Spotlight On Writers
Séimí Mac Aindreasa
@SeimimacA
- Where do you originate from?
I was raised in west Belfast, in an Irish speaking family. My parents raised all four of us with Irish as our first language, much of our early English being learned from our maternal grandparents. I was actually born in Dublin, where my father was working as a bus conductor, back when buses needed to be conducted – perhaps they didn’t know the tune.
We moved back to Belfast when our house was completed. My parents were part of a small group of quite revolutionary people: young couples, who wanted to raise their children in an Irish speaking environment. They bought some land, built the houses, and in doing so, created Ireland’s first – and so far, only – urban Gaeltacht: an area where the Irish language is the first language. They also went on to found the first Irish medium primary school in the north of Ireland. Originally comprising 9 pupils – my two elder siblings being amongst them – the Irish medium school system now has upwards of 7,000 pupils every year.
It’s from this strong community background that I get my own ethos. We were encouraged to be whatever we wanted to be, to never be afraid or ashamed of ourselves or our background. The Irish speaking community has produced teachers, artists, musicians, poets, lawyers, doctors and so much more, and they all feel the same connection to a central heart and soul: our language.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
The immense feeling of community. I was raised in west Belfast during the Troubles, when communities withdrew and protected themselves and their neighbours. Our small (at the time!) community was no different. What this resulted in, is a modern-day community of creative, confident, driven and dynamic individuals, all connected by that same sense of community.
I also love my home city. Belfast is a city filled with history – another of my passions. We developed the heart defibrillator; we had the first air-conditioned building in Europe; we hosted Led Zeppelin when they performed Stairway to heaven live for the first time ever. We also built ships, the most famous of which didn’t survive its maiden voyage, but as we say in Belfast – it was fine when it left here!
Belfast is a city of quarters: we have at least five of them, with another few in the pipeline. After years of depression and destruction, the city has started to flourish, with a booming tourist trade, as well as the largest community festival on the island of Ireland. I am immensely proud and fond of my hometown, and like to show it off to visitors, as one would a treasured heirloom, so if anyone ever fancies a guided tour with a Belfast nerd – give me a call!
- What ignites your creativity?
It’s tempting to answer – everything! But in truth, what ignites my creativity really depends on a lot of things: the time of day; the mood I’m in; the memories which have popped into my head in that particular moment etc. I suppose that last one – memories – is a big catalyst. Some of my favourite stories and writing experiences have come from past experiences. I haven’t lived a rock ‘n’ roll life, but my life has had its events, much like everyone else’s. I enjoy reliving those events, trying to recreate them in a way that is honest to the actual events, whilst also allowing for a little ‘stretching of truth’.
I genuinely love watching people, seeing how they behave and react to different situations. I suppose what ignites my creativity is when they behave in a way that I wouldn’t, for good or bad. Something that breaks my ‘norm’ makes me think about the other person’s motivation and path of thought, and that can be an interesting path to follow, sometimes leading to surprising destinations.
But sometimes the spark can be as seemingly insignificant as a smell or a sound, leading you down a twisting tunnel of memories and recollections. That’s the beauty of writing: anything and everything can be an inspiration, if you can only find the words!
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
My favourite words would probably be the names of my family and loved ones, so I suppose the word I should choose is ‘family’. In Irish, there are two meanings to the word. The first is ‘teaghlach’, which refers to the extended family: your siblings, cousins etc. The other is clann, which means your own family unit; spouse/partner & children.
I regard my closest and oldest friends as part of my extended teaghlach (chowlach, if you want to try a new Irish word!). I am very fortunate to have many of the same friends I met 50 years ago, and we are very close. But my clann – my wife and our shared children – are paramount in my life. They are the reason I get up every morning and go out to work. They are the reason I cook meals, run errands, worry, mourn and celebrate. They are everything. I’m not sure if I could write that in any other way, though I have tried.
“Tá mo theaghlach thart orm. Seasaim os comhair mo chlann.”
“My teaghlach stand around me, I stand before my clann.”
Is that good enough?
- What is your pet peeve?
In such a short interview, I probably don’t have enough space or time to list everything that a man in his mid-fifties could be peeved about, but I will mention one thing: timekeeping. This creates quite the dichotomy. I am, by nature, an extremely laidback person. Just ask Herself. But, give me a timetable: a train, bus or flight time, and I become obsessively anal. I fret over being there on time. I would rather sit for an hour in the airport, than race through security with minutes to spare. My wife, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Absolutely organised in terms of her work and family affairs, honestly seems to believe that planes will sit patiently for her on the runway until she is ready to board. It’s a double-double dichotomy, which actually works itself out, as I can trust her to take care of the house and other multitude of jobs she has to do, whilst I get her on the flight on time.
My family – the extended teaghlach from above – organise events, expecting the two of us to be late. It’s honestly not my fault!
- How would you describe the essence of Séimí Mac Aindreasa?
This is a difficult question to answer. My initial response, again, would be – family. And by that I mean the teaghlach and the clann. My family really are the most valued thing in my life. I am genuinely blessed by having them all there. I recently reconnected with an old friend, who I hadn’t spoken to in over 20 years, and we immediately picked up where we last left off. I think that has more value than gold or diamonds. I am part of a large circle of friends, who have kept in touch, even intermittently, for 50 years. We still socialise together, and still enjoy seeing each other. That is a gift. My clann are my driving force, the catalyst for everything I do.
I suppose in describing myself, I would say that I have a broad, appreciative and often very childish sense of humour. I grew up with the Young Ones, Bottom and Father Ted. But I am a member of the Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society. I appreciate good humour and genuine comedy. I am an unashamed Trekkie, and a devout fan of bad movies. Honestly, the bad movies I have watched!
The essence of me would be – I hope – a funny, caring, imaginative, loving and loyal friend, partner and father. I strive to be everything my own father was. I know I’ll never achieve that, but the reward is in the trying.
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