From Aftergrass to Yellow Boots: A Glossary of Seamus Heaney's Hearth Language

‘Hearth language is the language we learn, and use, at first within the family and then, as our horizons widen, within the local community. In these places we are secure, at home and understood.’ For generations, the English spoken in Seamus Heaney’s South Derry homeland has been uniquely influenced by Irish, Scots Gaelic, Lowland Scots, Anglo Saxon and Elizabethan English. In this timely and enlightening new glossary, poetess Maura Johnston examines and explains the hearth language used by Seamus Heaney in his poetry and plays - from 'aftergrass' to 'yellow boots'. This book hopes to enrich the reading experience of both new and seasoned students of Seamus Heaney’s work and to help preserve a wondrous dialect. Author Maura Johnston is a writer, educator and traveller, who has lived most of her life in South Derry. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked as a visiting tutor in schools introducing children to Seamus Heaney’s works and hearth language. In 2009, Maura worked with local children to produce a poetry booklet to mark the Nobel poet’s 70th birthday. She has also collated a book of Bellaghy peoples’ memories of Seamus Heaney for Mid-Ulster Council. Colmcille Press gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Forge Writers Group for this publication.