Risteárd Ó Glaisne facts for kids

Risteárd Ó Glaisne (born Richard Ernest Giles; 2 September 1927 – 6 November 2003) was an important Irish language activist, teacher, and writer. He was also a Methodist, which is a type of Christian faith. Risteárd believed that people of all faiths in Ireland could be proud of their Irish heritage and language.

Early Life and Discovering Irish

Richard Ernest Giles was born on September 2, 1927, on a farm called Woodfort near Bandon, County Cork. His family, the Giles, were Methodists and had been farmers in the area for over 300 years. When Richard was a child, he got sick with Bovine tuberculosis. This illness hurt his hip, causing him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life.

School Days and New Interests

From age nine, Richard went to Bandon Grammar School. Here, he first became interested in the Irish language. His headmaster gave him two special books: Peann agus Pár by Liam Ó Rinn and a book of poems by Ivan Turgenev that had been translated into Irish. These books sparked his love for the language.

Richard started the school's first student magazine, which he called The Rooster. He used the Irish version of his birth name for the magazine. During this time, he also became lifelong friends with Ivan McCutcheon, one of his headmasters.

Connecting with Irish Speakers

Richard's passion for Irish grew stronger. He sought out the few people in the Bandon area who still spoke Irish fluently. One of these was Seán Ó Shea, a Catholic farmer who was a friend of Richard's grandmother. Seán often visited the Giles family, and Richard would visit Seán and his sister in return.

University, Teaching, and Travel

After finishing secondary school, Richard went to Trinity College Dublin. He studied Irish and English there. At university, he joined Trinity College's Irish language society and became its secretary. He also made friends with other students like Desmond Fennell and Margaret Mac Curtain.

Becoming a Teacher

After earning his first degree, Richard became a teacher. He continued his studies, getting a higher diploma in education in 1950 and a master's degree in 1959. He taught Irish at several schools: Avoca School (1949-1964), St Andrew's (1968-1972), and St. Patrick's Cathedral School (1973-1989). He retired from teaching in 1989.

Exploring Education in Europe

In the 1950s, Richard became interested in "folk education," a type of learning focused on community and practical skills. He traveled to Denmark and The Netherlands to learn more about it. In 1964, he took a four-year break from teaching to visit other European countries. He studied the education system in France and traveled for the Irish Department of Education.

Faith and Irish Identity

Risteárd Ó Glaisne was a very committed Methodist and a lay-preacher, meaning he preached without being a full-time minister. He strongly believed that Irish Protestants could be just as Irish as Catholics. He encouraged other Protestants to fully embrace their Irish identity.

Promoting Irish in Protestant Communities

He joined Cumann Gaeilge na hEaglaise, an organization that promotes the Irish language within the Church of Ireland. Risteárd wanted to highlight the historical connections between Protestantism and the Irish language. For example, he pointed out how Protestant missionaries in Ireland used to spread their message in Irish. Donald Caird, an Archbishop who also loved the Irish language, described Risteárd as "deeply spiritual."

In 1957, Risteárd and his friend Wally Gray started a monthly magazine called Focus. Its main goal was to promote the Irish language and Gaelic culture to Irish Protestants. Risteárd was the editor of this magazine from 1958 to 1966. Later in his life, he represented Methodists on a committee that worked with the Irish government on behalf of Protestant schools.

Writing and Supporting the Irish Language

From 1947 to 1953, Risteárd spent his holidays on the Blasket Islands. He did this to become even better at speaking Irish by living among the local people. During one visit in 1947, he even met Éamon de Valera, who was the President of Ireland at the time. Risteárd became good friends with many island residents and stayed in touch with them after they moved to Dunquin in 1953. On April 5, 1950, Richard legally changed his name to its Irish form, Risteárd Ó Glaisne.

Speaking Up for Irish

On September 21, 1966, Risteárd attended a meeting of the Language Freedom Movement in Dublin. He spoke strongly in defense of the Irish language. Even though some people in the Irish language movement criticized him for being there, he felt it was important to speak his mind.

Risteárd often appeared on RTÉ (Irish national television and radio) and Raidio na Gaeltachta (an Irish-language radio station). In his later years, he became a very active writer. He wrote many books and contributed to Irish language magazines like Comhar, Inniu, and An tUltach. He also regularly wrote for The Irish Times newspaper. In 1988, he received the "Gradam an Phiarsaigh" (Pearse Award) from then-President of Ireland Patrick Hillery. This award recognized Risteárd's great contributions to the Irish language.

Later Life and Legacy

Risteárd Ó Glaisne passed away on November 6, 2003. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery in Bandon. Two of his books, Esperanto: teanga idirnáisiúnta and Eagarthóir, were published after his death. His work continues to inspire those who love the Irish language and culture.

Works

• Bun-Ghaeilge; a concise guide to Irish (1961)
• Ian Paisley agus Tuaisceart Éireann (1971)
• Raon mo shiúil (1972)
• Saoirse na mban (1973)
• Ceannródaithe (1974)
• Conor Cruise O’Brien agus an liobrálachas (1974)
• Cuairt ghearr: spléachadh ar na Stáit Aontaithe (1975)
• Cad deir tú leis na hAlbanaigh? (1978)
• Don ábhar saoririseora (1980)
• Raidió na Gaeltachta (1982)
• Cúis náire – agus bróid: Proinsias Ó Mianáin agus cearta Gael (1988)
• Tomás Ó Fiaich (1990)
• To Irish Protestants (1991)
• Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide 1592-1992 (1992)
• Dúbhglas de hÍde (1991-1993)(2 vols.)
• Teilhard de Chardin i gcuibhrinn Éireannach (1994)
• Pádraig Ó Fiannachta (1995)
• Cosslett Ó Cuinn (1996)
• Niall Brunicardi (1997);
• Modhaigh: scéal pobail – scéal eaglaise (1999)
• Denis Ireland (2000)
• De bhunadh Protastúnach nó rian Chonradh na Gaeilge (2000)
• Dí-armáil nó díothú: Éire, an Eoraip, an Domhan (2001)
• Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (2001)
• Coláiste Moibhí (2002)
• Esperanto: teanga idirnáisiúnta (2004)
• Eagarthóir (2005)