Pádraic Ó Conaire

Pádraic Ó Conaire (28 February 1882 – 6 October 1928) was an Irish writer and journalist whose production was primarily in the Irish language.

Life

Ó Conaire was born in Galway in 1882. His father was a publican, who owned two premises in the town. His mother was Kate McDonagh.

After the collapse of his business, his father was forced to emigrate to the United States of America, where he died shortly afterwards. Ó Conaire's mother died in 1893, with the result that the orphaned Ó Conaire (and his brothers Isaac and Michael) were sent to live with their uncle Patrick Conroy in Ros Muc. He attended school in Turlach Beag, having previously gone to the Presentation Convent and The 'Bish' in Galway. He subsequently he went to Rockwell College and Blackrock College.

He emigrated to London in 1899 where he got a job with the Board of Education. He became involved in the work of the Gaelic League. A pioneer in the Irish Literary Revival in this century, O'Conaire and Patrick Pearse are regarded as being the two most important Irish language short story writers during the first decades of the 20th century.

He was married to Molly Ní Mhanais, with whom he had four children: Eileen (born 22 February 1905), Patrick (born 3 November 1906), Kathleen (born 24 February 1909, and Mary Josephine (28 July 1911–1922) who died of diphtheria.

Ó Conaire returned to Ireland in 1914, leaving his family in London. Living mostly in Galway, he earned a meagre living through writing, teaching at Gaeltacht summer schools, and as an occasional organiser for the Gaelic League.

He died on a visit to Dublin in 1928 after complaining of internal pains while at the head office of the Gaelic League. He was 46.

A statue to his memory was erected in 1935 in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park in the heart of Galway City, at Eyre Square Eyre Square.

Writings

Many of Ó Conaire's writings dealt with life of Irish emigrants in England around 1900. He was also one of the first people ever to use Irish for journalism. His most important book is his only novel, "Deoraíocht" (Diaspora), which combines realism with absurd elements.

List of writings

* "An Scoláire Bocht, agus scéalta eile", 1904
* "Nora Mharcais Bhig", 1906
* "Deoraidheacht", 1910
* "An Scoláire Bocht, agus scéalta eile", 1913
* "An Chéad Chloch", 1914
* "Seacht mBua an Éirí Amach", 1918
* "An Crann Géagach", 1919
* "Tír na n Íontais", 1919
* "Béal an Uaignis", 1921
* "Siol Éabha", 1921
* "An Chinniúint", 1924
* "Eachtraí Móra ón ár Stair", 1924
* "Trí Truaighe na Scealaíochta", 1924
* "Mór thimpeall na hÉireann, ar muir", 1925
* "Fearfeasa Mac Feasa", 1930
* "Brian Óg"
* "Beagnach Fíor"
* "Cubhair na dTonn"
* "Scéalta an tSáirsint Rua"
* "Seoigheach an Ghleanna"
* "M'asal Beag Dubh"

ee also

List of people on stamps of Ireland

External links

* Tom Kenny, " [http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/content/index.php?aid=5377Padraic Ó Conaire — an fear] ", "Galway Advertiser", 23 February 2007.