The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Unique view of Blasket life
A UNIQUE view of life on the Blasket Islands was on show during the Lá le Gobnait celebrations in Ionad an Bhlascaoid where paintings and drawings by Micheál ‘File’ Ó Gaoithín were unveiled.
The paintings and sketches hanging in the gallery in Ionad an Bhlascaoid are a selection of the more than 200 drawings made by Maidhc which were bequeathed to artist and Dún Chaoin resident Maria Simmonds-Gooding. Maria initially inspired and encouraged the islander as well as providing him with paints and paper after he expressed interest in her work.
Maidhc ‘File’ is best known for his role in the compilation of the life story of his mother, Peig Sayers as well as his own published poetry.
Following from their annual Lá le Gobnait performance, children from Scoil Naomh Gobnait provided a commentary on their fa- vourite drawings. And Micheál de Mordha who shouldered Maidhc’s coffin to his final resting place in 1974 was there to further elaborate. The works include one of a funeral depicting naomhógs in cross formation off the Blasket islands.
Bo Almqvist said about the islander at his funeral in 1974 that he understood as well as any scholar “nach mbeidh ár leithéid arís ann” and the importance of leaving a record for future generations. The Scandinavian scholar also said that Maidhc understood the beauty of his surroundings and his language, he possessed the keen eye of a fishermen and the mind of a painter and poet.
Comharchumann Dhún Chaoin plans to develop a major exhibition and booklet of the sketches and paintings over the next few years with a possible launch in 2020 according to Sean Ó Cinnéide, Cathaoirleach.