Máiréad Ní Ghráda facts for kids
Máiréad Ní Ghráda (born December 23, 1896 – died June 13, 1971) was a talented Irish writer and radio star. She was a poet, a playwright (someone who writes plays), and a broadcaster. Máiréad was born in Kilmaley, a small place in County Clare, Ireland.
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Máiréad Ní Ghráda's Life Story
Máiréad Ní Ghráda's mother was Bridget Ní Ghrianna. Her father, Tony Kelly, was a farmer and a local politician. He also loved playing hurling, a traditional Irish sport. It's believed that Máiréad got her love for the Irish language from her father. He often recited old poems from Munster Irish, like Cúirt an Mheán Oíche.
Early Life and Activism
In 1921, Máiréad was put in jail during the Irish War of Independence. This was because she was selling flags that supported Irish independence. Later, she worked as a secretary for Ernest Blythe. He was a TD, which is like a Member of Parliament in Ireland, for the Cumann na nGaedheal political party.
Radio Career
Máiréad Ní Ghráda started working at the radio station 2RN in 1926. This station later became Radio Éireann. She put together children's programs there. By 1929, she became the main announcer for the station. She held this important job until 1935. After that, she worked as a part-time announcer.
Becoming a Writer
During her time at the radio station, Máiréad began to write. She wrote plays for both radio and the stage. In 1933, her play called Micheál won an award from the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
Máiréad Ní Ghráda's Important Works
Máiréad Ní Ghráda wrote many well-known plays and books. Her works often explored important ideas about Irish society and culture.
An Uacht
Máiréad Ní Ghráda's play An Uacht was first shown in 1935. It was performed at Micheál Mac Liammóir's Gate Theatre in Dublin. This play was very popular and was performed many times over the years.
An Triail: A Powerful Play
Ní Ghráda is most famous for her play An Triail, written in 1964. This play made her very well-known. It showed the difficult parts of Irish society and the unfairness that existed at the time. The story of An Triail was partly inspired by real-life events. The way Ní Ghráda wrote the play was influenced by the famous writer Bertholt Brecht. Since 1997, An Triail has been part of the Irish Leaving Certificate exam for students studying Irish.
Breithiúnas
Another one of Ní Ghráda's well-known plays is Breithiúnas. This play is currently an option for students in Northern Ireland who are studying A-Level Irish.
Progress in Irish: A Grammar Book
Máiréad Ní Ghráda also wrote a very important book called Progress in Irish. This book is one of the most widely used grammar books for learning the Irish Language. It has helped many people understand and speak Irish better.
An Grá agus an Gárda
An Grá agus an Gárda is a comedy play from 1937. It was performed at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin. The play is about a tricky situation in a marriage. Two years before this play, Ní Ghráda had to leave her job at RTÉ (the Irish national broadcaster). This happened when her husband, who was a senior Garda (a police officer), got his job back.
Tír na Deo: Peter Pan in Irish
In 1938, Ní Ghráda translated the famous story of Peter Pan into Irish. Her translation, called Tír na Deo, was the very first time Peter Pan was available in the Irish language.
Manannán: Irish Science Fiction
Manannán, written in 1940, is a special book. It is considered the first science fiction book ever written in the Irish Language.
