An Irish film on the life and work of Irish poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi
The film explores the life, work and sensual poetic imagination of the Irish poet, Máire Mhac an tSaoi (1922-2021). Her story is set against the backdrop of a tumultuous century in Irish history in which she and her family were centrally involved. At a time when women's voices were being silenced, the native tradition in the Irish language was her medium for exploring the depths of female sexuality and experience. She was immersed in the spoken language of the West Kerry Gaeltacht, and rare film footage from the family summer home in West Kerry offers a glimpse into this important aspect of her life and work.
'Deargdhúil' is the combined work of several creative artists, all of whom bring Máire Mhac an tSao's poetry into the medium of film. Notable among them is lecturer and poet Louis de Paor (NUI Galway), co-writer of the film, who engages in several personal interviews with the poet. de Paor recently presented a brilliant lecture on Mhac an tSaoi's poems at the Cambridge Group for Irish Studies (Magdalene College), unravelling the complexity of her verse. In the film 'Deargdhúil' Mhac an tSaoi herself speaks, responding to de Paor's probing questions and revealing the depth of her literary, linguistic and life experience.
All are welcome to attend.
