Episode 10: Cré by Colm Ó Ceallacháin
Is i gCorcaigh atá cónaí ar Cholm Ó Ceallacháin. In 2017, d’fhoilsigh Cois Life a chéad chnuasach gearrscéalta, I dTír Mhilis na mBeo — saothar a roinn an chéad duais i gComórtas Liteartha an Oireachtais an bhliain sin do shaothar próis, agus a bhain áit amach ar ghearrliosta Ghradam Uí Shúilleabháin. Foilsíodh a chuid saothar sna hirisí Comhar, Feasta, Aneas, gorse agus Southword, agus sna díolaimí Best European Fiction 2019 (Dalkey Archive Press) agus Strokestown Poetry Anthology 2020. D’fhoilsigh Leabhar Breac a dhara cnuasach gearrscéalta, Ré na bhFathach, in 2021, agus bhain an saothar sin áit amach ar ghearrliosta Leabhar Gaeilge na Bliana ag na an Post Irish Book Awards, 2021.
Colm Ó Ceallacháin lives in Cork. His first short story collection, I dTír Mhilis na mBeo (Cois Life) was published in 2017 and shared first prize in that year’s Oireachtas na Gaeilge literary competition for a work of prose, as well as being shortlisted for Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin. His work has appeared in Comhar, Feasta, Aneas, gorse and Southword, and has been anthologised in Best European Fiction 2019 (Dalkey Archive Press) and the Strokestown Poetry Anthology 2020. Ré na bhFathach (Leabhar Breac, 2021) is his second collection of short stories, and was shortlisted for Irish language book of the year at the An Post Irish Book Awards, 2021.
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New fiction is an integral strand of contemporary Irish cultural expression. SPOKEN STORIES is an RTÉ concept for short fiction to be commissioned and produced under a common theme or thread, and through which the listener is treated to readings of them by invited actors, cast to best serve the stories and audiences.
SPOKEN STORIES 2 Creatures of the Earth, a collection of 12 stories, is a evolvement of the SPOKEN STORIES concept originated by Clíodhna Ní Anluain, who is also its producer. It is being made with support from the BAI and RTÉ.
All stories can be enjoyed by audiences on their first broadcasts from 7.30-8pm pm starting on Sunday 16 October 2022 on RTÉ Radio 1. Colm Ó Ceallacháin is the Irish language story commissioned writer. His story is also being translated into English to be available as a text and as a podcast, following its initial radio broadcast in Irish during the series. Evgeny Shtorn is the contributing writer whose writing language is neither English nor Irish. His story Nessum Dorma will be translated into Russian as part of this project and also available as a text and podcast. The 12 stories will be available as podcasts and also available on https://www.rte.ie/culture/
Among the writers are winners and short-listed writers of many esteemed literary awards including The Booker Prize, An Post Irish Book Awards, the Costa Prize, The Dublin Literary Award, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, and authors whose work has been awarded Irish short story of the Year, as well as numerous other international awards and short-listings, along with major national and international publishing contracts.
Their stories originate from a consideration of Creature of the Earth the title of a story by John McGahern, also the title of his final short story to be published in his lifetime. They illustrate how an idea or concept can be so variously and engagingly interpreted while collectively shedding light on us and our world. The commissions are shared across geographies, identities, those whose first language is neither English nor Irish as well as an Irish language writer. The themes, geographies, styles, locations, as well as the voices of the stories are as varied as the writers involved.
Readers of SPOKEN SPORIES 2: Creatures of the Earth include celebrated actors of stage and screen include Charlene McKenna, Daryl McKenna, Stephen O’Leary, Emma Dargan-Reid and Pat Shortt specially selected to add another layer of interpretation to these stories.