Joyless Peig Sayers’ work won’t be part of my book collection

TIM ‘Boomer’ Carroll is a friend of mine. A Boston-Irish firefighter, he is. Don’t ask me what the ‘Boomer’ stands for. Something sporting, probably. Boomer loves Ireland. Starting with its literature.

He’s a big fan of Myles na gCopaleen. But it’s not just literature. He’s done the Wicklow Way and no doubt any day now will do the Wild Atlantic Way with his wife, Suzi. Boom once visited the Dun Chaoin Heritage Centre in Kerry commemorating Peig Sayers. This is one of the better heritage centres around the country, at the heart of some of most fascinating tours visitors can take. Boom’s visit, as a result, was very interesting. You do get, do you not, that what follows is neither a criticism of the Heritage Centre nor of any other aspect of present-day Kerry?

Here’s the thing, though. Boomer emerged into the glorious Kerry sunshine, surveyed the magnificent surrounding scenery and delivered himself of a judgment. “Peig Sayers was single-handedly responsible for the Irish diaspora,” he said.