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West In the Foggy Valley – Thiar I nGleann Ceo
by Tadhg O'Rabhartaigh (Translated Mary Kelly White)
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 23rd September, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-906018-72-6
Price: €15
Translated into English by Mary Kelly-White.
When Tadhg ORabhartaigh wrote this book Thiar I nGleann Ceo, in 1953, in his native Irish language he compiled a social history of the life and times of the Arigna people; the greed of the Landlords, the poverty and oppression of the tenants, the atrocious conditions endured by the miners in the coal mines, the struggle for freedom during the Troubles, the havoc wrought by the Black and Tans, the murder of Irish Republican Soldiers who were bombed inside the coal mine when the refused to surrender.
We learn from an impassioned speech delivered by Marcus Mac Alastair, only son of the notorious Landlord, that he knew Padraig Mac Piarais, Mc Donadh, Plunket, OCleirigh, O Conghaile and Sean Mac Diarmada personally from his university days in Dublin.
Woven through the book is a harrowing but beautiful love story. If this book was a painting it would be a Picasso, and now translated it is a treasure to be enjoyed by the whole English speaking world. You will enjoy it.
About the author
Tadhg O Rabhartaigh was born in the Rossa, Tir Connell in 1909. He began his teacher training when he was sixteen years old. He spent short spells slaving in Scotland; one such spell was spent on the farm where his father had died. Most of his education was done from books, but it was from a series of Lectures on Lirtiocht na Gaeilge/Gaeilic Literature, by the renowned author Seosamh Mac Grianna that his interest in writing was awakened. He spent thirty years teaching in a Vocational School in Breifne Ui Ruairc, Leitrim/Cavan border. He returned to his native parish in 1953 when he wrote Thiar i nGleann Ceo. He died on July 6th 1982. He was predeceased by his wife Ellen in 1976.
