SnaG Trilogy Part Two: Leabhar agus Pictiúr*
*english = ‘book and film’
It just so happens I’ve been engrossed…which would be different than just ‘gross’, mind you…in a book series of Celtic mysteries set in ancient Ireland. I began collecting and reading them about 6 or 7 years ago, before moving to Dublin. Have gone on a spree to purchase the last half-dozen unread books…I’m compulsive that way. But before delving into the last ones, I’ve started the series from the beginning again. That’s what happens when ya don’t have a TV.
Peter Tremayne, pen name for Peter Beresford Ellis, is a noted authority on ancient Celts, or so says the flyleaf of his books, so I guess it’s true. Besides solving mysteries in seventh century Ireland, the reader is inundated with the culture from whence the Irish came. Quite fascinating, really. Living in what is now a predominantly Roman Catholic culture, I find his description of the struggle between the Roman Catholic faith and the early Celtic Christian church especially interesting.
Okay, that sounds a little heavy. Lighter entertainment comes from a couple of inexpensive DVDs picked up at the supermarket.
Blog-Reader-And-Commenter-Tanya mentioned ‘The Matchmaker’ and never having seen it, I couldn’t resist it for a few euro. Love Janeane Garofolororodoeoe… Once again, slick Irish humor. Have to confess that some things strike me funnier now, having lived here awhile.
Spoiler Warning:
Well, Not Really, More Like It Won’t Make Sense Unless You’ve Seen The Film
Pattin’ myself on the back for understanding what yer man had to say in Irish when being pelted by rocks by the old coot on the Aran Islands. It truly is the universal question learned by school children at an early age. ‘An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas.’ There, that’s my Irish phrase for the day, translation…‘Can I go to the toilet?’ Trying my hand at the phonetics, hang on now…Ahn will kee-AHD a-GUM dull ga dee an LEH-heh-ress.
And also have been eyeing this Classic-But-Don’t-Mention-It-To-The-Locals-Who-Want-To-Shed-That-Image film, ‘The Quiet Man.’ Saw it once ages ago, I think, but certainly worth watching again. Saving it for the weekend, though.
Right so, media’s covered then. Great options for those occasional knitting breaks!
I like The Quiet Man. I like the scenery in it.
12 Mar 2008 at 4:05 am
Those books sound like fun - I love a good mystery! Congratulations, also, on your blog award - it’s very well deserved, I’m sure.
12 Mar 2008 at 4:35 am
Both movies are excellent. I especially love the matchmaker. I don’t know the guy’s name that is in it, but he also plays the crazy Irishman in Braveheart. I love him. The series also sounds interesting. I will have to check it out. I just finished two books in a series about ancient Scotland. Ireland isn’t that far of a move!
12 Mar 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’ve been peeking in at your blog for a few months now… I really like it! Knitting and Ireland are two of my loves =)
I cycled around Ireland last spring and had the pleasure of visiting Roundstone, in Connemara, which just happens to be where “Matchmaker” was filmed. I didn’t know that and was pleasantly surprised when I found out. So although I didn’t meet a Sean of my very own, I did enjoy the little town very much.
13 Mar 2008 at 12:21 am
I´m also intrigued re the book series. Though I don´t know how easy they would be to come by here in Madrid.. It might have to wait til my next sojourn home.
And I have to confess that I really like the Quiet Man too! keeping that between ourselves of course
I´m really enjoying your phonetics. I´m an EFL teacher and just HATE teaching phonetics.
1. because it just doesn´t come naturally to me.
And 2. because when I´m then asked to repeat the pronunciation the students get really confused as I don´t pronounce it the same way as the BBC English (received pronunciation) on the CD and are like WHAT??!
And so that´s why I tend to use your “method”
13 Mar 2008 at 11:36 am
I’ve read a couple of the Sister Fidelma books. I just loved that this woman had the authority of the Irish legal system behind her IN THE FRIGGIN’ DARK AGES! Take THAT, patriarchy!
I’ve got to find a Peter Tremayne website, so I can write down the titles in chronological order, then start the series from the beginning.
13 Mar 2008 at 5:33 pm
I like it in ‘The Matchmaker’ when he carries her into the bar on the Arran Islands and someone says “She looks a heavy carry”, that just cracks me up, not in a mean way, it just seems so funny.
14 Mar 2008 at 11:59 am
If you liked Tremayne, you might also like the novels of C.J. Sansom. They are set in the 16th century.
Averil might try buying books from Book Depository. They ship — free — to most countries in Western Europe (see below).
I live in rural Ireland and buy from this company all the time — unless I’m visiting Dublin — http://www.bookdepository.co.uk
“Western Europe” includes the following countries: AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CYPRUS, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, VATICAN CITY
“Other” includes the following countries: AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG(CHINA), ISRAEL, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, PUERTO RICO
16 Mar 2008 at 1:47 am
Watch the Quiet Man today and tomorrow. You’ll love it. It’s a classic and favorite at my house. Too good not to see and to good to tell you more. Hope you enjoy it too.
20 Mar 2008 at 11:29 am