Scéalaíocht sa bhfichiú haois. Writer Joe Steve Ó Neachtain discusses the creative process.
Joe Steve Ó Neachtain was born in An Chré Dhubh in An Spidéal. A published poet, writer and playwright, he divides his time between writing and working as a building manager for Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Drawing on inspiration from Cois Fharraige where he has spent all his life, Joe Steve Ó Neachtain considers himself lucky to have been born before the era of television. He experienced the traditional house visits and storytelling of this Gaeltacht community in his formative years.
Being steeped in tradition is one thing, but composing something from it is another, and distractions abound. Keeping the audience in mind helps him focus when writing poetry or agallamh beirte (a two-person poetic dialogue which showcases the richness of the Irish language).
There are times when the words will not come to him, however, and the only option then is to take a break. Heading out for a walk on the beach usually helps,
Tar éis uair a chloig...go mbeidh...na smaointí ag tíocht óna sraithe mar a déarfá.
Joe Steve Ó Neachtain is perhaps best known as the writer of Raidió na Gaeltachta's popular weekly soap opera 'Baile an Droichid’. Gratified at the positive responses from listeners, his aim is to portray the ups and downs of daily life in a fictional Gaeltacht community. He describes it as a work for radio which is
Simplí...nádúrthach.
This report for ‘Iris ‘88’ was broadcast on 22 October 1988. The reporter is Maireád Ní Nuadháin.
The Irish language series 'Iris' (meaning 'journal' or 'magazine') was first broadcast on 19 February 1985.
Presented by Michael Davitt and Maireád Ní Nuadháin it featured a wide range of topics. Its main focus was on issues affecting Gaeltacht communities and Gaeilgeoirí but it also contained reports on the arts, traditional music and current affairs.
Reporters were Maireád Ní Nuadháin, Michael Davitt, Eamon Ó Muirí, Pat Butler, Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, Breandán Ó Tuairisg, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Brídóg Ní Bhuachalla.
The series was produced by Cian Ó hEigeartaigh and Tony MacMahon, Brian Mac Lochlainn, Aindreas Ó Gallchóir, Michael McCarthy, Gerry Murray, Donall Farmer, Mícheál Ó Conaola and Tish Barry. 'Iris' ran until 1990.
