Muiris Ó Gormáin facts for kids

Muiris Ó Gormáin (born around 1720, died 1794) was an important Irish bookseller, poet, and scribe. He was born in Ulster, a northern part of Ireland. Later in his life, he moved to Dublin, the capital city. There, he met other scribes, like Aodh Ó Dálaigh, who were part of a group led by the Ó Neachtain family.

Teaching the Irish Language

Muiris Ó Gormáin was very proud of the Irish language. He saw that many people were forgetting it. He believed this was a problem because it meant people could not read old Irish stories and history.

In 1766, he put an advertisement in Faulkner’s Dublin Journal. He offered to teach Irish to young people and adults. He wanted to help them learn about Ireland's ancient history and culture. He taught lessons at his home in St Mary’s-Lane, Dublin. He also offered to visit students at their own houses. He was especially good at reading and explaining old Irish manuscripts written on Vellum (a type of parchment).

Working with Important People

Ó Gormáin worked with many important people of his time. He spent some time in Belanagare, where he copied old texts for Charles O'Conor (historian). He also helped Charlotte Brooke with her book, Reliques of Irish Poetry (1789). This book collected and translated many old Irish poems.

However, not everyone thought he was perfect. Another poet, Peadar Ó Doirnín, made fun of him. Ó Doirnín thought Muiris Ó Gormáin was not very good at speaking English.

Ó Gormáin also worked with or knew many other scholars and important figures. These included Tomás Ó Gormáin, Matthew Young (who was a bishop), Charles Vallancey, John Fergus, Richard Tipper, Thomas Leland, Éadbhard Ó Raghallaigh, and Fiachra Mac Brádaigh.

His Poetry

Muiris Ó Gormáin wrote several poems. One of his well-known poems is Is aoibhinn duit a Éire (which means "How delightful you are, Ireland"). He wrote this poem in 1763 for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland. At that time, Percy was the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, a high-ranking official.

Later, Ó Gormáin used the same poem for a different Lord Lieutenant, George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend. This made another scholar, Énrí Ó Muirgheasa, comment on it in 1915. Ó Muirgheasa wondered if Ó Gormáin was hoping for favors from Townshend. He found it strange that an Irish person like Ó Gormáin would praise an Englishman who had fought against Irish soldiers in battles like Dettingen and Fontenoy.

A Dedicated Scribe

Muiris Ó Gormáin was known as a very skilled scribe and teacher. Many important people who studied Irish history, both Protestant and Catholic, hired him. They wanted him to copy and translate old Gaelic manuscripts.

During the 1760s and 1770s, he created detailed lists of the books and manuscripts he owned. He also wrote down what he thought of them and how much they were worth.

According to James Hardiman, another historian, Muiris Ó Gormáin spent his whole life copying and saving old Irish poetry, stories, and historical records. He died in Dublin around 1794. He was very poor at the end of his life. A kind man named Mac Entaggart, who was also poor, helped support him.