Sadhbh - Darach Ó Scolaí

Scéal cliste greannmhar atá sa phictiúrleabhar seo do léitheoirí fásta faoi bhean óg a sheasann an fód in aghaidh na bhfear — agus in aghaidh Rí Mumhan ach go háirithe. Athinsint atá ann ar cheann de na scéalta is breátha dá bhfuil againn sa tseanlitríocht, Ceasacht Iníon Ghuile.

Díol suntais an scéal freisin mar go bhfuil príomhpháirt ann ag pearsa de chuid na staire. Go deimhin, ní hé amháin go gcaithfidh Sadhbh ruaig a chur ar na fir a dhéanfadh beag di, mar léirítear i radharc raibiléiseach i dtús an leabhair, ach caithfidh sí an ceann is fear a fháil ar an seanrí críonna, Féilimí Mac Criomhthainn Rí Mumhan.

Is ar leagan den scéal ón 16ú haois a bhunaigh Darach Ó Scolaí an leagan nua seo, agus is é an t-ealaíontóir Alé Mercado a mhaisigh. 

The story of Sadhbh is one of the most beloved stories from ancient literature. This picture book is a retelling for adult readers of the old tale Ceasacht Iníon Ghuile, a clever and humorous story about a young woman who gets to turn the tables on the men — and on the King of Munster in particular.

The story is notable because it features a key figure from history, Féilimí Mac Criomhthainn King of Munster. Féilimí plays the role of the wise king and Sadhbh is the young woman who challenges him and receives the king’s blessing at the end of the story.

Not only does Sadhbh get the better of the wise old king, but she also gets the better of the men who would abuse her, which is depicted in a Rabelaisian scene at the beginning of the story.

This new version of the story by Darach Ó Scolaí is beautifully illustrated by artist Alé Mercado.