Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig Facts for Kids

Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig (born around 1580 – died 1653) was an important Irish poet and priest. He lived during a very challenging time in Irish history. He is not to be confused with other people named Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig, especially the Barons of Upper Ossory, who were his relatives.

Who was Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig?

Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig came from a very old and important Irish family. This family had ruled the area of Ossory (which is now parts of County Kilkenny and County Laois) for hundreds of years.

He was a talented poet, and some of his Irish bardic poetry still exists today. His poems often showed his sadness about the changes happening in Ireland. One of his most famous poems, Faisean Chláir Éibhir, talks about the difficult times during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This was a period when English forces took control of Ireland, and it greatly changed Irish life and culture.

In 1610, Brian became a priest. He was also a scholar. In 1622, he carefully copied a book of Irish poems called the Leabhar Branach. Thanks to his copy, these old poems about the O'Byrne chieftains survived and we can read them today.

Around 1651, he was given an important role in the diocese of Ossory. This area covers County Kilkenny and western County Laois. He became a senior priest, helping to lead the church in that region. Sadly, he was killed by Oliver Cromwell's forces not long after this.

Historical records say that he was tracked down and killed in 1653. There is a special memorial to Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig in the town square in Durrow.

Faisean Chláir Éibhir (The Fashion of Ireland)

Faisean Chláir Éibhir is Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig's most well-known poem. Its full title comes from its first line, which means "Oh, my ruin, the fashion of Ireland."

In this poem, he wrote about how Irish society was changing in the 1600s. He was worried about the "anglicisation" of ordinary Irish people. This means they were starting to adopt English ways, including the English language and new ideas about money and possessions (materialism).

He felt that poor Irish farm workers, sometimes called "churls" (a term for common people), were becoming less respectful of the Church and traditional Gaelic culture. He saw them adopting English styles and habits.

Here are some lines from his poem, showing his feelings:

‘… each beggarwoman’s son has curled locks, bright cuffs about his paw, and a golden ring like a prince of the blood of Cas.. each churl or his son is starched up around the chin, a scarf thrown around him and a garter on him, his tobacco-pipe in his gob.. his knuckles bedecked with bracelets.. a churl in each house that is owned by a speaker of horrible English and no-one paying any heed to a man of the poetic company, save for "Get out, and take your precious Gaelic with you".'

Is cor do leag mé cleas an phlás-tsaoile:
mogh i ngach teach ag fear an smáil-Bhéarla
's gan scot ag neach le fear den dáimh éigse
ach 'hob amach is beir leat do shár-Gaeilgsa'

These lines show his sadness that the Irish language and poets were being pushed aside. He felt that traditional Irish culture was being lost as English influence grew.

Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig facts for kids

Who was Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig?

Faisean Chláir Éibhir (The Fashion of Ireland)

See also