Breandán Ó hÉithir
Encyclopedia
Breandán Ó hEithir was an Irish
writer and broadcaster.
He was born in Galway City, but grew up on Inishmore (one of the Aran Islands
), County Galway
. His parents were national school teachers and Ó hEithir attended their school in Kilronan
. He received his secondary school education at Coláiste Éinde (St Enda's College) in Galway
. He attended University College Galway for three years but left without obtaining a degree.
Ó hEithir wrote in both Irish
and English, and was highly regarded for the originality and liveliness of his journalism, especially his work in Irish.
After college, he spent a number of years working as a book manager for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
. He served as an editor at Sáirséal agus Dill, the Irish language
publishing house, and as Irish language editor for The Irish Press
from 1957 to 1963 he also wrote a column for The Sunday Press
. He was a regular columnist
with the journal Comhar
and also contributed a weekly column to The Irish Times
. He also served as a staff journalist with Raidió Teilifís Éireann
(RTÉ), working on the current affairs programmes Cúrsaí and Féach.
He married Catherine von Hildebrand in 1957 and they had five children.
He was a nephew of Liam O'Flaherty
. A biography of him has been written by Liam Mac Con Iomaire
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
writer and broadcaster.
He was born in Galway City, but grew up on Inishmore (one of the Aran Islands
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland...
), County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
. His parents were national school teachers and Ó hEithir attended their school in Kilronan
Kilronan
Cill Rónáin is the main settlement on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. The ferries serving the island call at Doolin, County Clare and also Rossaveal, County Galway. The main industries are fishing and tourism. School children also visit to improve their Irish at...
. He received his secondary school education at Coláiste Éinde (St Enda's College) in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. He attended University College Galway for three years but left without obtaining a degree.
Ó hEithir wrote in both Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
and English, and was highly regarded for the originality and liveliness of his journalism, especially his work in Irish.
After college, he spent a number of years working as a book manager for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge is the central steering council for the Irish language community. Its mission is to "strengthen and consolidate goodwill and support for the Irish language and its usage as a living language so that it may be used freely and widely in all aspects of Irish life".An...
. He served as an editor at Sáirséal agus Dill, the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
publishing house, and as Irish language editor for The Irish Press
The Irish Press
The Irish Press was an Irish national daily newspaper published by Irish Press plc between 5 September 1931 and 25 May 1995.-Foundation:...
from 1957 to 1963 he also wrote a column for The Sunday Press
The Sunday Press
The Sunday Press was a weekly newspaper published in Ireland from 1949 until 1995. It was launched by Éamon de Valera's Irish Press group following the defeat of his Fianna Fáil party in the Irish general election, 1948...
. He was a regular columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
with the journal Comhar
Comhar
Comhar is a prominent literary journal in the Irish language, published by the company Comhar Teoranta. It was founded in 1942, and has published work by some of the most notable writers in Irish, including Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Máirtín Ó Direáin, Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Brendan Behan...
and also contributed a weekly column to The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
. He also served as a staff journalist with Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
(RTÉ), working on the current affairs programmes Cúrsaí and Féach.
He married Catherine von Hildebrand in 1957 and they had five children.
He was a nephew of Liam O'Flaherty
Liam O'Flaherty
Liam O'Flaherty was a significant Irish novelist and short story writer and a major figure in the Irish literary renaissance, born August 28, 1896, died September 7, 1984.-Biography:...
. A biography of him has been written by Liam Mac Con Iomaire
Liam Mac Con Iomaire
Liam Mac Con Iomaire, Irish writer and broadcaster.A native of Casla, County Galway, Mac Con Iomaire has been a journalist, broadcaster and newsreader on RTÉ...
.
Works
- Lig Sinn i gCathú (1976)
- Over the Bar
- The Begrudger's Guide to Irish Politics
- This is Ireland
- Willie the Plain Pint agus An Pápa.
- Sionnach ar mo Dhuán (1988)
- An Nollaig Thiar
- A Pocket History of Ireland