Please spare a thought for Blind 'Raifterai an File'(1779- 1835)

Antóin Raiftearaí was the last of the Old Irish wandering 'fili'. He is among the greatest of our old Irish poets. His poem: 'Mise Raftearaí an file" I give below with my translation.

1

Mise Raiftearaí an File

lá dóchas is grá

le súilibh gan solas

le ciúineas gan cra

I am Raiftearaí the poet

full of hope and love

With eyes without light

and soul without torment

2

ag dul siar ar m'aistear

le solas mo chroí

fann agus tuirseach

go deireadh mo shli

Going back on my (life's) journey

by the light of my heart

weary and tired

to the end of my (life) journey

3

féach anois mé

is mo chúl le balla

ag seinm ceoil

do phócaí folamh

Look at me now

my back to the wall

playing music

to empty pockets

His poem Cill Aodáin is full of beautiful images:

'Anois teacht an Earraigh

beidh an lá dul chun síineadh

Is tar éis na Féile Bríde

ardóidh mé mo sheol

ó chuir mé im' cheann é

ní chónóidh mé choíche

go seasfaidh mé síos

i lár Conntae Mhaigh Eo

Now comes the Spring

the days will be stretching

after the Feast day of Bridget ( 1st Feb)

I will hoist up my sail.

since I put it in my head

I will not dwell

'til I'm standing below

mid County Mayo.

Raiftearaí was one of 9 children born to a weaver. Smallpox struck the family and 8 of his siblings died inside a couple of weeks. Raiftearaí lost his sight in the same outbreak. He learned to play the fiddle. Unfortunately, the owner of the estate took against him and banished him from the estate. He became a wandering poet/musician. His poetry has stood the test of time.

He died on Christmas Day 1835.