John McDonald (poet) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John McDonald (of Dromod)
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Front Cover, Irish National Poems, 1886
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| Born | 19 September 1846 Cloone, County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | Oct 29th 1932 Cloonboniagh South, Dromod, Leitrim, Ireland |
| Pen name | J Mc.D (of Dromod) |
| Occupation | Poet, farmer, schoolteacher |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Period | 19th century |
| Genre | Poems |
| Subject | Irish nation |
| Notable works | Irish National Poems |
John McDonald (born September 19, 1846, died 1932) was an important Irish poet. He wrote during a time when Irish culture was becoming very popular again, called the Irish Literary Revival. John McDonald often shared his poems in newspapers and magazines. In 1886, he published his own book of poetry.
Life of John McDonald
John McDonald was born in 1846 in Cloone, a parish in County Leitrim, Ireland. His father was a small farmer. John went to local schools and later became a teacher.
For a few years starting in 1881, John lived in New York, USA. Around 1886, he married his wife, Mary. They had eight children together. Their names were Michael, Patrick, Mary, John, Anne, and Charles. The names of two other children are not known.
The McDonald family lived in a place called Cloonboniagh South, near Dromod in County Leitrim. John worked as a schoolteacher in county Longford while also running a farm. He passed away in October 1932. Many of his children later moved to America.
John McDonald's Poetry
John McDonald was a strong supporter of Irish culture and identity. He wrote many poems for Irish magazines and newspapers. Some of these included United Ireland, Weekly News, and Young Ireland. He also wrote for local newspapers in County Leitrim and County Longford.
When he lived in America, his poems appeared in the Irish World of New York newspaper. In 1886, John McDonald published his only book, a collection of poems called Irish National Poems. He mostly wrote his poems in his free time, often at night or on Sunday evenings.
John explained why he wrote poetry:
- "I wanted to give hope and courage to my fellow Irish people. I also wanted to help Ireland become free. I hope the good reasons I wrote these poems will make up for any mistakes in my writing."
One copy of his book is kept at Keenans Hotel in county Roscommon. Another copy is in the archives of the National Library of Ireland in Dublin. Some of his poems were printed again in the Leitrim Observer newspaper in the 1960s. His poems usually had the signature "J. McD. (Dromod)".
Supporting the Land League
John McDonald was an Irish nationalist. This means he believed strongly in Ireland's right to govern itself. He supported the Irish National Land League movement. This group worked to help farmers in Ireland.
In 1881, a politician named John Sexton wrote about McDonald. He said that John was a "graceful and frank writer." Sexton also mentioned that McDonald was a "tower of strength" for the Land League in his home county of Leitrim. This shows how important John McDonald was to the movement.
Published Works
- Irish National Poems, published in Dublin by Sealy, Bryers & Walker, 1886.
