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Séamus Mag Uidhir1902 - 1969

”Múinteoir, scríbhneoir, seanchaí agus scoláire - bhí sé oilte ar a lán bealaigh agus chomh maith le sin fíor-Chríostaí

a bhí ann agus fíor dhuine uasal.”Aodh Ó Nualláin,

Ard Mháistir, An Ghairmscoil,

Béal an Átha, 1969.

A ThuismitheoiríPaddy Mag UidhirPaddy was one of three brothers, who crossed over from Ballycroy and settled in Doohoma. Paddy had five siblings: James, Bryan, Catherine, Mary and Margaret. They were the children of James and his wife Mary Keane.

Bridget ReddingtonBridget was the daughter of Ned Reddington and Mary Henry. She was born in America. She was a member of a big family: Dominic, Anthony, Nappie, John, Michael, Patrick, Dennis and Phelim.

An ChlannBhí cúigear clainne acu:• Pádraig• Séamus• Mary (Mary Scanlon)• Bríd (cailleadh í go hóg)• Margaret (Maggie Lynch)

An Teaghlach 1911

Baile ShéamuisIs sa teach seo a rugadh Séamus Mag Uidhir do thuismitheóirí

Paddy Mag Uidhir agus Bridget Reddington.

Séamus’ Uncle Brian

and his family 1911

Séamus’ Uncle James

and his family 1911

Rugadh Séamus i nDumha Thuama i 1902

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Óige ShéamuisChaith Séamus a óige anonn is anall go hAlbain, áit ar bhailigh sé scéalta agus seanchas. I rith an gheimhridh, d’fhill sé agus lean sé leis an scolaíocht i nDumha Thuama.

Bhí tionchar mór ag a thuismitheoirí ar Shéamus. Tá taifead de Phádraig, a athair ann, ag léamh dán i nGaeilge mhilis, bhinn. Nach mórálach a bhí sé!

Clearly, his parents were a significant influence on Séamus’ young life.

His father, Paddy, was an avid supporter of the Irish language and spoke it with great pride as we hear from a record-ing made in 1930 of Paddy reciting the poem “Ar Bás an tAthair Pádraig Ó Maoileáin”.

Séamus grew up in a world of storytelling where myths, legends, folktales and superstitions were the norm. At that time Irish was the language of the people.

An ScoilHis formative years in the National School in Doohoma, were particularly important.

His teacher, Mr Michael Holmes, left an indelible impression on Séamus and each family trip to Doohoma included an extended visit to Holmes’, where he was warmly welcomed.

Séamus continued to attend national school during the winter months until he was well into his teens.

His mother used to scold him for reading into the night and wasting the precious candle.

Ag Piocadh FataíSéamus was able to combine economic necessity with his continued education by going to Scotland during the potato picking season and returning to school in Doohoma during the winter months.

Slí Bheatha Jim Phaddy, an t-ainm áitiúil a bhí ar Shéamus. Bhí bád iascaireachta darbh ainm Fág a’ Bealach ag a athair Paddy

Séamus was locally known as Jim Phaddy. Séamus was an enthusiastic fisherman and seaman. His father, Paddy and his uncles were the owners of a boat called Fág a’ Bealach.

The next generation of Fág a’Bealach lives on in Belmullet today

Doohoma School and Church, painted by Michael Holmes

visitingSéamus grew up in a tradition of storytelling.

Myths, legends, folktales and superstitions were very much part of the day to day life of the people.

In the absence of radio or television ‘The Seanchaí / Storyteller’ was central to the evening’s entertainment. He had the ability to embellish a story by being liberal with the truth.

This skill was to serve Séamus well in his later years.

The storytelling as entertainment was combined with music and dancing: all making for a good night’s fun.

Cuardaíocht Bhí an-taithí ag Séamus ar scéalaíocht ar seanchas mar go raibh ról lárnach ag an gcuardaíocht i saol mhuintir na háite

Chuir sé suim i scéalta sí, pisreoga agus seanscéalta eile a tháinig anuas ó ghlúin go glúin.

Bhí scil ar leith ag an Seanchaí, rud a d’fhoghlaim Séamus agus a chuir go mór lena chuid scéalta féin.

Gairm Bheatha Shéamuis

Tar éis an scoil a fhágáil i nDumha Thuama, d’fhreastal Séamus ar Choláiste Samhraidh í

dTuar Mhic Éadaigh d’abhar múinteoirí Gaeilge.

Fuair sé post mar Thimire i mBéal Átha na Muice, Coillte Mach agus Bealach an Doirín. Tar éis tréimhse a

chaitheamh ag múineadh in Acaill, fuair sé post sa Cheardscoil i mBéal An Átha mar mhúinteoir Gaeilge.

Séamus’ CareerSéamus attended Coláiste Samhraidh, Tourmakeady in 1936 participating in courses designed for teachers wishing to improve their standard of Irish. He was later appointed as Timire in the area of Swinford, Kiltimagh and Ballaghadereen. This was a scheme established by Conradh na Gaeilge with the aim of assisting in the growth development of the Irish Language. After a period of time teaching in Achill, Séamus was appointed as an Irish Teacher in the Vocational School in Ballina.

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Pósadh Shéamuis agus Úna

Séamus met national school teacher Úna Hennigan when he was working

as a Timire in the Swinford area. They were married on 12th August 1940 in Attymass Church with the reception afterwards in the

Scurmore Hotel, Enniscrone.

Clann Shéamuis agus Úna• Pádraig• Brendán (Nach maireann)• Máirín• Gráinne• Bridín• Rory• Cúpla - Martina & Anne (cailleadh ina naíonáin)

• Nóilín

Teaching staff of the Vocational School, Ballina

An Chéad Conradh Oibre

Contract of employment 1934 - £130 per annum.

Séamus an ScríbhneoirAn Coimisiún BéaloideasaThe foundation of An Cumann le Béaloideas Éireann / The Folklore of Ireland Society, and its journal Béaloideas, in 1927, was the first significant step to set up structures to collect and publish the folklore of Ireland on a more formal and systematic basis.

Few counties were accorded greater attention by the Irish Folklore Commission and its collectors than Mayo. In large measure this was due to the importance that the Commission’s Honorary Director, Séamus Ó Duilearga, placed on its folklore heritage especially that enshrined in the Irish language. Duilearga was at pains to ensure that every aspect of its rich tradition should be subjected to expert excavation and hand-picked his small band of collectors accordingly.

Dhá Chrann na Marbh(Mag Uidhir, S. 1939.)

Is é atá sa leabhar seo ná bailiúchán de chuntais stairiúla ar sheanchas na ndaoine go príomha agus cúpla scéal faoin lucht sí agus fathaigh. Baineann na scéalta stairiúla leis an méid a d’fhulaing an cosmhuintir faoi thiarnaí talún cruálacha. Baineann siad freisin le eachtraí a thit amach tar éis an chatha idir na Francaigh / Éireannaigh agus na Sasanaigh i mBéal Átha na Muice i 1798, dúnmharuithe le linn na bPéindlíthe agus an fhulaingt le linn “An Ghorta Mhóir”.

An Marcach Dubh (Mag Uidhir, S. 1940)

Sa leabhar seo tá bailiúchán de scéalta a bhaineann leis an draíocht, leis an lucht sí, le taibhsí agus le pisreoga. Bailíodh na scéalta seo ar fud an chontae agus tá sé seo suntasach sa mhéid is go bhfuair sé cuid acu lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Is cosúil go raibh na seanscéalta seo a tháinig anuas tríd na glúnta i nGaeilge fós i mbéal an phobail fiú nuair nach raibh an Ghaeilge á labhairt a thuilleadh mar ghnáth theanga an phobail sin.

Fánaidheacht i gConndae Mhuigheo(Mag Uidhir, S. 1944)

Tá difríocht idir stíl an leabhair seo agus na cinn eile sa mhéid is go bhfuil cur síos ann ar aistear a rinne Séamus agus cara leis ar cheantar Iorrais agus Acla sa bhliain 1938. Le linn an aistir sin buaileann siad le seanchaithe agus daoine eile a bhfuil scéalta acu agus úsáidtear an stíl seo chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar sheanchas na ndaoine an stíl seo go príomha chun cur síos a dhéanah ar sheanchas na ndaoine.

Idir Talamh is Tráigh (Mag Uidhir, S. 1953)Is bailiúchán de scéalta atá anseo atá bunaithe den chuid is mó ar eachtraí a thit amach do dhaoine áirithe. Is léir go bhfuil na scéalta sin bunaithe ar an bhfírinne toisc go bhfuil tagairt déanta do dhaoine ar leith, dátaí, seoltaí agus a leithéid. Tá tábhacht ar leith le cuid de na scéalta seo toisc go bhfuil mion chur síos iontu ar thraidisiúin agus nósanna nach bhfuil ann a thuilleadh.

Ina measc siúd, tá cur síos ar na ‘Tórraimh Mheiriceánacha’ a bhíodh ann, an úsáid a bhaintí as an “Cipín Scóir” agus an chaoi inar tharla meath na Gaeilge chomh tapaidh sin. Ina theannta sin, tá scéal faoi phisreog a léiríonn cé chomh mí-ámharach is atá sé cónra fholamh a iompar i mbád.

Séamus Mag Uidhir’s first writings appeared in Béaloideas. Resulting from this publication Séamus was selected as a collector of folklore in Mayo. He wrote a series of articles in the Irish language newspaper, An tÉireannach. These were published weekly from June 1935 to February 1937 under the pen name Sliabh Chairn.

His writings encapsulated the folklore and traditions of County Mayo from the Erris Peninsula through to Tourmakeady and Cong. He travelled from place to place on his bicycle

While his contributions to An tÉireannach, Scéala Éireann / The Irish Press, The Irish Independent as well as broadcasts on Radio Éireann were significant, his four books were the most important part of his writings.

Saothar Shéamuis

Préachán NéifinHe continued his writings, publishing a weekly article in The Western People under the pen name Préachan Néifin from June 1964, submitting his final article in March 1969.

Séamus’ passion for the Irish language, as well as his pride in Gaelic traditions are very evident in his writings. He frequently harks back to a time when monasteries flourished and Irish monks were leading lights of learning in Europe. The ruins of many of the monastic settlements still remain in Mayo.

Séamus’ stories were selected for broadcasting on Radio Éireann.September 17th 1954

In selecting suitable material in Irish prose for broadcasting during the coming months, Radio Éireann has chosen ‘An Marcach Dubh agus Scéalta Eile’ a book of short stories by Séamus Mag Uidhir. The author, who is a member of Ballina Vocational School, already occupies a high place amongst the writers of short stories in Irish, of the present day. I congratulate the author not only on having earned for himself the unique distinction of having his work selected for broadcasting by Radio Éireann, but on the success of the first broadcast, which was heard on September 9th.A Chara,

Iarrtar orm a chur in iúl duit gur léadh arís an cnuasach scéalta agus aisti ‘Idir Thalamh agus Tráigh’ a chuiris ar ais chugainn ar an 16ú lá den mhí seo caite. Maidir leis na cúig scéalta a moladh duit a leasú, tá an Roinn sásta go mbeadh trí cinn díobh infhoilsithe anois. Sé sin ‘Ó Athair go Mac”, ‘Cluiche Bridge’ agus ‘An Chónra’.

Oidhreacht ShéamuisAinneoin go raibh Séamus i mbun scríbh-neoireachta, bhí sé sáite i ngach a bhain leis an Ghaeilge. Leann sé mar bhall de Chonradh na Gaeilge mar a bhí ó na 1930aidi .Bhí sé ar choiste bunaithe Feis Bhéal An Átha, rud atá fós ag feidhmiú.Chomh maith le sin bhí dlúthbhaint aige le Seó Muine Chonláin.Bhí go leor bailithe i gcloigeann Shéamuis idir amhráin, rannta, scéalta áitiúla, ainmneacha tobar, cur síos ar thiarnaí talún, agus ar shaol na farraige fadó. Ach má bhí, níor loic sé riamh ar a chreideamh. Bhí an Ghaeilge agus an creideamh, i gcónaí, fite fuaite go dlúth le chéile i saol Shéamuis Mhag Uidhir agus sin í an oidhreacht a d’fhág sé ina dhiaidh.

Cailleadh Séamus Mag Uidhir i mí na Bealtaine 1969.Seo píosa a bhí foilsithe sa Western People nuair a cailleadh Séamus.

“Is iomaí duine in Acaill a dúirt ‘Beannacht dílis Dé lena anam’ nuair a léigh siad ar an pháipéar gur cailleadh Séamus Mag Uidhir, Iar-Oide Gairmoidis as Béal an Átha. B’as Dubh Thuama Séamus – fear a chaith na blianta ag múineadh ar An Chaiseal. Fhad is a bhí sé in Acaill chruinnigh sé go leor béaloideasa agus gach a bhfuair sé de sheanchas tá sé le fáil sa leabhar breá sin ‘Fánaidheacht I gConndae Mhuigheo. Ba é a scríobh ‘Dhá Chrann na Marbh’ freisin agus is inti atá an Ghaeilge bhlasta, Gaeilge a chuirfeadh bród ort. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.”

Dán a scríobh ‘Fuiseog Néifin’ nuair a cailleadh Séamus Mag Uidhir.

(Fuiseog Néifin - ainm cleite. Ní fíos cé chum)

Mo luan is mo lean, an seanchaidhe ar lár! Cé déarfadh linn go raibh an bás i ndán

Agus sinn faoi dhraíocht ag éisteacht leis go lá Ag riomhad scéal ag canadh duan is dán?

An t-ollamh leighinn a chuardaigh leabhar is pár, An múinteoir coir a b’fhearr do sheas ag clár, An t-oide caoin a mheallfadh cách ‘na dháil-

Sé d’imigh uainn gur fágadh sinn ar fán.

An cleite caoin do thuit ón láimh ar lár, Nach é do scríobh go soiléir, socair, sámh,

Glan-Ghaeilge ghlinn na sinsear síos ar phár, Gan rian aon teanga Gallda o bhun go barr.

Do theanga binn na sinsear thug sé grádh, Do sheas an fód ar son na h-Éireann tráth,

In uaisleacht méin is cáil do rug sé barr, Acht d’éalaigh uainn go ciúin gan slán a rá.

Agus d’éalaigh uainn, an chara uasal chaidh, Agus d’éalaigh uainn, an chara dhílis laghach;

In iothlainn Dé go bhfeiceann é ar ball. In iothlainn Dé i measc na naomh go brath.

Fuiseog Néifin

A letter from the Department of Education when three of his stories were

selected for inclusion in the school curriculum. December 17th 1951