Cré na Cille

Cré na Cille (‘The Churchyard’s Soil’) is an Irish language novel by Máirtín Ó Cadhain. It was first published in 1949. It is considered one of the greatest novels written in the Irish language.^[1]

Overview

The novel is written almost entirely as conversation between the dead in a Connemara graveyard. The talk is full of gossip, backbiting, flirting, feuds, and scandal-mongering.^[2]

Reception

The novel is considered a masterpiece of 20th Century Irish literature has drawn comparisons to the work of Flann O’Brien, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce.^[3][4] In its serialised form Cré na Cille was read aloud and gained classic status among Irish speakers.^[5][6] Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh, co-author of Sáirséal agus Dill, 1947-1981 claims that it invigorated the revival of Irish language writing in the 20th Century.^[7]

Publication History

Cré na Cille was serialised by the newspaper The Irish Press and then published by Sáirséal agus Dill in 1949.^[8] Unusually, Danish and Norwegian translations were published before the novel was translated into English.^[9][10][11]

The lack of an English translation for such a long period of time after the book’s first publication became part of its renown and was a matter of speculation.^[12] Three early attempts at translation by Sáirséal agus Dill were thwarted. The first attempt was thwarted when the young woman selected as the translator joined a convent, the second was thwarted by the refusal of the poet Thomas Kinsella and the third by an unsatisfactory effort by a former prison-mate of O’Cadhain’s.^[3] A fourth, unpublished translation was made by an American student.^[7]

Two English translations of the novel was published in 2016 by Yale University Press and Cló Iar-Chonnacht. The first translation, The Dirty Dust, is by Alan Titley, the second, Graveyard Clay, by Liam Mac Con Iomaire and Tim Robinson.

Media Adaptations

Radio

A dramatised version of the novel was broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1973, and was revised and rebroadcast in 2006 as part of RTÉ’s Ó Cadhain centenary celebrations.^[13]

Theatre

The novel was adapted for the stage by Macdara O'Fatharta and was performed in 1996 and 2006.^[14][15] The role of Caitríona Pháidín was played by Bríd Ní Neachtain. The action was dramatised “in a cavernous space, with characters appearing from alcoves to interact with Caitríona, before slowly drifting back into the dimly lit set - reminding us that these people are gradually merging with the graveyard clay”.^[16] Bríd Ní Neachtain was nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award for her performance in the play.^[17]

Film

A film adaptation, directed by Robert Quinn, was released in 2007. Like the stage play, it was written by Macdara O'Fatharta and starred Bríd Ní Neachtain.^[18]

References List

1. ↑ Kiberd, Declan (2001). Irish Classics. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674005051. 
2. ↑ Yale University Press (17 March 2016). "Graveyard Clay: Cré na Cille". Yale University Press. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
3. 1 2 Brennan, William (17 March 2016). "The Irish Novel That’s So Good People Were Scared to Translate It". The New Yorker. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
4. ↑ Kiberd, Declan (15 February 2006). "No Ordinary Man". Irish Examiner. 
5. ↑ Ó Cadhain, Máirtín (2016). "Translator's Introduction". The Dirty Dust: Cré na Cille. Translated by Titley, Alan. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. ix–x. ISBN 9780300198492. 
6. ↑ Glucksman Ireland House NYU (5 May 2015). "U.S. launch of The Dirty Dust with Alan Titley, Colm Tóibín, & Brian Ó Conchubhair at GIH NYU". YouTube. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
7. 1 2 RTÉ Radio 1 (9 February 2015). "Arts Tonight". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
8. ↑ NcEoin, Mairin; O'Tool, Fintan (4 July 2015). "Modern Ireland in 100 Artworks: 1949 – Cré na Cille, by Máirtín Ó Cadhain". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
9. ↑ Cronin, Michael (7 April 2001). "It's time for Cre na Cille in English". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
10. ↑ "Kirkegardsjord : genfortaelling i ti mellemspil". WorldCat. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
11. ↑ "Kirkegårdsjord : gjenfortellinger i ti mellomspill". WorldCat. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
12. ↑ "Giving nothing away". The Irish Times. 27 May 2000. Retrieved 21 February 2017. 
13. ↑ RTÉ Radio 1 (29 March 2012). "Cré Na Cille le Máirtín Ó Cadhain". RTÉ. Retrieved 22 February 2017. 
14. ↑ Abbey Theatre. "Cré na Cille 1996 (Tour)". Abbey Theatre. Retrieved 22 February 2017. 
15. ↑ "Going back to the plot". The Irish Times. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 22 February 2017. 
16. ↑ Lonergan, Patrick (31 July 2006). "Reviews". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 February 2017. 
17. ↑ Irish Film Board (1 December 2010). "DVD of film adaptation of celebrated Irish language novel ‘Cré na Cille’ now available to buy". Irish Film Board. Retrieved 22 February 2017. 
18. ↑ RTÉ (29 May 2007). "Cré na Cille shortlisted at Shanghai Film Fest". RTÉ. Retrieved 22 February 2017.