Blas Book Club

Articles12/11/2010

15.05.2012 Poetry from the A-level Irish syllabus 2011 & 2012
(Original broadcast 12.05.2011 )

In this edition of the Book Club the main themes in the A-Level Irish poetry syllabus were discussed and advice was given as to the best way to write a critical analysis. On the panel were Seán Mac Labhraí and Mícheal Ó Máirtín from St. Mary’s College, Belfast and the well-known writer Séamas Mac Annaidh.
Among the poets being discussed were:
• Seán Ó Ríordáin
• Gréagóir Ó Dúill
• Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
• Máirtín Ó Direáin
• Cathal Ó Searcaigh

10.05.2012): Drama and Short Story section from the Irish A-Level syllabus 2011 & 2012
(Original broadcast 26.05.2011)

In this edition of the Blas Book Club, the panellists Seán Mac Labhraí and Mícheal Ó Máirtín from St. Mary’s College, Belfast and the well-known writer Séamas Mac Annaidh discussed the following literature:

Drama: Breithiúnas by Mairéad Ní Ghráda
Short Stories: An Chéad Chnuasach by Peigí Rose

16.06.2011 Irish Language Short Story Collections

This month’s Blas Bookclub took a look at recently published short story collections in the Irish language.

Among the books being discussed were:
Coitianta ar mo Pheann by Caitlín Ní Mhaoileoin (Coiscéim)
Daoine a Itheann Daoine by Mícheál Ó Ruairc (Cló Iar-Chonnacht)
An Duais agus Scéalta Eile by Frainc Ó Murchadha (Coiscéim)

07.04.2011: Newly-published Irish language novels for teenagers:

In the fifth programme, the panelists discussed the following works:

• Maitríóisce by Siobhán Parkinson (Cois Life 2011)
• Dordán by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (Cois Life 2011)
• Amstardam by Éamonn Ó Ruanaí (An GÚM 2010)

A special edition of the Blas Book Club celebrating World Book Day, Thursday 3rd March 2011:

The panel discussed:
• Buille Marfach by Anna Heussaff
• Aiséirí by Alex Hijmans
• Sceon na Mara by Liam Ó Muirthile

Panel of readers discussing the above books:
• Mícheál Ó Máirtín – Lecturer, St. Mary’s University College, Belfast
• Andrea Ní Uiginn – Irish teacher, St. Dominic’s High School, Belfast
• Jacqueline de Brún - educational advisor in Irish Medium Resource Unit St. Mary’s University College.

26.01.2011: Recently Published Poetry:

The panel discuss recently published poetry collections including:

• Sé an Saol an Máistir: Filíocht Learaí Phádraic Learaí Uí Fhínneadha (edited by Gearóid Denvir)
• An Fear sa Ghealach by Philip Cummings
• Crithloinnir by Caitríona Ní Chleircín

Panel of readers discussing the above books:
•An Dr. Charlie Dillon – Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast
•Séamus Mac Annaidh – Novelist
•Caoimhe Ní Chathail – Postgraduate student, Ulster University

22.12.2010: Leabhar na Bliana 2010:

The panel chose Leabhar na Bliana 2010 (Book of the Year) for Club Leabhar Blas (Blas Book Club).

Books discussed:
• D’imigh Sin agus Tháinig Seo by Séamus Mac Seáin (Coiscéim)
• Scéalta Ban ó Thuaisceart na hÉireann by Silvia Calamati; Irish version: Seán Mac Aindreasa (Coiscéim)
• Snámhóirí Gaeltachta agus Scéalta Eile by Gabhán Ó Fachtna (Coiscéim)

Panel of readers discussing the above books:
• Mairéad Uí Mháirtín – ex Chairperson, Foras na Gaeilge.
• Dónall Mac Giolla Chóill – Journalist and actor.
• Eibhlín Nic Gearailt – Editorial Assistant with Fiontar, DCU.

24.11.2010: New Irish language literature to inspire the young:

Books discussed:
• Scoil an Chnoic by Jacqueline de Brún (An Gúm)
• An Gréasaí Bróg agus na Síoga by Caitríona Hastings and Andrew Whitson (An tSnáthaid Mhór)
• Ruball Trioball by Esther Göbl Uí Nualláin (Móinín)

Panel of readers discussing the above books:
• Robert Mac Millen - Irish language editor with the Irish News.
• Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh -former member of staff of the BBC’s Irish language unit, now working in the independent sector.
• Máire Andrews – artistic director with the drama company, Ababú.