Máirtín Ó Cadhain

Born:

1906, An Spidéal, County Galway, Ireland

Died:

18 October 1970, Dublin, Ireland

Nationality:

Irish

Profession(s):

Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Playwright, Teacher

Early Life and Education

• Raised in a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) region.
• Educated at local schools and St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra (teacher training).
• Became a teacher but was dismissed for his republican activities.

Career and Major Achievements

• Dedicated his life to writing in the Irish language.
• Considered one of the most important modernist writers in Irish.
• Imprisoned during World War II for alleged IRA activities.
• Lectured in Irish at Trinity College, Dublin, from 1969 until his death.

Notable Works

• Novels: Cré na Cille (1949; translated as The Dirty Dust), Athnuachan (posthumously published).
• Short Story Collections: Cois Caoláire (1953), An Uain Bheo (1968), An tSraith ar Lár (1967), many more.
• Plays: Several plays, including radio dramas.
• Several books and studies examining mairtin o cadhain biography books, essays and critical analyses of his work.

Legacy and Impact

Máirtín Ó Cadhain is remembered for his innovative use of the Irish language, his complex and often challenging narratives, and his profound influence on subsequent generations of Irish writers. His masterpiece, Cré na Cille, is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels written in Irish.

Awards and Recognition

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