A Highland Lady's Lament
I am excited to be almost finished a project I've been mulling over since the 1990s when I was studying Gaelic literature in Edinburgh. In this project, I have reconstructed the life and lament of Aithbhreac Nighean Corcadail, a 15th-century Gaelic poetess known for her powerful elegy Oh Rosary That Woke My Tears . At its heart is a fictional retelling of Aithbhreac's story, rooted in historical detail and imaginative narrative, culminating in my own new English version of her famous poem. My little book brings to life her world in Castle Sween during the golden age of the Lordship of the Isles, drawing on medieval Gaelic poetry, bardic traditions, and the cultural dynamics of the period. Exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of faith and memory, I weave historical and creative storytelling together. Alongside a close analysis of multiple translations of Aithbhreac's poem, I reflect on my own Celtic heritage, academic influences, and the importance of...