Padraic O'Conaire was born in New Docks on February 28th, 1882. His mother was Kate McDonagh, and his father owned two public houses in Galway, one in High Street and one in the docks. Sadly, he was not a very good businessman and he was forced to emigrate to America, where he died shortly after his arrival. Kate died in 1893, and Padraic and his brothers Isaac and Michael were sent to live with their uncle Patrick Conroy in Rosmuc. He attended school in Turlach Beag having previously gone to The Presentation Convent and St. Joseph's in Galway. Later, he went to Rockwell College & Blackrock College.

He went to London in 1899 where he got a job with the Board of Education. He involved himself in Gaelic League activities, and he started to write, winning many prizes for his stories and books. He married Molly Ni Mhanais, and is seen here with her in a photograph taken c.1910. They had 4 children, Eileen, born 22nd February 1905; Patrick born 3rd November 1906; Kathleen born 24th February 1909 and Mary Josephine who was born on the 28th July 1911, but who died of diphtheria in 1922.

Padraic returned to Ireland in 1914, leaving his family behind him. He maintained a precarious enough existence through writing, teaching at Summer Schools in the Gaeltacht and doing some organising work for the Gaelic League. His later years were spent mostly in Galway, where he generally stayed with Tadg O'Cathain ( Tim Keane ) in a little cottage at the end of Beach Avenue in Salthill.On a visit to Dublin in 1928 he complained of internal pains while at Gaelic League Headquarters, and was removed to the Richmond Hospital where he died on October 6th, aged 46.

His widow and son attended the funeral, as did many of his relations and a large attendance from the Gaelic League. Whatever differences in outlook may have existed between Padraic and the 'bourgeois' members of his successful extended family were not carried to the grave.

Next Wednesday is the 125th anniversary of his birth, and TG4 are screening a documentary entitled "Padraic O'Conaire, an Fear" made by Johnny White. It is a fascinating insight into the personality of the man, illustrated with re-enactments of various episodes in his life, and with interviews with a number of experts, and is highly recommended.

Our thanks to Patria McWalter for todays photograph which comes from the Tom�s Baire�d Collection (GP.2) of Galway County Council Archives.

Please forward any queries/comments to oldgalway@kennys.ie