MICHAEL COADY,
Madam, - What has Grangemockler, Co Tipperary, got to do with Dante Alighieri? John Montague's enthusiastic review (November 23rd) of Ciaran Carson's wonderful new translation of The Inferno critically mentions the dust-jacket claim by the publisher, Granta, that this is "The first ever version of Dante by an Irish poet..." The publisher's assertion is both questionable and misleading. Though not primarily known as a poet, Monsignor Pádraig de Brún (1889-1960), scholar and renaissance man, translated La Divina Commedia into Irish. It was published posthumously (An Clóchomhar, 1997, ed. Ciarán Ó Coigligh).
Pádraig de Brún was born in Grangemockler, Co Tipperary, which is accordingly entitled to its share of light amongst the nations. A comprehensive account of the scholar and churchman may be found in Beathaisnéis a Ceathair, 1882-1982 (Breathnach agus Ní Mhurchú; An Clóchomhar, 1994). -Yours etc.,
MICHAEL COADY, Cláirín, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.