February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
CONTEMPORARY IRISH LITERATURE,
TRANSFORMING TRADITION
Christina Hunt Mahony
The one danger in bringing out a book about "contemporary" Irish literature is that it can quickly appear dated, given the rate at which the Irish, wherever they are in the world, are currently producing the stuff. But if you do what Christina Hunt Mahony has done — concentrate on truly quality work — the problem doesn’t arise. Poetry, drama and fiction are covered here and the names include Heaney and Friel. Hunt Mahony is associate director of the Center of Irish Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. St. Martin’s Press. 299 pp. $55 hardback, $18.95 paperback.
CELTIC MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Eoin Neeson
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Good old stories never die, and the stories of the Celts are better than many. Cork-born Eoin Neeson looks back to early Christian times and retells familiar legends with a style that has shades of Homer and the Greek fables. Stories include "The Children of Lir," and "Diarmuid and Grainne." Published by Irish American Book Company. $9.95 in paperback. Details, (303) 652-2710, ext. 100.
MUSIC OF DREAMS
Tony MacMahon, Noel Hill
and Iarla O Lionáird
This album features the above musicians playing in Dublin on Oct. 2, 1993. Like a good wine, it has clearly aged well enough to put on CD for release this month. The trio covers Ireland’s musical heritage, from reels and jigs to airs and songs. On the Shanachie label.
SÍLEAS, PLAY ON LIGHT
Patsy Seddon and
Mary Macmaster
The harp might be Ireland’s national symbol but its music carries well the moods of Scotland too. Seddon and Macmaster are two of Scotland’s best known harpists and they combine on this CD as the duo "Síleas" (pronounced "Sheelis"). Green Linnet Records. Details (203) 730-0333.