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Doireann Ní Ghríofa ~ “Under a Fridge Magnet is a Photo of Grandmother as a Schoolgirl”
Throughout the month of March, Trasna is featuring Irish language writers. This week, we are pleased to share the work of Doireann Ní Ghríofa. Included in this post is a video of her poem: “Under a Fridge Magnet is a Photo of Grandmother as a Schoolgirl.” The poem is read in Irish by the poet, and includes the English translation. …
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Aguisín, (“Afterword”) a Reading by Aifric Mac Aodha
Throughout the month of March, Trasna is featuring Irish language writers. This week, we are pleased to share the work of Aifric Mac Aodha, an accomplished Irish-language poet. We are also pleased to share the spoken word, two readings, each in Irish and English, by the poet. For many Americans, Aifric Mac Aodha’s reading may be your first encounter with…
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“Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape” by Manchán Magan
It is the oldest vernacular language in Europe; it is “unique,” “complex,” and “primal.” Those are some of the words author Manchán Magan uses to describe the Irish language. Throughout the month of March, Trasna is featuring Irish language writers. We begin with Manchán Magan and his recent 2020 publication, “Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost words of the Irish landscape.” Trasna…
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“AWAKE TO RACISM”
Joann Malone In recognition of Black History Month, this week Trasna features an excerpt from a new publication by Joann Malone, Awake to Racism. Malone, an Irish-American, shares her experiences as a Catholic nun in Alabama in the 1960s. There, while teaching, she begins a lifelong involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Beginning with the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham…
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“Ardmore,” and Other Poems
Frank Farrelly This week Trasna is pleased to feature Irish poet, Frank Farrelly, who is based in Waterford city. Frank’s poems here are from his first full collection, The Boiler Room, and reflect on childhood, place and a growing towards an understanding of the complexities of life and living. The poem, Against the Clock, brings us to our current situation, living through the COVID…
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“Take Me out to the Ballgame,” and Other Poems
K.T. Slattery This week Trasna is pleased to feature the work of K.T. Slattery. A native of Tennessee, who now lives in the West of Ireland, Slattery is a familiar with Transatlantic crossings. “My biggest regret / Moving across the wide ocean- / I missed that glorious day / Red Sox World Champions!!!!” We commend Slattery not just for her image-rich poetry, but for her good…
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Atlantic Currents, Connecting Cork and Lowell Through Learning
Atlantic Currents is an anthology of sixty-five writers from Ireland and the United States. The book grew from the efforts of John Wooding, a former Provost at UMass, to have Lowell designated a UNESCO Learning City. Working with co-editors Paul Marion of Loom Press and Tina Neylon of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, this unique anthology seeks to enrich the the…
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Atlantic Currents & the Poetry of Alex Hayes
Atlantic Currents: Connecting Cork and Lowell, brings together sixty-five writers from both sides of the Atlantic, featuring a collection of stories, poems, essays, songs, and parts of novels. This January, Trasna features selected writings from this 2020 anthology. Featured this week, the poetry of Alex Hayes. FR8879, 42 (Warsaw to Shannon) We’re leaving the sea of clouds behind now, Suspended…
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“Where Now Begins”
This week, on January 6th, the United States Capitol was attacked. It houses the meeting chambers of the United States Senate and the Congress. It is one of the most symbolically important buildings in the nation. At the time of the attack, a joint session of Congress was certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. The assault, more…
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‘Beannacht’ ~ a New Year Blessing
Eileen Heneghan Beannacht is the Irish word for blessing. As 2020 ends, and we prepare to begin 2021, we extend a heartfelt and beautiful Beannacht from Tipperary-based healer and writer, Eileen Heneghan. Here at Trasna, we wish everyone health and happiness in the new year. Beannacht Wishing you deep peace as we stand on the shoreline of a new year…
