Public talk on Maam storyteller
‘A Connacht Storyteller: the folklore repertoire of Maam storyteller Mícheál Breathnach’ is the title of the next lecture in the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society’s Spring series.
This free talk takes place in the city’s Harbour Hotel next Monday, February 9, at 8pm, and the speaker is Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill.
Mícheál Breathnach who died in 1943, was born in the village of An Mám (Maam) around 1864. A highly skilled storyteller, he left a strong impression on various folklore collectors who recorded from him in the 1930s and ’40s.
According to the Director of the Irish Folklore Commission, Séamus Ó Duilearga (1899-1980): ‘Is blasta agus is snasta an chaint atá ag Mícheál Breathnach – tá druíocht na sean-aimsire ag baint le chuile rud dá ndubhairt sé’ (‘Mícheál Breathnach’s speech is and precise: every word he uttered had in it the magic of old times’).
Monday’s talk will examine Breathnach’s stories as well as aspects of his life, which were recorded by folklorist and district justice Seán Mac Giollarnáth between 1932 and Mícheál Breathnach’s death in 1943.
Dr Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill lectures in the Department of Irish at the University of Galway. Her book, An Chaora Ghlas agus Scéalta Eile as Seanadh Farracháin (2016), is a study of international folktales collected in Seanadh Farracháin National School, County Galway, in 1937-38, under the auspices of The Schools’ Folklore Collection.
All are welcome.
Pictured: Mám storyteller Mícheál Breathnach (left) with renowned folklore collector Stith Thompson.