Cathal Ó Searcaigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cathal Ó Searcaigh
|
|
|---|---|
Ó Searcaigh in 2016
|
|
| Born | 12 July 1956 Gortahork (Gort a' Choirce), County Donegal, Ireland |
| Occupation | Poet |
Cathal Ó Searcaigh (born 12 July 1956) is a well-known modern Irish language poet. His poems and other writings have been translated into many languages. People all over the world read and study his work. According to writer Theo Dorgan, Cathal Ó Searcaigh has brought "new ways" and "new ideas" into Irish language poetry.
Since 1975, he has written many poems, plays, and travel books. His early poems often focused on his home, the Irish language, and old traditions. Later, his work started to cover a wider range of topics.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Cathal Ó Searcaigh grew up on a small farm near Mount Errigal (An tEaragal) in County Donegal. This area is part of the Gaeltacht, which means it's a place where Irish is the main language spoken. He went to school in his local area, first at Caiseal na gCorr National School and then at Gortahork Vocational College. He wrote about his childhood in his book Light on Distant Hills.
His father first introduced him to poetry by reading poems by Robert Burns. Later, his English teacher at Gortahork encouraged him to write his own poems. This teacher is mentioned in his memoir.
Life and Career
In the early 1970s, Cathal Ó Searcaigh worked in London. He then studied at the National Institute for Higher Education in Limerick and later at Maynooth University. There, he focused on Celtic Studies, which is the study of Celtic languages and cultures.
From 1978 to 1981, he worked for RTÉ television in Dublin. He presented a show called Aisling Gheal, which was about arts and music. Since the early 1980s, he has been a full-time writer and poet. This means he earns his living from his writing.
In 1995, he became a member of Aosdána. This is a special group that honors Irish artists who have made important contributions to the arts.
His work has been translated into many languages, including French, German, Japanese, and Russian. His poems are even part of the Irish language lessons for the Leaving Certificate, which is a big exam for students in Ireland. They are also studied at universities.
Literary Contributions
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has given his personal archives, a large collection of books, and valuable art to the Irish State. These are now managed by the Donegal Library Service. His home in Mín a' Leá, at the foot of Mount Errigal, often hosts special evenings for writers and musicians.
He also helps to edit Irish Pages, which is a literary journal. He works on this with another poet, Chris Agee.
Cathal Ó Searcaigh believes his writing comes from his deep love for his home and its people. He sees his poems as celebrations of his place, his language, and his traditions. He feels it's important to collect and share the stories and myths of his community.
The famous writer Colm Tóibín once wrote that a part of the landscape in Donegal has been "completely changed" by Cathal Ó Searcaigh's poetry. This shows how much his writing connects to his home.
Awards and Recognition
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has received many awards for his writing:
- 1996: He was chosen as a member of Aosdána.
- 2000: He received an honorary doctorate from the National University of Ireland. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things.
- 2000: He won the Irish Times Literature Prize for his poetry collection Ag Tnúth Leis an tSolas.
- 2007: He received The Ireland Fund Literary Award for his important work in Irish literature.
- 2013: He has won many Oireachtas literary awards. These are awards given at a big festival that celebrates Irish language and culture. He won for his poetry collections Aimsir Ársa in 2013 and An Bhé Ghlas in 2015.
Selected Works
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has written many books. Here are some examples of his different types of writing:
Poetry Collections
He has published many poetry books, often in Irish. Some of his well-known collections include:
- 1975: Miontraigéide Chathrach agus Dánta Eile
- 1991: An Bealach 'na Bhaile
- 2000: Ag Tnúth leis an tSolas, 1975-2000
- 2015: An Bhé Ghlas
- 2022: An Tír Rúin
Bilingual Poetry and Translated Editions
Many of his poems have been published in books that include both Irish and English versions. This helps more people enjoy his work.
- 1993: Homecoming / An Bealach 'na Bhaile (This book won the Seán Ó Riordáin Prize for Poetry.)
- 1997: Out in the Open (This collection was nominated for a European poetry prize.)
- 2006: By the Hearth in Mín a' Leá (This book includes translations by the famous poet Seamus Heaney.)
- 2018: Crann na Teanga, a large book with poems from many of his collections, presented in Irish with English translations.
Prose Works (Books and Stories)
He has also written books that are not poetry, including travel writing and novels.
- 2004: Seal i Neipeal (This is a travel book about his time in Nepal and won a prize.)
- 2011: Pianó Mhín na bPreachán (a shorter novel)
- 2018: Teach an Gheafta (a novel)
- 2023: Saighdiúir (a novel about an Irish person in World War I, which was the first Irish language novel on this topic.)
Plays
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has written plays that have been performed.
- 2005: Oíche Dhrochghealaí (a play written in verse)
- 2006: Mairimid Leis na Mistéirí (three short plays)
Writing in English
He has also written some books directly in English.
- 2009: Light on Distant Hills, a Memoir (This is his memoir, telling stories from his life.)
- 2018: The View from the Glen: Selected Prose in English
As an Editor
He has helped put together books of other poets' work.
- 1997: An Chéad Chló (a collection of new Irish language poets)
- 2013: The Other Tongues (an introduction to writing in Irish, Scots Gaelic, and Scots)
Collaborations with Music
Cathal Ó Searcaigh has worked with musicians to combine his poetry with music.
- 2005: Tearmann (His poems set to music by Neil Martin, performed with the West Ocean String Quartet.)
- 2009: Oileán na Marbh (A song cycle with composer Neil Martin, sung by Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill.)
- 2013: Rhapsody na gCrann (His words set to music by Ciarán and Pól Brennan, sung by the famous band Clannad.)
He has also worked with other well-known musicians like Altan and Brian Kennedy.
Collaborations with Art
He has created special projects with artists, combining his poems with their artwork.
- 2003: Trasnú (A project with artist Maria Simonds Gooding that included an exhibition and a book.)
- 2004: Luxury of a Skylight (A special limited edition book with poems and drawings by artist Janet Mullarney.)
- 2012: The Green Man (A collection of lithographs, which are a type of print, by Aoife McGarrigle, with 10 of his poems.)
Books About His Poetry
Other writers and critics have studied Cathal Ó Searcaigh's work and written books about it.
- 2002: On the side of Light: Critical essays on the poetry of Cathal Ó Searcaigh
