Proinsias Mac an Bheatha facts for kids

Proinsias Mac an Bheatha (born Francis McVeigh; 16 November 1910 – 27 November 1990) was an important Irish language activist and writer. He worked hard to promote the Irish language and wrote many books and articles.

Early Life and Learning Irish

Francis McVeigh was born in Belfast on 16 November 1910. His father, Patrick, was a publican from Gilford, and his mother, Mary, was an Irish republican. Francis had two sisters.

When he was five, his family moved to Killough. A year later, his father passed away. Francis then lived with his uncle and aunt, and later with another aunt in Bangor. After some time, he moved back with his mother and sisters to the Falls Road area of Belfast.

It was at school that Francis first heard about the Irish language. Even though his family was very proud of their Irish heritage, he had never known the language existed before.

Moving to Dublin

In 1922, Francis and his family moved to Sandymount in Dublin. This happened after their home was broken into during a difficult time in Belfast. In Dublin, he went to a Christian Brothers school. There, he began to learn Irish.

Francis quickly developed a strong interest in the language. He joined Conradh na Gaeilge, an organization that promotes Irish. He was especially inspired by the writings of Séamus Ó Grianna and Seosamh Mac Grianna.

In 1928, when he was 18, Francis started working for the Irish government. In 1932, he officially changed his name to the Irish form, Proinsias Mac an Bheatha. He worked in the Customs and Mail Service for forty years, becoming a Chief Collector before he retired in 1975. He visited the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) in 1936 and later spent a year in Inishmaan.

Working for the Irish Language

In 1940, Mac an Bheatha joined an organization called Craobh na hAiséirghe. Its name means "Branch of the Resurrection" in Irish. This group was set up to promote the Irish language.

Mac an Bheatha admired the leader of the group, Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin. He praised Ó Cuinneagáin's strong will and creativity. At the group's first meeting, Mac an Bheatha saw no problem when Ó Cuinneagáin asked for full control over the organization.

Proinsias Mac an Bheatha became an auditor for Craobh na hAiséirghe. He also represented the group at a big meeting of Conradh na Gaeilge in 1940. However, Mac an Bheatha was becoming less happy with Conradh na Gaeilge. He felt it needed to change.

A New Direction

Things changed when Ó Cuinneagáin gave a speech in 1942. He spoke about wanting a government with one powerful leader. He also announced a new political group called Ailtirí na hAiséirghe. This group was meant to work alongside Craobh na hAiséirghe.

Mac an Bheatha did not agree with the idea of a dictatorship in Ireland. He made it clear that his photos should not be used to suggest he supported Ó Cuinneagáin's new political ideas.

The disagreement grew when the group's yearbook, Aiséirghe 1942, was published. It focused only on Ó Cuinneagáin's political views. It also included a photo of Mac an Bheatha and Ó Cuinneagáin together, which made it seem like Mac an Bheatha supported these ideas.

After several months of arguments, the two organizations decided to separate. This happened at a meeting on 6 November 1942. Mac an Bheatha was chosen to lead the now independent Craobh na hAiséirghe. The next month, the organization changed its name to Glún na Buaidhe, which means "Generation of Victory."

Leadership and Resignation

Mac an Bheatha was asked to attend the first meeting of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, a national council for the Irish language. In 1946, Glún na Buaidhe and another group managed to take over the leading role in this council from Conradh na Gaeilge. Ernest Blythe became the council's president, and Mac an Bheatha became vice-president.

He stayed as vice-president of the Comhdháil and general-director of Glún na Buaidhe until 1966. He resigned because he was not happy with how the Irish language was being revived. He also felt the government was not doing enough to help.

Later Life and Writing

In 1943, Mac an Bheatha started an Irish language newspaper called Inniu. He wrote many articles and essays for the paper, often using the pen name "Séamus Ó Dochartaigh." Later in his life, he also wrote columns for several other newspapers, including the Irish Press, Evening Press, The Irish News, The Irish Times, and the Irish Independent.

He also helped start a publishing company called Foilseacháin Náisiúnta Teoranta (FNT). In 1948, he bought a business in Westport called Mayo News.

In 1944, he married Monica Ní Mhurchú. They had seven children together.

Mac an Bheatha wrote a book about James Connolly, an important Irish leader. In his book, he suggested that Connolly's ideas fit well with Catholic social teachings. He believed Connolly would not have supported communism if he had lived to see it.

After he left the Comhdháil and Glún na Buaidhe, he became an even more active writer. He wrote many books, essays, gardening columns, and poems.

Proinsias Mac an Bheatha passed away on 27 November 1990. He was buried in Sutton, Dublin.

Works

• Tart na Córa (1962)
• Téid Focal le Gaoth (1967)
• Seosamh Mac Grianna agus Aistí Eile (1970)
• Irish for the People (1973)
• An Faoileán Bán (1975)
• James Connolly and the Workers' Republic (1978)
• Cnoc na hUamha (1978)
• Roth an Mhuilinn (1980)
• Téann Buille le Cnámh (1983)
• Jemmy Hope (1985)
• An Earnáil agus an Ghaeilge (1985)
• Mé Féin agus an Gairdín (1986)
• I dTreo na Gréine (1987)
• Dóchas Aduaidh (1991)
• Henry Joy agus Véarsaí Eile (1992)