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Product Description
Through masterful essays and twenty poems, one of Ireland's greatest twentieth-century poets captures the soul of Aran Island life - from keening women's haunting songs to seaweed dancing on the tide.
Beautifully translated by Mícheál Ó hAodha, this rare glimpse into authentic island culture is a must-read for lovers of Irish literature.
Mícheál Ó hAodha's translation remains faithful to Ó Direáin's original vision, masterfully conveying the author's gift for Irish conversation, particularly in the lightning-quick exchanges of traditional 'agallamh beirte'. Through lyrical prose, Ó Direáin tells of island life: from shawled keening women whose voices carry 'an ancient and mysterious beauty' to the 'wild, red flood of tide' washing over the shore. He describes seaweed and kelp drying into a 'multi-coloured quilt' beneath the 'spiralling music' of larks. He weaves together memories of lost love and friendships with profound meditations on art and exile. The musical prose echoes centuries of Irish storytelling and explores the universal themes of belonging, memory, and artistic creation, while detailed footnotes expand cultural references for contemporary readers.
PRAISE for Spring Seaweed
'While Máirtín Ó Direáin stands among Ireland's greatest twentieth-century poets, his prose reveals another dimension of his genius. These essays, born from childhood memories that shaped his poetic vision, offer an unparalleled window into authentic Aran island life.' – Alan Titley, Emeritus Professor of Modern Irish, University College Cork and Translator of The Dregs of the Day
