Biography - An Ceathrú Póilí

Tom a’ Bhungaló – Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde 1923-2013

Áine Nic Gearailt — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:55:54 +0000

Chaith Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde (1923-2013), nó Tom a’ Bhungaló mar is fearr aithne air, a shaol ag saothrú ar mhaithe lena pharóiste dhúchais, Gaoth Dobhair.

Bhí Tom ina bhall d’Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair ó 1938 go bliain a bháis in 2013 mar aisteoir, mar léiritheoir, mar údar agus mar stiúrthóir ar na hAisteoirí agus ar Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. Bhí tionchar iontach dearfach aige ar ghlúnta éagsúla d’aos óg Ghaoth Dobhair agus choinnigh sé bladhaire na drámaíochta ar lasadh ina measc.

Fís agus fiontraíocht Thomáis agus a chomrádaithe ba chúis le bunú Eastát Tionsclaíochta Ghaoth Dobhair i lár na 1960idí, beart a leag an dúshraith don fhás eacnamaíochta a tharla in iarthuaisceart Thír Chonaill ina dhiaidh sin.

Bhain Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh céim oinigh ar Tom in 2005 mar aitheantas as an bhaint a bhí aige le fostaíocht a chruthú sa cheantar agus i gcur chun cinn na n-ealaíon, an chultúir agus na Gaeilge.

Gníomhaí Gaelach, fiontraí físeach, draoi drámaíochta.

The post Tom a’ Bhungaló – Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde 1923-2013 appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

An Saol Bocht

Áine Nic Gearailt — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:53:53 +0000

Leabhar éachtach é seo ar shaol Bhriain Uí Nualláin (Myles na gCopaleen agus Flann o'Brien) agus saothar tábhachtach a thugann faoina bhfuil scríofa faoin Nuallánach a scrúdú agus a iniúchadh as an nua, agus a chuireann leis sin eolas úr atá tagtha chun solais le blianta beaga anuas. Leabhar é a bheidh i gceartlár an dioscúrsa nuair a bheidh saol agus saothar Myles á phlé.

The post An Saol Bocht appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

Running Away

Áine Nic Gearailt — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:44:55 +0000

Following his previous career as a sports journalist and broadcaster, John McCreedy transitioned into a life of service as a missionary and later took on the role of Communications and Media Director in Belfast. Over the years, he has established himself as a distinguished author with a focus on personal and inspirational storytelling. In this his eighth book, “Running Away,” John recounts his personal journey of escaping the Northern Ireland Troubles to pursue an athletic scholarship at an American university. This poignant memoir captures his experiences as a middle-distance runner, drawing motivation from the accomplishments of esteemed athletes both from his homeland and across the globe. Through his engaging narrative, John reflects on the numerous challenges and victories that have defined his life. This story stands as a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of dreams amidst adversity, making it both an inspiring and relatable read.

The post Running Away appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

To Call Myself Beloved

Áine Nic Gearailt — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:51:40 +0000

The post To Call Myself Beloved appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

Mo Scéal Fhéin Gearóid Willie Ó Fatharta

Áine Nic Gearailt — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:15:24 +0000

Sa leabhar seo, déanann Gearóid Willie Ó Fatharta cur síos ar a óige sna hÁille i gCois Fharraige, áit ar airigh sé an glaoch chun na sagartóireachta ar dtús, na hocht mbliana a chaith sé sa tSile faoi réimeas scáfar an deachtóra Pinochet, agus breis agus fiche bliain a chaith sé i favela i gcathair Salvador sa mBrasaíl, áit a bhí go mór faoi bhrú ó thaobh foréigin, drugaí agus brúidiúlacht póilíní de. Tugann sé aghaidh ansin ar an gcúis gur fhág sé na sagairt – mar deir sé fhéin, thit sé i ngrá le mnaoi, agus thóg siad clann – agus d'fhill ar Éirinn le tabhairt faoi dhúshláin nua sa mbaile.

The post Mo Scéal Fhéin Gearóid Willie Ó Fatharta appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal

Áine Nic Gearailt — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:33:25 +0000

There was a time when DJ Carey didn’t need a surname. The star player of a Kilkenny hurling team that dominated the sport for a decade, he had a rare, natural talent that led his county to five All Ireland titles and won him nine All Stars. DJ wasn’t just a hero on the pitch – his easy charm, generosity, and readiness to meet young fans made him a national treasure.

Throughout his meteoric rise, strange rumours followed him. In 2003, shocking claims that DJ was dying of cancer swept the country. Who would spread such a story about one of Ireland’s most beloved sporting legends? And what could possibly be gained from it?

Two decades later, the truth emerged. DJ Carey was arrested and charged with deception and forgery – accused of faking cancer to con money from those who trusted him most. For years, he had been telling the same lie to generous supporters who believed they were funding life-saving treatment in the U.S.

In this riveting exposé, Eimear Ní Bhraonáin uncovers the extraordinary fall from grace of a national icon, and how he betrayed the fans that once loved him.

The post The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

How I Came to Berlin

Áine Nic Gearailt — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:52:51 +0000

'I witnessed the rise and fall of the GDR. When times change, one looks upwards. I take a walk to the end of the Tresowstrabe, past the supermarket into the Waldstrabe where the sky is wider and look to see if Ozenfant's stars are still there.

There they are, blinking away in the great unknown.'

The post How I Came to Berlin appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

All the Dead Voices

Áine Nic Gearailt — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:49:08 +0000

Danny Morrison

The post All the Dead Voices appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

Journeywork, a creative life by Dave Duggan

Robbi — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 10:11:26 +0000

Dave Duggan presents Journeywork, a Creative Life — thirteen essays that explore the arc of a creative life. Each essay stands alone as a chapter, combining memoir, medical matters and reflections on creative practice and theory. The tone is humane, engaging and serious without being academic.

The book is aimed at adult readers, including practising, emerging and aspiring creatives. It features travel stories interwoven with health challenges, work achievements and personal reflections. It is a case study of how one person creates works of imagination, while earning a living and maintaining a family, with all the ordinary ups and downs of such a life.

The post Journeywork, a creative life by Dave Duggan appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.

The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell

Robbi — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 10:11:15 +0000

How can we create a more vibrant public discourse in Ireland? How do we organise Irish society so that it prospers culturally and economically? Why is a national identity important? How can we ensure the future of the Gaeltacht? And where is the Western world heading? These are just some of the questions that Desmond Fennell (1929–2021) explored in a lifetime of writing. Fennell was one of Ireland’s great independent thinkers, bringing fresh perspective to debates on identity, language, media, politics and the wider world. In this curated collection, Toner Quinn and Jerry White bring together his most important essays and articles.

The post The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell appeared first on An Ceathrú Póilí.