-
John Lawlor, Philip Conway, Boston University and the continuity of a proud Irish athletic tradition
Dr. Tom Hunt For the month of July here on Trasna, we have been highlighting some of the literary and artistic events cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The other significant arena of cancellations due to COVID-19 is, of course, sport. Today we present an article by Irish sports historian, Dr. Tom Hunt, who focuses on the early history and impact…
-
“Petting Zoo” and Other Offerings
E. R. Murray For the month of July, here on Trasna, we will be highlighting some of the literary and artistic events cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Featured this week is the West Cork Literary Festival, an annual, weeklong celebration of writing workshops offered by some of the finest Irish and international writers. This year’s festival was scheduled to begin today,…
-
“The Last Lines of Henry Thoreau and Yeats’ Ring-Stained Copy of Walden”
For the month of July, here on Trasna, we will be highlighting some of the literary and artistic events cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In early July of each year, The Henry David Thoreau Society holds its Annual Gathering. This year’s theme was “DIVERSITY.” While an ever-important subject, it could hardly have proven more timely. Ibram X. Kendi, a leading scholar of…
-
“The Painter on his Bike” and Other Offerings
by Enda Wyley This month Trasna is featuring writers participating in Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme. Every year, 22 emerging writers are selected for the program in the areas of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/YA fiction, and poetry. Each writer is paired with a mentor. Featured this week is poet Enda Wyley, an accomplished Irish literary figure, who served as a mentor for Martina Dalton in the…
-
“Sleeping with the Kingfisher” and other poems by MARK ROPER
by Mark Roper This month Trasna is featuring writers participating in Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme. Every year, 22 emerging writers are selected for the program in the areas of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/YA fiction, and poetry. Each are paired with mentors. Featured this week is poet Mark Roper, who acted as a mentor in the 2019 Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme.…
-
“Droichead na nDeoir” and other poems
by Billy Fenton This month Trasna is featuring writers participating in Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme. Every year, 22 emerging writers are selected for the program in the areas of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/YA fiction, and poetry. Each are paired with mentors. Featured this week is poet Billy Fenton. On participating in Words Ireland, he writes: “I had the privilege of working with Mark…
-
“Leaving White Bridge” and other poems
by Martina Dalton June 5, 2020 This month Trasna is featuring writers participating in Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme. Every year, 22 emerging writers are selected for the program in the areas of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s/YA fiction, and poetry. Each are paired with mentors. Featured this week is poet Martina Dalton. On participating in Words Ireland, she writes: “I was very honoured…
-
Uisneach Fires
by Mawie Barrett The Hill of Uisneach may not appear in many travel guides, but local historian Mawie Barrett explains why this ancient and sacred site in the geographic center of Ireland is not to be missed. As May filters into June, it is an appropriate time to offer an insight into the ancient hill of ritual at Uisneach in…
-
Even the rainbows are social distancing
by Alan McMonagle May 22, 2020 With wry humour, Irish novelist Alan McMonagle writes of the challenges of living through COVID-19. Somewhere in Bedfordshire, England a ninety-nine-year-old man is hobbling lengths of his garden to raise money for the UK’s National Health Service, and here I am, sitting on my backside, staring at my fingernails and wondering where I’ve left…
-
Pasteur and Uncle Paddy
by Margaret O’Brien Trasna editor Margaret O’Brien’s timely piece,“Pasteur and Uncle Paddy,” is about a deadly virus, her great-grandmother Mary, and one of the world’s most famous scientists. Today the world is in the grip of a pandemic because of COVID-19, the deadly Coronavirus. Although it has claimed many lives and disrupted economic and social life around the globe, it is not the deadliest…
