Cur síos

Ba é Domhnall Ó Fotharta, oide scoile sa gCaladh i bparóiste Bhaile an Dúin, údar an leabhair seo. Cnuasach ilchineálach atá ann, amhráin, scéalta, orthaí, paidreacha, seanráite, cluichí agus tomhaiseanna. Chruinnigh scoláirí na scoile cuid den ábhar óna muintir. Tugann an leabhar léargas ar an litríocht bhéil agus ar an gcaitheamh aimsire a bhíodh ar bun in iarthuaisceart Chonamara sa dara leath den 19ú céad. Thuig an Fothartach go raibh an teanga ar hoib imeacht sa gceantar agus go dtráfadh an chuartaíocht, an t-airneán agus an tsiamsaíocht cois teallaigh dá réir. Chronaigh sé an seansaol ach bhain sólás, mar a dúirt sé féin, an ‘cuimhneamh ar na daoine a bhíodh cruinn agus ar an gcaint agus ar an gcomhairle a bhíodh ar bun acu’. Foilsíodh an leabhar i dtosach sa mbliain 1892. Cóiríodh an leagan seo do léitheoirí an lae inniu.

Domhnall Ó Fotharta, a teacher in Callow in  Ballindoon in Co. Galway, is the original author of this folklore collection which was first published in 1892 and has been adapted for modern readers by Peadar Ó Ceannabháin. This is a multi-faceted collection which includes songs, stories, prayers, sayings, games and riddles. Some of the material was collected by students in the school from their parents. The book gives an insight into the oral literature and the pastimes in northwestern Connemara in the second half of the 19th century. Ó Fotharta understood that the Irish-language was fading in the area and that the tradition of visiting and fireside entertainment would fade along with it. He mourned the passing of the traditional way of life but found solace, as he said himself in thinking of the people who were exact and of their conversation and advice.