Séamus Ó Grianna (‘Máire’) from Rann na Feirste died exactly 50 years ago in November 1969.
He was a prolific creative writer and journalist who wrote more than 30 novels and short stories the most notable being ‘Caisleáin Óir’ and ‘Cith is Dealán’.
He also wrote a number of books based on his youth and the history of the area – ‘Rann na Feirste’, ‘Nuair a bhí mé óg’, and ‘Saol Corrach’. He spent most of his life in Dublin working in the Civil Service.
He spent 18 years working on the two major Irish Dictionaries – De Bhaldraithe and Ó Domhnaill.
On Saturday night, 30 November at 8pm, two plays about Séamus Ó Grianna will be performed.
Aisteoirí Rann na Feirste will present ‘Grasta ó Dhia ar Mhicí’, an adaptation by Niall Mac Eamharcaigh of one of his most famous short stories.
The cast is Aodh Óg Ó Duibheanaigh, Pól Ó Searcaigh, Niall Mac Eamharcaigh, Mairéad Mhic Grianna agus Suzanne Uí Ghallchóir.
The other play ‘Maire’ is a dramatic portrayal of his life and works written by Noel Ó Gallchóir. The cast is Noel Ó Gallchóir, Lucaí Nic Gaotháin, Seán Pól Ó Gaoitháin, Máire Ioannidis, Colm Mac Giolla Easpuig, Suzanne Uí Gallchóir and Manus Ó Duibhir.
There will also be a number of Séamus Ó Grianna songs performed on the night. Both plays were very well received in Rann na Feirste during the comóradh there in October.
Beidh oíche i gcuimhne ar Shéamus Ó Grianna (‘Máire’) in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair ar an Satharn 30ú Samhain ar 8 i.n. Léireofar an dá dhráma ar éirigh chomh maith sin leo ag Comóradh Mháire i Rann na Feirste i mí Dheireadh Fómhair. Léireoidh Aisteoirí Rann na Feirste ‘Grásta ó Dhia ar Mhicí’ bunaithe ar ghearrscéal Mháire, curtha in oiriúint don ardán agus a léiriú ag Niall Mac Eamharcaigh. Sa dráma, tá Niall é féin, Aodh Óg Ó Duibheannaigh, Pól Ó Searcaigh, Suzanne Uí Ghallchóir agus Mairéad Mhic Grianna. Léireofar chomh maith an léiriú ar Shaol agus ar Shaothar ‘Máire’ a chuir Noel Ó Gallchóir le chéile. Pairteach ann tá Lucaí Nic Gaoithín, Seán Pól Ó Gaoithín, Colm Mac Giolla Easpaig, Maire Ioannidis, Suzanne Uí Ghallchóir, Manus Ó Duibhir agus Noel Ó Gallchóir. Ba Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríghde a léirigh é. Beidh amhráin de chuid Shéamuis Uí Ghrianna a gceol ar an oíche fosta.