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Blaisíní
by Nuala Bhreathnach
Format: Hardback
Publication date: 30th April 2010
ISBN: 978-1-907179-64-8
Price: €14.00
Blaisíní is a loving, well-observed collection of poetry in Irish and in English. The themes include Nuala‘s own family, her parents, Una and Clement, and other interesting people. It could be Jaime in Bogota, Nerja Caves, Greenland, Christmas in Clare, a Dublin wino, nature, birds, animals, waterfalls – a vast canvas of reflection and recollection. There are elements of parting and sadness and a few funny, light touches. I particularly loved the blackcurrant eyes and no-colour teardrop of the African child in the poem Eye Contact, and My Wish, Caimeo dem Athair, Ar Scáth a Chéile and Fíonóir Fánach. I could go on forever. This book is a wonderful memoir – a mind, a heart, a soul revealed.
Críona Ní Gháirbhí
About the Author
Nuala Bhreathnach (nee Garvey) originally from West Clare, comes from a family in which all eight children and both parents taught at some stage. She is married to Micheal Breathnach and lives in Rathfarnham, Dublin.
Nuala spent eight years in Civil Service and later trained as a Primary teachere and taught for sixteen years. Her great love of Irish came from her mother who wrote poems in Irish and collected stories for the National Archives. Nuala was privileged to have accompanied her on these trips.
She is also very keenly interested in nature, drama and travel. She has been published in anthologies in English and in the Irish “Feasta” and has been successful in many competitions.
This is her first book.
Smólach an tSeaca
Crua an talamh, péist in easnamh,
Cloigeann ar chlaon ag éisteacht
Clóca an tsneachta ag tuirling mar bhrat
Clúmhar bog ar an bhféar ann.
Talamh crua seirgtheach nach féidir a shatailt,
Nil cumas teacht ar na péisteanna
Atá folaithe thíos faoi chlúdach geal tiugh
A smólaigh an tseaca is éag duit!
Light and Hope
Tiny green spear from dark earth
Points her course bravely
Through frost and snow
December princess emerges.
Gradually little white blob
Nestles on her arm, bides its time
Till protective shroud
Releases it.
Quietly, demure maiden opens arms
To cold January world
Reveals within heart of gold
Pistils warmly glowing.
Curtseying in the wind
Giving light and hope
December princess now
January Debutante.
