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 is pleased to share Chapter 1 of this important work, as well as an introduction to the Irish language by the author himself. Thirty-Two Words for Field: An Introduction for Trasna Readers by Manchán Magan As the oldest vernacular language in Europe, Irish is a unique and strange phenomenon. It…

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 to the death of George Floyd, Malone urges readers to AWAKE to Racism, and to celebrate our greatest strength, diversity. (CO’C) “My White Privilege,” from AWAKE to Racism by Joann Malone “I’ve never liked being categorized as ‘white.’” What’s white? An absence of color, melanin, jazz, laughter, rhythm?  I probably…

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 experience of readers by presenting a variety of writing from both sides of the Atlantic. Featured this week is an essay by Wooding on learning and the critical role it plays in our personal lives and in society. The book can be ordered at www.loompress.com Lowell: City of Learning? by…

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 and frozen amidst the blue, I looked for you in my chest and for all those years saw nothing but mirrors and those familiar, youthful eyes staring back. Soon I’ll be home, and you still five years dead, Slowly rotting, embalmed with unsaid words. You were more alive in this…

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 than anything else, was an attack on Democracy. Given these events, Trasna will pause its weekly posts and instead offer the words of poet Kerry Hardie, excerpted from her collection, “Where Now Begins.” 3 Responses to “Where Now Begins” Jeannie Sargent Judge says:January 8, 2021 at 2:21 pmThank you. “Where Now Begins”…

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 and new beginning May the times ahead be lived from an open and loving heart May the lessons of the past year that broke us open, bring now the gift of compassion, and kindle the courage to continue on May we gently let go our loved ones who have passed,…