Breathnach, Mícheál

Photos

Mícheál Breathnach, left (with the kind permission of the National Folklore Collection, UCD)
Mícheál Breathnach, left (with the kind permission of the National Folklore Collection, UCD)

Biographical Note

Breathnach (Walsh), Mícheál (Michael) (1864-?): Mícheál Breathnach was born in Maum, county Galway, on September 25, 1864, to Pat and Anne Walsh. He received no formal education. Like his father, Mícheál was a farmer. He spent some time in England as an adult. He was living in Maum West during the censuses of 1901 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000837791/] and 1911 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002429991/]. He and his wife, Winefred (Winifred), whom he married around 1891, had eight children by 1911. A good deal of material collected from him is housed in the National Folklore Collection, UCD. Seán Ó Mocháin published 'Corr-Shliabh' and 'Na hÉiníní', recited by Mícheál Breathnach, in An Stoc (August, 1926).

Personal Details Form ('Personalbogen')

Personalbogen

A personal details form (‘Personalbogen’) was completed for each speaker at the Doegen Scheme recording sessions 1928-31. The information displayed below is derived mainly from these forms.

SexMale
Personalbogen form(s) for this speaker (RIA Library ref.)Doegen P-B/154
Record number(s) for this speakerLA 1116, LA 1117
Track title(s) for this speakerAn scoláire bocht (cuid 1) - Mícheál Breathnach
An scoláire bocht (cuid 2) - Mícheál Breathnach
Track ID(s) for this speaker (User Version)LA_1116d1, LA_1117g1
Forename(s) (Canonical)Mícheál
Surname (Canonical)Breathnach
Alias forename(s)

Michael

Alias surname(s)
  • Walsh
County of originCo. Galway
AddressMaum (Maam), Co. Galway
Age66
Date of birth No data
Place of birthMaum (Maam), Co. Galway
Nearest big town to place of birthOughterard, Co. Galway
Place(s) lived age 0-6Maum (Maam), Co. Galway
Place(s) lived age 7-20Maum (Maam), Co. Galway
Place(s) lived from age 20Maam and part of the time in England
EducationNo formal education
Father's home placeMaam, Co. Galway
Mother's home placeMaam, Co. Galway
Father's professionFarmer
NationalityIrish
Mother tongueIrish
Languages spoken other than IrishA little English
Able to read?Yes (a little English)
Able to write?Yes (a little English)
Able to play a musical instrument?No
Able to sing or play modern European kinds of music?No
ReligionCatholic
ProfessionFarmer
Names (of RIA committee members, recordist) appearing on formTomás Ó Máille, Myles Dillon
Comment(s) on voice etc."Dunkel."