Mioscais na gCumar

By MÁIRTÍN VERLING

   The final book in the Beara Trilogy by Martin Verling has been published by An Sagart, An Daingean, Co. Chiarrai. 'Mioscais na gCumar' contains the stories of 15 storytellers in Beara, among them Diarmaid Ó hUrdail (Diarmaid Caobach), Sean Ó Rochain, Maire Ni She, Brid Ni Shiochain, Sean Ó Crualaioch (Jackesy) and SHe Ni Laochdha.

 The stories cover many topics including Na Cithearnaigh, The Famine, Fishing, Ghosts, Songs and Singers, Poets and Poetry, and An Goibhlean Gabha.

The book contains biographies of the storytellers which will be of interest to Beara people everywhere. Martin was deeply indebted to Riobard Ó Dwyer for giving him permission to use the fruits of his research on the genealogy of Beara.

 There is a excellent introduction by An Dochtuir Gearóid Ó Crualaioch in which he puts the stories in their cultural context, and pays tribute to all involved in the collecting and researching of folklore in Beara.

 The book has many photographs, - of the storytellers, of Beara and of Martin who himself took the beautiful cover photograph of Mioscais. As Martin died before completing some notes and indices, An tAthair Ó Fiannachta has gathered a number of people qualified in these areas to complete that part of the work.

 Like 'Leabhar Mhaidhc Dhaith', 'Mioscais na gCumar' comes with a CD containing thirteen tracks of the voices of some of the storytellers themselves. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in the dialect of Beara, to hear native speakers telling stories in the oral tradition. 'Mioscais na gCumar' will be on sale in the 'Shell Craftshop', Castletownbere, and in 'An Siopa Leabhar', Baile Atha Cliath.

 Ta buiochas speisialta ag dul don Athair Ó Fiannachta a chuir an leabhar seo i gelÓ.

Toisc an tsuim ar leith a chuir An tAthair Ó Fiannachta i saothar Mhairtin, agus an obair mhor a dhein se, ta saothar Mhairtin i mlseara tugtha chun chriche go healaionta agus go proifisiunta. Gura fada buan e.

Emma Verling,

Port Lairge,

Samhain 2010...