Scéal Ó Carolina
Áine Uí Fhoghlú
This trilingual collection celebrates the unique connection between this Gaeltacht poet and Argentina. Áine Uí Fhoghlú (Nic Mhurchadha) was born in the Argentine Embassy in London, where her father worked and her family was staying at the time. Her godparents, whom she did not know growing up, were members of the Argentine diplomatic staff in Britain. However, her father kept the connection alive in her mind throughout her childhood through stories about Argentina, and she later chose to renew it. After many years of unsuccessful searching, one day, while she was in her classroom teaching Irish, she received an email—a message from Carolina, the daughter of her godfather. The connection was thus renewed, and before long she travelled to Buenos Aires to meet the people who had stood as her godparents at her baptism years earlier.
This poetry collection commemorates that journey through 22 poems in Irish, English and Spanish, presenting a vivid account of the experiences, emotions and unique magic of the trip. This collection will appeal greatly to those who enjoy distinctive, human stories and travel writing.
The original poems are complemented by translations from some of Ireland’s leading poets. Among them are Paddy Bushe, Thomas McCarthy, Theo Dorgan, Eibhlís Carcione, Cathal Ó Searcaigh, Catherine Foley, Celia de Fréine and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. Spanish translations are by the Argentine poet and translator Jorge Fondebrider. These polished translations allow a wide readership to experience this lyrical collection, as tango dancers move alongside the gauchos of the plains, as the reader wanders through the elegant avenues of Recoleta Cemetery, or walks shoulder to shoulder with the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo.
