Leabhar na hAthghabhála

This anthology, Leabhar na hAthghabhála, presents modern Irish poetry with English translations, showcasing a wide range of poets and challenging literary perceptions.

The Leabhar na hAthghabhála is a significant anthology that provides a comprehensive critical overview of modern poetry written in Irish, accompanied by English translations. This anthology serves as a sequel to the influential work by Seán Ó Tuama and Thomas Kinsella, An Duanaire 1600-1900 / Poems of the Dispossessed, published in 1981. Unlike its predecessor, this collection encompasses a broader range of poems, showcasing the talents of 26 poets from the 20th century, thus enriching the landscape of Irish poetry with more diverse voices.

Within the pages of Leabhar na hAthghabhála, readers will find works from notable poets such as Pádraig Mac Piarais and Liam S. Gógan, representing the revival period, alongside influential figures like Máirtín Ó Direáin and Seán Ó Ríordáin. The anthology also highlights the contributions of the Innti poets, including Michael Davitt and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, who pushed the boundaries of Irish poetry in the 1970s and 80s. More contemporary voices, such as Colm Breathnach and Áine Ní Ghlinn, ensure that the anthology remains relevant and reflective of ongoing developments in Irish literature.

The translations featured in Leabhar na hAthghabhála are crafted by some of Ireland's most esteemed poets and translators, with many works being newly commissioned for this project. This anthology not only showcases the best poetry in Irish since 1900 but also questions the underrepresentation of Irish language poetry in modern collections. Louis de Paor's introduction emphasizes the need to assess Irish poetry through its own distinct aesthetic framework, rather than as a mere extension of the Anglophone tradition.