Date: 15 Dec 2025
Digitised Biography of Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde Launched
It was a full house at the Hub in the village of An Craoslach on Thursday night where people gathered to honour Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde.
Mac Giolla Bhrighde is best remembered as a local farmer from An Fhaiche Mhór, An Craoslach who was represented in court by Patrick Pearse when he was fined for having his name written in Irish on his cart in 1905.
He was also the writer of prose and song, the most well-known of these songs being ‘Mo Chró Beag ag bun Chnoc a’ Tí’ and ‘Noreen Bawn’.
On Thursday night Donegal County Library Service launched a digitised biography of his.
Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Coiste na Gaeilge, Donegal County Council, an Clr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig outlined the importance of the Irish language and how Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde’s work emulated Irish language activism today.
He also requested that the book be made available as an audio book for those who may have difficulty in relation to reading.
He also thanked the children of Scoil Náisiúnta an Ghlasáin who performed ‘Mo Chró Beag ag bun Chnoc a’ Tí’ and who sang Christmas carols in Irish.
The digitised version of the book was launched by the Cathaoirleach of Na Gleannta Municipal District, Cllr Michael McClafferty and is available below:
He said: “Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde dedicated his life to the promotion of the Irish Language and we have a responsibility to recognise all that he achieved as a writer and language activist. I would like to thank Majella McFadden and the community here for the warm welcome they are giving us at this very special occasion that celebrates a famous son of An Craoslach.
Thank you to Michelle Nic Pháidín, Language Planning Officer with LPT Thuaisceart Dhún na nGall who works so diligently to promote Irish in the area. Thank you to my colleagues in Donegal County Library Service whose work has ensured that this book is available free of charge to all.”
The event heard that the book would be an asset to the people of Donegal and scholars across the world who would benefit from the availability of the resource.
The Community Association in An Craoslach launched a library in conjunction with the evening and Aodhán Ó Cinnéide, a grand-nephew of Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde was present to unveil a plaque dedicated to his late grand-uncle.
The event was organised by the Donegal County Council Library Service in conjunction with LPT Thuaisceart Dhún na nGall and An Craoslach Community Association.
