Diarmuid Johnson

Súil Saoir

Cló Iar-Chonnachta

Indreabhán (Co. Galway), 2004

Súil Saoir / Diamuid Johnson. - Indreabhán (Conamara) : Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 2004. - 117 p. ; 21 cm.
ISBN 1-902420-70-5

NOTE DE L'ÉDITEUR : Súil Saoir (The trained eye) is the first collection of poetry by Diarmuid Johnson, linguist, writer and journalist. This collection was highly commended by the judges in the Cló Iar-Chonnachta literary competition 2004.

Súil Saoir combines several characteristics that make it a unique and challenging collection. Written in a polished, lyrical idiom, it draws on both the medieval and modern Gaelic traditions, bridging a divide in a way seldom accomplished in the past. The poetry also questions the traditional association between nationalism and the Irish language, offering a fresh and universal perspective on questions of existence and destiny, and on the way an individual interacts with his environment. A sense of place often permeates much of the work, whether it be the west of Ireland, or the poet's native Wales.

EXTRAIT

Siobhán Fhada Siobhán fhada Éan an chladaigh Súile grinne Píobán réidh. Siobhán fhada Éan an chladaigh Suim i dtada Ach breac strae. Siobhán fhada Uasal, balbh Bean ar leathchois Fuinseog éin. p. 86

Diarmuid Johnson was born in Wales and grew up in Galway. He has spent several years working as a lecturer in Celtic languages in various country. In 1966 he turned to writing, publishing in the Irish language newspaper Foinse, The Irish times, and other periodicals. Work in English by him is forthcoming in The Cork Literary Review. He was editor of the monthly magazine Cuisle for a time, and now edits the literay review Transcript (www.transcript-review.org). He lives near Lampeter in Wales.