Neil McBride (poet)
Neil McBride (Irish: Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé; 1861-1942) was a poet, author, and songwriter from Feymore, Creeslough, Donegal, Ireland, who also gained notoriety for protesting a fine he received for having his name written in Irish on his business cart.[1]
Farmer and poet
Neil McBride spent his entire life in the small village of Feymore, Creeslough, He lived on Crockatee (Cruckathee), a foothill of Muckish Mountain and earned his living as a cottier (farmer) and a poet. Neil published a book of poems in 1905 called 'Blta Fraoic' ('Heather Blossoms').[2] Neil's poems and songs became well known throughout Ireland. Some titles include: "The Hills of Donegal",[3] "Noreen Bawn" (1910),[4] "The Castle of Doe",[5] "Marble Hill" and "Mó Chró Beag ag Bun Cnoc a Tigh" ("My Little House at the Foot of the Big Hill") [6]
Historic encounter with the law
On the evening of March 11, 1905, returning home from the Dunfanaghy Fair, Neil was stopped by a 'bobby', who fined him one shilling for having 'illegible' (Irish) writing on the signage of his donkey cart. All business carts were required to display its owner's name (in English); Neil's defiantly read, "Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé". The sign was printed by Neil's friend and poet, Andrew Mac Intyre. Neil refused to pay the fine and defended himself at the Dunfanaghy Petty Session. He lost, and was penalized an additional shilling after still refusing to pay.
The Conradh na Gaeilge ("Gaelic League") learned of Neil's story and made efforts to help him. One of it members, attorney Patrick Pearse, seeing the opportunity to champion Irish independence, agreed to defend McBride, pro bono. McBride's appeal was brought before the Court of King's Bench in Dublin. It was Pearse's first and only court appearance as a barrister. The case was lost, but it inspired Pearse in his endeavors as a political activist and spawned a national campaign to change British government policies towards the Irish language.[7] Pearse wrote about the court's decision in his June 27, 1905 column in the Gaelic League newspaper, An Claidheamh Soluis: "...it was in effect decided that Irish is a foreign language on the same level with Yiddish." Continuing in the article, Pearse urges the people of Ireland to promote the Irish Language as a form of Irish nationalism.[8][9]
Legacy
- The actual name plate from Neil's cart is on permanent display at the Donegal County Museum in Letterkenny.[1]
- Creeslough historian and author, Seamus Harkin featured Neil's poetry and songs in his 1996 book, ‘Poets and People of Doe’[10]
- Neil published a collection of his songs and poems in 1905 in a book called 'Blta Fraoic’ (‘Heather Blossoms’) Songs in Irish and English by Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé.[2]
- In 2011, Seamus Harkin updated and reissued 'Blta Fraoic’ , adding two extra songs, which Neil had composed after the original book was published. At the book's unveiling Seamus stated, "My reason for printing this book is to let people, especially the young, know the great wealth of talent we had in the parish.”[6]
- A radio broadcast about Neil's life and works aired on Radio Éireann in 1936.[11]
- Liam Ó Connacháin wrote a biography about Neil in 1939 titled, "Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé". It was reprinted in 1974.[12]
- A plaque in Neil's honor was placed at the entrance to Doe (Chapel) Cemetery, and dedicated by Liam Connachain at its unveiling on October 3, 1982[11]
- A folk song, inspired by Neil's cart story, called "An Trucailín Donn" ("The Little Brown Cart"), was released on September 29, 2012 by the band, Réalta on the album "Open the Door for Three".[13][14]
- In January, 2016, "An Trucailín Donn", a documentary about Neil and his cart, aired on Irish television.[7]
- On April 18, 2016, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by Pearse Doherty at Dunfanaghy Market Square in memory of the infamous court case.
External links
Book: 'Blta Fraoic’ (‘Heather Blossoms’) Songs in Irish and English by Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé
Video: "An Trucailín Donn" documentary trailer
Video: "An Trucailín Donn" song performed by Réalta
Video: "Noreen Bawn" song performed by Bridie Gallagher
Video: "My Little House at the Foot of the Big Hill" song performed by Suzanne McDevitt at the Regional Cultural Center in Letterkenny on April 4, 2016
References
- 1 2 Scharf, Margaret Kelly (July 16, 2014). "Niall McBride". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- 1 2 Mac Giolla Bhríde, Niall (1905). 'Blta Fraoic' ('Heather Blossoms') Songs in Irish and English. Dublin: Whaley & Co.
- ↑ "Hills of Donegal 2". www.countysongs.ie. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Why Donegal - Noreen Bawn". www.facebook.com. May 8, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Maolmurra – A Ballad of Doe Castle". www.wildatlanticcamp.ie. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- 1 2 Harkin, Seamus (September 9, 2011). "Padraig Pearse, the cart and an old song book". www.sparkle.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- 1 2 "An Trucailín Donn". www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk. Northern Ireland Screen. January 8, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ Desmond, Ryan (2009). The Man Called Pearse. BiblioBazaar.
- ↑ McGill, P.J. (1966). "Pearse Defends Niall Mac Giolla Bhride in Court of King's Bench, Dublin". Donegal Annual. 1966: 83–85 – via (from June 27, 1905 article written by Patrick Pearse).
- ↑ Harkin, Seamus (1996). Poets and people of Doe. Ireland.
- 1 2 Creesough - Dunfanaghy Guide Book. Creeslough, Donegal: Doe Historical Committee. 1987.
- ↑ Ó Connacháin, Liam (1938). Néill Mhic Ghiolla Bhrighde. Ireland: Brun agus Ó Nualláin.
- ↑ "An Trucailín Donn - Lyrics". www.irishgaelictranslator.com. June 12, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "An Trucailín Donn (Song)". www.realtamusic.bandcamp.com. 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2016.