Aonghas MacNeacail

Rugadh Aonghas MacNeacail an Ùige an Eilein Sgitheanaich ann an 1942. Tha e ri bàrdachd is òrain, obair-naidheachdais, craoladh, sgrioptadh is filmichean. Chaidh cruinneachaidhean bàrdachd leis fhoillseachadh sa Ghàidhlig is sa Bheurla, agus tha a sgrìobhadh air nochdadh an irisean litreachais an Alba is gu h eadar nàiseanta. Chaidh a bhàrdachd a chraoladh air rèidio is telebhisean is tha e air a leughadh air feadh Alba, agus leugh e i agus dh’fhoillsicheadh i an iomadach ceàrn thall thairis. Ann an 1997 fhuair e Duais Stakis mar Sgrìobhadair Albannach na Bliadhna leis a’ chruinneachadh Oideachadh Ceart agus dàin eile / A Proper Schooling and other poems (Polygon, 1996). Bhuannaich e Duais Ghàidhlig 2006 ann am Farpais Bàrdachd Wigtown leis an dàn ???An fhìor bheinn’, agus ann an 2007 bha e am measg na fhuair duais ann am Farpais mhòr Bàrdachd Eadar nàiseanta Bhéal Átha na mBuillí.

Aonghas MacNeacail was born in Uig on Skye in 1942. He is a poet and songwriter, journalist, researcher, broadcaster, scriptwriter and filmmaker. He has published collections of poems in both Gaelic and English and his writing has appeared in literary journals in Scotland and internationally. He has had poetry broadcast on radio and television, has given readings throughout Scotland and has toured and published extensively abroad. In 1997, he won the Stakis Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year for his collection Oideachadh Ceart agus dain eile / A Proper Schooling and other poems (Polygon 1996). He was winner of the 2006 Wigtown Poetry Competition Gaelic Prize for his poem 'An fhìor bheinn’, and in 2007 was among the prize-winners of the major Ireland-based Strokestown International Poetry Competition.

'Cho lèirsinneach, ceòlmhor is cudromach ri Neruda. Gun teagamh, ’s e seo an leabhar Gàidhlig as fheàrr dhen 21mh linn gu ruige seo. / As visionary, melodious and important as Neruda. Without doubt, the finest Gaelic book of the 21st century so far.’ – Kevin MacNeil

'’S e ceum cudthromach eile do bhàrdachd Ghàidhlig a tha san leabhar seo. Tha guth abaich a’ bruidhinn rinn air mar a dh’fhiosraich e dòchas is aoibhneas sa bheatha seo. Tha glaodh fàidheil na thùs ga dhoimhneachadh ’s ga lasachadh tro inneasan maotha gaoil, is le pìosan dìomhair san cluinnear mac-talla Litreachas a’ Ghliocais. / This book is an important addition to Gaelic poetry. A mature voice tells of finding life full of hope and joy. Its initial prophetic tirade is deepened and softened by tender expressions of love, and some mysterious pieces that contain echoes of Wisdom Literature.’ – Máire Ní Annracháin

'Bàrdachd a tha a’ siubhal rathaidean ùra ar saoghail agus seann slighean a’ chridhe ’s na h-inntinn. Guth sònraichte bha ro fhada air a mhùchadh – nach math 's nach glòrmhor an tilleadh! / Poetry that takes us on the new roads of our continent and on old byways of the heart and the mind. The marvellous return of a unique voice too long unheard from.’ – Michel Byrne

Picture by Roddy Simpson