New work on Fr Eoghan Ó Gramhnaigh published by county council
Athboy native founder of Gaelic League celebrated
Dr Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh’s 'The Life & Legacy of Eoghan Ó Gramhnaigh', which was first published in Ríocht na Midhe in 2019, has been reprinted in a standalone publication.
Meath County Council has reprinted the work, courtesy of Dr Ní Mhaoinaigh and Cumann Staire and Seandálaíochta na Mí (Meath Archaeological and Historical Society), accompanied by poems and translations by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, the first Irish-language poet to win a worldwide reputation, her translator Paul Muldoon, Tom French of Meath County Library’s Local Studies department and Máirtín Coilféir, a Navan native who is assistant professor of Irish at the University of Toronto. The book also includes, in full colour, images of unpublished Ó Gramhnaigh material held at the Russell Library, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where Ó Gramhnaigh was appointed Professor of Irish in October 1891.
In Dr Ní Mhaonaigh’s concluding words to the volume she writes: “This is Ó Gramhnaigh’s legacy. He rebuilt the ancient ruins and raised up the old foundations; he repaired the broken walls and prepared the way for those who would follow”.
“Ná déanaimis dearmad ar ghaiscí Eoghain Uí Ghramhnaigh a las solas na Gaeilge in athuair i muintir na Mí, i muintir Choláiste Mhá Nuad, agus i gcroíthe na nGael in Éirinn agus thar lear”.
It is hoped that the book will help a new generation of readers to come to recognise the remarkable life of this native son of Athboy who was one of the most important figures in the Gaelic revival movement at the end of the 19th century, and a founder of the Gaelic League with Douglas Hyde. The publication of the volume is an action of the Meath County Council Creative Ireland programme, and is particularly timely given the renewed focus which is being afforded to the Irish language by Meath County Council with the recent appointment of an Irish Language officer.
The volume is available from Antonia’s Bookstore, Trim, and from branches of Meath County Council Library Service priced at €8.