The Isle of Éire (Ireland) is rich with stories held by the land, both ancient and modern, laden with fierce culture and colonial violence. Poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama perceives these complex layers of history with acute insights into the lingering impacts of imperialism and sectarianism that have divided Ireland. By acknowledging deeply rooted cultural pain, Pádraig calls for Irish, English, and the rest of us to heal by reckoning with the past and embracing the creative potential held within our differences. Pádraig’s work has been embodied by serving as a leader at Corrymeela, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation organization, where disagreement is a meeting ground for togetherness. In this interview, Pádraig exposes the wounds of colonization, famine, the partition of Ireland, and The Troubles, while illustrating today’s challenges to Irish sovereignty that have resurfaced with Brexit. To Pádraig, land and language form the bedrock of culture, both equally vulnerable to colonization that severs the fabric of communities; language also offers the promise of healing from conflict if we are to revive our connections to the land and to each other. 

Pádraig Ó Tuama’s work centres around themes of language, religion, conflict and art. Working fluently on the page and with groups of people, Pádraig is a skilled speaker, teacher and group worker. His work has won acclaim in circles of poetry, politics, religion, psychotherapy and conflict analysis.

Enter a poetic journey where the land awaits us beyond the divide of borders, history, and suffering. Ayana and Pádraig explore the language of uncommon belonging; how we must learn from our shame and the danger of forgetting history, the life cycle of violence, the nature of colonial power, the poetic origins of violence embedded in policy, and how to confront the inheritance of privilege. Pádraig reminds us of the real power of story to shape our lives and calls for the revival of the bodily, earthen origins of Irish language. 

♫ Music by Peia

References

Pádraig Ó Tuama, In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World

Pádraig Ó Tuama, The Place Between, chapter in Between Here and There, Tim Carson [ed.]

Joseph Liechty, Cecelia Clegg, Moving Beyond Sectarianism: Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Frederick Douglas

James Baldwin

Joseph Brodzky

john a. Powell

Poetry Recommendations

Joy Harjo, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings

Richard Blanco, How to Love a Country

Marie Howe, Magdalene

Faisal Mohyuddin, The Displaced Children of Displaced Children

Danez Smith,  Don’t Call Us Dead 

Learn More

Explore Pádraig Ó Tuama’s poetry, prose, and work on his website: http://www.padraigotuama.com

Listen to recordings of Pádraig reading from his poetry collections here: http://www.padraigotuama.com/poetry-audio and on Bandcamp.

Learn more about Corrymeela’s community and consider supporting their peace and reconciliation work with a donation: https://www.corrymeela.org/donate