Book Interview: translating Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire - The Lament for Art O'Leary

"I felt nobody had made an English translation which preserved the sonic impact and the dramatic impact of the short-stressed lines. I transposed that currency into English - it was very challenging."

John FitzGerald: translator of the new edition of The Lament for Art Leary

• The Lament for Art O’Leary
• Eileen O’Connell, in a new translation by John FitzGerald
• The Gallery Press, pb €11.95 / hb €18.50

When Macroom native John FitzGerald was a young boy attending De La Salle National School, he was transfixed by the dramatic story of Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire ( The Lament for Art O’Leary) that was composed by his heartbroken widow, Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (Eileen O’Connell) following his murder.