Deasún Breatnach facts for kids

Deasún Breatnach (born December 2, 1921 – died October 3, 2007) was an Irish journalist, writer, and activist. He wrote many things in the Irish language, including poems, non-fiction books, stories, and translations.

Early Life and Education

Deasún Breatnach was born in Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland, on December 2, 1921. His birth name was Francis Xavier Desmond Walsh, and people called him "Des." His parents were Gertrude and Kevin Walsh, who was a lawyer. Deasún was the oldest of four children.

When he was a young man, he chose to use the Irish form of his name, Deasún Breatnach. He went to Belvedere College in Dublin. After his father passed away in 1934, his family couldn't afford the school fees anymore. So, he became a boarder at a school in Newbridge, County Kildare.

Starting His Career

Deasún couldn't go to university because his family didn't have enough money. After leaving boarding school, he joined the Local Defence Force. This group became part of the army during World War II, which was called "the Emergency" in Ireland. Deasún served in the 18th Battalion and became a lieutenant.

He started writing when he was asked to write for the army's newsletter, The Spearhead. His first poem, "Adeste fidelis," was published in The Irish Times in December 1944. While still in the army, he wrote an article defending Ireland's neutrality for the New York Herald Tribune using the pen name Rex Mac Gall.

In May 1946, after leaving the army, he used his savings to buy a ticket to Spain. He worked for the Spanish Tourist Board and as a freelance journalist. He also worked for an American radio station in Tangier, Morocco.

He met Maria de la Piedad Lucila Hellman de Menchaca and they got married on July 31, 1947. She later took the name Lucy Bhreatnach. Her interest in politics and languages encouraged Deasún to become even more dedicated to the Irish language and Irish culture. Their first child was born in Spain. All five of their sons and one daughter grew up speaking both Spanish and Irish.

In 1949, the family moved to Dublin. They were part of a group that started the very first gaelscoil, which is an Irish language school. This school, called Scoil Lorcáin, was in Blackrock town hall. It was not funded by the government and welcomed children of all religions. They also helped start a secondary gaelscoil later, but it wasn't as successful.

Later Work and Activism

Deasún Breatnach wrote for many newspapers, including The Irish Times, the Sunday Review, the Irish Independent, and Scéala Éireann. He wrote about his travels in Spain and the Arabic world. From 1950, he often wrote and gave radio talks about topics related to the sea. He continued to use pen names like Rex Mac Gall, Dara Mac Dara, and Mac Lir for political articles. He also wrote for the Irish Farmers' Journal, Inniu, Feasta, and An Timire. Later, he became the features editor for The Irish Press and a journalist for the Irish Independent.

From 1958 to 1960, he took evening classes in Irish at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). After this, he started writing more in Irish than in English. He published five children's books. He also became interested in the life of William Bedell, a bishop, and wrote a book about him called The best of the English (1971). In 1993, he earned a special degree (M. Litt.) from TCD for his research on "An Púca" (a type of fairy), which was later published as Chugat an Púca (1994). He also wrote and translated poetry from Spanish, Italian, and Latin, which appeared in Dánta amadóra (1998). Some of his poems and Irish stories are now part of the Irish school curriculum. Deasún also composed music, including a piece for those who died on Bloody Sunday.

He was a very active member of Conradh na Gaeilge, an organization that promotes the Irish language. He often visited the Aran Islands and Connemara to improve his Irish. He strongly believed that Irish should be used in all parts of life. For example, he had a long disagreement with his car insurance company because they only provided forms in English. This led to him being briefly held in prison in April 1966 for not taxing his car due to the lack of Irish language certificates. Many Irish language groups supported him, and his fine was paid by someone else. He later paid the full tax he owed.

Deasún was a lifelong supporter of Irish republicanism, which means he believed in a united Ireland. He was a member of the Wolfe Tone Society. During the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966, he joined 12 other members of the Irish-language activist group Misneach on a hunger strike. They wanted to show that the Irish state had not achieved the goals of the 1916 proclamation. Their protest was covered by national and international news. He wrote for the United Irishman throughout the 1960s. He was also the editor of An Phoblacht newspaper from 1973 to 1974 and again from 1977 to 1979. From 1986, he wrote for the journal Saoirse. He did not agree with the Good Friday Agreement, even though his daughter Lucilita helped to negotiate it.

Along with his wife, Deasún was a strong supporter of human rights around the world. They especially spoke out against strict governments in South America. They also supported their son, Osgur, through a long legal challenge. Deasún was a founding member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP). He was also involved with the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Pipers' Club. He continued to write and compose music even into his 70s.

Death

Deasún Breatnach passed away on October 3, 2007, just two days after his wife's death, on the day of her funeral. His body was donated to medical science.

Selected Publications

Books

• The best of the English: a short account of the life and work of the bishop of Kilmore, William Bedell (1971)
• Chugat an Púca (1994)
• Galar na bhfocal agus scéalta eile (1999)
• Gríscíní saillte (2001)

Poetry

• Dánta amadóra (1998)

Children's books

• An fáinne Arabach (1960)
• An dealbh Spáinneach (1962)
• An buama deireanach (1962)
• An deachtóir (1963)
• An gasúr a chaill a ghoile (1984)