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Seán O'Sullivan
, Irish, 1906-1964
Title
Máirtín Ó Cadhain (1906-1970)Date1951
MediumPastel on paper
Dimensions
45.7 × 35.5 cm
Signedlower right: Seán O’Sullivan RHA / Nov 1951
Credit LinePurchased, 2024
Object numberNGI.2024.78
DescriptionThis portrait of the Irish language writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain (1906-1970) was commissioned by Ó Cadhain’s friend, the publisher Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh. The sitter, one of the most original writers in the Irish language, was born on 4 January 1906 at An Cnocán Glas, Spiddal, Co. Galway. A committed republican, Ó Cadhain was interned in the Curragh Camp between 1940 and 1944. His collection of short stories Cré na Cille, first published in 1949, made his name as a writer. It highlighted the speech of his home Gaeltacht in its full richness and variety. In 1956, he became a lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, and in 1969 was appointed Chair of Irish. In 2006, An Post reproduced the drawing as a stamp, part of the series ‘Celtic Scholars’ that commemorated Irish writers.ProvenanceThe portrait was commissioned in 1951 by Ó Cadhain's friend, the publisher Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, then by descent; purchased, Adam's Auctioneers in March 2017; Purchased, 2024Exhibition HistorySáirséal agus Dill, Trinity College, Dublin, 1972