Through the Craic

It is difficult to translate the Irish word, Craic, (pronounced crack) into English. It means conviviality, good will and good spirits. It assumes fast witty conversation and is often accompanied with music, dance and drink. Craic is fun, quick, mischievous and a little bit wicked; it shifts and shifts back, like clouds on a windy day. It’s usually referred to in the past tense—”That was mighty craic,”—but also as an inquiry, say about a pub—”Does it have good craic?” It takes place around kitchen tables, over tea, walking the streets of Cootehill, or Clones, anywhere two or more people gather and connect well. It’s like standing in the street on a dark Halloween night with three best friends, spelling out your names, sparklers blazing and not giving a damn that fireworks are forbidden.

—excerpt from my performance story, “Starting from the Wrong Place.”