Irish language version of Frank McCourt’s, Angela’s Ashes, ‘Luaithreach AngelaR
published on Dec 16th, 2011
The Irish language version of Frank McCourt’s, Angela’s Ashes, ‘Luaithreach Angela’ was launched in New York on November 15th. Ellen McCourt stated that this translation would have ‘found a place in Frank’s heart’.
MC for the evening Pat Carroll, was introduced by host and Consul General, Noel Kilkenny, over 150 guests enjoyed an entertaining array of speakers, including Frank’s brother Malachy as well as translator, Padraic Breatneach and publisher, Dominic Taylor.
Award-winning Irish writer Colum McCann paid a warm tribute to his former friend, colleague and mentor, Frank McCourt, and praised his work as giving ‘a voice to all those other voices that came before him.’
While he applauded translator Padraic Breathnach and the Limerick Writers Centre for ‘being brave enough to get into the heart of that language’, he said that there is a tinge of sorrow that the Irish version has taken 15 years to come about, after translations into more than 20 other languages.
‘It is important for a writer to go back to the heart of our DNA and the stories that have come before’, he said, and that even though Frank and his own work are written in English that the Irish language has strongly informed their storytelling.
Background: The Irish language publication of the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir was launched at the Irish Consulate General, on 15th November, as part of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland’s year of Irish arts in America. Angela’s Ashes has sold millions of copies and been translated into over 25 languages. However, until now, the Irish language, Gaelic, was not one of them.
Luaithreach Angela is a limited edition, Irish translation of the author’s Pulitzer Prize winning book. This new publication was undertaken by The Limerick Writers’ Centre, a non-profit organisation established to nurture and support writers. They commissioned writer and translator Padraic Breathnach to translate the famous book into the Irish ‘native tongue’.
The Limerick Writers’ Centre also expressed the hope that an Irish edition of such a famous book may encourage more people to read books in Irish.
The publication and launch of the book takes place in association with The Frank McCourt Museum. This museum, in Limerick, Ireland, which is dedicated to Frank’s memory, is located in Leamy’s School, where Frank received his early education, as featured in his memoir. The launch takes place fifteen years after the publication of the original book in New York, in 1996.
We wish to gratefully acknowledge the generous support for our project from:
Culture Ireland, Shannon Development & Limerick City Council.
The events are part of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland’s year of Irish arts in America
For further information, contact: Pat Carroll (Touch Communications)