Seán "Clárach" Mac Domhnaill facts for kids

Seán "Clárach" Mac Domhnaill (1691–1754) was an important Irish language poet who lived in Ireland during the early 1700s. He is famous for his beautiful poems and songs, especially one called Mo Ghile Mear.

Seán's Early Life

Seán Clárach Mac Dómhnaill was born in 1691 in a place called Churchtown, County Cork. He spent most of his adult life in Kiltoohig, which is near Charleville, County Cork. We don't know much about his childhood or family.

Even though there were strict Penal Laws in Ireland at the time, which made it hard for Irish Catholics to get an education, Seán still learned a lot. He probably went to a "hedge school," which was a secret school held outdoors or in hidden places. He became very good at Latin, Ancient Greek, and English literature, as well as his native Irish language.

His Life as a Poet

MacDómhnaill was a leader of a group called the "Maigue Poets." This was a circle of Irish poets who lived near the River Maigue in County Limerick and parts of County Cork in the 1700s. They often met at an old ringfort (a circular fort from ancient times) called Lios Ollium in Bruree. Seán's own house near Charleville was also a popular meeting spot.

His friends gave him the nickname "Clárach," which means "one with a wide face." Even though he didn't write a huge number of poems, other poets respected him greatly. They even called him Príomh-Éigeas na Mumhan, which means "Chief Poet of Munster."

It was hard for Seán to make a living just from writing poetry. So, he also worked on farms and taught lessons to earn money.

One of his most famous songs, Mo Ghile Mear, has been recorded by well-known artists like Sting (with The Chieftains), Mary Black, and the traditional Irish singer Sibéal.

Seán's Death

Seán Mac Domhnaill passed away in 1754. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Charleville, in the middle of the graveyard where a medieval church once stood.

Famous Works

Mo Ghile Mear is Seán Mac Domhnaill's most famous work. It's a sad song, or caoineadh, which he wrote after a big defeat. This happened when Bonnie Prince Charles lost the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Many Irish poets had hoped Charles would help Ireland, so his defeat was a very sad moment for the Gaelic people of Ireland and Scotland. This poem shows their deep sadness and frustration.

Like most Irish poems from that time, Mo Ghile Mear was meant to be sung, not just spoken. The melody is still very well-known today. Here is the chorus:

In 1723, Seán also wrote a poem about Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who was a French leader. Seán's poem criticized him for not caring enough about Ireland. Other works by Seán include De Bharr na gCnoc and Gráinne Mhaol.

Poetic Style

Seán Mac Domhnaill followed the old, complex rhyming rules of traditional Irish bards (poets). His language was often fancy, but not as overly decorated as the very old "Classical Irish" style. By the 1700s, poets were starting to use more modern, everyday language.

See also

• Aogán Ó Rathaille
• Piaras Feiritéar
• Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna
• Peadar Ó Doirnín
• Séamas Dall Mac Cuarta
• Art Mac Cumhaigh
• Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig
• Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin