Clare writers in Irish 1850 – (a translation)
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:43 pm
Clare Literature (https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... rature.htm) includes an article entitled “Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge an Chláir ó 1850 anall”, the contents of which might be of interest to people who do not have Irish, and so I’ve made an attempt to translate it into English (with apologies to the original writer). Many of the writers mentioned are also the subjects of entries in ainm.ie (a dictionary of biography in the Irish language). The ainm.ie website is especially useful for anyone interested in birthplace, parents and early life of the people listed in it, and very useful for genealogists. Even people who have little or no Irish will probably make out the biographical details, but in each case I have added them myself, in parentheses.
Here is my attempt at translating:
Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge an Chláir ó 1850 anall (Writers in the Irish Language in Co. Clare from 1850 on): https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... neoiri.htm
At the time of which I am speaking, the people of Clare had survived the Penal Laws [of the 18th century] and were now celebrating Catholic Emancipation. O’Connell was at the height of his fame and he promoted the English language; he did not value Irish; it was the language of poverty; he urged the people to accept the English language. This lack of regard for the Irish Language, as seen through the eyes of Mhichíl Uí Raghaillaigh, a scribe from Ennistimon, is described in an article by Fr. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta in ‘Litríocht an Lae 1800-1850’. This is what Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh writes: “Dear Reader, do not praise or fault me for the poor standard of [Irish] in this book, as I am a tradesman and it is in my leisure time that I made this collection [of writings]. For that reason it cannot be as exact as the work of a true writer. However, it seemed to me that no one was taking care of the work of our poets in this locality, so I decided not to let them be forgotten (allowed to go astray). But it is of little use to try to protect them, as our young people are ashamed to learn the language of their ancestors. For that reason there will not be a word of Irish in the kingdom in another hundred years, if they continue in that way of thinking, I feel.”
The National Schools contributed greatly to the destruction of the [Irish] language, as it was not given proper recognition [in the school curriculum] until 1922. The reversal [of this situation] did not happen by accident; it was brought about by the excellent work of the travelling teachers who were employed by Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League). At the beginning of the century (20th) there were over 800 branches of the Conradh founded and there was a new enthusiasm for the language among the ordinary people of Ireland.
In the year 1899, Tomás Bán Ó Coincheannain, first organizer of the Gaelic League came to Co. Clare [‘timire’ usually means messenger, but in this context it means organizer of branches of the League]; he was spreading the gospel of the Gaelic League. He influenced the people of West Clare greatly. Look at the map and you will see that these writers came from the west and south of the county.
Ennis was the main English-speaking town as it was the centre of administration of the law, education, commerce and religious institutions. After the 1916 Rising and the election of de Valera for Clare in 1917, there was a turning of the tide for Irish because the representative for Clare was at the head of the nation. The Civil War came, a war that damaged the country and its leaders, but despite disunity among politicians, there was loyalty to the Irish language; people understood that, however bad things might be for themselves, the language had survived in Ireland since before the death of Christ.
In line with an idea born of the Gaelic Revival, a publishing house, An Gúm, was founded to publish Irish books, and to provide more practical help with the teaching of Irish in the schools. Facilities for higher-level education were put in place. The writers here [below] ploughed their furrows in various fields – the field of Education, field of Philosophy, field of Classics; field of Literature and History. They were heroes all; some had native Irish, and some were learning the language; they perfected their knowledge and practice of the language to the best of their ability. Their achievements were evident at the Oireachtas[*] which was held in Ennis. Their all-round scholarship is an eye-opener for us and we have a new regard for their deep understanding of, and faithfulness to their heritage. They gave of their lives and of their intellects to deepen and broaden our understanding of that heritage. We must respect and honour them. It is by speaking, reading and writing our own language that we best celebrate their great work.
[* ‘Oireachtas’ means ‘Assembly’ and usually means the assembly of public representatives (parliament), but ‘Oireachtas’ also means the annual assembly of people celebrating the speaking of Irish, music, singing, etc. (Oireachtas na Gaeilge)]
An Account of the Writers:
Michéal Ó Ciosóg (1847-1906)
He was born in Carron, Co. Clare in 1847. He was a native Irish speaker. He was trained as a teacher and he opened the Civil Service Academy in Dublin in 1878. He published Irisleabhar na Gaeilge in 1882. He was co-founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884 in Thurles. His biography, ‘Míchéal Ciosóg,’ was written by Brother Ó Caithnia. A second biography, ‘Michael Cusack and the G.A.A.’ was by Larcus de Búrca, 1989.
[See also this article on Michael Cusack in Clare People, clarelibrary.ie: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... cusack.htm]
Stiofán Ó h-Ealaoire (1858-1944)
Stiofán Ó h-Ealaoire was born in 1858 in Ballycullaun, near Fisher Street, in North Clare. He was well known for his knowledge of folklore, as were his father and mother. Séamus Ó Duilearga came to him in 1930 and saw what a wealth of folklore Stephen possessed. He gathered that store of folklore from Stephen between 1930 and 1943, and it was his opinion that Stephen was the best Irish speaker he had ever met anywhere in Ireland. An account of the life of Stephen, along with his stories, ‘Leabhar Stiofán Uí Ealaoire,’ was edited by Daithi Ó hÓgáin.
[See also this article in clarelibrary.ie: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... laoire.htm
And see this nice photo of Stiofán in the photograph collection, Folklore Dept., U.C.D.: https://digital.ucd.ie/view/ivrla:10427.
See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=81 This entry tells us that Stephen’s father, Michael, died when Stephen was three years old. His mother was Kate Danaher. There were 5 in the family.]
Fiachra Ó Dubhthaigh (1935-1987)
He was born in Liscannor. He was educated at the Christian Brothers’ school in Ennis and in University College Dublin (BA and ATO); he was awarded Master of Education at Trinity. He spent his life as secondary school teacher in Dublin. He was lecturer in the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines.
Published works: Buntús Foclóra, Buntús Termaíochta. Leargas ar ‘Dúil’ Uí Flatharta. Leargas ar Scéalta ‘Bullaí Mhartain.’ ‘Onóracha sa Ghaeilge’ – treoirleabhar teanga.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=1673 This entry does not give his parents’ names or family details. But of interest is the description of Fiachra as someone who was willing to challenge the law (he drew attention to discrimination against Irish speakers, and the lack of programmes in Irish on radio and television) and he was an outspoken critic of the teaching of Irish in schools, which, according to him, concentrated too much on difficult and obscure Irish writing, rather than on the language itself.]
Briain O Luanaigh (1828-1901)
He was born in Moanreel near Ennistimon. He spent some time at the school of agriculture in Cahersherkin. He took part in the 1848 rebellion at Ballingarry. In 1857 he was working as a scribe for William Smith O’Brien, and it was he who wrote half of the manuscripts bequeathed by O’Brien to the Royal Academy. He edited ‘A collection of poems written on different occasions by the Clare bards in honour of the McDonnells of Kilkee and Killone.’ He also edited ‘Dánta Aindrias Mhic Cruitín.’ In 1871 he was a member of the Royal Academy, and was appointed lecturer in Irish at the Royal College of Ireland, along with [Eugene] O Curry.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=89
and this entry in the Dictionary of Irish Biography: https://www.dib.ie/biography/o-luanaigh ... rian-a6871]
Tomás Ó h-Aodha (1866-1935)
He was born in Miltown Malbay in 1866. He attested to the native Irish spoken in that locality in his youth. He was trained as a teacher in St. Patrick’s College, Dromcondra, and he gave his life to teaching and to music and drama. He had a good knowledge of music and it is said of him that he was the first person who taught Irish songs using Tonic Solfa. Some of his plays won awards at the Oireachtas, 1909-1911. He published ‘An Solfathóir Gaelach’ in 1922. He published ‘An Gioblachán’, ‘A Serbhadóir’, ‘Mainichín’, and two books of short stories, ‘An Figheadóir agus Scéalta Eile’ and ‘Giolla na Leisce agus Scéalta Eile’.
[See also: Nora Daly: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... /song5.htm
and see this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=204 This entry tells us that Thomas’s father, Michael Hayes, was a Cooper by trade. His mother was Mary Moroney. According to Thomas, it was through Irish that the buying and selling at the markets and fairs in Miltown Malbay were conducted. I found Thomas Hayes in the 1901 census, aged 23, but failed to find him in 1911: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/r ... 003680005/]
Seosamh T. Ó Ceit (1868-1928)
He was born in Farrihy between Dunbeg and Kilkee, in 1868. He died in 1928. He was educated in the National School at Bansha, and in Kilkee. He was attending at the teacher training college at Dromcondra in 1886, but did not finish the course owing to ill health. He returned home and helped on the family farm, while spending the evenings at Irish.
Tomás Bán Ó Coincheannain came his way in 1899, and a branch of the Gaelic League was founded in Farrihy, with Joseph as teacher.
He wrote prose, poetry and drama. There are over 30 of his songs published in the magazines, “An Claidheamh Solais’ and “Fáinne an Lae’. A play by him, ‘Maon’, was in print in 1924. Among his manuscripts are: ‘An Cuire’, a one-act play, ‘Dioghaltas Draoi’, a three-act play, ‘Dornán Síl’; also eighteen songs and poems, and ‘Fearghal i dTir na nÓg’ a long poem, perhaps an epic, of 129 verses.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=493 This entry tells us that his niece, Maura Keane, of Farrihy, provided the information that his parents were Thomas Kett and Brigid Houlihan. He had three brothers and three sisters. His death was not registered, seemingly, but his niece remembered that it was on Sept. 1928. There was no notice of his death published in the newspapers, but Séan Ó Ceallaigh, of Kilmaley, wrote a piece for the Clare Champion, published 14 Jan 1950, entitled ‘Amhráin Tuanach: Seosamh T. Ó Ceit’. The 1901 census shows him living in Carrowblock More, Knocknagore DED, aged 33].
Daithí Ó Coimín (1854-1907)
He was born in Henry Street, Kilrush, in 1854. He was raised as an English speaker and never became really fluent in Irish, according to his great friend, Séamus Ó Dubhghaill. He was a bank clerk in the National Bank, Dublin. Douglas Hyde (A Charobhín) said of him that he was the most diligent Gael he had ever met. He published Irisleabhar na Gaeilge in 1882 and he was editor until 1887. He was full of ideas on how to promote and give publicity to matters relating to the Irish language, and he took upon himself the most of the work. He edited ‘Laoi Oisín I dTír na nÓg’ (1880), ‘Mac Griomhartha Fhinn’ (1902) and ‘Foras Feasa ar Éirinn’ (1902).
[See also Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Comyn]
Dr. Domhnall Ó Mathúna (1872-1942)
He was born in Market Street, Kilrush, in 1872. His father was a shopkeeper. He received education at the Christian Brothers school in Kilrush, in St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, and in Clongowes, Dublin. He was interested in classical languages and succeeded well in those. He graduated as a medical doctor and practiced medicine n Glasnevin, Dublin. He learned Irish from the books of An Athair Peadar and as a result of his studies he wrote ‘Cruinneas Cainte’ (1923) and from that followed several more books, mostly translations from the literature of the Romans and Greeks. Altogether he wrote 14 books and has received the praise of Michael Ó Griofa for his literary style, and style of translation.
Eoghan Ó Comhraí (1794-1862)
He was born in Doonaha, on the shores of the River Shannon. He was one of the most important Irish scholars of the 19th century. Having spent some time at farming, and in education, he worked in the asylum in Limerick (1827). He was then given a post in the office of the Ordnance Survey (1835). He was appointed Professor of Archaeology at the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. His most important writings are ‘Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History’ and ‘Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish’. He died in 1862. Two biographies published are: “Síladóirí’ le Brathair Criostúil, and “Séan Ó Donnabhain agus Eoghan Ó Comhraí’, le Éamon de hÓir.
[See also the entry on Eugene O’Curry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_O%27Curry]
Annraoi de Blác (1884-1974)
He was born in Kilbaha in West Clare. He was a native Irish speaker. The scholar Nils M. Homer visited him when he was preparing his book, ‘The Dialects of Clare’. His opinion of Henry was that he was “a very good speaker”. When Fr. Séamus Ó Dea was delivering a sermon in Irish in Kilballyowen on St. Patrick’s Day, 1962, he discovered that there were native Irish speakers in the audience. When Foras Uí Chomhraí was founded in Carrigaholt College, Henry was appointed first Professor. He won first prize in storytelling at Oireachtas 1971. Radio Telefís Eireann devoted a programme to him in the ‘Féach’ series. He gave a lecture in Maynooth College. He died in 1974.
[See also the entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=135 This entry tells us that Henry’s father was Seán Phait (John son of Pat). His mother was Mary Crotty, or Máire Phaidí Caola (Mary of Paddy Quealy(?)). Henry was the eighth in a family of thirteen – ten boys and three girls. No Irish was spoken in the school in Kilbaha when Henry was a schoolboy, but Irish was spoken by hearth at home (Henry speaks of the hardship this anti-Irish bias caused to Irish speaking children on a radio programme recorded in the 1950s: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/21957 ... an-chlair/). When he was aged 13 he went to work as a servant with relatives (Griffins) in Scattery Island and spent four years there. He became an expert dancer in those years. He then went to work for a farmer in Clonlara, Co. Limerick. While there he married Margaret Blake from Carrigaholt. They had three sons. An account of Henry’s life appeared in Inniu (newspaper) on 21 Mar 1969. Fr. O’Dea and Jim Connolly, Sculptor, made a film (16 mm) about Henry, before his death on 13 Apr 1974. And Fr. O’Dea wrote about him in Dál gCais (journal) No. 1, and in the Clare Champion of 26 Apr. 1974]
Seán O hOgáin (1869-1947)
He was born in Kilmihil in Co. Clare in 1869. He succeeded in obtaining a post in the Civil Service in 1884. According to his family, he accompanied Michael Cusack to Thurles on the day that the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded. He assisted Fr. Éamonn Ó hÓgáin chun ‘An Luibhleabhrán’ a ullmhú. From 1900 he held a senior post in the Dept. of Agriculture. He wrote a large book ‘Contae an Chláir’ (1938). He began writing a book on placenames, but it remained unfinished. He died in 1947.
[See also the entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=208 This entry tells us that his father James (1831-1911) was a farmer in Leacain in the parish of Kilmihil, and that his mother, Anne Cotter (1833-1914), was from the same parish. They were not native Irish speakers, according to the family (two sisters, Susan b. 1871 and Ellen b. 1874, and one brother, James b. 1876). Sean married Adelaide Mary Boland from Clonmel [Co. Tipperary] and they had 5 children. Adelaide died in 1901 aged only 31; one of the children was only two weeks old. Among his unpublished writings is the history of his own people going back to the 12th century].
Mícheál Ó Griofa (1869-1949)
He was born in Caherea, Lissycasey, in 1869. He heard Irish spoken in the home and he had a clear understanding of it. He worked as a teacher for a number of years. He was awarded second place in Ireland and Britain in a competition for a Civil Service post in Customs and Mails. He lived in Belfast, Glasgow and Dublin. From 1922 he worked in the Dept. of Education and he spent most of his life working in An Gúm [State sponsored publishing house]. He was an able writer. He wrote, ‘Lorgaireacht’, Bean an Bhrait Bháin’, ‘Briathar Mná’, ‘Buaidh na Treise’, ‘De Dhriom na hAille’, and ‘Cathair Aoidh’ which won the Duais an Chraoibhín (prize in honour of Douglas Hyde) in 1937. He wrote the original ‘Bunreacht na hÉireann’ (Irish Constitution) in 1937. He died in 1946.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=77. This entry tells us that his father, Thomas Griffin, was a small farmer and that his mother was Ellen Clohessy. There were six other children in the family. He heard Irish in the home and in the locality, and so, while English was spoken also, he understood Irish very well. When writing, he often used the pen-name, ‘Cos Obann’. While he was in Belfast, he met Mary Anne Brohan, from Killaloe, at a Ceili. She was working in the Post Office. They married in 1907. They had five children. With regard to his writing of the original Constitution, Michael Ó Cearúil says (in an article entitled “Bunreacht na hÉireann: a study of the Irish text” 1999): “The original draft of the Irish test was made by Mícheál Ó Gríobhtha, a native of Co. Clare chosen personally by Éamon de Valera for this task…”]
An tAth. Seoirse MacClúin (1894-1949)
He was born in Capparoe in Scarriff in 1894. He received his secondary education at the Jesuits’ school in Limerick and at St. Flannan’s College in Ennis. He went to Maynooth [Seminary] where he was ordained priest in 1917. He was one of two people who won the Piaras Uí Mhaoileoin scholarship, which was open to the whole country. He was appointed Professor of Irish in St. Flannan’s College in 1919. Among the books he wrote are: ‘Reilthíní Óir’ 1 & 2 – phrases and sayings which he had collected in the Gaeltacht [an area with mainly native Irish speakers], explained in Irish; ‘An Litríocht’ and ‘Róisín Fiáin na Mara’. He was a priest who did great work in Irish scholarship, but who never received due recognition. He died in 1949.
[See this entry in the Dictionary of Irish Biography: https://www.dib.ie/biography/mac-cluain-seoirse-a5019
And see also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=27 This entry tells us that his father was John Clune, and that his mother was Ellen Rohan, a farmer’s daughter from Ogonnelloe. Tomás Ó Criomhthain, from the Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry, writes in his book, ‘An tOileánach’, that Fr. Clune spent three weeks with him in the Blaskets. He says that they spent eight hours every day going through the text of his book ‘Réilthíní óir’. Ó Criomhthain was not pleased to find that he was given no credit for this in the published book! It was while Fr. George Clune was priest in Kilrush in 1940 that he wrote ‘Cainnt an Chláir’. Seán Mac Mathúna, Luogh, Doolin, and Pádraig Ó Catháin, Cross, Carrigaholt, helped him with that great work.]
Sources: ‘Beathaisnéis 1 & 2’, by Diarmuid Breathnach and Máire Ní Mhurchú.
‘Léas ar Ár Litríocht’, by Fr. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta.
‘Ó Donnabhán agus Ó Comhraí’, le Éamonn de h-Óir.
End of transcription.
I suspect that this list of writers omits some people who deserve to be included; I notice that Máiréad Ní Ghráda, for instance, is not included. But she is not forgotten: she is included in “Clare People”: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... ghrada.htm and there is also a Wikipedia entry for her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Máiréad_N%C3%AD_Ghráda , and an entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=76, which tells us that her parents were James O’Grady and Bridget Greene, but the 1911 census shows us that ‘Bridget’ should be Margaret: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/r ... 001758353/
Sheila
Here is my attempt at translating:
Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge an Chláir ó 1850 anall (Writers in the Irish Language in Co. Clare from 1850 on): https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... neoiri.htm
At the time of which I am speaking, the people of Clare had survived the Penal Laws [of the 18th century] and were now celebrating Catholic Emancipation. O’Connell was at the height of his fame and he promoted the English language; he did not value Irish; it was the language of poverty; he urged the people to accept the English language. This lack of regard for the Irish Language, as seen through the eyes of Mhichíl Uí Raghaillaigh, a scribe from Ennistimon, is described in an article by Fr. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta in ‘Litríocht an Lae 1800-1850’. This is what Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh writes: “Dear Reader, do not praise or fault me for the poor standard of [Irish] in this book, as I am a tradesman and it is in my leisure time that I made this collection [of writings]. For that reason it cannot be as exact as the work of a true writer. However, it seemed to me that no one was taking care of the work of our poets in this locality, so I decided not to let them be forgotten (allowed to go astray). But it is of little use to try to protect them, as our young people are ashamed to learn the language of their ancestors. For that reason there will not be a word of Irish in the kingdom in another hundred years, if they continue in that way of thinking, I feel.”
The National Schools contributed greatly to the destruction of the [Irish] language, as it was not given proper recognition [in the school curriculum] until 1922. The reversal [of this situation] did not happen by accident; it was brought about by the excellent work of the travelling teachers who were employed by Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League). At the beginning of the century (20th) there were over 800 branches of the Conradh founded and there was a new enthusiasm for the language among the ordinary people of Ireland.
In the year 1899, Tomás Bán Ó Coincheannain, first organizer of the Gaelic League came to Co. Clare [‘timire’ usually means messenger, but in this context it means organizer of branches of the League]; he was spreading the gospel of the Gaelic League. He influenced the people of West Clare greatly. Look at the map and you will see that these writers came from the west and south of the county.
Ennis was the main English-speaking town as it was the centre of administration of the law, education, commerce and religious institutions. After the 1916 Rising and the election of de Valera for Clare in 1917, there was a turning of the tide for Irish because the representative for Clare was at the head of the nation. The Civil War came, a war that damaged the country and its leaders, but despite disunity among politicians, there was loyalty to the Irish language; people understood that, however bad things might be for themselves, the language had survived in Ireland since before the death of Christ.
In line with an idea born of the Gaelic Revival, a publishing house, An Gúm, was founded to publish Irish books, and to provide more practical help with the teaching of Irish in the schools. Facilities for higher-level education were put in place. The writers here [below] ploughed their furrows in various fields – the field of Education, field of Philosophy, field of Classics; field of Literature and History. They were heroes all; some had native Irish, and some were learning the language; they perfected their knowledge and practice of the language to the best of their ability. Their achievements were evident at the Oireachtas[*] which was held in Ennis. Their all-round scholarship is an eye-opener for us and we have a new regard for their deep understanding of, and faithfulness to their heritage. They gave of their lives and of their intellects to deepen and broaden our understanding of that heritage. We must respect and honour them. It is by speaking, reading and writing our own language that we best celebrate their great work.
[* ‘Oireachtas’ means ‘Assembly’ and usually means the assembly of public representatives (parliament), but ‘Oireachtas’ also means the annual assembly of people celebrating the speaking of Irish, music, singing, etc. (Oireachtas na Gaeilge)]
An Account of the Writers:
Michéal Ó Ciosóg (1847-1906)
He was born in Carron, Co. Clare in 1847. He was a native Irish speaker. He was trained as a teacher and he opened the Civil Service Academy in Dublin in 1878. He published Irisleabhar na Gaeilge in 1882. He was co-founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884 in Thurles. His biography, ‘Míchéal Ciosóg,’ was written by Brother Ó Caithnia. A second biography, ‘Michael Cusack and the G.A.A.’ was by Larcus de Búrca, 1989.
[See also this article on Michael Cusack in Clare People, clarelibrary.ie: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... cusack.htm]
Stiofán Ó h-Ealaoire (1858-1944)
Stiofán Ó h-Ealaoire was born in 1858 in Ballycullaun, near Fisher Street, in North Clare. He was well known for his knowledge of folklore, as were his father and mother. Séamus Ó Duilearga came to him in 1930 and saw what a wealth of folklore Stephen possessed. He gathered that store of folklore from Stephen between 1930 and 1943, and it was his opinion that Stephen was the best Irish speaker he had ever met anywhere in Ireland. An account of the life of Stephen, along with his stories, ‘Leabhar Stiofán Uí Ealaoire,’ was edited by Daithi Ó hÓgáin.
[See also this article in clarelibrary.ie: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... laoire.htm
And see this nice photo of Stiofán in the photograph collection, Folklore Dept., U.C.D.: https://digital.ucd.ie/view/ivrla:10427.
See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=81 This entry tells us that Stephen’s father, Michael, died when Stephen was three years old. His mother was Kate Danaher. There were 5 in the family.]
Fiachra Ó Dubhthaigh (1935-1987)
He was born in Liscannor. He was educated at the Christian Brothers’ school in Ennis and in University College Dublin (BA and ATO); he was awarded Master of Education at Trinity. He spent his life as secondary school teacher in Dublin. He was lecturer in the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines.
Published works: Buntús Foclóra, Buntús Termaíochta. Leargas ar ‘Dúil’ Uí Flatharta. Leargas ar Scéalta ‘Bullaí Mhartain.’ ‘Onóracha sa Ghaeilge’ – treoirleabhar teanga.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=1673 This entry does not give his parents’ names or family details. But of interest is the description of Fiachra as someone who was willing to challenge the law (he drew attention to discrimination against Irish speakers, and the lack of programmes in Irish on radio and television) and he was an outspoken critic of the teaching of Irish in schools, which, according to him, concentrated too much on difficult and obscure Irish writing, rather than on the language itself.]
Briain O Luanaigh (1828-1901)
He was born in Moanreel near Ennistimon. He spent some time at the school of agriculture in Cahersherkin. He took part in the 1848 rebellion at Ballingarry. In 1857 he was working as a scribe for William Smith O’Brien, and it was he who wrote half of the manuscripts bequeathed by O’Brien to the Royal Academy. He edited ‘A collection of poems written on different occasions by the Clare bards in honour of the McDonnells of Kilkee and Killone.’ He also edited ‘Dánta Aindrias Mhic Cruitín.’ In 1871 he was a member of the Royal Academy, and was appointed lecturer in Irish at the Royal College of Ireland, along with [Eugene] O Curry.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=89
and this entry in the Dictionary of Irish Biography: https://www.dib.ie/biography/o-luanaigh ... rian-a6871]
Tomás Ó h-Aodha (1866-1935)
He was born in Miltown Malbay in 1866. He attested to the native Irish spoken in that locality in his youth. He was trained as a teacher in St. Patrick’s College, Dromcondra, and he gave his life to teaching and to music and drama. He had a good knowledge of music and it is said of him that he was the first person who taught Irish songs using Tonic Solfa. Some of his plays won awards at the Oireachtas, 1909-1911. He published ‘An Solfathóir Gaelach’ in 1922. He published ‘An Gioblachán’, ‘A Serbhadóir’, ‘Mainichín’, and two books of short stories, ‘An Figheadóir agus Scéalta Eile’ and ‘Giolla na Leisce agus Scéalta Eile’.
[See also: Nora Daly: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... /song5.htm
and see this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=204 This entry tells us that Thomas’s father, Michael Hayes, was a Cooper by trade. His mother was Mary Moroney. According to Thomas, it was through Irish that the buying and selling at the markets and fairs in Miltown Malbay were conducted. I found Thomas Hayes in the 1901 census, aged 23, but failed to find him in 1911: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/r ... 003680005/]
Seosamh T. Ó Ceit (1868-1928)
He was born in Farrihy between Dunbeg and Kilkee, in 1868. He died in 1928. He was educated in the National School at Bansha, and in Kilkee. He was attending at the teacher training college at Dromcondra in 1886, but did not finish the course owing to ill health. He returned home and helped on the family farm, while spending the evenings at Irish.
Tomás Bán Ó Coincheannain came his way in 1899, and a branch of the Gaelic League was founded in Farrihy, with Joseph as teacher.
He wrote prose, poetry and drama. There are over 30 of his songs published in the magazines, “An Claidheamh Solais’ and “Fáinne an Lae’. A play by him, ‘Maon’, was in print in 1924. Among his manuscripts are: ‘An Cuire’, a one-act play, ‘Dioghaltas Draoi’, a three-act play, ‘Dornán Síl’; also eighteen songs and poems, and ‘Fearghal i dTir na nÓg’ a long poem, perhaps an epic, of 129 verses.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=493 This entry tells us that his niece, Maura Keane, of Farrihy, provided the information that his parents were Thomas Kett and Brigid Houlihan. He had three brothers and three sisters. His death was not registered, seemingly, but his niece remembered that it was on Sept. 1928. There was no notice of his death published in the newspapers, but Séan Ó Ceallaigh, of Kilmaley, wrote a piece for the Clare Champion, published 14 Jan 1950, entitled ‘Amhráin Tuanach: Seosamh T. Ó Ceit’. The 1901 census shows him living in Carrowblock More, Knocknagore DED, aged 33].
Daithí Ó Coimín (1854-1907)
He was born in Henry Street, Kilrush, in 1854. He was raised as an English speaker and never became really fluent in Irish, according to his great friend, Séamus Ó Dubhghaill. He was a bank clerk in the National Bank, Dublin. Douglas Hyde (A Charobhín) said of him that he was the most diligent Gael he had ever met. He published Irisleabhar na Gaeilge in 1882 and he was editor until 1887. He was full of ideas on how to promote and give publicity to matters relating to the Irish language, and he took upon himself the most of the work. He edited ‘Laoi Oisín I dTír na nÓg’ (1880), ‘Mac Griomhartha Fhinn’ (1902) and ‘Foras Feasa ar Éirinn’ (1902).
[See also Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Comyn]
Dr. Domhnall Ó Mathúna (1872-1942)
He was born in Market Street, Kilrush, in 1872. His father was a shopkeeper. He received education at the Christian Brothers school in Kilrush, in St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, and in Clongowes, Dublin. He was interested in classical languages and succeeded well in those. He graduated as a medical doctor and practiced medicine n Glasnevin, Dublin. He learned Irish from the books of An Athair Peadar and as a result of his studies he wrote ‘Cruinneas Cainte’ (1923) and from that followed several more books, mostly translations from the literature of the Romans and Greeks. Altogether he wrote 14 books and has received the praise of Michael Ó Griofa for his literary style, and style of translation.
Eoghan Ó Comhraí (1794-1862)
He was born in Doonaha, on the shores of the River Shannon. He was one of the most important Irish scholars of the 19th century. Having spent some time at farming, and in education, he worked in the asylum in Limerick (1827). He was then given a post in the office of the Ordnance Survey (1835). He was appointed Professor of Archaeology at the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. His most important writings are ‘Lectures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History’ and ‘Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish’. He died in 1862. Two biographies published are: “Síladóirí’ le Brathair Criostúil, and “Séan Ó Donnabhain agus Eoghan Ó Comhraí’, le Éamon de hÓir.
[See also the entry on Eugene O’Curry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_O%27Curry]
Annraoi de Blác (1884-1974)
He was born in Kilbaha in West Clare. He was a native Irish speaker. The scholar Nils M. Homer visited him when he was preparing his book, ‘The Dialects of Clare’. His opinion of Henry was that he was “a very good speaker”. When Fr. Séamus Ó Dea was delivering a sermon in Irish in Kilballyowen on St. Patrick’s Day, 1962, he discovered that there were native Irish speakers in the audience. When Foras Uí Chomhraí was founded in Carrigaholt College, Henry was appointed first Professor. He won first prize in storytelling at Oireachtas 1971. Radio Telefís Eireann devoted a programme to him in the ‘Féach’ series. He gave a lecture in Maynooth College. He died in 1974.
[See also the entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=135 This entry tells us that Henry’s father was Seán Phait (John son of Pat). His mother was Mary Crotty, or Máire Phaidí Caola (Mary of Paddy Quealy(?)). Henry was the eighth in a family of thirteen – ten boys and three girls. No Irish was spoken in the school in Kilbaha when Henry was a schoolboy, but Irish was spoken by hearth at home (Henry speaks of the hardship this anti-Irish bias caused to Irish speaking children on a radio programme recorded in the 1950s: https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/21957 ... an-chlair/). When he was aged 13 he went to work as a servant with relatives (Griffins) in Scattery Island and spent four years there. He became an expert dancer in those years. He then went to work for a farmer in Clonlara, Co. Limerick. While there he married Margaret Blake from Carrigaholt. They had three sons. An account of Henry’s life appeared in Inniu (newspaper) on 21 Mar 1969. Fr. O’Dea and Jim Connolly, Sculptor, made a film (16 mm) about Henry, before his death on 13 Apr 1974. And Fr. O’Dea wrote about him in Dál gCais (journal) No. 1, and in the Clare Champion of 26 Apr. 1974]
Seán O hOgáin (1869-1947)
He was born in Kilmihil in Co. Clare in 1869. He succeeded in obtaining a post in the Civil Service in 1884. According to his family, he accompanied Michael Cusack to Thurles on the day that the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded. He assisted Fr. Éamonn Ó hÓgáin chun ‘An Luibhleabhrán’ a ullmhú. From 1900 he held a senior post in the Dept. of Agriculture. He wrote a large book ‘Contae an Chláir’ (1938). He began writing a book on placenames, but it remained unfinished. He died in 1947.
[See also the entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=208 This entry tells us that his father James (1831-1911) was a farmer in Leacain in the parish of Kilmihil, and that his mother, Anne Cotter (1833-1914), was from the same parish. They were not native Irish speakers, according to the family (two sisters, Susan b. 1871 and Ellen b. 1874, and one brother, James b. 1876). Sean married Adelaide Mary Boland from Clonmel [Co. Tipperary] and they had 5 children. Adelaide died in 1901 aged only 31; one of the children was only two weeks old. Among his unpublished writings is the history of his own people going back to the 12th century].
Mícheál Ó Griofa (1869-1949)
He was born in Caherea, Lissycasey, in 1869. He heard Irish spoken in the home and he had a clear understanding of it. He worked as a teacher for a number of years. He was awarded second place in Ireland and Britain in a competition for a Civil Service post in Customs and Mails. He lived in Belfast, Glasgow and Dublin. From 1922 he worked in the Dept. of Education and he spent most of his life working in An Gúm [State sponsored publishing house]. He was an able writer. He wrote, ‘Lorgaireacht’, Bean an Bhrait Bháin’, ‘Briathar Mná’, ‘Buaidh na Treise’, ‘De Dhriom na hAille’, and ‘Cathair Aoidh’ which won the Duais an Chraoibhín (prize in honour of Douglas Hyde) in 1937. He wrote the original ‘Bunreacht na hÉireann’ (Irish Constitution) in 1937. He died in 1946.
[See also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=77. This entry tells us that his father, Thomas Griffin, was a small farmer and that his mother was Ellen Clohessy. There were six other children in the family. He heard Irish in the home and in the locality, and so, while English was spoken also, he understood Irish very well. When writing, he often used the pen-name, ‘Cos Obann’. While he was in Belfast, he met Mary Anne Brohan, from Killaloe, at a Ceili. She was working in the Post Office. They married in 1907. They had five children. With regard to his writing of the original Constitution, Michael Ó Cearúil says (in an article entitled “Bunreacht na hÉireann: a study of the Irish text” 1999): “The original draft of the Irish test was made by Mícheál Ó Gríobhtha, a native of Co. Clare chosen personally by Éamon de Valera for this task…”]
An tAth. Seoirse MacClúin (1894-1949)
He was born in Capparoe in Scarriff in 1894. He received his secondary education at the Jesuits’ school in Limerick and at St. Flannan’s College in Ennis. He went to Maynooth [Seminary] where he was ordained priest in 1917. He was one of two people who won the Piaras Uí Mhaoileoin scholarship, which was open to the whole country. He was appointed Professor of Irish in St. Flannan’s College in 1919. Among the books he wrote are: ‘Reilthíní Óir’ 1 & 2 – phrases and sayings which he had collected in the Gaeltacht [an area with mainly native Irish speakers], explained in Irish; ‘An Litríocht’ and ‘Róisín Fiáin na Mara’. He was a priest who did great work in Irish scholarship, but who never received due recognition. He died in 1949.
[See this entry in the Dictionary of Irish Biography: https://www.dib.ie/biography/mac-cluain-seoirse-a5019
And see also this entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=27 This entry tells us that his father was John Clune, and that his mother was Ellen Rohan, a farmer’s daughter from Ogonnelloe. Tomás Ó Criomhthain, from the Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry, writes in his book, ‘An tOileánach’, that Fr. Clune spent three weeks with him in the Blaskets. He says that they spent eight hours every day going through the text of his book ‘Réilthíní óir’. Ó Criomhthain was not pleased to find that he was given no credit for this in the published book! It was while Fr. George Clune was priest in Kilrush in 1940 that he wrote ‘Cainnt an Chláir’. Seán Mac Mathúna, Luogh, Doolin, and Pádraig Ó Catháin, Cross, Carrigaholt, helped him with that great work.]
Sources: ‘Beathaisnéis 1 & 2’, by Diarmuid Breathnach and Máire Ní Mhurchú.
‘Léas ar Ár Litríocht’, by Fr. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta.
‘Ó Donnabhán agus Ó Comhraí’, le Éamonn de h-Óir.
End of transcription.
I suspect that this list of writers omits some people who deserve to be included; I notice that Máiréad Ní Ghráda, for instance, is not included. But she is not forgotten: she is included in “Clare People”: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... ghrada.htm and there is also a Wikipedia entry for her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Máiréad_N%C3%AD_Ghráda , and an entry in ainm.ie: https://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=76, which tells us that her parents were James O’Grady and Bridget Greene, but the 1911 census shows us that ‘Bridget’ should be Margaret: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/r ... 001758353/
Sheila