Ireland Tamil Academy

Ireland Tamil Academy is an Ireland based non-profit and secular organisation. The primary objective of ITA is to teach Tamil language to interested adults and children of all ages. ITA endeavours to inculcate the younger generation with interest in Tamil language, literature and culture through its programmes.

a) Pursuant to its objective, ITA will utilize educational programs, cultural events and social activities to provide the students with opportunities to apply the language skills acquired through their coursework.

b) ITA will work towards promoting collaboration between various cultural groups and organisations.

c) ITA is committed to operate in all counties of Ireland in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Harassment and discrimination based upon an individual's sex, race, ethnicity, ethnic origin, caste, nationality, national origin, age, religion or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated.

As of the current academic year(2022- 2023), the academy boasts 160 students learning their mother tongue, Tamil.

Thirukkural Transcreation

Ireland Tamil Academy approached Eoin Mac Cárthaigh of the Department of Irish and Celtic Languages at Trinity College Dublin, he suggested entrusting the work of producing an Irish-language version of the Tirukkural to the celebrated poet Gabriel Rosenstock. Born in 1949 and a member of Aosdána, Gabriel is a prolific poet, writer, columnist, journalist, and author of more than 180 books—many published by Evertype. He has translated other great works of philosophy into Irish, and we are delighted with the great interest he has shown in the Tamil Tirukkural.

This is not a direct translation from Tamil into Irish. Rather it is a poetic transcreation, informed by English translations of the Tirukkural, ranging from Pope’s translation to that by Kannan, as well as by Gabriel’s poetic vision. With Eoin we have compared this new Irish version with the Tamil original and we are satisfied that they correspond closely with each other.

We ourselves have provided the Tamil version published here, following the Śaiva Siddhānta Bibliography Society version. [Sorry about the word spacing here. Michael says he can add the bibliographical details later as a footnote if you can get them to me.]

That this great treasure of the Tamils can now be read in Irish is a matter of pride and celebration for the entire Tamil community. It gives us great pleasure to present this valuable gift to Irish speakers everywhere. We would like to express our gratitude to Michael Everson of Evertype for his fine book design, to Eoin Mac Cárthaigh of TCD Irish Department, to everyone who has worked with us and advised us and, most of all, to Gabriel Rosenstock.

Book Launch

• An Thirukkural as Gaeilge, 2023, ISBN 978-1782013136 (Trans created the Thirukkural). Released on 10th October 2023 at Trinity College, Dublin.
  • Published by Evertype Publications - Michael Everson
  • Key Speakers on the Book launch
    • Mr D.MURUGARAJ (Raj), First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Indian Embassy,Dublin
    • Dr. Eoin Mac Cárthaigh - Irish Department Head Trinity College,Dublin
    • Michael Cronin - Irish Translator
    • Dr.(Major) S.Somasundaram @ Manali Soman

References

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