In pictures: Crowd gathers for double-book launch at Áislann Rann na Feirste

The launch of Róise Ní Bhaoill’s first poetry collection and a new edition of Seosamh Mac Grianna’s book took place in Áislann Rann na Feirste.

Cathal Goan officially launched the Irish-language literary event which took place on Friday - Please use the arrows/next to view the gallery

Rosies collection is titled “Idir an Dá Fhearsaid” and it was Published by Éabhlóid who also published Róise’s collection of short stories Imram agus Scéalta Éile which won Leabhar Gaeilge na Bliana at the prestigious An Post Irish Book Awards in 2023.

Seosamh’s book is called “An Grá agus an Ghruaim” and  Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde launched the new edition, it was first published by An Gúm in 1929 it had been out of print for many years. This newest edition published by Éabhlóid is based on the first edition of the book and is faithful to the dialect and rich sound of the author, Seosamh Mac Grianna.

Speaking at the event Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde said: “It’s a great privilege to publish this new edition of An Grá agus an Ghruaim. On a personal level, the writing of Seosamh Mac Grianna is incredibly important to me. As a young reader, it affected me deeply to read fiction not only in my native language but literature that was of such a high standard. 

“It is an immense pleasure to see a creative writer like Róise Ní Bhaoill carrying on the baton and putting Rann na Feirste firmly at the forefront of Irish language literature. We are so grateful to all those who came out for the event.”

Amongst the stars in attendance were Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin, Marcus Ó Murchú, Dónall Mac Ruairí and Bríd Anna Ní Bhaoill. Áislann Rann na Feirste is a Community Centre based in Ranafast in the Gaeltacht region of west Donegal.