Scríbhneoirí Árann – Aran Writers

Spreag blag na míosa seo caite faoi Thomás Ó Flaithearta agus Féile na bhFlaitheartach taighde breise ar scríbhneoirí Árann. Achar gairid sular bhásaigh sé i 1990, thug mac dheirfiúr Thomáis – an t-iriseoir, craoltóir, agus údar Breandán Ó hEithir as Cill Rónáin – caint bhreá uaidh ar scríbhneoirí Árann i Scoil an Cheathrar Álainn i bhFearann an Choirce, scoil a dúnadh i 2005. Thaifead an craoltóir agus aisteoir Árannach, Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithbheartaigh, an chaint do Raidió na Gaeltachta. Le linn a chuid cainte, thug Breandán suntas do bhisiúlacht na n-údar áitiúil agus d’áirigh breis agus trí scór leabhar ó phinn na n-oileánach. “Is mór an lear é as áit bheag,” a dúirt sé, agus b’fhíor dó. I gCiarraí na caide, áiríonn Mícheál de Mórdha in Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir cúig leabhar is fiche as oileánra s’acusan ó dheas. Mar sin, is gaire í toirt chanóin Árann do thoirt chanóin Lios Tuathail, ina bhfuil – dar le Cara Trant sa Kerry Writers’ Museum – go hard os cionn céad leabhair.

Ag cur le hiarrachtaí Chumann Liam & Tom O’Flaherty ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar roinnt dár scríbhneoirí áitiúla, seolann blag na míosa seo liosta de na leabhair, idir beag agus mór, a scaoileadh as trí oileán Árann. Rinne mé iarracht a bheith cuimsitheach ach táim ag brath oraibhse anois, a léitheoirí, moltaí a roinnt ar bhur gcaoithúlacht. Ní áirím anseo iriseoireacht na n-oileánach, a bhfuil liosta eile le háireamh sa mhéid toirtiúil sin, ná cnuasaigh béaloidis a chruthaigh oileánaigh le gairid (Mná Fiontracha Árann, Comharchumann Chaomháin), ná cnuasaigh a bhaineann le hoileáin eile (m.sh. Olwen Gill et al., Island Writings: A unique collection from 14 islands off the coast of Ireland (Women’s Interisland Network, 2007)). Ní áirím ach oiread leabhair a scríobh daoine a mhair tamall fada in Árainn ach nárbh de bhunadh na n-oileán iad; ina measc siúd, molaim go háirithe Oileáin Árann (Baile Átha Cliath: Muinntir C.S. Ó Fallamhain i gcomhair le Oifig an tSoláthair, 1930) a scríobh an tAthair Mártan Ó Domhnaill (1877–1963) as An Mhala Raithní, Co. Mhaigh Eo – an chéad leabhar Ghaeilge a scríobhadh faoi Árainn – agus Ó Thrá Anoir (Cathair na Mart, Co. Mhaigh Eo: Foilsiúcháin Náisiúnta Teo., 1985) a scríobh an t-oide scoile Dónal Ó Flannagáin (1922-1989) a rugadh sa Ráth, Co. Chorcaí. Níl aon chaint anseo ach oiread ar leabhair iomadúla James Brendan Connolly (1868-1957), fear a rugadh i nDeisceart Boston ach arbh as Árainn dá mhuintir. Tá blag dá chuid féin tuillte aigesean, ag a scéal agus ag a shaothar spleodrach. Sa líon cláraithe thíos – a áiríonn leabhair a foilsíodh ó 1901 anuas – tá os cionn céad leabhair agus, mar is ionann d’amhráin Árann, is mó fir ná mná a chuir díobh iad.

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Last month’s blog about Tom O’Flaherty and The O’Flaherty Summer School inspired some additional research on Aran writers. Shortly before he died in 1990, Tom’s nephew Breandán Ó hEithir – the journalist, broadcaster and author from Cill Rónáin – gave a fine lecture on Aran writers in Scoil an Cheathrar Álainn, a primary scoil in Fearann an Choirce that was closed in 2005. The lecture was recorded for Raidió na Gaeltachta by another islander, the broadcaster and actor Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithbheartaigh. In his talk, Breandán paid homage to the prolificacy of Aran writers, who had produced over sixty books, he reckoned. “Is mór an lear é as áit bheag” – “It’s a large haul from a small place,” he said, and he was right. In Kerry, Mícheál de Mórdha of the Blasket Centre calculates that twenty-five books emerged from the Blasket Islands so, in terms of volume, the Aran canon compares more with that of Listowel, which – according to Cara Trant of the Kerry Writers’ Museum – includes well over a hundred books.

 

Leac ar aghaidh Phort Bhéal an Dúin, Árainn, 2 Aibreán 2013

Adding to the efforts of the Liam & Tom O’Flaherty Society to celebrate some of Aran’s writers, this blog shares a list of books and booklets that have emerged from the three Aran islands. I have tried to be as comprehensive as possible but I am now relying on you, dear readers, to make recommendations at your leisure. The list excludes journalistic works by islanders, works that are so numerous they require a list of their own; folklore collections created more recently by islanders (Mná Fiontracha Árann, Comharchumann Chaomháin); and literary collections pertaining to other Irish islands (e.g. Olwen Gill et al., Island Writings: A unique collection from 14 islands off the coast of Ireland (Women’s Interisland Network, 2007)). The list also excludes books written by people who came from elsewhere to live for a long time in Aran; among those, I recommend especially Oileáin Árann (Baile Átha Cliath: Muinntir C.S. Ó Fallamhain i gcomhair le Oifig an tSoláthair, 1930) by Fr Mártan Ó Domhnaill (1877–1963) from Mulranny, Co. Mayo – the first Irish-language book written about Aran – and Ó Thrá Anoir (Westport, Co. Mayo: Foilsiúcháin Náisiúnta Teo., 1985) by the schoolteacher Dónal Ó Flannagáin (1922-1989) who was born in Charleville, Co. Cork. Finally, the list also excludes the substantial oeuvre of James Brendan Connolly (1868-1957), born in South Boston to Aran parents. His spectacular story and works deserve a blog of their own. The list given below – naming first editions published since 1901 – numbers over a hundred books and, as with the songs of Aran, the authors feature more men than women.

Tomás Bán Ó Concheanainn (1870–1961), Baile an Mhothair, Inis Meáin

An Leighean Deireannach (aistriúchán; 1901)

Blátha Bealtaine (Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1902)

Mion-Chomhradh (Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1904)

Focla Gnótha agus Cora Cainte (Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1904)

Gormfhlaith (Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1905)

Mac-Ghníomhartha Bhriain (Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1905)

An Fear Cruaidh-Chríoch (aistriúchán; Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1905)

Laochra Gaedhael (Baile Átha Cliath: Comhlucht Oideachais na hÉireann, 1923)

Seoda na Sean: Inis Fáil (leabhrán scoile; Baile Átha Cliath: Brún & Ó Nualláin, 1924)

Seoda na Sean: Eamhain Mhacha (leabhrán scoile; Baile Átha Cliath: Brún & Ó Nualláin, 1924)

Seoda na Sean: Fianna Éireann (leabhrán scoile; Baile Átha Cliath: Brún & Ó Nualláin, 1924)

Peadar Ó Concheanainn (1878-1957), Baile an Leisín, Inis Meáin

Inis Meáin: Seanchas agus Scéalta (Baile Átha Cliath: An Gúm, 1931)

Tomás Ó Flaithearta (1890-1936), Gort na gCapall, Árainn

Aranmen All (London: Hamish Hamilton; Dublin: At the Sign of the Three Candles, 1934)
Cliffmen of the West (London, Edinburgh: Sands & Co., 1935)

Liam Ó Flaithearta (1896-1984), Gort na gCapall, Árainn

Thy Neighbour’s Wife (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1923)

The Black Soul (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1924)

Spring Sowing (gearrscéalta; London: Jonathan Cape, 1924)

Civil War (leabhrán; London: E. Archer, 1925)

The Informer (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1925)

The Terrorist (leabhrán; London: E. Archer, 1926)

Darkness: A Tragedy in Three Acts (dráma; London: E. Archer, 1926)

The Child of God (leabhrán: London: E. Archer, 1926)

Mr. Gilhooley (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1926)

The Tent (gearrscéalta; London: Jonathan Cape, 1926)

The Wilderness (novel first serialised in The Humanist 1927; republished in book form, Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1978)

The Fairy Goose and two other stories (gearrscéalta; London: Faber & Gwyer, Ltd., 1927)

The Life of Tim Healy (beathaisnéis; London: Jonathan Cape, 1927)

The Assassin (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1928)

Red Barbara and other stories (gearrscéalta; London: Faber & Gwyer, Ltd., 1928)

A Tourist’s Guide To Ireland (satirical booklet; London: Mandrake Press, 1929)

The House of Gold (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1929; republished in 2013)

Return of the Brute (úrscéal; London: Mandrake Press, 1929)

Mountain Tavern and other stories (gearrscéalta; London: Jonathan Cape, 1929)

Joseph Conrad: an appreciation (leabhrán, Blue Moon Booklets No.1; London: E. Lahr, 1930)

Two Years (dírbheathaisnéis; London: Jonathan Cape, 1930)

I Went To Russia (dírbheathisnéis; London: Jonathan Cape, 1931)

The Puritan (úrscéal; London: Jonathan Cape, 1931)

The Ecstasy Of Angus (úrscéal; London: Joiner & Steele, 1931)

A Cure for Unemployment (leabhrán, Blue Moon Booklets No.8; London: E. Lahr, 1931)

Skerrett (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1932)

The Wild Swan and other stories (gearrscéalta; London: William Jackson Ltd., 1932)

The Martyr (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1933)

Shame The Devil (dírbheathaisnéis; London: Grayson & Grayson, 1934)

Hollywood Cemetery (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1935)

The Short Stories of Liam O’Flaherty (gearrscéalta; London: Jonathan Cape, 1937; revised, New York: The Devin-Adair Company, 1956)

Famine (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz, 1937)

Land (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1946)

Two Lovely Beasts and Other Stories (gearrscéalta; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1948)

Insurrection (úrscéal; London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1950)

Dúil (gearrscéalta; Baile Átha Cliath: Sáirséal & Marcaigh, 1953)

Irish Portraits: Short Stories (gearrscéalta; London: Sphere Books Ltd., 1970)

The Pedlar’s Revenge and other stories (gearrscéalta; Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1976)

The Letters Of Liam O’Flaherty (published posthumously; Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1996)

Pat Mullen (c.1883-1972), Cill Rónáin, Árainn

Man of Aran (London: Faber & Faber, 1934)

Hero Breed (London: Faber & Faber, 1936)

Irish Tales (London: Faber & Faber, 1938)

Come Another Day (London: Faber & Faber, 1940)

Colm P. Ó hIarnáin (1914-1989), Eoghanacht, Árainn

Gleann an Chuain (gearrscéalta; Baile Átha Cliath: Clódhanna Teo., 1978)

Máirtín Ó Direáin (1910–1988), Sruthán, Árainn

Coinnle Geala (Baile Átha Cliath: Brún & Ó Nualláin, 1942)
Dánta Aniar (Baile Átha Cliath: Brún & Ó Nualláin, 1942)
Rogha Dánta (Baile Átha Cliath: Sáirséal & Dill, 1949)
Ó Mórna agus Dánta Eile (Baile Átha Cliath: Cló Morainn, 1957)
Feamainn Bhealtaine (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1961)
Ár Ré Dhearóil (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1962)
Cloch Choirnéil agus dánta eile (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1966)
Crainn is Cairde (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1970)
Ceacht an Éin (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1979)
Dánta 1939-1979 (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1980)
Selected Poems – Tacar Dánta (Newbridge, Co. Kildare: Goldsmith Press, 1984)
Béasa an Túir (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1984)
Craobhóg Dán (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar, 1986)

Dara Beag Ó Fátharta (1920–2012), Baile an Dúna, Inis Meáin

Cloch an Fhaoileáin (eag. M.F. Ó Conchúir; Indreabhán: Clódóirí Lurgan, 1982)

Cloch na nGabhar (eag. Ciarán Ó Coigligh; Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim, 2003)

Breandán Ó hEithir (1930-1990), Cill Rónáin/Mainistir, Árainn
Thar Ghealchathair Soir: léacht a tugadh ag Scoil Gheimhridh Mherriman, 1971 (Baile Átha Cliath: Cumann Mherriman, 1973)
Lig Sinn i gCathú (úrscéal; Baile Átha Cliath: Sáirséal & Dill, 1975)
Willie the Plain Pint agus an Pápa (aistí; Baile Átha Cliath: Cló Mercier, 1977)
Lead Us Into Temptation (novel; Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1978)
Over the Bar: a personal relationship with the GAA (Dublin: Ward River Press, 1984)
Ciarán Fitzgerald agus Foireann Rugbaí na hÉireann (Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim, 1985)
The Begrudger’s Guide to Irish Politics (satire; Dublin: Poolbeg, 1986)
This is Ireland (Dublin: O’Brien Press, 1987)
Sionnach ar mo Dhuán (úrscéal; Baile Átha Cliath: Sáirséal & Marcaigh, 1988)
An Nollaig Thiar (Baile Átha Cliath: Poolbeg, 1989)
A Pocket History of Ireland (Dublin: O’Brien Press, 1989)
An Chaint sa tSráidbhaile (aistí, eag. Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín; Baile Átha Cliath: Comhar Teo., 1991)
An Aran Reader (eag. le Ruairí Ó hEithir; Dublin: Lilliput Press, 1991)

An tSiúr Finnín Ní Chonceanainn (1932-), Baile an Mhothair, Inis Meáin

Tomás Bán (beathaisnéis, le Ciarán Ó Coigligh; Baile Átha Cliath: Conradh na Gaeilge, 1996)

Bruach na Coiribe, agus Dánta Eile (Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim, 2006)

Peadar Sheán Shiúnac (Peadar Mór) Mhac Conaola (1947-), Cinn an Bhaile, Inis Meáin

An Géidséara agus Amhráin Eile (eag. Ciarán Ó Coigligh; Comharchumann Inis Meáin, 1997)

Trácht Each & Amhráin Eile (Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim, 2006)

Pádraig Ó Tuathail, Bun Gabhla, Árainn

Aran to Africa: An Irishman’s Unique Odyssey (dírbheathaisnéis; Nuascéalta, 2013)

Antoine Powell, Eochaill, Árainn/Nua-Ghuine Phapua

Oileáin Árann: stair na n-oileán anuas go dtí 1922 (Dublin: Wolfhound, 1983)

Dara Ó Conaola, Inis Meáin/An Baile Thíos, Inis Oírr

Cuairt ar Oileáin Árann/Guide to the Aran Islands (Published annually by Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo; 1978-)

An Gaiscíoch Beag (Baile Átha Cliath: An Gúm, 1979)

Mo Chathair Ghríobháin agus scéalta eile (gearrscéalta; Baile Átha Cliath: An Gúm, 1981)

Cor in Aghaidh an Chaim (Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo, 1983)

Amuigh Liom Féin (Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo, 1988)

An Teachín Ceann Tuí/Thatched Homes of the Aran Islands (Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo, 1988)

Night Ructions: selected short stories (Forrest Books, London & Cló Iar-Chonnachta, Co. na Gaillimhe, 1990)

Misiún ar Muir/Sea Mission (An Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo, 1992)

Albert Power: Saol agus Saothar (Ceardshiopa Inis Oírr Teo, 1996)

Mairéad Conneely, Baile an Mhothair, Inis Meáin

Between Two Shores/Idir Dhá Chladach: Writing the Aran Islands, 1890-1980 (Series: Reimagining Ireland Vol.32; Oxford: Peter Lang, 2011)

Féach/See: George Jefferson, Liam O’Flaherty: A Descriptive Bibliography of his Works (Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1993).

Féile na bhFlaitheartach – Tom O’Flaherty (1890-1936)

Don dara bliain as a chéile, tá Féile na bhFlaitheartach á reachtáil in Árainn an mhí seo. Ceiliúrann an fhéile beirt de mhórscríbhneoirí Árann, beirt dheartháireacha as Gort na gCapall, Liam agus Tom Ó Flaithearta. Is maith ann an comhcheiliúradh mar go spreagann sé daoine chun aird níos mó a thabhairt ar shaol agus ar shaothar Thomáis, a bhfuil meas tuillte aige chomh maith ach gur beag eolas atá air mar gur lú go mór é líon na leabhar a d’fhoilsigh sé. Is mó ama a chaith Tomás le hiriseoireacht, leis an Boston Globe ar dtús ach ansin le nuachtáin shóisialacha go príomha: i Nua Eabhrac agus i Chicago, ba iad sin Irish Worker (1918), Voice of Labor (1921), Worker (1922-4), Daily Worker (1924-8), Irish People (1923–4), agus nuachtán Trotscaíoch, Militant; freisin, ag leanacht na talamhaíochta in iar-thuaisceart Mheiriceá, Producers News (1929–31) in Plentywood, Montana, agus Wasp, iris mhíosúil aorach in Cleveland, Ohio; agus, i ndiaidh dó filleadh ar Éireann, An t-Éireannach. Ghlac sé ballraíocht freisin i gcumainn éagsúla, ina measc, an Socialist Party agus na Industrial Workers of the World, nó na Wobblies mar a thugtaí orthu, agus thug dhá chuairt ar Mhoscó i 1925-26.

Le caoinchead ó Bhailiúchán Béaloideas Árann

Nuair a dhéantar iarrachtaí míniú a thabhairt ar na cúiseanna a spreag chun pinn agus chun ceannairce Tomás óg ar oileán beag san iarthar, luaitear cuairt a thug Ruairí Mac Easmuinn (1864-1916) ar Scoil Fhearann a’ Choirce thart ar 1902. Glacaim leis gur ar saoire a bhí an taidhleoir úd a bhainfeadh cáil amach ina dhiaidh sin mar fhear mór cearta daonna, mar náisiúnaí, agus mar mhairtíreach. Bhronn Mac Easmuinn leathchoróin ar an scoláire meabhrach mar luach saothair, tar éis dó colún Eoghain Uí Neachtain sa Cork Examiner a léamh os ard go slachtmhar, soiléir agus, ina dhiaidh sin, sheol sé chuige sa phost leabhair éagsúla, ina measc, Séadna leis an Ath. Peadar Ó Laoghaire. Luaitear freisin gur thairg Mac Easmuinn urraíocht do Thomás ionas go bhfaighfeadh sé meánscolaíocht i gColáiste Chnoc an tSamhraidh i Sligeach. Mo léan, theip ar an iarracht sin deis a bhronnadh ar an malrach óg, agus chuaigh Tomás ar imirce i 1912. D’ainneoin iarrachtaí Mhic Easmuinn agus dá fheabhas iad, is é bun agus barr an scéil gurbh ag an oide scoile i bhFearann a’ Choirce, Dáithí Ó Ceallacháin (c.1853-1937), ba mhó a bhí tionchar ar Thomás agus ar a dheartháir óg, Liam (1896-1984). Féach mar a chuir Tomás síos ar an té a bhronn orthu beirt – in éadan pholasaí aonteangach Churaclaim na Scol Náisiúnta – an litearthacht i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla lenar scaoil siad a gcruthaitheacht agus a bpolaitíocht ar ball:

He was no cheap Jingo nationalist of the type who froths at the mouth at the mention of an Englishman; but he hated British imperialism with all its works and pomps. He was the first Sinn Feiner in the island, and had no difficulty in making one of me (1934, 158).

Roinneann an blag seo taifead de shliocht giorraithe as leabhar de chuid Thomáis, Aranmen All, leabhar a scríobh sé i nGort na gCapall ar a fhilleadh as Meiriceá de bharr easláinte thart ar 1933 agus a d’fhoilsigh Comhlacht na dTrí gCoinneal i 1934. Is í Fionnghuala Ní Choncheanainn a léigh “Going Away” cois uaighe Thomáis i Reilig Chill Éinne in Árainn ar Dé Sathairn 30 Lúnasa 2014 agus is mise a sheinn an ceol tionlacain a thacaigh leis an léamh amuigh faoin spéir. Déanann an sliocht breá seo cur síos i modh ficsin ar an oíche dheireanach a chaith Tomás in Árainn sula ndeachaigh sé ar imirce, oíche a caitheadh le ceol, le damhsa, agus le hamhráin, mar ba dhual d’ócáid chorraitheach dá leithéid.

Tom O’Flaherty, Aranmen All (1934); Éamon Ó Ciosáin, An t-Éireannach 1934-37: Nuachtán Sóisialach Gaeltachta (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar Tta., 1993).

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This month sees the second year of Féile na bhFlaitheartach, a festival celebrating Aran’s remarkable literary heritage and remembering two authors in particular, brothers from Gort na gCapall, Árainn, Liam and Tom O’Flaherty. The concelebration of their respective oeuvres persuades those who are more familiar with Liam’s opus to consider further Tom’s lesser-known life and work. Tom was primarily a journalist, first with the Boston Globe and then mostly with socialist newspapers: in New York and Chicago, Irish Worker (1918), Voice of Labor (1921), Worker (1922-4), Daily Worker (1924-8), Irish People (1923–4), and the Trotskyist Militant; also, following agrarian struggles in north-western America, Producers News (1929–31) in Plentywood, Montana, and Wasp, a monthly satirical journal in Cleveland, Ohio; and, upon returning to Ireland, An t-Éireannach. He was also a member of various workers’ organisations including the Socialist Party and the Industrial Workers of the World, or the Wobblies as they were known, and visited Moscow twice in 1925-26.

Efforts to explain how a young man from a small offshore island was inspired to take up his pen to fight for his political views have highlighted a singular event: the day Roger Casement visited Fearann a’ Choirce National School around 1902. Casement (1864-1916) – then serving in the British Consul in Lisbon, Tom recalled – was presumably on holidays in Aran and had yet to embark on his career as a humanitarian, a nationalist and, ultimately, a martyr. Impressed by Tom’s reading aloud of Eoghan Ó Neachtain’s column in the Cork Examiner, he gave the young schoolboy half-a-crown and later sent him books including Fr. Peadar Ó Laoghaire’s Séadna. Casement also intended sponsoring Tom’s second-level education at Summerhill College in Sligo but that plan never came to pass – ‘fate intervened’ is how Tom put it – and the young lad emigrated in 1912. In the end, it was his schoolmaster, Dáithí Ó Ceallacháin (c.1853-1937), who had the greatest influence on Tom and on his younger brother Liam (1896-1984). This is how Tom described the man who, defying the monolingual bias of the National School curriculum, gave them both the literacy in Irish and in English with which they so eloquently expressed their creativity and their politics:

He was no cheap Jingo nationalist of the type who froths at the mouth at the mention of an Englishman; but he hated British imperialism with all its works and pomps. He was the first Sinn Feiner in the island, and had no difficulty in making one of me (1934, 158).

This blogpost shares a recording of an abridged extract from Tom’s book Aranmen All, which he wrote in Gort na gCapall upon returning from America around 1933 in poor health, and which was published by the Sign of the Three Candles Press in 1934. Fionnghuala Ní Choncheanainn read “Going Away” at Tom’s graveside in Cill Éinne cemetery in Árainn on Saturday 30 August 2014 and I accompanied her on the fiddle. This fine extract gives a fictionalized account of Tom’s American wake, a night spent with music, song, and dance, as one might expect of such an emotional event.

Tom O’Flaherty, Aranmen All (1934); Éamon Ó Ciosáin, An t-Éireannach 1934-37: Nuachtán Sóisialach Gaeltachta (Baile Átha Cliath: An Clóchomhar Tta., 1993).