Daniel Corkery (author) facts for kids

Daniel Corkery (born February 14, 1878 – died December 31, 1964) was an important Irish person. He was a politician, a writer, and a teacher. He is best known for his book The Hidden Ireland. This book, published in 1924, looked at the poems written by Irish language poets in the Munster region during the 1700s.

Daniel Corkery's Life and Work

Daniel Corkery was born in the city of Cork. He went to Presentation Brothers College. After that, he trained to be a teacher at St Patrick's College, Dublin.

Teaching and Writing Career

Corkery started teaching at Saint Patrick’s School in Cork. In 1921, he left his job because he was not made the headmaster. Some of his students became famous, like the writer Frank O'Connor and the sculptor Seamus Murphy.

After leaving St. Patrick's, Corkery taught art. He worked for the local technical education group. In 1925, he became an inspector for the Irish language. Later, in 1930, he became a Professor of English at University College Cork. Two of his students there were the well-known writers Seán Ó Faoláin and Seán Ó Tuama.

Corkery had strong ideas about Irish literature. He believed it should focus on Irish culture and traditions. Sometimes, his views caused disagreements with other scholars. However, Seán Ó Tuama often defended Corkery's ideas.

Love for the Irish Language

When he was in his late twenties, Daniel Corkery learned the Irish language. This connected him with people who wanted to bring the Irish language back to life. He met Terence MacSwiney and T. C. Murray. In 1908, he helped start the Cork Dramatic Society.

His plays, like Embers and The Hermit and the King, were performed by this society. Other plays, such as The Labour Leader (1919) and The Yellow Bittern (1920), were shown at the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

Corkery also wrote many short stories. Some of his collections include A Munster Twilight (1916) and The Hounds of Banba (1920). He also wrote a novel called The Threshold of Quiet (1917).

The Hidden Ireland Book

One of his most important books was The Hidden Ireland, published in 1924. This book explored the rich poetry written in Irish during the 1700s. During that time, Irish Catholics faced tough laws called the Penal Laws. Corkery showed how these poets kept Irish culture alive. They wrote about the lives of ordinary people, even when their traditions were not openly seen. This book became very important for understanding Irish history and culture.

Corkery lived on Gardiners Hill in Cork. In 1931, he became the president of his local sports club, Brian Dillons GAA. His writings and papers are kept in the Boole Library at University College Cork.

Political Role

Daniel Corkery also had a role in politics. He was a member of Seanad Éireann, which is the Senate of Ireland. He served from 1951 to 1954. He was chosen for this role by the Taoiseach, who is the head of the Irish government. He was a member of the Fianna Fáil political party.

Daniel Corkery Summer School

Every year, in the third week of July, there is a special event called the Daniel Corkery Summer School. It takes place in the village of Inchigeelagh, County Cork. People can enjoy activities like painting, learning Irish, singing, and attending talks and concerts.

Works

• A Munster Twilight, Talbot Press, Dublin, 1917.
• The Threshold of Quiet, Talbot Press, Dublin; T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1917.
• The Labour Leader, Talbot Press, Dublin; T.Fisher Unwin, London, 1920
• The Yellow Bittern, and other plays, Talbot Press: Dublin; T. Fisher Unwin: London, 1920.
• The Hounds of Banba, Talbot Press, Dublin, T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1921.
• I Bhreasail. A book of lyrics, Elkin Mathews, London, 1921.
• The Hidden Ireland, M. H. Gill & Son, Dublin, 1924.
• The Stormy Hills, Jonathan Cape: London (printed Dublin), 1929.
• Synge and Anglo-Irish Literature: A study, Cork University Press, 1931.
• Earth out of Earth, Talbot Press, Dublin & Cork, 1939.
• Resurrection, Talbot Press: Dublin, 1942.
• What's this about the Gaelic League?, Conradh na Gaeilge, Dublin, 1942.
• The Wager, and other stories, illustrated by Elizabeth Rivers, Devin-Adair, New York, 1950.
• The Fortunes of the Irish Language, C. J. Fallon, Dublin, 1954.

See also

• D. P. Moran