Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1785 Derrynane, Ireland |
| Died | 1848 (age 62/63) County Kerry, Ireland |
| Resting place | Derrynane Abbey |
| Occupation | Poet, fiddler, teacher, dancing master |
| Language | Irish |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | Possibly the Kildare Place Society |
| Years active | early 19th century |
| Notable works | "Maidin Bhog Álainn" "Amhrán ne Leabhar" |
Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin ([ˈt̪ˠʊmˠaːsˠɾˠuəoːˈsˠuːl̠ʲəˌwaːnʲ]; 'Red [haired] Thomas O'Sullivan'; also spelledRuadh; 1785–1848) was anIrish-language poet of the 19th century. A native ofCounty Kerry, Ireland, he was a close friend and ally of Irish Catholic political leaderDaniel O'Connell.
Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin was born in 1785 in Banard (An Bán Ard),[1]Derrynane, County Kerry to anIrish Catholic family.[2] His father may have been named Tadhg Ó Súilleabháin and was related to the poetEoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1748–1784). He went to a school in Gort na Cille, and was educated as a teacher inDublin, maybe that of theKildare Place Society.[3]
Ó Súilleabháin worked as ahedge school teacher inCaherdaniel; a hedge school was an illegal school that taught Catholics and Presbyterian children, as onlyChurch of Ireland (Anglican) schools were permitted in Ireland at the time. In one poem he complains about getting paid just sixpence aquarter by his pupils.[4] After getting a job inPortmagee, he sent on all his books and papers on a boat fromDerrynane toGoleen, only for the boat to sink.[5] This inspired one of his most famous works, "Amhrán ne Leabhar" ('song of the books'), also called "Cuan Bhéil Inse" ('Valentia Harbour').[6] It gives an insight into the kind of literature used by hedge schoolmaster:Euclid,Cato the Elder, theNew Testament, thePsalter of Cashel andForas Feasa ar Éirinn are all mentioned.[7] He also composed anair on thefiddle for "Amhrán na Leabhar," which is still popular.[8]
While sick withtuberculosis he wrote the hymn "A Rí an Domhnaigh" ('O King of Sunday').[3]
A supporter and friend ofDaniel O'Connell, after O'Connell won the1828 Clare by-election, Ó Súilleabháin wrote "Guím slán go hUíbh Ráthach" ('I wish farewell toIveragh') and "Is é Donall binn Ó Conaill caoin" ('He is sweet and gentle Daniel O'Connell').[3]
Another well-knownquatrain mocks two Protestant men for notkeeping Catholic fasts.[9]
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Ó Súilleabháin died in 1848 during theGreat Famine of 1845–50 and was buried atDerrynane Abbey. Some of his last poems were about the Famine.[10]
He never married and had no children.[3] A collection of his work,Amhráin Thomáis Ruaidh ('Songs of Red Thomas'), was first published in 1914 (compiled by James Fenton) and republished in 1985.[6] A memorial plaque was erected in 1928.[3]
