Breathnach, Tomás (c.1839-?)

Biographical Note

Breathnach (Breanhach, Walsh), Tomás (Thomas) (1839-?): Tomás Breathnach was born in Coom, Cordal, county Kerry, in 1839. As an adult, he spent six months in America. Both he and his father were farmers. His mother’s name was Marg[a]ret according to the 1901 census. He was living in Coom with his family for the censuses of 1901 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000888402/] and 1911 [http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002508034/]. He married his wife, Hannah/Nora, around 1875. They had eleven children, eight surviving in 1911. Tomás supplied another version of 'Comhairle Uilig Uí Chéirín' to Tadhg Ó Céin, which is housed in the National Folklore Collection, UCD (Schools’ Collection, MS 419).

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/34
Record number(s) for this speakerLA 1064
Track title(s) for this speakerComhairle Uilig Uí Chéirín - Tomás Breathnach (c.1839-?)
Eachtra an scoláire - Tomás Breathnach (c.1839-?)
Eachtra na mná móire thar lear - Tomás Breathnach (c.1839-?)
Track ID(s) for this speaker (User Version)LA_1064d1, LA_1064d2, LA_1064d3
Forename(s) (Canonical)Tomás
Surname (Canonical)Breathnach
Alias forename(s)

Thomas

Alias surname(s)
  • Breanhach
  • Walsh
County of originCo. Kerry
AddressCoom, Cordal, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
Age89
Date of birth No data
Place of birthCoom, Co. Kerry
Nearest big town to place of birthCastleisland, Co. Kerry
Place(s) lived age 0-6Coom, Co. Kerry
Place(s) lived age 7-20Coom, Co. Kerry
Place(s) lived from age 20Coom, Co. Kerry, save for 6 months in America.
EducationPrimary school, near Coom, Co. Kerry
Father's home placeCoom, Co. Kerry
Mother's home placeKnocknagashel, Co. Kerry
Father's professionFarmer
NationalityIrish
Mother tongueIrish
Languages spoken other than IrishEnglish
Able to read?Yes (Irish and English)
Able to write?Yes (Irish and 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 formOsborn Bergin, Wilhelm Doegen, Tomás Ó Rathile
Comment(s) on voice etc."mh, ha mit dunkl[em] vibrat. Einschlag. geringe stimmlose Konsonanz. nasalierend." (Wilhelm Doegen)