Cathal Ó Searcaigh
Encyclopedia
Cathal Ó Searcaigh (ˈkahəlˠ oː ˈʃaɾˠkiː; born 12 July 1956) is an Irish
poet who writes in the Irish language
(specifically the Ulster dialect
).
Ó Searcaigh was born in Gort a' Choirce, a town in the Gaeltacht
region of Donegal
, and lives at the foot of Mount Errigal
. He is openly
homosexual.
, 1993); Na Buachaillí Bána (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
, 1995); Out in the Open (translations by Frank Sewell, Cló Iar-Chonnachta
, 1997); Ag Tnúth leis an tSolas (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
, 2001) - for which he received The Irish Times
Irish Literature Prize for the Irish language, in 2001; Gúrú i gClúidíní ('Guru in Nappies') (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
, 2006).
The poems Níl Aon Ní and Maigdiléana have featured on the Leaving Certificate
examination of Irish, though they may be removed pending an investigation following public furore over allegations of sexually exploiting teenagers in Nepal.
The Leaving Certificate sylabus for Irish has since been changed completely. However, contrary to what many people expected, his work still features on the literary course. Both Seal i Neipeal and Colmain are included.
Plays include Mairimid leis na Mistéirí; Tá an Tóin ag Titim as an tSaol; Oíche Dhrochghealaí, based on the story of Salomé
(Letterkenny
, An Grianán
, 2001).
Also published from Nirala Publications, New Delhi, India Cathal O'Searcaigh's Kathmandu,Poems Selected and New (An English/Nepali Bilingual Edition) Translated into the Nepali by Yuyutsu R.D. Sharma
, was published by Cló Iar-Chonnachta
in 2004.
Ó Searcaigh sponsors the education of many boys and girls in Nepal, and supports many families there. He has sent over €100,000 to Nepal from Ireland since his first visit there. He has an informally adopted son from this country. In 1998, an entry visa was granted by the Irish government to Prem Timalsina, a Nepali friend of Ó Searcaigh. Subsequently Timalsina was informally adopted by the poet. The young man is again living in Nepal, where he has a son of his own whom Ó Searcaigh views as his grandson, and to whom he has addressed several poems.
In 2007, Fairytale of Kathmandu
, a controversial film documentary that focused on his charitable work and lifestyle in Nepal was released.
and in 2006 won The American Ireland Fund
Literary Award.
.
Cathal Ó Searcaigh was scheduled to be interviewed on the Late Late Show
on 6 February 2009. RTÉ
received legal advice that the interview should be pre-recorded, but Ó Searcaigh declined to appear on the show when informed of this.
On 7 February 2009, he was interviewed in English by Dermod Moore for Hot Press
magazine, which was published on 12 February 2009. It is a comprehensive response to the charges laid against him, both in the film and in the media coverage of the scandal.
–
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
poet who writes in the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
(specifically the Ulster dialect
Ulster Irish
Ulster Irish is the dialect of the Irish language spoken in the Province of Ulster. The largest Gaeltacht region today is in County Donegal, so that the term Donegal Irish is often used synonymously. Nevertheless, records of the language as it was spoken in other counties do exist, and help provide...
).
Ó Searcaigh was born in Gort a' Choirce, a town in the Gaeltacht
Gaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
region of Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, and lives at the foot of Mount Errigal
Mount Errigal
Mount Errigal, or simply Errigal is a mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains, the tallest peak in County Donegal, and the 76th tallest peak in Ireland. Errigal is also the most southern, steepest and highest of the...
. He is openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
homosexual.
Poetry works
His collections of poetry include Homecoming/An Bealach 'na Bhaile (Cló Iar-ChonnachtaCló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
, 1993); Na Buachaillí Bána (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
, 1995); Out in the Open (translations by Frank Sewell, Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
, 1997); Ag Tnúth leis an tSolas (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
, 2001) - for which he received The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
Irish Literature Prize for the Irish language, in 2001; Gúrú i gClúidíní ('Guru in Nappies') (Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
, 2006).
The poems Níl Aon Ní and Maigdiléana have featured on the Leaving Certificate
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
examination of Irish, though they may be removed pending an investigation following public furore over allegations of sexually exploiting teenagers in Nepal.
The Leaving Certificate sylabus for Irish has since been changed completely. However, contrary to what many people expected, his work still features on the literary course. Both Seal i Neipeal and Colmain are included.
Plays include Mairimid leis na Mistéirí; Tá an Tóin ag Titim as an tSaol; Oíche Dhrochghealaí, based on the story of Salomé
Salome
Salome , the Daughter of Herodias , is known from the New Testament...
(Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, An Grianán
An Grianán Theatre
An Grianán Theatre , with a seating capacity of 383, is the largest theatre in Letterkenny and in the whole of County Donegal. It is located on Port Road in Letterkenny, across from The Oak Tree restaurant. It is run by Patricia McBride. It also boasts the largest stage in Ireland. An Grianán...
, 2001).
Also published from Nirala Publications, New Delhi, India Cathal O'Searcaigh's Kathmandu,Poems Selected and New (An English/Nepali Bilingual Edition) Translated into the Nepali by Yuyutsu R.D. Sharma
Connections to Nepal
His first prose work, Seal i Neipeal, an account of his time in NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, was published by Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta
Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
in 2004.
Ó Searcaigh sponsors the education of many boys and girls in Nepal, and supports many families there. He has sent over €100,000 to Nepal from Ireland since his first visit there. He has an informally adopted son from this country. In 1998, an entry visa was granted by the Irish government to Prem Timalsina, a Nepali friend of Ó Searcaigh. Subsequently Timalsina was informally adopted by the poet. The young man is again living in Nepal, where he has a son of his own whom Ó Searcaigh views as his grandson, and to whom he has addressed several poems.
In 2007, Fairytale of Kathmandu
Fairytale of Kathmandu
Fairytale of Kathmandu is a 2007 documentary by Neasa Ní Chianáin.The documentary focused on visits by the poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh to Nepal during which he had close relationships with many young boys of 16 years old or younger...
, a controversial film documentary that focused on his charitable work and lifestyle in Nepal was released.
Awards
Ó Searcaigh was awarded the Seán Ó Riordáin Prize for Poetry in 1993 and the Duais Bhord na Gaeilge in 1995. He is a member of AosdánaAosdána
Aosdána is an Irish association of Artists. It was created in 1981 on the initiative of a group of writers and with support from the Arts Council of Ireland. Membership, which is by invitation from current members, is limited to 250 individuals; before 2005 it was limited to 200...
and in 2006 won The American Ireland Fund
The American Ireland Fund
The American Ireland Fund is an organization that raises funds for the support of peace and reconciliation, community development, education, arts and culture in Ireland. Since its founding it has raised more than US $250 million...
Literary Award.
Post-controversy
Ó Searcaigh gave his first interview since the controversy to Áine Ní Churráin on Raidió na GaeltachtaRTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta , abbreviated RnaG, is the Irish-language radio service of the public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Internet.- History :...
.
Cathal Ó Searcaigh was scheduled to be interviewed on the Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
on 6 February 2009. RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
received legal advice that the interview should be pre-recorded, but Ó Searcaigh declined to appear on the show when informed of this.
On 7 February 2009, he was interviewed in English by Dermod Moore for Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
magazine, which was published on 12 February 2009. It is a comprehensive response to the charges laid against him, both in the film and in the media coverage of the scandal.
Further reading
- Allen Randolph, Jody. "Cathal Ó Searcaigh, January 2010." Close to the Next Moment: Interviews from a Changing Ireland. Manchester: Carcanet, 2010.
- Sewell, Frank and James Doan, eds. On the Side of Light: The Poetry of Cathal O'Searcaigh. Dublin: Arlen House, 2002.
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