Cosslett Ó Cuinn facts for kids

Cosslett Quin, known in Irish as Cosslett Ó Cuinn, was an important Irish priest. He lived from 1907 to 1995. He is best known for translating the New Testament of the Bible into the Irish language. He was a priest in the Church of Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Cosslett Quin was born on February 27, 1907, in Derriaghy, County Antrim. His father, Charles Edward Quin, was a church leader in Derriaghy.

Cosslett went to school at Campbell College in Belfast. After that, he studied at Trinity College Dublin. In 1940, he earned a special degree in Theology, which is the study of religion.

A Love for Languages

Cosslett Quin was a very smart person with many interests. He was a poet, a critic, and an expert on the Bible. He was also a great scholar of the Irish language. He could speak an amazing 12 different languages!

While he was studying, he became very interested in the Ulster Irish dialect. He often visited places where Irish was spoken, like Gola Island and Derrybeg. He even wrote articles about the Irish dialects spoken on Rathlin Island and in County Kilkenny.

Quin also collected old stories and traditions from native Irish speakers. He visited islands like Tory and Arranmore off the coast of County Donegal. He met people like Róise Mhic Ghrianna, who shared their local folklore with him.

His Work as a Priest and Scholar

In 1931, Cosslett Quin became a deacon while working in Belfast and Inishowen. This was an early step in becoming a priest.

In 1961, he became a professor at Trinity College. He taught about the Greek language used in the Bible. It was around this time that he started his most famous work: translating the New Testament into Irish.

He also translated other important religious texts into Irish. These included the Book of Psalms, the Prayer Book used by the Church of Ireland, and the Apocrypha. He even translated theological books by other writers.

Leading the Irish Language Movement

It was not common for Protestants to be leaders in the Irish language movement during his time. However, Cosslett Quin was a strong supporter of the language. For a while, he was even the President of Oireachtas na Gaeilge. This is a major festival that celebrates Irish culture and language.

In 1966, he was given the special title of Canon at St Patrick's Cathedral. He retired from his work as a priest in 1971.

Important Books and Translations

Cosslett Quin wrote and translated several important books. Here are a few:

• 1951: The Ten Commandments: a theological exposition. This book explained the Ten Commandments.
• 1954: At the Lord's Table: a theological and devotional commentary on the Holy Communion Service according to the Anglican Rite of 1662. This book was about the Holy Communion service.
• 1970: Tiomna Nua: ár dTiarna agus ár Slánaitheora Íosa Chríost. This is his famous translation of the New Testament into Irish. He translated it from the Revised Standard Version and the original Greek. It was published by Cumann Gaeilge na hEaglaise, the Irish Guild of the Church.
• 1984: Leabhar urnaí malairt leagain 1984. This book contained selections from the Alternative Prayer Book of the Church of Ireland, translated into Irish.