Review: Echoes of Memory author John O'Donohue

Echoes of Memory
author John O'Donohue
Three Rivers Press Jan 25.11

Echoes of Memory ~
Irish philosopher, John O’Donohue’s first published book was one of poetry. Artistic word crafting seems to be his forte with this work being a beautiful introduction. Ninety one entries divided into four sections, each beginning with an introductory quote of another writer. Gaelic and English flow seamlessly in O’Donohue’s writing, sometimes interpreted, other times not. Descriptive depths of his familiarity with Ireland’s Conamara countryside, Celtic spirituality, tiding sea, cottage firesides, relationships, all creatively expressed through O’Donohue’s perspectives. 

This volume contains the well known ‘Beannacht’ dedicated simply ‘for Josie, my mother’

“...May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
...And so may a slow 
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.”

For your enjoyment, a beautiful recitation of this poetic blessing, enhanced with the lovely Irish accents of the author himself, is available on youtube.