Free State Art Judging Ireland by its Book Covers

Irish Writers

O’Grady’s books on Irish mythology had a profound effect on younger writers, particularly William Butler Yeats.

Teacht Chúchulainn (Cúchulainn’s Arrival)

O’Grady, 1933 Translated by: Fr. Tomás Ó Gallchobhair

Aodh de Róiste (Hugh Roche)

Murphy, 1933 Translated by: Dómhnall Ó Ceocháin & Dómhnall Ó Céilleachair

James Murphy was a Professor of Mathematics at the Catholic University in Dublin.
MacManus, a native of Donegal, was a prolific writer who died having fallen from the seventh floor of a New York nursing home.

Dinní Ó Frighil (Dinny O’Friel)

MacManus, 1933 Translated by: Nioclás Tóibín

Síobhraí na mBeann is na nGleann (Fairies of the Peaks and Valleys)

Croker, 1939 Translated by: Brighid Ní Loinsigh

Brighid Ní Loinsigh is one of the few women who translated for An Gúm. Others include: Máire Ní Shíthe, Máire Ní Shíothcháin, Máiréad Ní Ghráda, Sister Felíme, Áine Ní Fhoghlú, Maighréad Nic Mhaicín, Máire Ní Dhaobhoireann, Sorcha Ní Ghuairim and Eibhlín Ní Churraoin. An Abbey Theatre actress, she translated children’s books including several by Eileen O’Faolain.
Born in Kerry, Ó Catháin taught Irish for a brief period at Loyola College, Montreal.

Iarann an Tuaiscirt (The Northern Iron)

Birmingham, 1933 Translated by: Muiris Ó Catháin

Fear Fíor agus Fealltóir (True Man and Traitor)

Bodkin, 1935 Translated by: Domhnall Ó Grianna

Mc Donnell Bodkin was born in Galway and served as Nationalist Member of Parliament for Roscommon, before later becoming a judge. He wrote detective fiction and two novels of the 1798 rebellion.
Annie M.P. Smithson was born in Dublin and converted to Catholicism on learning that her father had been a Fenian supporter. Later, she became Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organization.

A Dúthchas Gaedhealach (Her Irish Heritage)

Smithson, 1938 Translated by: Tadhg Ó Rabhartaigh

British Authors
American & European Writers