An grá agus an ghruaim

This is a reprint by Éabhlóid of the original book which was first printed in 1929. It is a collection of ten short stories by author Seosamh Mac Grianna (1900-1990). An Grá agus an Ghruaim was the second collection by Mac Grianna and it is still considered one of the major works of prose in Irish. Hailing from Ranafast in Donegal, Seosamh was a prolific writer who wrote short stories, articles, translations, essays and novels.

Mac Grianna was a trailblazer in the early Irish literacy scene, he was still in his twenties writing this collection was written just after the founding of the Free State when modern Irish literacy was still in its infancy.

This is a visually beautiful book with a hard black cover and we see the original art from Austin Ó Maolaoid that featured in the first edition which has been updated with stunning gold foil by Caomhán Ó Scolaí. Professor Fionntán de Brún has written a foreword. This collection shows Mac Grianna as he came of age and began his writing journey. De Brún says ‘maidir leis an chnuasach gearrscéaltaí seo, An Grá agus an Ghruaim, a foilsíodh de chéaduair in 1929, d’fhéadfaí a rá faoi gur ag teacht chun béil a bhí an Griannach ann.’

In this new edition, which was arranged by Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, some spellings have been updated to prioritise pronunciation while still keeping some old Irish variations. The story “An Bhean Lán de Stuaim” has been added in and the story “Bíonn Súil le Muir ach ní Bhíonn Súil le hUaigh” has also been left in.

Mac Grianna grew up at a time where the oral tradition was very strong and both his parents had an interest in storytelling. We can see this influence and interest in folklore in this collection, especially in stories such as Taisce an Úcaire where Conall Garbh sets out to dig up treasure which is protected by a poisonous snake. Readers may recognise the story Ar an Tráigh Fhoilimh from the school curriculum – a significant story based during the Great Famine in 1847. The despair mentioned in the title of the collection is vividly created in this story, which is based on a true story.

The old traditions of Ireland are featured in the stories and we are brought back to the 1820s in Píosa na nDeich bPighinn when we meet Beití, an old woman who is slaving away in the potato ridges in an effort to clear her brother’s debts. There is fantastic tension created in Slóite na bhFiann with Dargán and Nuala waiting for their son, who is on the run with a group of Irregulars, to return.

There is certainly a mix of the love and despair from the title in these stories and this refreshed edition gives a chance for new readers to explore Mac Grianna’s work and it invites previous readers to revisit. It is vital to preserve these examples of early modern Irish literature and new editions like this give them a new lease of life.