Tír na mBascach

Tá súil buaine agam faoi An Bhascais agus an Tír na mBascach. Foghlaim faoi na Bascaise fadó, ar ndóigh. Léigh mé an leabhar le Mark Kurlansky, "An Stair Bascais ar an domhan" agus an úrscéal le Bernardo Aztaga, freisin, ina dhiaidh sin.

Go fírinne, is nasc láidir idir na Bascaise agus an muintir na hÉireann anois. D'fhás sé seo leis na trioblóidí. Féachaint ar múrmhaisiú seo in hIarthar Bhéal Feirste, mar shampla.

Is "askatasuna" an bhrí na saoirse as Bascaise. Tá siad daoine an-ársa ansin. Tá muid gaolmhara sa Bhreatain Bheag agus i Éirinn go na Bascachaí ansiud an chuid is mo gar, fós, de réir gíneolaíocht.

Tá inimircigh Bascachaí ina hIdaho, Nevada, agus Califoirnea ó dheas ag imeall Bakersfield agus in Chino, gaire dom. Tá béilí mór acu ar chéile. Go minic, bhí aoirí anseo sa lá aois san Iarthar.

Bá mhaith liom ag dul go an Tír na mBascach go luath. Tá mé ábalta labhair i Spáinnis beágan agus tá mé ábalta léamh roinnt Fraincise, mar sin féin. Gan amhras, tá an teanga an Bhascais ro-deacair do achan duine ann lasmuigh den talamh ársa.

The Basque Country.

I've had an enduring interest in Basque and the Basque Country. I learned about the Basques long ago, of course. I later read Mark Kurlansky's book "The Basque History of the World" and a novel by Bernardo Atxaga too.

Truly, there is a strong link between the Basques and the people of Ireland now. This grew during the Troubles. Look at this mural in the West of Belfast, for instance.

"Askatasuna" is the meaning of freedom in Basque. The people are very ancient there. We are relatives in Wales and in Ireland to the Basques over there as our share is closest, still, in terms of genetics.

There are Basque immigrants in Idaho, Nevada, and Southern California around Bakersfield and in Chino, nearer to me. They have great meals together. Often, they were shepherds here in the old days of the West.

I would like to go to the Basque Country soon. I am able to speak in Spanish somewhat and I am able to read a share of French, all the same. Without a doubt, the language of the Basques is very difficult for everyone outside this ancient land.