A Rich and Lyrical Journey Through Irish Language
Manchán Magan explores Irish words for landscape as doors into memory, culture and older ways of seeing the world. Thoughtful without feeling heavy, this is a beautifully readable book for anyone curious about language, folklore, place and the layers of meaning carried in everyday speech.
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Thirty Two Words For Field
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A Rich and Lyrical Journey Through Irish Language
Manchán Magan explores Irish words for landscape as doors into memory, culture and older ways of seeing the world. Thoughtful without feeling heavy, this is a beautifully readable book for anyone curious about language, folklore, place and the layers of meaning carried in everyday speech.
- Book Synopsis
-
Ideal for readers who:
- Enjoy books about Irish language, folklore and the meanings hidden in everyday words
- Are intrigued by the way landscape, memory and culture can be carried through language
- Like writing deeply rooted in Ireland’s fields, history and sense of place
- Want thoughtful, richly rewarding non-fiction that remains inviting and readable
The Irish language has thirty-two words for field. Among them are:
Geamhar - a field of corn-grass
Tuar - a field for cattle at night
Réidhleán - a field for games or dancing
Cathairìn - a field with a fairy-dwelling in it
The richness of a language closely tied to the natural landscape offered our ancestors a more magical way of seeing the world. Before we cast old words aside, let us consider the sublime beauty and profound oddness of the ancient tongue that has been spoken on this island for almost 3,000 years.
In Thirty-Two Words for Field, Manchán Magan meditates on these words - and the nuances of a way of life that is disappearing with them.
'A rip-roaring, archaeological and anthropological exploration of the lyricism, mystery and oddities of the Irish language, and the layers of ancient knowledge encoded within.' The Irish Times
'the book I never knew I needed' Caitrìona Balfe
'If you're in to Irish Mythology, Manchán has got some incredibly interesting theories about Irish mythology based on his understanding of the Irish language, and he's got some theories about the roots of the Irish language that are going to blow your head off.' Blindboy Boatclub
'One only needs to wade a few pages into this rich and absorbing work to see that perhaps we could do with a lot more characters like him dotted about this world.' Hilary A. White, Irish Independent
'An accessible yet erudite stroll back through the Irish landscape' Paddy Kehoe, RTÉ
'Manchán's book, for which you don't need a word of Irish, is a fascinating insight into our changing culture' John Masterson, Irish Independent
'the amount of fascinating detail in there is enormous' Dave Fanning
'this book is perfect for anyone who is looking to brush up on their Irish history, or delve a little deeper into their cultural heritage.' Áine O'Boyle, RTÉ
- About The Author
- Manchán Magan was a writer and documentary-maker. His groundbreaking book Thirty-Two Words for Field led the way for the recent revival of the Irish language. He wrote occasionally for the Irish Times, reported on travel for various radio programmes, and presented dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture for TG4, RTÉ and the Travel Channel. Manchán lived in an oak wood, with bees, hens, and occasionally pigs, in a grass-roofed house near Lough Lene, Co Westmeath. He passed away in October 2025.
- Product Details
-
- ISBN
- 9780717187973
- Format
- Hardback
- Publisher
- Gill Books, (28 August 2020)
- Number of Pages
- 386
- Weight
- 522 grams
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 222 x 142 x 35 mm
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