Eileen O'Faolain facts for kids

Eileen O'Faolain (born June 10, 1900 – died September 20, 1988) was a well-known Irish author. She wrote many popular books especially for children.

Eileen O'Faolain's Early Life and Family

Growing Up in Cork

Eileen O'Faolain was born Eileen Gould in Cork, Ireland, on June 10, 1900. Her father was Joseph Gould, an engineman. Her mother was Julia O'Connell. Eileen had four brothers and sisters. Sadly, her mother passed away when Eileen was young. So, Eileen and her siblings were raised by their aunt. They lived in a place called Walls Terrace in Sunday's Well.

Education and Meeting Seán Ó Faoláin

Eileen went to school in her local area. She later studied at University College Cork (UCC). In 1923, she earned a degree in economics. During her summer breaks, Eileen often visited families in west Cork who spoke Irish. This is where she met Seán Ó Faoláin at an Irish language summer school. He later followed her to another summer school in Ballingeary. That's when their relationship began. They both attended UCC and shared interests. They loved literature and were interested in Irish culture. They also supported movements for an independent Ireland.

Involvement in Irish History

Eileen was an active member of Cumann na mBan. This was an Irish women's organization. She helped during the Irish Civil War. She worked as a messenger, delivering an underground newspaper. This newspaper was against the peace treaty. In February 1923, Eileen was arrested and spent several months in prison. After this, she felt disappointed. She believed some people involved were only thinking of themselves. This caused some tension with Seán. But he eventually came to feel the same way.

Life as a Teacher and Moving Abroad

From 1923 to 1925, Eileen taught at a national school. This was in Ballinasloe, County Galway. Then, from 1925 to 1927, she taught at a technical school in Naas, County Kildare. Seán asked her to join him in the United States. He was studying at Harvard University from 1927 to 1929. Eileen finally agreed to go.

Marriage and Life in London

At first, they lived in a community house where Eileen worked. Later, they moved to Cambridge. There, Eileen found secretarial work. Eileen and Seán got married on June 3, 1928. Their wedding was in Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross. For their honeymoon, they went camping across the United States for two months. After their time in America, the couple lived in London from 1929 to 1933. Eileen taught business subjects at a convent school in Isleworth.

Returning to Ireland

In 1933, Eileen and Seán returned to Ireland. Seán decided to become a full-time writer. They lived in Killough House, County Wicklow, from 1933 to 1938. After that, they built their own house. It was in Knockaderry, Killiney, County Dublin. They lived there until 1971. Eileen created a beautiful garden at this house. From 1971 to 1988, they lived in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. Eileen and Seán had two children. Their daughter, Julia, was born in 1932. Their son, Stephen, was born in 1938.

Eileen O'Faolain's Writing Career

Becoming a Children's Author

Eileen O'Faolain wrote many children's novels in the 1940s. These books were very successful. Many people read them. Her books featured beautiful illustrations. These were done by talented artists. Some of them were Nano Reid, Muriel Brandt, Nora McGuinness, and Brian Wildsmith.

Popular Stories and Themes

One of her books, The little black hen (1940), was later made into two books. These were The fairy hen and May Eve in fairyland in 1945. Eileen's stories often featured ordinary children. These children lived in the countryside or in towns in Ireland. They would go on exciting, unexpected adventures. Along the way, they would meet interesting adults, animals, and even fairies.

Drawing on Irish History and Myths

For her later books in the 1950s, Eileen used Irish history and legends. For example, in Irish sagas and folk-tales (1954), she retold stories about the Tuatha Dé Danann. These were mythical people from ancient Ireland. Her book Children of the salmon and other Irish folktales (1965) included stories she translated. These stories came from Irish recordings made by people who studied folklore.

Later Life and Legacy

From the 1940s, Eileen faced health challenges. She had conditions like arthritis and stomach ulcers. She tried different diets and remedies to feel better. She also traveled with her husband. He wrote travel articles. They lived in the United States again from 1959 to 1961. This was when Seán was a visiting professor at Princeton University. Eileen O'Faolain passed away on September 20, 1988. She died from a stroke at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. She chose to donate her body to Trinity College Dublin for medical research. Her ashes were later scattered at the lake of Gougane Barra in west Cork.

Published Works

• The little black hen (1940)
• The king of the cats (1941)
• Miss Pennyweather and the Pooka (1942)
• The children of Crooked Castle (1945)
• Miss Pennyweather in the springtime (1946)
• The shadowy man (1949)
• The white rabbit's road (1950)
• Irish sagas and folk-tales (1954)
• High sang the sword (1959)
• Children of the salmon and other Irish folktales (1965)