Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin
(1785 - 1848)
Poet, fiddler, teacher, and dancing master, born in Derrynane, Co. Kerry, Tomás Rua was a supporter and close friend of the Irish Politician Daniel O'Connell. Amhrán ne Leabhar - Song of the books.
Tomás Rua was transferred from Derrynane to teach in Portmagee. While he travelled by road, he placed all his belongings including a priceless collection of leather bound books, both in print and manuscript form, in a boat to be transported to Portmagee. However, the boat overturned just outside Derrynane harbour and everything was lost. On arriving at Portmagee he heard of his loss. This event prompted him to write 'Amhrán ne Leabhar'.
This is also known as 'Cuan Bhéil Inse'. Today it is popular as a slow air by pipers.
'Go Cuan Bhéil Inse casadh mé',
Cois Góilín aoibhinn Dairbhre-
Mar a seoltar flít na farraige
thar sáile i gcéin.
I bPort Maig Aoidh do stadas seal,
faoi thuairim intinn maitheasa
D'fhonn bheith sealad eatarthu
mar mháistir léinn'.
Another famous piece by Tomás Rua is 'Maidin Bhog Álainn'
Maidin Bhog Álainn
This was written after a boat journey to Sceilg Mhór
this page online
Maidin bhog álainn i mBá na Scealg
'dul ag triall chum aifrinn ghrámhair Dé
D'eirigh an tsuaill rómhór sa bhfarraige
Le fuadar fearthainne, d'ardaigh gaoth'
'ghlanamair Pointe Rinn' gil' Cathrach
Bhí an góilín thíos go mín tais calma
Níor stadamair den scríob go ndeachamair dhon Chaladh
Is d'ólamair fleagan i dtigh Sheáin Mhic Aodha'
Tomás Rua is buried in Derrynane Abbey.
A collection of his work Amhrán Tomás Rua was first published in 1914 and republished in 1985.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 51° 53.17′ N, 10° 21.82′ W. Marker is in Portmagee, Munster, in County Kerry. Marker is on Main Street just west of Munster Route R565, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portmagee, Munster V23 AY27, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Ferryboat (a few steps from this marker); Portmagee (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Lady of Grace Grotto at Tobairin Holy Well (approx. 3.2 kilometers away); Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty
Also see . . .
1. Tomás rua Ó Súilleabháin. (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. 'Cuan Bhéil Inse' full text in Gaelic. (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Cuan Bhéil Inse (Slow Air) on YouTube. (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Amhrán na Leabhar (Song Of The Books). (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
5. Maidin Bhog Álainn in Gaelic. (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
6. Maidin Bhog Álainn (sung in Gaelic) on YouTube. (Submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 419 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
