Ó hEilíre, Stiofán

Photos

Stiofán Ó hEilíre (with the kind permission of the National
                  Folklore Collection, UCD)
Stiofán Ó hEilíre (with the kind permission of the National Folklore Collection, UCD)

Biographical Note

Ó hEilíre (Hellery, Hillery, Ó hEalaoire), Stiofán (Stephen) (1858-1944): He was born in Ballycullaun, county Clare, in December 1858. His parents, Mícheál Ó hEalaoire and Cáit Ní Dhanachair, were both storytellers. Stiofán attended school irregularly for two or three years. Like his father, he became a farmer. He was involved locally with the Land League. He was living in Ballycullaun with his mother during the censuses of 1901 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000471153/] and 1911 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001770284/] and he never married. He died 4 May 1944. He became well known as a storyteller from around 1930, when the renowned folklorist James Delargy got to know him. Stories collected from him by Delargy were published in Daithí Ó hÓgáin (ed.), Leabhar Stiofáin Uí Ealaoire (Dublin, 1981). In addition, a good deal of material collected from him is housed in the National Folklore Collection, UCD, along with an account by him of his life, and an obituary by Seán Mac Mathúna. See also: Ainm.ie ag http://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=81.

Personal Details Form ('Personalbogen')

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/192
Record number(s) for this speakerLA 1161, LA 1162
Track title(s) for this speakerBillie Touras (cuid 1) - Stiofán Ó hEilíre
Billie Touras (cuid 2); uimhreacha - Stiofán Ó hEilíre
Tréigeann an fhéile - Stiofán Ó hEilíre
Track ID(s) for this speaker (User Version)LA_1161g1, LA_1162g1, LA_1162g2
Forename(s) (Canonical)Stiofán
Surname (Canonical)Ó hEilíre
Alias forename(s)

Stephen

Alias surname(s)
  • Hellery
County of originCo. Clare
AddressBallycullaun, Doolin, Ennistimon, Co. Clare
Age72
Date of birth No data
Place of birthBallycullaun, Doolin, Co. Clare
Nearest big town to place of birthEnnistimon, Co. Clare
Place(s) lived age 0-6Ballycullaun, Co. Clare
Place(s) lived age 7-20Ballycullaun, Co. Clare
Place(s) lived from age 20Ballycullaun, Co. Clare
Education"Attended local school irregularly over a period of 2-3 years", Doolin, Co. Clare
Father's home placeDoonmacfelim, Doolin, Co. Clare
Mother's home placeLuogh, Doolin, Co. Clare
Father's professionSmall farmer and fisherman
NationalityIrish
Mother tongueIrish
Languages spoken other than IrishEnglish
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, Séamus Ó Duilearga
Comment(s) on voice etc."Very well told, but the speaker did not pause between 1 and 2." (Myles Dillon)