Donagh MacDonagh facts for kids

Donagh MacDonagh (born November 22, 1912 – died January 1, 1968) was a talented Irish writer, judge, and broadcaster. He was known for his poetry, plays, and for being a popular voice on the radio.

Growing Up in Dublin

Donagh MacDonagh was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1912. His early life was marked by sadness. When he was very young, his father, Thomas MacDonagh, who was a poet and an Irish nationalist, was executed in 1916.

Just a year later, in 1917, his mother, Muriel Gifford, passed away. Donagh and his sister Barbara were then looked after by their aunts. There were some disagreements between their families about who would care for them, but eventually, they were placed with other guardians until they were older.

Donagh later wrote a radio play called The Happy Day about some of his childhood experiences.

Donagh's Education Journey

Donagh went to Belvedere College for his schooling. After that, he studied at University College Dublin (UCD). He worked hard and earned two degrees there.

At UCD, he was classmates with many other students who also became famous writers and artists. These included Cyril Cusack, Denis Devlin, Charlie Donnelly, Brian O'Nolan, Niall Sheridan, and Mervyn Wall.

Becoming a Judge

In 1935, Donagh MacDonagh became a barrister, which means he was qualified to argue cases in court. He worked in the legal field for several years.

In 1941, he was made a temporary District Justice in County Mayo. This was a special role as a judge. Later, he became a full District Justice in Wexford. He was the youngest person ever to be appointed as a judge in Ireland. At the time of his death, he was a Justice for the Dublin courts.

A Life of Writing

Donagh MacDonagh was a very creative person and had a successful writing career.

Poetry and Plays

In 1934, he published a book of poems called Twenty Poems with his friend Niall Sheridan. He went on to publish more poetry collections, including:

• Veterans and Other Poems (1941)
• The Hungry Grass (1947)
• A Warning to Conquerors (1968)

He also helped edit a well-known book of Irish poetry called Oxford Book of Irish Verse in 1958, working with Lennox Robinson.

Donagh also wrote plays, especially ones that used poetry and songs, known as ballad operas. His play, Happy As Larry, was very popular and was even translated into many different languages.

He wrote other plays too:

• God's Gentry (1951): A ballad opera about Irish travellers.
• Lady Spider (1959): A play based on an old Irish legend about Deirdre of the Sorrows.
• Step in the Hollow: A funny comedy play.

Broadcasting and Other Works

Besides writing, Donagh MacDonagh also wrote short stories. He helped put on the first Irish production of a famous play called Murder in the Cathedral. He was also a popular voice on Radio Éireann, which was Ireland's national radio station.

Family and Later Life

Donagh MacDonagh was married twice. First, he married Maura Smyth, and after she passed away, he married her sister, Nuala Smyth. He had four children: Iseult, Breifne, Niall, and Barbara.

Donagh MacDonagh passed away on January 1, 1968, and is buried in Deans Grange Cemetery in Dublin.

Selected Works

Poetry

• 1934 – Twenty Poems (with Niall Sheridan)
• 1941 – Veterans and Other Poems
• 1947 – The Hungry Grass
• 1958 – The Oxford Book of Irish Verse: XVIIth Century - XXth Century (editor with Lennox Robinson)
• 1969 – A Warning to Conquerors

Plays

• 1946 – Happy As Larry (a ballad opera)
• 1951 – God's Gentry (a ballad opera)
• 1957 – Step in the Hollow (a comedy)
• 1980 – Lady Spider (published after his death)