Album Notes

Séamas' book of poetry in Irish (Gaelic) with English translations, 'An File ar Buile,' was published in 2004 (see http://www.scoilgaeilge.org/lasmuigh/danta/). Now it is possible to hear the author read or perform all of the poems in Irish from this book. The song parodies are all on the new music album 'Cleas Amhrán' (available here at CD Baby), and now the rest of the book is available on this double CD. Whether you want to enjoy hearing the poems and understand every word already, or whether you are are using this book as an aid to learning the language, poetry always gains from its being heard, and this CD will certainly enhance your appreciation of the poems.

Marjorie Perron has written this about An File ar Buile:

This book is excellant on so many levels that it has something for everyone, although some familiarity with the Irish Language is sure to enhance the enjoyment. The serious poems, many of which are about the aftermath of 9/11, are poignant and moving, without being sentimental. In "Anniversary" the poet expresses beautifully the horror, shock, and subsequent numbness of that day, and in "Twins" and "The Nice Young Girl" he reminds us that we will never be able to forget the enormity of it.

These solemn poems are interspersed with a number of light-hearted poems, in which the poet excercizes his sardonic gift for Satire. Anyone at all familiar with Irish Language poetry will find them refreshingly irreverant and comical.

This is a book that I am inclined to pick up on a regular basis, and each new reading adds new insight.