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Health & Fitness

The Literary Tradition of Ireland

     Ireland has long had a great literary tradition. Irish writers have historically demonstrated their unique voices. Both past and present their gift has gained fame for the writers and brought joy to the readers.

He was known for his wit and witticism. Who but Oscar Wilde would announce at Customs where he was asked if he had anything to declare would reply with “ I have nothing to declare except my genius” . He was truly a genius who lived his life on his own terms and he would pay the price for it. While he wrote stories, it is Wilde’s plays that continue his legacy. The Importance of Being Ernest (1895) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1182598~S50 and Lady Windemere’s Fan (1892) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1559365~S84

Both plays are frequently revived and have been the basis of films.

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His most famous work established him as a master of horror who would influence countless writers who would succeed him. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4146958~S50 was one of the first novels of its kind. A horror novel about a creature of legend, Dracula set the bar high for subsequent literary vampires.

James Joyce is perhaps best known for being the author Ulysses(1922) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1298137~S84. It ranks as one of the most challenging texts in the English literary canon. A more accessible Joyce can be found in his short story collection The Dubliners (1914) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2554129~S50. One of his most famous and beautifully written stories is the final one, “The Dead”. It was brilliantly adapted into a film by John Huston starring his daughter Angelica http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4201438~S50

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Maeve Binchy’s work featured real Irish women coping with love, friendship, heartbreak, and life. Her women are those  who rise to the occasion and deal with their own problems. Her novel Circle of Friends (1990) http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2052553~S50. It was turned into a film in 1995 http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2615457~S84 launching Chris O’Donnells status as the swoon worthy leading man and it introduced Minnie Driver as the ordinary girl who was pining for him. Binchy’s works won her legions of fans who miss the Ireland she evoked for them.

Ireland has great contemporary writers one of whom is Colm McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4127717~S50 and Transatlantic http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4611948~S50. Ireland is interwoven into his narratives, but it does not dominate. His works explore connections, between people of various races and classes. It’s a difficult balancing act, but McCann delivers two powerful works of literary fiction.

William Butler Yeats was the first Irishman to win the Nobel prize in literature. Yeats was known for his poetry as well as his plays and other writings. His poetry was said to improve with age. His works have been collected in volumes. Here are a few that can be checked out: Early Poems by William Butler Yeats http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1991642~S50 or William Butler Yeats http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1328642~S50 While Yeats was the first, Ireland has had three other Nobel Literature winners (listed in date order) George Bernard Shaw(1925), Samuel Beckett (1969), and Seamus Heaney (1995).

This listing only represents a sampling of some of the great literary geniuses of Ireland. As always please stop by the Reference desk if you need any help locating any of the works listed here. Don’t forget to check out our St. Patrick’s Day table which features these items and more!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Port Jefferson Free Library.  


       


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