Later Life
Original Programme for The Destruction of the Hostel.
Original Programme for The Destruction of the Hostel.This was one of Colum's first attempts at drama and was staged in 1910 in Rathmines.It was a dramatic arrangement of the saga Thee Destruction of Da Dearga's Hostel and based on a translation by Whitley Stokes. The programme was printed by Dollard, Dublin.
Original Programme for The Destruction of the Hostel.
Original Programme for The Destruction of the Hostel.
Original Programme for The Destruction of the Hostel.This was one of Colum's first attempts at drama and was staged in 1910 in Rathmines.It was a dramatic arrangement of the saga Thee Destruction of Da Dearga's Hostel and based on a translation by Whitley Stokes. The programme was printed by Dollard, Dublin.
Illustration from The King of Ireland's Daughter
Illustration from The King of Ireland's Daughter. This is from a 1943 first edition ofColum's book, The Frenzied Prince, which contains heroic stories of ancient Ireland. It was illustrated by Willy Pogány and published in America by David McKay Company, of Washington Square and Philadelphia.
Illustration from The King of Ireland's Daughter
Illustration from The King of Ireland's Daughter
Illustration from The King of Ireland's Daughter. This is from a 1943 first edition ofColum's book, The Frenzied Prince, which contains heroic stories of ancient Ireland. It was illustrated by Willy Pogány and published in America by David McKay Company, of Washington Square and Philadelphia.
In 1958 Colum was conferred with two degrees in recognition of his work in literary circles. The University of Dublin conferred on him the degree of D.Litt. with the orator saying:
He is known and beloved as a playwright, a recorder of the lives of famous Irishmen, a writer of childrens' stories, and above all, as a poet. He was a cultural ambassador for his native land.
In June of that year he was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Columbia University. He continued to work and in 1959 the biography of his friend, Arthur Griffith, was completed after much labour and prolonged interruptions.
Pádraig died in Enfield, Connecticut on 11 January 1972 and was buried beside his wife in Sutton, Dublin. It was left to Benedict Kiely to say a word of farewell and he spoke for all when he said:
He has left us his works for consolation. Now he and his wife Mary, that scholarly woman from Sligo, look down from this place on the city in which they were young at a time of great hope. May what we do in time to come be worthy of them who now walk in the light of Heaven.
Considering the range, quantity and quality of his output it is fair to say that Colum never got the recognition he truly deserved and never achieved the fame predicted for him by early admirers such as Yeats and AE Russell. This may be due to his decision to emigrate to America thus depriving him of the stimuli of a convenient stage and an appreciative audience.
It may also be partly due to his distinctly simple and Irish style of poetry that ran contrary to the complex, experimental styles, prevalent throughout the twentieth century.
It is also somewhat ironic that Colum felt a large affinity with Oliver Goldsmith, who were both perhaps victims of their personalities (Colum was as unflappable as Goldsmith was irascible) which meant that Colum never went on to become a literary personality as many flamboyant writers of less talent have. They also perhaps both suffered from their ability to do too many things well but it is to be hoped that when literary tastes change both Goldsmith and Colum, in particular, will find appreciative new audiences.
He is known and beloved as a playwright, a recorder of the lives of famous Irishmen, a writer of childrens' stories, and above all, as a poet. He was a cultural ambassador for his native land.
In June of that year he was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Columbia University. He continued to work and in 1959 the biography of his friend, Arthur Griffith, was completed after much labour and prolonged interruptions.
Pádraig died in Enfield, Connecticut on 11 January 1972 and was buried beside his wife in Sutton, Dublin. It was left to Benedict Kiely to say a word of farewell and he spoke for all when he said:
He has left us his works for consolation. Now he and his wife Mary, that scholarly woman from Sligo, look down from this place on the city in which they were young at a time of great hope. May what we do in time to come be worthy of them who now walk in the light of Heaven.
Considering the range, quantity and quality of his output it is fair to say that Colum never got the recognition he truly deserved and never achieved the fame predicted for him by early admirers such as Yeats and AE Russell. This may be due to his decision to emigrate to America thus depriving him of the stimuli of a convenient stage and an appreciative audience.
It may also be partly due to his distinctly simple and Irish style of poetry that ran contrary to the complex, experimental styles, prevalent throughout the twentieth century.
It is also somewhat ironic that Colum felt a large affinity with Oliver Goldsmith, who were both perhaps victims of their personalities (Colum was as unflappable as Goldsmith was irascible) which meant that Colum never went on to become a literary personality as many flamboyant writers of less talent have. They also perhaps both suffered from their ability to do too many things well but it is to be hoped that when literary tastes change both Goldsmith and Colum, in particular, will find appreciative new audiences.
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