Risteárd Earnan Ó Glaisne (1927-2003)
by Sara Good
There are people whose memory and influence spread far... Risteárd was and is one of those. Written on his headstone in Killowen Church of Ireland Graveyard are the words ‘Múinteoir agus scríobhneoir,’… accurate, and yet merely a small hint of his legacy of many, many achievements and kindnesses.
The Giles family... his parents, grandparents, two older brothers, a sister and an aunt... lived about three miles north of Bandon at ‘Woodfort,’ a farm which had been farmed by generations of Giles before them. He grew up in a loving family with a strong Christian ethos who worshipped regularly in Bandon Methodist Church. As a child Risteárd contracted bovine T.B. which settled in his hip, so he didn’t start his formal education in Bandon Grammar School until he was about 9. It was his paternal grandmother who taught him to read and write, often from the Bible. He learned early about love of God being linked to love of neighbour and that all men are equal in the sight of God, so a sense of inclusiveness, integrity and social responsibility were well inculcated. A passion for reading also developed then and all his life he was an eclectic and voracious reader. Risteárd’s home and memories of growing up there were always hugely important to him.
A Roman Catholic neighbour, Seán Ó Shea, a native Irish speaker and great friend of his Grandmother’s, spurred his passion for the Irish language and cultural revival. Bandon Grammar School was the initial setting for his journalistic and editing efforts when he initiated ‘The Rooster’, that school’s first magazine. His commitment and love of the Irish language was also fostered there by the late Irene Simpson, his teacher, and Ivan McCutcheon, one of the headmasters, both of whom he later regarded as friends.
His third level education - a B.A in Irish and English, followed by a H.Dip.Ed. - came from Trinity College in Dublin during the nineteen forties. He subsequently completed a Masters in 1959. During those years he holidayed on the Blaskets and later Dun Chaoin, building friendships and a fluency in our softly musical and beautifully idiomatic language. It’s no surprise that his first published book, one of almost thirty during his lifetime, was ‘Bun Ghaeilge.’ (1962) ‘Scríobhneoirí na Gaeilge’; ‘Radió na Gaeltachta’; ‘Gaeilge igColáiste na Tríonóide 1592-1992’ were others he wrote about and to encourage Irish as a living language. For his own part, he officially changed his name to its Irish form and almost invariably wrote and broadcast through the medium of Irish, the language he loved best.
During his teaching career, Risteárd taught in three Dublin Schools- Avoca School (1949-1964); St. Andrews (1968-1972) and St. Patrick’s Cathedral School (1973-1989). According to his students, he was a caring, dedicated and stimulating teacher. He interacted well with teenagers. When I and others of his nieces and nephews were in boarding school in Dublin, he used to collect us all in his converted camper van on Sunday afternoons and take us out for tea in his apartment. The apartment illustrated his many research projects and love of books. In all the rooms, even bathroom and kitchen, there were floor to ceiling bookshelves. Visitors were mesmerised! He was knowledgeable and interesting on a vast range of topics. He was also a sensitive, astute listener, who demonstrated tolerance. He encouraged and enjoyed individuality. From him, we learned to hone our ideas and express ourselves with honesty. There was much laughter, some heated discussions and the occasional lively lecture from him where deserved, but he made us feel cherished and secure. Uncle Risteárd was not alone loving and hospitable, he was also a very entertaining companion, who, with riveting words and great dramatics, could spin a captivating story from relatively insignificant events! He had an enthusiasm and zest for life that was an integral part of his wisdom. His interest in people, his open mindedness and warmth towards others were also an integral part of it. Not surprisingly, he researched and wrote biographies about a diverse range of people, many of whom he met, whose lives and achievements intrigued or impressed him. Conor Cruise Ó Brien, Coslett Ó Cuinn, Ian Paisley, Douglas Hyde, Teilhard de Chardin, Denis Ireland, Tomás Ó Fiaich, Dúbhglas de hÍde, an t-Athair Pádraig Ó Fiannachta and An Tsúir Caoimhín are just some of them.
His teaching career was interrupted for a few years in the sixties while he travelled and lived in Europe studying and assessing the various systems of education there on behalf of our Department of Education. He was proud of and adhered strongly to our language, traditions and unique Irish identity, but also appreciated cultural diversity and enjoyed his varied travelling experiences. He wrote about them in books like ‘Raon Mo Shiúil’ and ‘Cuairt Ghearr: Spléachadh ar na Stáit Aontaithe.’ However, throughout Risteárd’s teaching career, in addition to being an author, he was also a journalist, broadcaster and editor of note who confronted many issues in Irish life. He was an ardent nationalist/republican, though it must be clearly stated that he rejected all violence. He took an informed interest in the political as well as cultural life of this country. For instance, to mention but a few of his concerns and interests, he was presenter on the live current affairs radio program ‘Cúrsaí Reatha’ during the time of the civil rights movement in the North; he wrote a book about ‘Saoirse na mBan’ and ‘Don Ábhar Saoiriseora’; he was one of the founders of ‘Club Dramataíocha’ to promote theatre productions in Irish; he was generously supportive of organizations pursuing justice such as Amnesty International and The Anti-Apartheid Movement. Risteárd was a man with a strong social conscience and an impressive work ethic.
He also dedicated time and commitment to the Ecumenism Movement that blossomed post Vatican Two. Risteárd himself, was a local preacher in the Methodist church, believing that the Christian gospel was ‘a treasure to share.’ He promoted reconciliation, respect and understanding between Christian communities because anything else is contrary to the teachings of Christ. One of the successful ventures of his life was a monthly magazine called ‘Focus’ which he started with a Northerner and great friend of his - Wally Gray. He was editor and a significant contributor from 1958 to 1966. ‘Focus’ was an interdenominational Protestant Review that published articles giving a wide variety of viewpoints on current affairs and issues… an enlightened account of Ireland during that era. He wrote a book specifically about Methodism, his own Christian tradition -‘Modhaigh’ but one of the very few books he wrote in English was a relatively short one called ‘To Irish Protestants.’ In the latter Risteárd wanted Protestants to understand that they have a place and responsibilities in Irish society as Irish Christians. He was never afraid to speak his mind on any issue. He was in a lot of ways quite unusual…somewhat of a trail blazer. He had West Cork Methodist roots and he was a loyal Irish Republican/ Nationalist when the attitude that Protestants were ‘west Brits’ still lingered. He was an activist in political, cultural, social and religious spheres in this country and he was a Protestant who wrote in fluent Irish as his first and favourite language. In 1988 the President of Ireland honoured him with ‘Grádam an Phiarsaigh’. Trinity ran a memorial exhibition for him and many well-earned tributes were paid by prominent members of our society. My admiration for him was huge. He lived a life that mattered. We loved him and we miss him.
Risteard's books and papers have been catalogued in Trinity College, Dublin by
Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin, M.Phil
Manuscripts Curator
Manuscripts & Archives Research Library
The Library of Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Dublin 2, Ireland.
https://manuscripts.catalogue.tcd.ie/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=IE+TCD+MS+11234&pos=2
Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin, M.Phil
Manuscripts Curator
Manuscripts & Archives Research Library
The Library of Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Dublin 2, Ireland.
https://manuscripts.catalogue.tcd.ie/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=IE+TCD+MS+11234&pos=2
27 books: biographies, current affairs, travel, language, written by Risteárd Ó Glaisne and one monthly review, Focus
Esperanto: Teanga Idirnáisiúnta Gaeilge I gColaiste na TrionoideRisteard O'Glaisne Published by Trinity College, Dublin, 1992
Published by Foilseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta, 2001 ISBN 10: 0952256185ISBN 13: 9780952256182
ISBN 10: 090375892XISBN 13: 9780903758925
Conor Cruise O'Brien agus an liobrálachas. Le Risteárd Ó Glaisne.Ó Glaisne, Risteárd. Published by Baile Átha Cliath, Clódhanna., 1974
Dúbhglas de h-Íde (1860-1949) - ceannródaí cultúrtha 1860-1910.Hyde, Douglas] Ó Glaisne, Risteárd. Published by Baile Atha Cliath, Conradh na Gaeilge., 1991
ISBN 10: 1870684648ISBN 13: 9781870684644
ISBN 10: 1870684982ISBN 13: 9781870684989
ainm.ie
Ó GLAISNE, Risteárd (1927–2003) GAOLTA TEAGHLAIGH George William Giles [tuismitheoir] Sara Jane Vickery [tuismitheoir] Iriseoir, eagarthóir, beathaisnéisí, staraí, tráchtaire... bhí sé ar dhuine de na húdair Ghaeilge ba bhisiúla lena linn. Agus, má tá sé le háireamh freisin ar an dream beag intleachtóirí is mó a thacaigh leis an éacúiméineachas in Éirinn, tharla sin de bharr an bhá a bhí aige le gach traidisiún creidimh, cultúir agus staire in Éirinn. Modhach ba ea é féin. B’fhéidir a rá gurbh é eiseamláir na caoinfhulaingte é sa mhéid a bhain le reiligiún agus náisiúntacht. Tá eolas ina thaobh in: Scríbhneoirí na Gaeilge 1945-1995 (1995) le Seán Ó Cearnaigh; Eolaire Chló Iar-Chonnachta de scríbhneoirí Gaeilge (1998); sna cuntais iarbháis in: Foinse 9 Samhain 2003; Irish Times 15 Samhain 2003; Sunday Independent 23 Samhain 2003 le Nollaig Ó Gadhra; Southern Star 27 Nollaig 2003 le Nollaig Ó Gadhra; Examiner 12 Samhain 2003; Saol, Eanáir 2004; Methodist Newsletter, Aibreán 2004; An tUltach, Márta 2004 le Seán Ua Cearnaigh; Lá 10 Samhain 2003 le Eoghan Ó Néill. I gceantar Dhoire Garbh Thoir tamall ó Dhroichead na Bandan, Co. Chorcaí, a rugadh é ar 2 Meán Fómhair 1927. Richard Ernest a baisteadh air. Woodfort House (Dún na Coille) ba ainm don teach inar tógadh é. Ba é an tríú duine é den cheathrar clainne a bhí ag George William Giles agus a bhean Sara Jane Vickery. Feirmeoirí ba ea a shinsir agus cónaí sa cheantar sin ar mhuintir Giles le 350 bliain um an taca seo. Tholg sé an eitinn bhuaibheach agus é ina leanbh óg, rud a rinne dochar dá chromán agus a d’fhág céim bhacaí ann ar feadh a shaoil. Ón am a shroich sé naoi mbliana d’aois bhí idir bhunscolaíocht agus mheánscolaíocht á cur air i Scoil Ghramadaí Dhroichead na Bandan agus chuir sé spéis ar leith sa Ghaeilge. Ar na daoine a d’adhain an spéis sin bhí seanchainteoir dúchais i nGoirtín, Droichead na Bandan, darbh ainm Seán Ó Séaghdha agus a dheirfiúr Bean Uí Dhonnabháin. Thagadh Seán ag caitheamh tae sa teach corr-Dhomhnach agus thugadh Risteárd cuairt orthusan ar a sheal; i nGaeilge a scríobhadh an feirmeoir seo iontrálacha ina chín lae. Bhí ardmheas ag Risteárd freisin ar Irene Simpson, múinteoir Gaeilge na scoile. Agus, cé nach raibh (William) Ivan McCutcheon mar ardmháistir ann ach ar feadh bliana le linn Risteáird, bhí de bhuantionchar aige air gur lean cairdeas eatarthu go bhfuair seisean bás in 1972; bhain tábhacht freisin le hiasacht péire leabhar ó McCutcheon: Peann agus pár (1940) le Liam Ó Rinn agus Dánta próis (1933) le Ivan Turgenev (aistrithe ag Ó Rinn). I seirbhís chuimhneacháin Irene 1 Márta 1986 thagair sé don bheirt seo mar ‘two for whom I felt a profound admiration and affection’. Bhunaigh Risteárd an chéad iris riamh ag scoláirí na scoile, The Rooster, agus cheana féin bhí ‘Risteárd Ó Glaisne’ á thabhairt aige air féin san iris; ghlac sé chuige an t-ainm sin go dlíthiúil trí ghníomhas aonpháirtí 5 Aibreán 1950 (Iris Oifigiúil 21 Aibreán 1950) agus bhí an t-alt ‘D’athraíos m’ainm’ i gcló in Inniu 23 Márta 1951. Deirtí gurbh é féin agus Lennox Robinson (1886-1958) an bheirt iardhaltaí ba cháiliúla riamh ag an Scoil. I gColáiste na Tríonóide bhí cúrsa onóracha sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla á dhéanamh aige agus bhí tionchar ag foireann na Gaeilge air, go háirithe ag Éamonn Ó Tuathail, Seán Beaumont agus Sorcha Ní Ghuairim. Agus é ar scoil go fóill, agus arís sa chéad bhliain dó ar an ollscoil, bhí baint aige leis an ngluaiseacht Moral Re-armament nó Atharmáil Mhorálta mar a thugadh sé air. Ar feadh bliana freisin bhí sé ina rúnaí ag Cumann Gaelach an Choláiste; bhí de thoradh air sin gur lean cairdeas aige ar feadh a shaoil lena chomhaimsearaigh in Ollscoil na hÉireann, leithéidí Riobáird Mhic Góráin, Pheig Nic Curtáin (an tSiúr Benvenuta), agus Desmond Fennell. Tar éis dó céim a bhaint amach d’éirigh leis an ard-dioplóma san oideachas a fháil in 1950 agus céim mháistir in 1959. Ó Iúil 1947 go dtí gur bánaíodh an t-oileán in 1953 chaitheadh sé laethanta saoire sa Bhlascaod agus sin in ainneoin an dua mhóir a bhain leis an turas áirithe sin ó Dhroichead na Bandan. Chaitheadh Ivan McCutcheon saoire san oileán freisin (‘Liam Bán’ a thugadh na Blascaodaigh air); ba é a mhisnigh Risteárd chun dul ann agus a mhol tigh Uí Ghuithín dó. Is le linn do Risteárd a bheith ann in 1947 a thug De Valera an chuairt iomráiteach sin ar an oileán. D’éirigh le Risteárd cairdeas a shnaidhmeadh le hoileánaigh mar Mháire Ní Ghuithín, cairdeas a d’fhorbair tar éis dóibh an t-oileán a fhágáil, agus le muintir Dhún Chaoin féin. Bhí de mhuinín ag na hoileánaigh as go raibh sé ar na daoine ar thit sé orthu litreacha a scríobh chuig airí rialtais i dtaobh na socruithe a bhí á ndéanamh i gcóir aistriú an phobail in 1953 agus faoi fhadhbanna eile ina dhiaidhsean. In Amárach 26 Iúil 1974 tugann sé cuntas ar an gcaidreamh a bhí aige ar Cháit an Rí (Ní Chatháin/ Uí Chathasaigh) a d’éag 23 Feabhra 1974. I ndiaidh dó céim BA a fháil in 1949 chaith sé tamall ag múineadh i Scoil Avoca sa Charraig Dhubh, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath (1949-64), agus bhí poist aige i gColáiste Aindriú (1968-72) agus i Scoil Ghramadaí Ardeaglais Phádraig (1973-89). D’éirigh sé as an múinteoireacht in 1989. Ó dheireadh na 1950idí bhí spéis á cur aige sa daonscolaíocht agus thug cuairt ar an Danmhairg agus ar an Ísiltír. Ghlac sé saoire gairme ó shamhradh 1964 go samhradh 1968 chun staidéar a dhéanamh ar mhodhanna múinte ar mhór-roinn na hEorpa agus thaistil mórchuid de thíortha iarthar na hEorpa i rith an ama sin. Tá scríofa aige i dtaobh na hEorpa in Raon mo shiúil (1972). In Curriculum vitae (1973) scríobh sé: ‘In France, I observed for a period of two months [in 1964] ... the audio-visual methods employed at the Centre of Applied Linguistics, Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, University of Besancon.’ Bhí i gceist go scríobhfadh sé tráchtas dochtúra (‘Secondary school teacher training in Ireland and France since 1945’) ar an taighde a bhí déanta aige. I nGaeilge a bheadh sé. Níor dá dhéantús féin na constaicí éagsúla a bhí sa tslí air agus thuirsigh siad chomh mór sin é i ndeireadh báire nár lean sé leis an dochtúireacht. In 1968 chuir sé féin agus triúr eile d’Fhochoiste Gaeilge Mhuintir Wolfe Tone (Colette Ní Mhoitleigh, Seán Ó Laighin agus Micheál Ó Loingsigh) an meamram ‘Téacsleabhair i nGaeilge’ faoi bhráid an Taoisigh agus an Aire Oideachais. Agus é ina mhac léinn go fóill bhíodh ábhar i gcló aige in irisí agus i bpáipéir a bhí ag freastal ar an ngnáthphobal. Chraoladh Radio Éireann cainteanna a thugadh sé i nGaeilge faoi chúrsaí reatha. Chomh luath le 1943 bhí ábhar i gcló aige san iris scoile The Bandonian. Ó 1946 amach bhí aistí agus léirmheasanna i gcló aige in Comhar, An tUltach, Inniu, Feasta, Amárach, Agus, Déirdre, Scéala Éireann, Cork Examiner, Mayo News. Foilsíodh aistí Béarla leis in Assisi, Hibernia, Gaelic Weekly, Rosc, Studies, The Furrow, Christus Rex, Studia Hibernica, Irish Christian Advocate, Crane Bag.... I nGaeilge is mó a scríobhadh sé. Bhí an Irish Times ar na páipéir a raibh colún rialta Gaeilge aige iontu ar feadh tréimhsí sna 1950idí agus sna 1960idí. Bhí tionchar nach beag air ag iriseoirí Inniu, Ciarán Ó Nualláin, Earnán de Blaghd, Pádraig Ó Drisceoil agus Tarlach Ó hUid. Ó 1952 ar feadh tamaill bhí baint aige le Cara, eagraíocht a bhunaigh Pádraig Ó Síocháin an bhliain sin chun spéis mhórphobal na hÉireann a mhúscailt sa Ghaeilge; leis an gcuid sin de pholasaí Chara i dtaobh ‘Bun-Ghaeilge’ a bhí Risteárd ag plé leis an eagraíocht agus níorbh fhéidir a rá gur mhó ná sásta a bhí sé leis an mbun-Ghaeilge ba mhian leis an Síochánach a chur chun cinn. In 1957 bheartaigh sé féin agus cara leis, W.R. Grey, Béal Feirsteach, Focus a thabhairt amach. Bhí sé ina eagarthóir air ó 1958 go 1966. Is cuntas ar an iris mhíosúil sin Eagarthóir (2005). Ach is pictiúr freisin é d’Éirinn na linne sin. Tá curtha síos aige in Eagarthóir ar bhunsmaoineamh an reibhiú. Bhíodh béim ar leith ann, gan amhras, ar an bpobal Protastúnach. Chun breis tuisceana a bheith ag an bpobal sin ar a dtír féin a cuireadh an iris ar bun an chéad lá. Bhíodh ailt Ghaeilge i gcló ann go rialta ag scríbhneoirí mar Cosslett Ó Cuinn, Lil Nic Dhonnchadha, Earnán de Blaghd agus Alf Cotton, agus léirmheasanna ar leabhair Ghaeilge go minic. Faoin ainm cleite ‘Eisirt’ agus faoi ainmneacha eile, agus faoina ainm féin, a scríobhadh Risteárd. B’fhéidir go raibh an míosachán seo ar cheann de na hirisí ba mhisniúla agus ba uaillmhianaí dár foilsíodh. Ní mór cuimhneamh air gur mhúinteoir lánaimseartha ba ea Risteárd i rith cuid mhaith den am. Theip ar an iris ar deireadh i ngeall ar theirce fógraíochta. Ag an am sin scríobhadh in Irish Spotlight, iris Chaitliceach Rómhánach: ‘The October number of Focus announces that unless the financial position improves to meet increased costs of about £250 per annum the December issue must be the last. We regard this as nothing short of tragic. Focus is an inter-denominational Irish Protestant monthly which in these last few years has done invaluable work in the cause of enlightened tolerance and mutual understanding. While one could not agree with everything said in any journal, we do feel that the withdrawal of Focus would be a grave loss to the cause of ecumenism in Ireland’ (i gcló in Eagarthóir). Chuir Risteárd agus a chairde Reform ar bun ina dhiaidh sin ach níor mhair sin ach bliain. Bhí sé ina láithreoir ar feadh 1969-70 ar an gclár raidió ‘Cúrsaí Reatha’ agus tá cur síos ar an tréimhse sin i gcuntais iarbháis Nollaig Uí Gadhra. Buntáiste aige i rith am sin na héigeandála sa pholaitíocht an t-eolas a bhí curtha aige ar Bhéal Feirste agus ar Aontachtóirí. Bhí sé ar na hÉireannaigh ba thúisce agus ba mhó a chuir spéis i scríbhinní Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) agus bhí sé ina bhall de Chomhairle an Teilhard de Chardin Association of Great Britain and Ireland óna bhunú in 1965 i leith. Sa leabhar aige (feic thíos) tá cuid de stair an chumainn inste aige chomh maith le cuntas ar thionchar an Íosánaigh seo ar scata Éireannach sa dara leath den 20ú haois. I rith na 1960idí, in ainneoin na gcúraimí a bhí air, ghlac sé páirt i ngluaiseacht na Gaeilge agus bhí ina bhall gníomhach de Mhisneach, dream beag radacach a thug dúshlán eagraíocht ‘oifigiúil’ na Gaeilge. Tharraing sé dímheas cuid dá chomhchreidmhigh air féin trína bheith i láthair, mar agóidí, b’fhéidir, ag an gcruinniú den Language Freedom Movement i dTeach an Ard-Mhaoir 22 Meán Fómhair 1966; ar chuireadh ó Dhónall Ó Móráin bhí sé ar dhuine de na cainteoirí a labhair ar son na Gaeilge ón ardán an oíche sin (tá cuntas maith aige ar an oíche úd in Tomás Ó Fiaich, 1990). Bhí de chumas ann meas a bheith aige ar gach dream a bhí ag saothrú don teanga, fiú nuair nach mbeadh sé ag aontú leo. Shíl sé féin gur toisc gur léirigh sé a mheas ar cheannairí Ghael Linn a rinne Máirtín Ó Cadhain fonóid faoi in Barbed wire (2002). Bhí sé ina bhall de Chumann na Scríbhneoirí, de Scoil Éacuiméinice na hÉireann agus ar Chomhairle Acadúil na Scoile ar feadh na mblianta, ina bhall den choiste eadareaglasta faoi scáth Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, agus de choistí san Eaglais Mhodhach, go háirithe an Council on Social Responsibility. Toradh amháin a bhí ar dheireadh a bheith tagtha le hobair na heagarthóireachta gur thug sé deis dó luí isteach ar an scríbhneoireacht agus ar an diantaighde a bhain leis. In 1962 ba é Cara a d’fhoilsigh a chéad leabhar, Bun-Ghaeilge; a concise guide to Irish. Tugann liosta a leabhar foilsithe 1971-2005 léargas ar raon a shuime agus a eolais: Ian Paisley agus Tuaisceart Éireann (1971); Raon mo shiúil (1972); Saoirse na mban (1973); Ceannródaithe (1974); Conor Cruise O’Brien agus an liobrálachas (1974); Cuairt ghearr: spléachadh ar na Stáit Aontaithe (1975); Cad deir tú leis na hAlbanaigh? (1978); Don ábhar saoririseora (1980); Raidió na Gaeltachta (1982); Cúis náire – agus bróid: Proinsias Ó Mianáin agus cearta Gael (1988); Tomás Ó Fiaich (1990); To Irish Protestants (1991); Dúbhglas de hÍde (1991-93) (2 iml.); Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide 1592-1992 (1992); Teilhard de Chardin i gcuibhrinn Éireannach (1994); Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (1995); Cosslett Ó Cuinn (1996); Niall Brunicardi (1997); Modhaigh: scéal pobail – scéal eaglaise (1999); Denis Ireland (2000); De bhunadh Protastúnach nó rian Chonradh na Gaeilge (2000); Dí-armáil nó díothú: Éire, an Eoraip, an Domhan (2001); Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (2001); Coláiste Moibhí (2002); Esperanto: teanga idirnáisiúnta (2004); Eagarthóir (2005). Ba ghá cuid dá phaimfléid, de na seachchlónna agus de bhileoigíní a lua freisin mar chuid den léargas sin: Ollamh is ceoltóir (cuntas ar James Goodman a foilsíodh ar dtús in iris Chumann Seandáluíochta is Staire na Gaillimhe); Douglas Hyde here in Roscommon (a d’fhoilsigh Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin); The Irish language: a Protestant speaks to his co-religionists (1965) (a scríobh sé sa Fhrainc agus a d’fhoilsigh Nua-Éire); ‘This is no political matter’ (seach-chló ar alt i dtaobh de hÍde in Studies, geimhreadh 1993); ‘Ar son príosúnach coinsiasa: Amnesty, gluaiseacht idirnáisiúnta’ (bileoigín d’ábhar a foilsíodh in Inniu ar dtús); Know your Methodist Neighbour (bileog sa tsraith Faith today a d’fhoilsigh Dominican Publications). D’éag sé ar 6 Samhain 2003. Tá sé curtha i Reilig Chill Eoin, Droichead na Bandan. Bhí comhfhreagras ar siúl aige ar feadh a shaoil le scríbhneoirí, polaiteoirí, eaglasaigh agus eile, comhfhreagras a bhain le Focus, le taighde agus le hobair na Gaeilge. Rinne sé cúram den ábhar sin go léir agus meastar tábhacht a bheith lena pháipéir. Bronnadh Gradam an Phiarsaigh air in 1988 ach braitear gur ceileadh air, de bharr faillí, na honóracha eile sin a bhí tuillte aige. Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin mbeatha seo ar fáil ar http://dib.cambridge.org/ » Diarmuid Breathnach Máire Ní Mhurchú |
Ó GLAISNE, Richard (1927–2003)
FAMILY RELATIVES George William Giles [parent] Sara Jane Vickery [parent] Journalist, editor, biographers, historian, commentator... he was one of the most prolific Irish authors of his time. He should also be regarded as one of the few intellectuals who fully supported ecumenism in Ireland, which happened because of the empathy he had with, not only all religious traditions, but also the culture and history of Ireland. He was a Methodist himself. It could be said that he was the model of tolerance with regard to religion and nationality. There is information about him in: Scríbhneoirí na Gaeilge 1945-1995 (1995) by Seán Ó Cearnaigh; Post-Connacht Press Directory of Irish writers (1998); in the posthumous accounts in: Source 9 November 2003; Irish Times 15 November 2003; Sunday Independent 23 November 2003 by Nollaig Ó Gadhra; Southern Star 27 December 2003 by Nollaig Ó Gadhra; Examiner 12 November 2003; Life, January 2004; Methodist Newsletter, April 2004; Ultach, March 2004 with Seán Ua Cearnaigh; Day 10 November 2003 by Eoghan Ó Néill. He was born in Roughgrove, a townland some distance from Bandan, Co. Cork, on 2 September 1927. He was baptized Richard Ernest. Woodfort House (Dún na Coille) was the name of the house in which he was raised. He was the third of four children born to George William Giles and his wife Sara Jane Vickery. His ancestors were farmers and the Giles family lived in that area for around 350 years. He contracted bovine tuberculosis as a young child, which damaged his hip and left him crippled for the rest of his life. From the time he was six or nine years old he was sent to primary and secondary school in Bandan Grammar School and he developed a special interest in Irish. Among the people who ignited that interest was an old native speaker in Gortín, Droichead na Bandan, named Seán Ó Séaghdha and his sister Mrs Uí Donnabháin. Seán was found having tea in the house on odd Sundays and Risteard visited them in turn; this farmer wrote his entries in Irish in his day. Risteárd also had great respect for Irene Simpson, the school's Irish teacher. And, although (William) Ivan McCutcheon was only headmaster there for a year during Richard's time, he had such a lasting influence on him that their friendship continued until his death in 1972; the loan of a pair of books from McCutcheon was also important: Peann agus Par(1940) by Liam Ó Rinn and Dánta Prois (1933) by Ivan Turgenev (translated by Ó Rinn). In Irene's memorial service on 1 March 1986 he referred to these two as 'two for whom I felt profound admiration and affection'. Risteárd founded the first magazine ever by a student at the school, The Rooster, and he was already calling himself 'Risteárd Ó Glaisne' in the magazine. He legally adopted that name through an act of one party on 5 April 1950 (Official Gazette 21 April 1950) and the article 'D'athraíos m'anim' was printed in Inniu 23 March 1951. It was said that he himself and Lennox Robinson (1886-1958) the two most famous alumni of the School. In Trinity College he did an honours course in Irish and English and was influenced by the Irish language team, especially Éamonn Ó Tuathail, Seán Beaumont and Sorcha Ní Ghuairim. While he was still at school, and again in his first year at university, he was involved in the Moral Re-armament or Moral Admonitions movement as he called it. For a year he was also secretary of the College's Gaelic Society; as a result of which he continued to be friends throughout his life with his contemporaries at the National University of Ireland, such as Robert MacGoráin, Peg Nic Curtáin (Sister Benvenuta), and Desmond Fennell. After graduating he successfully obtained the advanced diploma in education in 1950 and a master's degree in 1959. From July 1947 until the island was vacated in 1953 he spent holidays in the Blaskets even though he had great difficulty travelling there from Bandon. Ivan McCutcheon also spent holidays in the island ('Liam Bán' , the islanders called him); he was the one who encouraged Risteard to go there and recommended the house of O'Guithín to him. It was while Risteard was there in 1947 that De Valera made that famous visit to the island. Risteard succeeded in making friends with islanders such as Máire Ní Ghuithín, a friendship that lasted after they left the island, and with the people of Dún Chaoin themselves. The islanders trusted him to be one of the people who wrote letters to the government about the arrangements being made for the transfer of the community in 1953, and later about problems that followed. In Amárach 26 July 1974 he gives an account of the relationship he had in Cáit an Rí (Ní Cátháin/ Uí Cathasaigh) who died 23 February 1974. After obtaining a BA degree in 1949 he spent some time teaching at the School Avoca in Blackrock, Co. He retired as a teacher in 1989. From the late 1950s he was interested in philanthropy and visited Denmark and the Netherlands. He took a leave of absence from the summer of 1964 to the summer of 1968 to study teaching methods on the European continent and he travelled to a large number of European countries during that time. He has written about Europe in ‘Raon mo Shiuil’ (1972). In Curriculum vitae (1973) he wrote: 'In France, I observed for a period of two months [in 1964] ... the audio-visual methods used at the Centre of Applied Linguistics, Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, University of Besancon.' It was intended that he would write a doctoral thesis ('Secondary School Teacher Training in Ireland and France since 1945') on the research he had done. It would be Irish. The various obstacles that stood in his way were not of his own making and they tired him to such an extent that he did not continue with the doctorate. In 1968, he and three other members of Wolfe Tone's Irish Language Subcommittee (Colette Ní Mhoitleigh, i.e. Seán Ó Laighin and Micheál Ó Loingsigh) submitted the memo ‘ Teacleabhair I nGaeilge’ to the Taoiseach and the Minister of Education. And he was forever a scholar processing material to be published in magazines and in papers serving the ordinary public. He gave Radio Éireann broadcast talks in Irish about current affairs. As early as 1943 he had material printed in the school magazine The Bandonian. From 1946 he had essays and reviews printed in Comhar, An t'Ultach, Inniu, Future, Amárach, Agus, Déirdre, Scéala Éireann, Cork Examiner, Mayo News. English essays were published by him in Assisi, Hibernia, Gaelic Weekly, Rosc, Studies, The Furrow, Christus Rex, Studia Hibernica, Irish Christian Advocate, Crane Bag... but he wrote mostly in Irish. The Irish Times was one of the papers that had a regular column in Irish for periods in the 1950s and 1960s. Inniu journalists, Ciarán Ó Nualláin, Earnán de Blaghd, Pádraig Ó Drisceoil and Tarlach Ó hUid had a considerable influence on him. From 1952 for a while he was involved with Cara, an organization founded by Pádraig Ó Síocháin that year to arouse the interest of the Irish public in Irish. He discussed Cara’s policy regarding 'Basic Irish,' but it could not be said that he was happy with the basic Irish that the Síochána wanted to promote. In 1957 he and a friend of his, WR Grey, from Belfast, decided to bring out Focus. He was its editor from 1958 to 1966. This is an account of that monthly magazine’s Editor (2005). It was a picture of the Ireland of that time. He has described in an Editorial the Basic Idea of the Revival. There used to be a particular emphasis, without a doubt, on the Protestant community, and in order for that community to have a greater understanding of their own country, the magazine was set up on the first day to include Irish language articles, regularly published there by writers such as Cosslett Ó Cuinn, Lil Nic Dhonnchadha, Earnán de Blaghd and Alf Cotton, with frequent reviews of Irish books. Risteard wrote under his own name and also under other the pseudonyms such as 'Eisirt. This monthly was perhaps one of the most courageous and ambitious magazines ever published. It must be remembered that Richard was a full-time teacher during much of the time. The magazine ultimately failed due to bad advertising. At that time it was written in Irish Spotlight, a Roman Catholic magazine: 'It is announced in the October issue of Focus that the Christmas edition must be at an end unless the financial situation improves to meet increased costs of around £250 a year year. We see this as tragic. Focus is an Irish Protestant interfaith monthly magazine which has done invaluable work in recent years in the cause of tolerance and mutual understanding. Although one could not agree with everything that was said in any magazine, we feel that the withdrawal of Focus would be a great loss to the cause of ecumenism in Ireland' (print in Editor). Richard and his friends later set up Reform but that only lasted a year. He was a presenter for 1969-70 on the radio program 'Cúrsí Reatha' and is cut down to that period in the posthumous accounts of Nollaig Uí Gadhra. He had an advantage during that time of emergency in politics, the knowledge he had of Belfast and Unionists. He was one of the earliest and most interested Irishmen in the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) and he was a member of the Council of the Teilhard de Chardin Association of Great Britain and Ireland since its foundation in 1965. In his book (see below) he tells part of the society's history as well as an account of the influence of this Jesuit on the Irish community in the second half of the 20th century. During the 1960s, despite his responsibilities, he took part in the Irish language movement and was an active member of Misneach, a small radical organization that challenged the 'official' Irish language. He attracted the disdain of some of his co-religionists by being present, perhaps as a protest, at the meeting of the Language Freedom Movement in the Ard Mhaoir’s House on 22 September 1966; at the invitation of Dónall Ó Móráin he was one of the sportsmen who spoke for the Irish language from the stage that night (he has a good account of that night in Tomás Ó Fiaich, 1990). He had the ability to respect all the people that were working for the language, even when he did not agree with them. He himself thought that it was because he showed his respect for Gael Linn leaders that Máirtín Ó Cadhain made a footnote about him in Barbed Wire (2002). He was a member of the Writers' Association, the Irish School of Education and the Academic Council of the School for many years, a member of the interdenominational committee under the umbrella of the National Irish Conference, and of committees in the Methodist Church, especially the Social Council. Responsibility. One result that had finally come with the end of his editorship was that it allowed him to fit in writing and the intensive research that it involved. In 1962 it was Cara who published the first book, Bun-Gaeilge; a concise guide to Irish. The list of books published 1971-2005 gives an insight into the range of his interest and knowledge: Ian Paisley and Northern Ireland (1971); The Range of My Walk (1972); Women's Liberation (1973); Pioneers (1974); Conor Cruise O'Brien and liberalism (1974); A short visit: a glimpse of the United States (1975); What do you say to the Scots? (1978); For the content of a freelance journalist (1980); Gaeltachta Radio (1982); Cause of shame - and pride: Proinsias Ó Mianáin and Gael rights (1988); Tomás Ó Fiaich (1990); To Irish Protestants (1991); Douglas Hyde (1991-93) (2 vols.); Irish in Trinity College 1592-1992 (1992); Teilhard de Chardin in Irish contributions (1994); Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (1995); Cosslett O'Quinn (1996); Niall Brunicardi (1997); Methodists: a community story – a church story (1999); Denis Ireland (2000); Of Protestant origin or the track of Conradh na Gaeilge (2000); Disarmament or Abolition: Ireland, Europe, the World (2001); Carball Ó Dálaigh (2001); Mobhí College (2002); Esperanto: an international language (2004); Editor (2005). It was also necessary to mention some of his pamphlets, off-prints and leaflets as part of that insight: Professor and musician (an account of James Goodman first published in the Galway Society of Antiquities and History magazine); Douglas Hyde here in Roscommon (published by Roscommon County Council); The Irish language: a Protestant speaks to his co-religionists (1965) (which he wrote in France and published by New Ireland); 'This is no political matter' (reprint of an article about Hyde in Studies, winter 1993); 'For prisoners of conscience: Amnesty, an international movement' (sheet of content originally published in Inniu); Know your Methodist Neighbour (leaflet in the Faith today series published by Dominican Publications). He died on 6 November 2003. He is buried in Killowen Cemetery. Throughout his life he corresponded with writers, politicians, ecclesiastics and others, correspondence related to Focus, research and the work of the Irish language. He took care of all that material and his papers are considered important. He was awarded the Gradam Award in 1988 but it is felt that, due to negligence, he was denied the other honours he deserved. More information about this life is available on http://dib.cambridge.org/ » Diarmuid Breathnach Máire Ní Murchú |