#BookReview of #AnIslandChristmas (#NollaigOileánach) by Micheál Ó Conghaile | @MercierBooks

‘In An Island Christmas – Nollaig Oileánach, celebrated Irish author Micheál Ó Conghaile takes readers on a heartfelt journey through his childhood memories of Christmas on the now-abandoned island of Inis Treabhair in Connemara‘ – Mercier Press

[ About An Island Christmas ]

Raised in the 1960s and 70s, Ó Conghaile reminisces about the unique traditions and customs of his island upbringing. This captivating memoir delves into the social history of Inis Treabhair, painting a vivid picture of family life, island culture, and an intimate portrait of a pre-electric era that will captivate readers of all ages.

As a powerhouse behind the resurgence of Irish language writing and publishing, Ó Conghaile’s journey from an eager young boy tapping away on a typewriter to the founder of renowned publishing house Cló Iar-Chonnacht offers an inspiring glimpse into the life of a passionate artist. 

An Island Christmas – Nollaig Oileánach transcends the holiday season, weaving together tales of the simple joys of Christmas on the island with the broader tapestry of childhood memories, friendships, and the cherished personalities of the island community. 

Though the island is no longer inhabited, Ó Conghaile’s recollections serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring importance of family, community, and the magic of childhood. 

Whether you are a fan of Ó Conghaile’s previous works or new to his writing, An Island Christmas – Nollaig Oileánach, offers a heartfelt and enchanting glimpse into a bygone era, making it a delightful read for any time of the year. 

[ My Review ]

An Island Christmas by Micheál Ó Conghaile was published October 21st with Mercier Press and is translated from the Irish by Mícheál Ó hAodha. It is described as ‘an inspiring insight into the life of a passionate artist and powerhouse behind the resurgence of Irish language writing and publishing.’ Through his words we ‘witness Ó Conghaile’s journey from an eager young boy tapping away on a typewriter to the founder of renowned publishing house Cló Iar-Chonnacht.’

Although both my children have been educated through Irish my own proficiency is quite bad. I learned Irish in school as a subject, whereas my children are being educated through the medium of Irish. Their ability to study languages, maths and sciences (and more) through Irish has always mesmerised me and I am extremely proud of them both for never questioning our choice in sending them to an Irish speaking primary & secondary school. I am always, and will continue to be, in awe of Ireland’s Gaeilgeoirs (fluent Irish speakers) who keep the language alive, and have a respect for its legacy and traditions.

Micheál Ó Conghaile is a native speaker, reared on the now abandoned island of Inis Treabhair off the coast of Connemara in Co. Galway. Like many folk, to the frustration of Ó Conghaile, when I think of an island off the west coast of Galway, my default is to mention one of the Aran Islands. I have never heard of Inis Treabhair, an island that once housed a small but vibrant community until its last inhabitant, Pádraig Ó Loideáin, left the island in 2010.

Just to put it into context the red dotted area to the north west of this image is the island of Inis Treabhair and when Ó Conghaile lived there, there were only five families remaining.

Through his memories, Ó Conghaile recalls his years as a young boy on the island, reflecting on the self-sufficiency of the islanders to survive. The day-to-day activities that those on the mainland took for granted, all required significantly more organisation and thought. With no church on the island, weekly mass was a huge undertaking but for the community of Inis Treabhair it was just something they did. Transporting heavy goods and livestock was a feat in ingenuity, with the currach (a type of Irish boat) being the main mode of transport back and forth.

When reading An Island Christmas, I was struck by the fact that Ó Conghaile is not much older than me, with less than a decade between us, yet his childhood was so very different to mine. For any Irish adult of a certain age, the name Peig Sayers brings up very strong memories. Peig Sayers was an Irish author born in Co. Kerry in 1873. Her self-titled autobiography, Peig, was a set text in the Irish Leaving Cert curriculum. It proved a bit too much for many with its depiction of a rural life on The Great Blasket Islands, off the Kerry coast. It was considered by many students to be totally unrelatable and quite depressing. An Island Christmas has inspired me to root out a copy of Peig and look at it through a more mature and, I hope, understanding pair of eyes. I will pick up a translated copy and I expect this time I will have a very different experience.

The loss of these rural island communities, that were very much part of our heritage, is terribly sad but through memoirs like Nollaig Oileáneach (An Island Christmas) from Micheál Ó Conghaile and Peig from Peig Sayers, we are reminded of the past and the history of our people.

An Island Christmas, as its name suggests, isn’t just a book about the festive season. Ó Conghaile regularly meanders off course as though he’s sitting in the room with you telling you a story. With the style of a natural seanchaí (storyteller), he tells his story as it was. Island life was a contradiction in so many ways. Simpler living yet more challenging in so many ways, this little book provides a genuine and first-hand account of life on a now abandoned island where the ghosts of the past linger in the wind and in the minds of its last inhabitants.

[ Bio ]

Micheál Ó Conghaile, born in 1962 in Connemara, founded Cló Iar-Chonnacht in 1985. A respected writer, his accolades include The Butler Literary Award (1997) and the Hennessy Literary and Irish Writer of the Year Awards (1997). Elected to Aosdána in 1998, he was a writer in residence at Queen’s University and the University of Ulster (1999-2002). Notable works include “The Colours of Man” (2012) and “Colourful Irish Phrases” (2018). He received an honorary degree from NUI Galway in 2013.