Mick Lally recites three poems with a Christmas theme by Máirtín Ó Direáin.
Mick Lally explains, that these three poems have a Christmas theme, and an island theme. The first, ‘Cuimhní Nollag’ which translates as ‘Christmas Memories’ is from ‘Dánta Eile’. The poet remembers Christmas past where ivy and holly were brought in to decorate the house, and candles lit in the windows to welcome Mary and Joseph.
Is gach áras ina lóchrann geal
Ag soilsiú an bhóthair do Chríost.
‘Cuireadh do Mhuire’ ('An invitation to Mary') from ‘Dánta Aniar’ was written in 1942 during the Second World war, when millions of people were displaced across Europe. In this poem Máirtín Ó Direáin offers hospitality to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her infant when all other doors have been closed to them,
Deonaigh glacadh
Le cuireadh uaimse
Go hoileán mara
San Iarthar cianda...
‘Coinnle ar Lasadh’ (translated as ‘Lighted Candles’) from ‘Coinnle Geala’ is dedicated to the poet’s mother. Here Máirtín Ó Direáin describes the tradition on the Aran Islands of lighting twelve candles on the evening of the twelfth day of Christmas (5 January), and calls for a blessing for his mother’s hand that will light the candles,
Is céad beannacht faoi dhó
Le láimh amháin a lasfas coinnle anocht.
Poet Máirtín Ó Direáin was born in 1910 on Inis Mór the largest of the Aran Islands. In 1928 he left to work in the post office in Galway, and in 1938 moved to Dublin when he entered the Civil Service.
His first collection of poetry 'Coinnle Geala' was published in 1942, and ten more followed, the last in 1986. Throughout his lifetime Máirtín Ó Direáin was active in Irish language circles, acting as secretary of the Gaelic League (which later became Conradh na Gaeilge). He wrote plays and acted for Galway's Irish language theatre An Taibhdhearc. He wrote essays for literary journals, and was also a guest lecturer in University College Dublin and University College Galway.
This episode of ‘Encore’ was broadcast on 21 December 1986. The presenter is Bryan Murray.
Described in the RTÉ Guide of 14 November 1986 as "A series that celebrates Irish performers from different theatrical disciplines", ‘Encore’ was presented by actor Bryan Murray.
'Encore’ featured well-known actors, singers, musicians and comedians who performed and talked about highlights from their own careers. The star guests also nominated their own favourite artists to perform on the show and chose memorable moments from the RTÉ Television Archives.
'Encore' was a Frontier Films Production for RTÉ. First broadcast on 2 November 1986 it ran for two seasons. The producer was John McColgan.
