Neil McBride (poet)

For the politician, see Neil McBride.
Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé
Neil McBride (Niall Mac Gioll Bhridé) at his home in 1900.

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 Bottom of the Big Hill") [6]

Historic encounter with the law

On the evening of March 11, 1905, on his way 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". He 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.

Patrick Pearse and appeal

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]

Legacy

Plaque at Dunfanaghy Market Square
Plaque located at Dunfanaghy Market Square in tribute to Neil McBride and Patrick Pearse, written in both Irish and English. (Photo by Pearse Doherty)

External links

Book: 'lta 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

References

  1. 1 2 Scharf, Margaret Kelly (July 16, 2014). "Niall McBride". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  2. Mac Giolla Bhríde, Niall (1905). 'Blta Fraoic' ('Heather Blossoms') Songs in Irish and English. Dublin: Whaley & Co.
  3. "Hills of Donegal 2". www.countysongs.ie. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  4. "Why Donegal - Noreen Bawn". www.facebook.com. May 8, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  5. "Maolmurra – A Ballad of Doe Castle". www.wildatlanticcamp.ie. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  6. Harkin, Seamus (September 9, 2011). "Padraig Pearse, the cart and an old song book". www.sparkle.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "An Trucailín Donn". www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk. Northern Ireland Screen. January 8, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  8. Desmond, Ryan (2009). The Man Called Pearse. BiblioBazaar.
  9. 1 2 Creesough - Dunfanaghy Guide Book. Creeslough, Donegal: Doe Historical Committee. 1987.
  10. Ó Connacháin, Liam (1938). Néill Mhic Ghiolla Bhrighde. Ireland: Brun agus Ó Nualláin.
  11. "An Trucailín Donn - Lyrics". www.irishgaelictranslator.com. June 12, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  12. "An Trucailín Donn (Song)". www.realtamusic.bandcamp.com. 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
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