Comhghairdeas l’Áine Ní Ghlinn who was announced as the current Laureate na nÓg during the past week.
Áine is a daughter of Mrs Siobhán (Josie) Glynn N.T. (RIP) and Mr Diarmaid Glynn N.T. (RIP). Mrs Glynn was a very popular Vice Principal in Knockavilla NS for many years and her husband Diarmaid was Principal Teacher in neighbouring Ballagh N.S. Indeed Áine herself taught in Scoil Mhuire Chnoc a’ Bhile for a short time many years ago.
Áine is the first author who writes exclusively in Irish to be awarded the honour of Laureate na nÓg, and will hold the title from now until 2022. She is a children’s writer and poet. Áine has written over thirty books, including poetry collections and a large number of books and novels for children and teenagers.
Laureate na nÓg is an honour which was established in 2010 to provide young people with high quality literature and to emphasise the importance of children’s literature in our cultural and imaginative lives. It is an initiative of the Arts Council, administered by Children’s Books Ireland with the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Poetry Ireland.
We wish Áine the very best in her new role, and hope to see her in Scoil Mhuire soon!
Tú Féin is Mé Féin
Thógamar teach féir – tú féin is mé féin – ag
bun an mhóinéir. Do thrí scór bliain dod chromadh
ach fós bhí na ballaí chomh hard liom féin.
Chnag tú ar chloch an dorais. Bhuail isteach.
‘Mise Daidí, tusa Mam,’ a dúirt go séimh, ‘is mé
ag filleadh ort tar éis obair an lae.’ D’ólamar
tae as cupáin bheaga bhréige.
‘Téanam ort, a chroí. Tá sé in am luí. Bain
díot.’ Is bhain. Bhain tú piliúr as balla na
cistine. Do thrí scór bliain dom phlúchadh.
D’éiríomar. Ghlan le do chiarsúr mé. Phóg mo
chuid fola leis an gcréacht a leigheas is
d’fhilleamar – tú féin is mé féin – ar theach
mo mháthar, ar theach d’iníne.
Ach pé sracfhéachaint a thugaim thar mo ghuaille
feicim fós ó am go chéile an chréacht oscailte
a d’fhág tú i mballa na cistine.
Áine Ní Ghlinn
—
Tostanna (Coiscéim, 2006) agus An Guth Baineann (LeabhairCOMHAR, 2013)
