Skelligside
Published on 2. November 1989
146 pages
978-1-84351-257-8 (ISBN)
Description
This is the remarkable folk autobiography of a small famer, fisherman and poet from from the South Iveragh peninsula of Co. Kerry, part of Ireland's western sea-board, a region bounded by mountains and unique inits cultural inheritance. Kirby's writing combines description with narrative, anecdote and poetry, and gives a vivid pen-picture of the locality of Ballinskelligs - its famed island and birds, its fishing, husbandry, crafts, old customes, migrant experience, local history and folklore - in testimony to a vanishing way of life. Kirby's voice - akin to that of the Blasket writers - is one of the last authentic expressions of a Gaelic tradition, imaginatively fusing worlds of flesh and spirit. He writesd with all the artlessness and freshness of a man departing from his native language. By gathering one small area into the net of memory, personal and inherited, Michael Kirby celebrates and commemorates the place where he was born.
Reviews / Votes
He loves the lore and traditions of his people, which he expresses with passion and conviction.' - Ronan Sheehan, Irish Press 'A beautifully written evocation of Kerry ... This is a gem of a book, a gentle folk autobiography which undulates in the lyrical idioms of the author's native language ... It glows with warmth and celebration for a lost heritage ... it resonates in the mind like the purest music.' - Aodhan Madden, Sunday Press He loves the lore and traditions of his people, which he expresses with passion and conviction.' - Ronan Sheehan, Irish Press 'A beautifully written evocation of Kerry ... This is a gem of a book, a gentle folk autobiography which undulates in the lyrical idioms of the author's native language ... It glows with warmth and celebration for a lost heritage ... it resonates in the mind like the purest music.' - Aodhan Madden, Sunday PressMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Dublin
Ireland
File size
0,46 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-84351-257-8 (9781843512578)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Michael Kirby
Skelligside
Book
11/1989
The Lilliput Press Ltd
€36.04
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Michael Kirby
Content
- Cover
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- PREFACE
- I : My Own Place
- AN EARLY SCHOOLING
- THE RICHES OF THE SEA
- THE SKELLIGS
- II : Seed-Time and Harvest
- KELP AND POTATOES
- GROWING FLAX
- CUTTING THE TURF
- OATS AND HAY
- THE GENTLEMAN AT HOME
- III : Making and Mending
- BUILDING AND THATCHING
- THE BASKET-WEAVER
- THE COOPER
- THE BLACKSMITH
- TAILORS
- THE VILLAGE COBBLER
- IV : The Living Voice
- OUR HOUSE
- THE JOURNEYWORKERS
- GHOSTS
- SOME POETS AND A STORYTELLER
- THE ISLAND OF THE FAIR WOMEN
- AN ELIZABETHAN TALE
- THE RED-HAIRED FRIAR OF SCARIFF
- THE WRECK OF THE HERCULES
- FAMINE AND AMERICA
- THE LADY OF HORSE ISLAND
- THE GREAT SNOWSTORM
- IN QUEST OF HAPPINESS: A TRAVELLER'S TALE
- V : Customs and Beliefs
- A FAMILY WAKE
- OLD MEDICINES
- MATCHMAKING
- PENANCE AND GRACE
- Copyright
