Niall Ó Dónaill facts for kids

Niall Ó Dónaill (born August 27, 1908 – died February 10, 1995) was a very important Irish language expert. He was a lexicographer, which means he created dictionaries. He came from a place called Ailt an Eidhinn in Loughanure, County Donegal, Ireland. His most famous work is the Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, an Irish-English dictionary that many people still use today.

Early Life and Family

Niall Ó Dónaill was born in 1908. He was the oldest of six children. His parents were Tarlach Ó Dónaill and Éilis Nic Ruairí. His family had a small farm with some cows. Niall's father worked in Scotland for part of the year. Sadly, his father passed away when Niall was only 13 years old. As a young man, Niall also spent his summers working in Scotland.

Education and Learning

Niall Ó Dónaill first went to school in Scoil Loch an Iúir in Loughanure. He was a very good student. He won a special scholarship to attend St Eunan's College in Letterkenny. Another scholarship allowed him to study at University College Dublin. There, he focused on Irish, English, and History. Later in 1982, Trinity College Dublin gave him an honorary doctorate degree. This was a special award for his great achievements.

His Famous Dictionary

Niall Ó Dónaill is best known for his work on the Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla. This is a large Irish-English dictionary. He was the main editor of this dictionary, which was published in 1977. It is still one of the most widely used Irish-English dictionaries today. It helps many people learn and understand the Irish language.

Other Books He Wrote

Besides his dictionary work, Niall Ó Dónaill also wrote other books. One of his books is called Bruigheann Féile. This book tells stories about old pastimes and traditions. These stories are from the Gaeltacht town of Loughanure and the areas around it. He also wrote a book called Na Glúnta Rosannacha. This book was first published in 1952.

Awards and Recognition

Niall Ó Dónaill's hard work and dedication to the Irish language were recognized. In 1980, he received a special award called Gradam an Oireachtais. He got this award at Oireachtas na Gaeilge. This is a big festival that celebrates Irish language and culture.

Later Life

Niall Ó Dónaill passed away in 1995. He left behind a great legacy. His dictionary and other writings continue to help people connect with the Irish language.