Peig Sayers, together with Tomás Ó Chriomhthain (The Islandman)
and Robert J. Flaherty (Man of Aran) is one of the three towering
figures that became celebrated by the late Gaelic Revival.
Peig’s recollections were never written down but dictated to others,
and in the process often edited or shortened. As a result they often
became the object of satire, such as Flann O’Brien’s The Poor Mouth,
and in the school book version that many generations of students were
confronted with, Peig’s recollections are often the cause of unhappy
memories.
It was only after Pádraig Ó Héalaí and Bo Almqvist’s authentic edition
was published in 2009 by New Island, her contribution to Irish literary
history and culture enjoyed a better assessment and her tales found a
new audience worldwide. In part 2 of this Peig Sayers revival, Pádraig
Ó Héalaí used the recordings made in 1952 by the Irish Folklore
Commission. These unique and higly relevant recordings have now
been remastered and a link to them will be available in the book. Ó
Héalaí has edited these transcripts and translated them into English,
and there is no doubt they will add to giving Peig her deserved and
appropriate place in Irish culture.