Profile:
Richard
of
Éire
a 21st century-based creative custodian
________________________________
I.
Biography
- Gaeilge name:
Risteárd Mac Suibhne (Uí
Éire)
- English name:
Richard Mc Sweeney (of Éire)
- Year of birth: 1955
- Place of birth:
Fermoy, Isle
of Éire
- Nationality: Irish
- Marital status:
Happily
- Children: Son
& Daughter
- Residence: Tallow,
County Waterford, Éire
Self-designation
& Lifestyle:
- Rural
philosopher-poet of the lyrical kind
- Nuptial
hermit of the Green Desert
Qualifications:
Diploma
in Philosophy
& Arts from St. Patrick’s
College, Maynooth, Éire
- While
studying to be a Catholic Missionary priest; six years in St.
Columban’s Seminary, Dalgan Park, Éire
- Discontinued
his studies for priesthood as he felt his role in life lay
elsewhere.
Bachelor’s
degree in Korean Language & Literature
from Kyunggi University, Seoul, Korea
- Conducted
through the mediums of Korean and Classical Chinese
- Thesis in
Korean on the 17th century Korean classic The Nine Cloud Dream
Master’s
degree in Chinese Philosophy from Seoul National
University, Seoul, Korea
- Conducted
through the mediums of Korean and Classical Chinese
- Thesis in
Korean on the circa 3rd century BCE Chinese Taoist classic The Chuang-Tzu
- Distinction
of having been the first Irish person in Korea to write a
masters in Korean and Classical Chinese on The Chuang-Tzu at
the
prestigious Seoul National University.
Doctorate
candidate in
Chinese Philosophy at Seoul National University,
Seoul, Korea
- Continued
focus on The Chuang-Tzu
- Adhering
to a higher consideration, namely that of the education of his
children he decided not to complete the program, but wisely chose
instead to move the family to Ireland.
International
experience:
- English
Language Instructor for 2 years in the Foreign Language School
at Seoul City University.
- Guest
Lecturer for 9 years in the Department of English Language
& Literature at Seoul City University.
- English
Language & Literature Teacher for 3 years in Dar
Al-Fikr School (Tutorial Section) in Jeddah
- English
Language Instructor for 3 years in an isolated desert military
cadet academy in Shahama in the UAE
Inspirational mentors:
*
- 3rd
century BCE Chinese Taoist philosopher Chuang-Tzu for his constant
reminder that true philosophy is of the flight of the butterfly.
- 9th
century CE Irish philosopher Iohannes Scottus Eriugena for his
courage to freely speculate on even the greatest of human concerns, and
in an age too when such profound questioning was looked upon as a waste
of time.
- 16th
century literary genius William Shakespeare for his admirable
ability to transform his uncertainties with syntax into a powerful and
enchanting art form.
- 20th
century Lebanese poet, artist, philosopher Gibran Kahlil Gibran
for his ability to beautifully give expression to the gardens of his
inner world.
*Interestingly, that while
his inspirational mentors for the most part
have all been men, his writings
have women taking center
stage.
Primary
influences on his writings:
- Spiritually:
Native Éireinn, Christian, Jewish,
Islamic
- Philosophically:
Nature of Éire, The
Chuang-Tzu
- Literarily:
John Millington Synge, Authorized Version of the Bible, William
Shakespeare
Quotation:
“This eloquent,
honourable road you have chosen be surely a
solitary one, and
oft quite lonely it
will be for thee, yet be of a joyful
courage for in like balance
rewarding
it will be.” (Source:
Hearing
in the Write, Canto 19, Ivy-muffled)
Books:
Work
in progress:
Aspiration:
- To have
his works be found to be worthy of translation into various
other languages, especially into his native Gaeilge, French, Italian,
and Arabic.
II.
Publication updates & contact
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