Mr.Gumby wrote:
Quote:
I also recall him using a term "Sylvan Tunnel"
A road overarched by trees, I'd think. 'Sylvan' is not that obscure.
But it is not strange to see him used florid language if you realise he had some literary aspirations, as a translator (from Irish) of poetry and prose. Breathnach mentions 'felicitous translations' and perhaps his most widely read (and dreaded by generations of Irish schoolchildren) work is the translation of Peig Sayers autobbiography 'Peig'. But he also wrote prose, short stories as I understand it, although these went unpublished. Again, I have heard Breandán Breathnach refer to these, and he also referred to them in writing although I can't immediately located the article. From Breathnach's description I understood his work was florid and wordy, not a surprise if you heard Ennis' choice of words and phrases in his spoken language. And that is before we get to the dirty limericks Clancy and himself spend nights putting together.
Ah I see, never heard the term "Sylvan Tunnel" in these parts. However yes, very intriguing, he certainly did strike as being very intense and ornate, occasionally hard to follow or understand. I'm almost persuaded into thinking that he possessed some kind of ethereal knowledge that has since been lost. It's no wonder when people said he would often leave a big impression. No doubt his character was just as vibrant and passionate as his piping.
Interestingly, and unsurprisingly, it also appears that some may have found him a bit too intense, or cerebral.
Quote:
The owner of the Ash Grove had reckoned an unaccompanied Séamus might be too much for his audience, and asked Country Al to help out.