Peadar Toner Mac Fhionnlaoich (5 October 1856 – 1 July 1942; en, P.T. MacGinley), known as Cú Uladh (''The Hound of Ulster''), was an

Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...

writer during the Gaelic revival. He wrote stories based on

Irish folklore Irish folklore ( ga, béaloideas) refers to the folktales, balladry, music, dance, and so forth, ultimately, all of folk culture. Irish folklore, when mentioned to many people, conjures up images of banshees, fairies, leprechauns and people gat ...

, some of the first Irish-language plays, and regular articles in most of the Irish language newspapers, such as ''

An Claidheamh Soluis ''An Claidheamh Soluis'' () was an Irish nationalist newspaper published in the early 20th century by ''Conradh na Gaeilge'' (the Gaelic League). It was named for the " Sword of Light" (in modern spelling ''Claíomh Solais'') of Gaelic myth. ...

''.

Background

He was born as Peter Toner McGinley in Allt an Iarainn,

County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconn ...

to Micheal McGinley and Susan Toner in 1856. He attended school locally until he was seventeen. He then attended

Blackrock College Blackrock College ( ga, Coláiste na Carraige Duibhe) is a voluntary day and boarding Catholic secondary school for boys aged 13–18, in Williamstown, Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland. It was founded by French missionary Jules Leman in 186 ...

in Dublin for two years. On leaving school he entered into the

British Civil Service His Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as His Majesty's Civil Service, the Home Civil Service, or colloquially as the Civil Service is the permanent bureaucracy or secretariat of Crown employees that supports His Majesty's Government, which ...

becoming an Inland Revenue officer. In 1895 he married Elizabeth Woods ( ga, Sibhéal Ní Uadhaigh) and they had twelve children. He spoke Irish from an early age and kept an interest in the language throughout his life, first publishing and Irish language short story and poem in ''The Donegal Christmas Annual 1883''. It was not until 1895 while living in Belfast that he became involved in the Gaelic Movement.

Conradh na Gaeilge

The first meeting of the Ulster branch of the

Conradh na Gaeilge (; historically known in English as the Gaelic League) is a social and cultural organisation which promotes the Irish language in Ireland and worldwide. The organisation was founded in 1893 with Douglas Hyde as its first president, when it eme ...

occurred in Mac Fhionnlaoich's house in 1895. From that point on, he became very involved in Conradh na Gaeilge and became the organisation's president on several occasions.

Seanad Éireann

Mac Fhionnlaoich was a member of

Seanad Éireann Seanad Éireann (, ; "Senate of Ireland") is the upper house of the Oireachtas (the Irish legislature), which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann (the lower house). It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its memb ...

from 1938 to 1942 when he was

nominated by the Taoiseach A candidate, or nominee, is the prospective recipient of an award or honor, or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position; for example: * to be elected to an office — in this case a candidate selection procedure occurs. * t ...

Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera (, ; first registered as George de Valero; changed some time before 1901 to Edward de Valera; 14 October 1882 – 29 August 1975) was a prominent Irish statesman and political leader. He served several terms as head of govern ...

Main works

* The Donegal Christmas Annual 1883 (ed.) – ''(Selection of short stories and poems in English and Irish from Donegal authors.)'' * Miondrámanna (1902) – ''(Three mini plays)'' * Handbook of Irish Teaching (1902) * An Pléidseam (1903) * Tá na Francaighe ar an Mhuir (1905) – ''(Play)'' * An Léightheoir Gaedhealach (1907) – ''(Irish language reader)'' * Eachtra Aodh Ruaidh Uí Dhomhnaill (1911) – ''(Folklore)'' * Conchubhar Mac Neasa (1914) – ''(Folklore)'' * Ciall na Sean-Ráidhte (1914). Republished as: Ciall na Seanráite (1992). New edition edited by Seán Mac Aindreasa. * An Cogadh Dearg agus Scéalta Eile (1918) – ''(Short stories)'' * Scríobhnóirí Móra Chúige Uladh 1530–1750 (1925) – ''(Authors of Ulster)'' * Bliain na hAiséirí (1992). Edited by Éamon Ó Ciosáin – ''(1916 Easter Rising)''

References

External links

www.archive.org – Handbook of Irish Teachingwww.archive.org – Conchubhar Mac Neasa
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mac Fhionnlaoich, Peadar Toner 1856 births 1942 deaths People from County Donegal Members of the 2nd Seanad Members of the 3rd Seanad Irish writers Nominated members of Seanad Éireann Independent members of Seanad Éireann People educated at Blackrock College Irish-language writers