ireland. The other one (the third one) is in English only. Here are the three introductions and the poems associated with them, translated into Irish (except for the third poem itself).

 

  1. 1. The powerful influence of our parents on us.

Our parents have a great influence on us in our early years. I didn’t really understand that until recently. This is just one example of that influence. My father wrote and my mother read every chance they got, every day, when I was growing up. I have enjoyed writing and reading throughout my life and they are very important to me. Every chance I get, I write or read. I now understand very well that this was no accident but was a consequence of the home environment I had, thanks to my parents. This poem is a tribute to them.Our parents have a great influence on us in our early years. I didn’t really understand that until recently. This is just one example of that influence. My father wrote and my mother read every chance they got, every day, when I was growing up. I have enjoyed writing and reading throughout my life and they are very important to me. Every chance I get, I write or read. I now understand very well that this was no accident but was a consequence of the home environment I had, thanks to my parents. This poem is a tribute to them.

Scríobhaim
Daid ag cnagadh ar a shean-Olivetti,
A eochairbhuillí mar bhuillí croí ár n-óige.
Gach ciúnas agus boladh Tippex
mar shioncóipiú sa cheol cúlra-
ceol deasghnátha an tsaoil.

Sna sosanna gearra ina lá fada –
físeanna leabharlann-spreagtha ag Mam,
faoi dhomhan nís cineálta, nís gile.

Ón ithir thorthúil chruthaitheach seo,
D’fhás peann i mo lámha óga díograiseacha.
Bhínn ag scríobh, ag scríobh, ag scríobh,
go dtí gur lean foirm feidhm,
agus sa deireadh thiar thall –
nochtadh an scríbhneoir ionam.

I Write
Tapping away on his old Olivetti,
Dad’s keystrokes were the heartbeat of our childhood,
with silences and Tippex smells
syncopating the background music
of our mundane life rituals.

Mum fed the short breaks in her long day
with library-fueled visions
of a kinder, grander world.

From this fertile, dream-fed soil
sprouted a pen in my eager young hands.
I wrote and wrote and wrote until
form followed function
and parchment revealed
the writer inside.

  1. The beauty of nature and culture in the Glen Cholm Cille area.

According to tradition, Colmcille built a church in Glencolmcille in the 6th century. This valley is located in a remote area in the north-west of Ireland in County Donegal. The valley slopes down, through rolling countryside, to the Atlantic Ocean. Then, the rugged coastline stretches north and south. To the north, at Sliabh Liag, there are 2,000-foot-high sea cliffs. Glencolmcille is in the Gaeltacht, and our native language is commonly heard spoken there. As such, the area is steeped in traditional Irish culture. I personally feel that this special valley is a wonderful blend of landscape and culture. The poem is a tribute and, in a way, a prayer to this picturesque and historic valley. The poem describes the scene and its effect on me when I first saw the glen on a beautiful summer day, as we entered at the top of the glen and drove down to the coast.

Gleann Cholm Cille
Glasghoirt cuilteáilte úra ag cur thar maoil,
loig is mullaigh scuabtha síos dorchla caol,
ag sleamhnú trí chraos an ghleanna go mín,
stróicthe as a chéile gan rabhadh ag an Muirlín.
Talamh Naofa ina néal-lámha faoi dheireadh,
Spíonta, géilleann sí go do ghaineamh geal na mara.

Glencolmcille

Fresh green-fielded quiltwork spills,
pleats and folds tumbling down hills,
glides through glistening, gulleted glen,
riven by meanders of the river Murlin.
Cloud-swaddled, spangled sainted land,
Exhausted, yields to the silver sand.

 

  1. The ongoing painful consequences of climate change.

The “butterfly effect” is a description of the large consequences that can occur from small changes. The effect was discovered by Edward Lorenz while researching the weather system. The effect also applies to broader topics, including climate change. In this case, it highlights the risks we take when making even small changes to the climate system. The butterfly migration comes to my area of San Diego from Santa Cruz every year. Last year, I saw one butterfly struggling desperately to stay afloat. Ironically and tragically, the “butterfly effect” has a negative impact on the very creatures for which the effect is named. In fact, the butterfly has done us no harm, but the opposite is true, for it is humanity that is harming the butterfly. All of this gave me a metaphor, in which the butterfly is like a lens. Through this lens, we can see not only our personal and emotional connection to the world, which we know and love, but the reality of its loss, which has already begun. And it is a loss that does not happen all at once, but gradually, butterfly by butterfly - at least at first.

Butterfly Elegy
The nectar-fueled monarch migration
flutters south in shimmering clouds
from Santa Cruz to San Diego
to ancestral breeding grounds.

There, molten clouds of monarchs
drift on failing wings,
no haven to receive them,
no milkweed to nourish their young.

A single monarch spirals down
in quickening, tightening arcs,
its frail and tattered body —
more proof of what’s being lost.

Litir ó Mheiriceá – Cruachás na bhfostaithe feidearálacha!

Letter from America - The plight of federal employees!

The Enemy Within

Everything is upside down in the United States of America (USA) right now, and it is a great pity. No other country can trust the USA anymore. It feels like President Trump is turning to the other side – the side of Russia. He is giving Russia the benefit of the doubt, while at the same time turning his back on his Allies, the European Union (including Ireland!), Ukraine, Canada and Mexico, to name just a few. This story will end badly, no doubt.

Even in the United States itself, Trump and his cronies are treating a large portion of their own citizens as if they were the enemy. His big ally, Elon Musk, is firing thousands of government employees, in a way that is brutal and cruel and, apparently, illegal. It reminds me of a movie called ‘Up in the Air’, starring George Clooney, and he has to fire people all over the country. When his boss suggests that he do his work on ‘Zoom’ or something similar, he has a big problem with that approach, because he has a conscience.

Musk goes a few steps further than that, because he fired many people at the same time, with a single email. He has no idea what he is doing, and many people are suffering as a result. Here are a few personal stories from people who have recently lost their federal jobs.

Samantha Leach

Samantha Leach was happy eight months ago. She landed the job she loved at the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing, working with a team that respected her skills and dedication.

That joy was dashed earlier this month. She learned (via email) that she was among thousands of federal government employees on probation who were suddenly laid off. The insult was compounded when she read that she had failed to perform her duties on the job. But Samantha received the highest rating - five out of five, in her most recent performance review.

“I was good, very good at the job I was assigned. I did everything right - literally! But despite everything, I was shown the door. That was a terrible blow, for someone like me who just wants to be where I fit in, contributing to the success of the federal government.”

Tony Ruiz

Tony Ruiz, of Orange County, California, was fired on February 3, just ten days before his probationary period as a Service Representative working for the Department of Veterans Affairs was to end.

The disabled army veteran said he was hired after 15 years in the private sector to help veterans with their benefit claims — for example, help with paperwork to approve a medical procedure or to enroll a spouse in a policy. Tony said he often handles up to 40 claims a day.

He was shocked and appalled when he read in his termination letter that his standard of work was unacceptable. Last August, Tony became the first employee in his department to win an “employee of the quarter” award, which came with a $1,000 cash prize.

“You’re telling me (that) one of the best employees, who was awarded money, and was employee of the quarter ... is a worthless person?” he said.

Tony found it hard to even leave the house at first and is taking some time to come to terms with what happened to him.

“I’m heartbroken, I’m devastated,” Tony said. “I don’t think any American federal employee, especially a veteran, deserves this.”

Analysis

Musk and his team have done a lot of damage to the federal government and its employees. We saw Musk on stage with a chainsaw, showing how focused he is on cost-cutting measures in the government. Musk has likely overstepped his authority and violated laws that protect federal employees. He has targeted the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority), USAID (United States Agency for International Development), and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), even trying to shut down USAID. Musk behaves as if the US government is part of his business. But the government is not there to make a profit, but for the benefit of the people of the country.

Trump’s ministers are not happy with the current state of affairs and Musk’s interference in their affairs. While Musk has given the boot to many people, the political responsibility for what he has done lies solely with the ministers. There was a heated meeting at the White House recently, with Trump, his ministers, and Musk in the room. There was a big argument between Musk and a few Secretaries, and in particular Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who heads USAID. The decision was made that Musk would no longer be able to directly give the sack to federal employees. He will put forward proposals on the subject, but the Secretaries will have the power to accept or reject them.

There is a power struggle going on between Musk and Trump’s ministers. Musk has been dealt a blow by the decision to make him an advocate without any power of action. But that is not a fatal blow, and I think Musk will not give up without a fight. But Trump’s ministers should have the power, so they will probably win the day. Without a doubt, Musk’s plan is falling apart, and he and Trump are up to their necks in lawsuits. In addition, public discontent with Musk’s actions is growing. It is clear that Trump or his ministers will have no desire to go further down the same road. Trump himself said they need to use a scalpel instead of an axe, because he understands the political risks of Musk's approach so far. I hope the US government will treat the federal workforce fairly, and stop mistreating these fine, honest people who are the backbone of the government!

 

 

 

 

 

 

M’Iarmhúinteoir Gaeilge!

My former Irish Teacher

Fógra: Beidh Micheál Ó’Diarmada ag tabhairt léachta ar an 16 Márta ag 7:30 p.m. i dteach tábhairne Bollards i gCill Chainnigh. Beidh sé ag díriú ar na focail Gaeilge a bhí coitianta sa Bhéarla agus é ag fás aníos. Beidh sé ag caint freisin ar an gcanúint dhifriúil sa chontae. Déanfaidh sé tabhairt freisin do chúpla amhrán Gaeilge a bhain le Cill Chainnigh agus a logainmneacha. Beidh an oíche idir shiamsúil agus fhaisnéiseach.

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I had no idea at the time, but my former Irish teacher, Micheál Ó'Diarmada, would have a profound and lasting influence on me.

Every Irish teacher in Coláiste Chiaráin, including Micheál Ó’Diarmada, had a high standard of Irish. Micheál was my teacher in my fourth and fifth years at school, up to the Leaving Certificate.

Micheál was a lively young man at the time. Because he was so young, he was able to understand his students well. Also, he was one of the lads, as far as we were concerned. Why? He broke the division between teacher and student, which was not often seen, especially at that time, in the seventies in Ireland. Most teachers in the country had an authoritative style, enforced with the rod! The rod set a hard boundary between the teacher and the students in their class. And that damaged the relationship between them.

Micheál never used the rod. He never punished us in any way. Many teachers used the cane as a crutch and relied on it to maintain discipline in the class, and to pressure us to do homework. But here’s the magic and even strange thing - Micheál didn’t assert control over us! He didn’t pressure us to do homework, either. He didn’t need to because he trusted us and we trusted him! It’s that simple, yet powerful.

Today, students can ask questions of the teacher and have a conversation with him, without restraint. But back then, the teacher had all the power, and a student couldn’t speak without first raising their hand to get the teacher’s permission. Micheál was a progressive teacher, and he was ahead of his time in terms of teaching practice. He had a friendly and inclusive approach, and as a result there was a relaxed atmosphere in the class, where we were more open and it was easier for us to learn new things. We never felt threatened by Micheál.

Micheál had a very direct sense of humor, which strengthened the bond between us in class. There was a book on the curriculum – Tóruigheacht Diarmada agus Ghráinne – that was not easy to read or understand. Normally, reading that book and discussing it in class would have been painful. But it wasn’t like that for us – quite the opposite. Micheál focused on the story itself, its plot and characters, and then he drew us into the discussion. He told us jokes, at the same time as he was explaining a grammatical point or the meaning of a word. He also asked us tough questions, which we couldn’t answer without understanding the subject. We also asked Micheál questions, first to understand the material at hand, and then to answer his questions. We were conversing naturally in Irish with each other and with Micheál during class while learning the spoken language at the same time. Remember that there was no emphasis on the spoken language at that time, and Irish was often taught as if it were a dead language. We were keen to learn Irish, both spoken and written, as it was always an enjoyable experience. It is no wonder, then, that we – Micheál’s students – did not have many difficulties with the Irish exam in the Leaving Certificate. On behalf of every student who was lucky enough to have Micheál as a teacher, myself included – a special thank you, Micheál!

 

 

 

Léirmheas Leabhair- Madame Lazare!

Book Review - Madame Lazare!

Some time ago, when I read that the book 'Madame Lazare' won the European Union literature prize in 2022, as well as an award for 'Irish Book of the Year' at the 'An Post Irish Book Awards' in 2021, it amazed me and awakened my interest in reading it. After that, I read a few reviews. The more I read, the more my interest grew regarding this book and its author Tadhg Ó Dhonnagáin. But would the book be as good as it was said to be?

The author

It would be appropriate to write a few words about the author himself, Tadhg Ó Dhonnagáin. Although this is his first novel, this is not his first 'rodeo' as they say in the United States. He was a teacher from 1982 -1987 at Gaelscoil Uí Dálaigh in Léim an Brádáin. He got a part-time job with RTÉ from 1984-1987 as a presenter on the children's show called 'Dilín Ó Deamhas'. He retired from teaching in 1987 and got a full-time job with RTÉ as a presenter on the show 'Cúrsáí' and then in 1995 on the show 'Cúrsáí Eálae'. Also, he was moonlighting as a Celtic rock star, and released two albums: 'Solas Gorm' in 1983, and 'Raftiríir San Underground' in 1993.

Tadhg and his family moved to An Spidéal in 2000, and he started working on various projects - including a presenter for TG4. He released a book and CD called 'Gugalaí Gug: Traditional Rhymes in Irish' in 2006. When he was working on Gugalaí Gug, it occurred to Tadhg that he would be able to start his own company (Futa Fata) to publish Irish books for children. He attended the 'Bologna Book Fair' in 2006, and was encouraged to translate books into Irish, and his company did so, publishing books such as 'Frog sa Spéir', 'Eileanór an Elifint Éagsúil', 'Mac Tíre na Draíochta', 'Neilín and the Cat', 'Béiríní ag Troid' and the series 'Cathal'. Futa Fata is also very strong on picture books. A few of them achieved places on the shortlist for the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Award: 'Míp', a picture book written by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, and 'Scúnc agus Smúirín', a picture book about a skunk and his toy written illustrated by Muireann Ní Cíobháin and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly. In 2021, Tadhg started a new brand – Barzaz, to publish novels for adults. The first books he published under the brand were 'Khalil' written by Yasminda Khadra and translated into Irish by Máirín Nic Con Iomaire, and 'Madame Lazare'. Undoubtedly, Tadhg Mac Donnagáin is a polymath, with an excellent and long CV. In my opinion, he excelled with 'Madame Lazare'. Tadhg has also written other books, and a couple of them - 'Bliain na nAmhrán' and 'Mise Raftearaí an Fiodóir Focal' won awards. However, we will now turn our attention to 'Madame Lazare'.

Madame Lazare – plot

According to the author himself, his father's mother had a neighbor in the 1920s who only ever spoke English to everyone. As he grew older, he began to speak Irish. No one knew that he had a word of Irish, but he had excellent Irish, because he was brought up with Irish. That was the seed of the book, and Tadhg created his story based on that.

In the story, we follow Hana Lazare through the last days of her life – Madame Lazare of the title. She fled Estonia when the Nazis were persecuting the Jews. She ended up in Paris, and started a new life for herself and her daughter there. Like many Jews, she never spoke about her life in her motherland, before the Nazi attack. But things are not as they seem, and bit by bit, little things leak that open up questions that cast doubt on the story of her life before reaching Paris.

As Hana gets older, it becomes clear that she is competent in a language other than French or Estonian. This confuses her granddaughter, Levana. The young woman goes on a language journey, trying to find out what the language is, what her mother is saying, and what the truth is about her grandmother's life. It is detective work, and we follow that work from Paris to Brussels and even to the west of the Ireland, to discover the truth, and to reveal the secret of the old woman. There are many twists and turns in this thriller that would keep you on edge, and you would not be satisfied until you had read the last word.

Recommendations

I have only one suggestion for you – read this book. All the elements of this novel come together beautifully, and it constantly keeps us in suspense. It is not difficult to understand the Irish in the book, and at the same time the writing style is wonderful. This book is as good as any English book I have ever read, without a doubt. Tadhg also has a special skill with metaphors, and the similarities between the story of Hana Lazare and the story of Ireland are obvious, and especially the story of our own culture and language. They have been suppressed for a long time, but you also see signs of recovery from time to time. It is important for us to always keep our hope, regarding our culture and our language. So, there is depth in this book, and food for thought for all of us. 'Madame Lazare' is a serious work of art that I would recommend to you without hesitation.

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Nollaig Shona Daoibh Uilig

Merry Christmas to You All

This is a Christmas article my father wrote several years ago. Peter actually passed away just before Christmas 2019 - may God bless him.

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Yes, that time of the year has come to us again, that time that gives us all the opportunity to show peace and good will to the great world which is outside of ourselves. Yes, and it is a time too which gives us the opportunity to revisit memories, back to those days long ago, when we stood looking in wonder at the beautiful Bethlehem, which was arranged nicely and peacefully, in the village Guest House , and even further back, to the first Manger in Royal Bethlehem in the Holy Land itself, at the beginning of the Christian era, when Jesus was born in the Stable, because there was nowhere to be found for his mother, Mary, or Joseph, in the Guest House of the town, that blessed night.

Christmas Night

Look how the poet, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, put it, in her poem "Oíche Nollag", when she said that the moneyed folk found shelter in that same Guest House that night, but that the Virgin and her husband were left with nowhere inside available to them, save and old stable for the animals.

                    The lights were all lighting in that little hostel,

                    There were generous servings of victuals and wine,

                    For merchants of silk, for merchants of woollens,

                    But Jesus will lie in this household tonight. an tigh seo anocht.

The poet is referring to the custom that was alive, among Gaels, at that time, that the Holy Family used to wander around that night, trying to get inside a strange house, and that was the reason the door would be left open, the Christmas candle burning, and a place set ready for them at the table, hoping that they would come to visit them, that blessed night. See again how Máire Mhac an tSaoi puts it, in another verse, in that same poem:

                    Leave the door open before her,

                    The Virgin who’ll come with the child on her breast,

                    Deonaigh do shuaimhneas a ligint a Mhuire,

                    Luíodh Mac Dé ins an tigh seo anocht.

There is no doubt in the world, but that the poet managed to understand and express the attitude and beliefs of the common people, in the verses of that beautiful poem, "Oíche Nollag".

A Vigil kept

It was not the custom of the western people to go overboard, that night, with food or drink, as they were waiting for the arrival of the Holy Family to visit them. They used to have a normal supper, potatoes and fish, perhaps, or something similar, for wouldn’t they have a big Christmas dinner to prepare the next morning, that is, after Mass, as on that morning, every priest was in the habit of saying three Masses, and as a result, they would start very early in the morning, at half past eight, perhaps, and those people would be at home again, around ten, and then they would start preparing dinner. Yes, my soul, and remember that they didn't have modern cooking devices at that time, indeed! They only had a three-legged oven and a pot, and they had to work those devices on the open fire. Big change in the times between then and now!

How about toys then?

What about the boys and girls then? You can bet it wouldn't take them long to open their Christmas treats, nor would it take two people to load them onto a cart! I'm talking about my own district, west of Erris, in County Mayo, of course, and the lads used to get nothing but a wee toy gun maybe, and a wee toy car, or the likes, yes, and a handful of sweets and fruit, to fill the stocking. And what about the girls? Well, they would usually get dolls, and maybe sweets and fruit too. We used to play with those Christmas treats, and then some of us would go out in search of the wren, as we were getting ready for Wren Day, since it was the day after Christmas Day. If we didn't manage to find a wren that day, and I promise you, those same wrens would know that we were looking for them that particular day, as they would clear out of our way very early that morning. Well, if we didn't manage to find one of them, what would we do then was to wait until nightfall, and then, it wouldn't be too difficult to find a sleepy sparrow in the gutter, and that would do it for us the next day, as long as we didn’t let anyone get too close to the bird which was well covered in a cage we had!

Memories

There is no doubt in the world, but that a flood of memories returns to me, at this time of year, as I go back that distressing, complicated, interesting, memory lane. Here is how I spoke about some of those thoughts, in a poem I composed myself last year:

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A treasure of accumulated memories

In the cupboard of bundled memories,

Going out with a Wren, early Mass,

Angels and Shepherds visiting,

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Sharing nice things generously,

Roasting delicious foods,

Christmas treats given with heart,

And Jesus’ birthday being celebrated.

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They Chose a Goose.

They were not roasting a turkey for the occasion, at that time,no indeed, but a goose. Yes, a beautiful, plucky, Irish goose, for Christmas, and wouldn’t we get the gravy and meat, and finally, when we had cleverly and carefully worked down to the bones, we would not discard those bones carelessly either, no we would not indeed! As in fact the wing bones were very popular with us, as by cutting them carefully, we were able to make goose guns from them, and then, we only had to put a small bit of wood through the heart of the bone, and a potato, in order to start shooting bullets at everyone around the house. Didn’t we have fun! I can promise you that we had as much fun with those same goose guns as youngsters today would have with their PlayStations and the like! Yes – big difference between then and now.

But to add a fitting end to this week's piece, it might not be a bad idea to wish each and every one of my readers a merry Christmas, and may each of you be seven times better, a year from tonight. And yes, many happy returns!

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Birth in the Stable

The Christmas season is upon us,

And white flakes coming down

As a bright, holy, shining flag,

Hiding grime and dirt for us.

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But inside my heart, with enthusiasm,

I will prepare a manger, with effort,

and I will clear away the grime of the years

From the old stable of my hard soul.

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The Christmas season is upon us,

And the holy, Heavenly Infant, coming down,

Is washing, and saving the Clan of Eve,

And hiding sin and trouble for us.

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