Peig Sayers

Peig Sayers Synopsis

Duine de shárscéalaithe na Gaeilge

In Eanáir 1952, sé bliana sula bhfuair Peig Sayers bás, thionscain Coimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann agallaimh léi agus ì in ospidéal Naomh Anna, Baile ¦tha Cliath. Bhì Peig thar a bheith sásta labhairt lena cuairteoirì a raibh Gaeilge Chiarraì ar a dtoil acu agus seanaithne aici orthu.

Foilsìtear den chéad uair in Nìl Deireadh Ráite na hagallaimh sin mar aon le réamhrá tathagach, tráchtaireacht agus aistriúchán Béarla ar an iomlán. Cuireann Peig i láthair anseo seanscéalta idirnáisiúnta, scéal Fiannaìochta, finscéalta taistealacha, seanchas stairiúil agus sìsheanchas, roinnt paidreacha, agus tá cúpla léaráid óna mac, Mìcheál a Gaoithìn, mar anlann leo.

Léirìonn na taifeadtaì a bua mar scéalaì oilte, a hacmhainn grinn, a móreolas ar scéalta traidisiúnta agus a cumas máistriúil á gcur i láthair trì shúile mná. Buanaìonn an saothar seo ionad Pheig mar dhuine de shárscéalaithe na Gaeilge agus cinntìonn sé go bhfuil a cuid scéalaìochta le háireamh ar scoth na healaìne béil sa tìr seo.

Among the first rank of Irish storytellers

In January 1952, six years before she died, Peig Sayers was interviewed by a team from the Irish Folklore Commission in St Anne's Hospital, Dublin. She was more than happy to be recorded, and pleased to be visited by old friends, all of whom spoke fluent Kerry Irish.

In Not the Final Word these interviews are published for the first time, in both Irish and English, along with a substantial introduction and detailed annotation. Here Peig tells her versions of international folktales, a Fenian tale, some prayers, migratory legends and historical and supernatural lore, illustrated in paintings by her son, Mìcheál a Gaoithìn.

She emerges as a warm and authentic storyteller, with a ready sense of humour, a deep knowledge of traditional narrative and highly skilled in its presentation. This collection reaffirms Peig Sayers's position in the first rank of Irish storytellers and firmly establishes her tales in the canon of Irish oral literature.