Róise Mhic Ghrianna facts for kids

Róise Mhic Ghrianna was a famous traditional singer and storyteller from Ireland. She was born on March 13, 1879, and lived until April 6, 1964. Róise was known for her beautiful Irish-language songs and amazing stories. She helped keep Irish culture and traditions alive through her art.

Róise's Early Life

Growing Up in Donegal

Róise Mhic Ghrianna was born Róise Ní Cholla. Her birthplace was Seascann an Róin, a small area near Dungloe in County Donegal. She was born on March 13, 1879. Róise was one of five children in her family.

Her father, Tomas Ó Colla, was a farmer. Her mother, Maighréad, came from a family of musicians. Maighréad's father, Seán Hiúdaí Mac an Bhaird, was a very well-known musician.

Moving to Aranmore Island

When Róise was only four years old, her father passed away. Two years later, her mother married Antain Ó Gallchóir. The family then moved to his home on Árainn Mhór, also known as Aranmore Island.

Antain Ó Gallchóir was a butcher. He was also famous as the last great storyteller on the island. Aranmore Island was a place where people mostly spoke Irish. However, Róise went to an English-speaking school called Scoil na Leidhbe Gairbhe.

Work and Travel

From the age of nine, Róise spent every spring on Inis na gCaorach. There, she helped harvest kelp, which is a type of seaweed. She also did housework. After finishing school, Róise worked in different places.

She worked in Lagán and Gleann Mornáin in County Tyrone. She also worked near Lough Swilly for three years. Later, she traveled between Ireland and Scotland. She picked potatoes in both countries to earn money.

Family Life and Home

When Róise was 29, she married Séamas Mac Grianna. He was a local man from Aranmore Island whom she had known since childhood. Séamas's father gave the couple half of his farm. It was about three acres of land.

Róise and Séamas built a small cottage on this land. Róise lived in this same house for the rest of her life. Her husband, Séamas, worked in Scotland every year. He would leave in May and return in December.

While he was away, Róise managed their small farm. She had a donkey and a cow. From 1934, her husband received unemployment benefits. He also made creels (baskets) to earn extra money.

Róise's Singing and Storytelling

Sharing Her Talents

Róise Mhic Ghrianna was a natural singer and storyteller. For a long time, her only audience was her husband. But in 1940, a man named Rev. Cosslett Ó Cuinn visited her. He wrote down some of her stories and songs.

This visit made Róise feel more confident about her traditional singing and storytelling. She realized her talents were special. She was a true seanchaí, which is an Irish word for a traditional storyteller.

Recordings and Recognition

In 1951, Padraig Ua Cnáimhsí visited Róise. He was the principal of the school in Aranmore Island. He wrote down 70 of her songs! He told the Irish Folklore Commission and Radio Éireann about Róise.

The Irish Folklore Commission sent Seán Ó hEochaidh to record her. Radio Éireann sent Proinsias Ó Conluain. Ó Conluain's recordings of Róise from 1953 were later played on Radio Éireann. They were part of a special program about her life.

In the 1950s, Séamus Ennis also visited Róise. He was working for the BBC folklore commission at the time. Many people wanted to hear and preserve Róise's unique voice and stories.

Her Legacy Lives On

Róise Mhic Ghrianna passed away on April 6, 1964. Her recordings from 1953 were later put together by Cathal Goan. This work became an album released by RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster.

The album was called Róise na nAmhrán: songs of a Donegal woman. It came with a booklet. Róise's life story was also written by Ua Cnáimhsí. His book, Róise Rua, was published in 1983. It even won a prize at the 1983 Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Dublin. Róise's songs and stories continue to be enjoyed today.