Annraoi Ó Liatháin

Annraoi Ó Liatháin (15 October 1917 – 27 July 1981)

Early life

Born in Portumna, County Galway to Michael Lyons and Annie McKee. His family moved to Waterford when he was a child, and he attended primary school there. On graduating in 1931, he spent five years as a novice with the Congregation of Christian Brothers in Tullow, County Carlow, and in Youghal.

Career

Having left the seminary, he entered the Irish Civil Service in 1936. After a period of time working at the Property Valuation Office, he moved into the dictionary team at the Department of Education (An Roinn Oideachais).

During his career as a writer, he wrote exclusively in his native Irish language. He produced a number of novels aimed at teenagers, as well as collaborated on a number of books on the natural world. He was also president of Conradh na Gaeilge from 1952 to 1955.

Personal life

Ó Liatháin married Margaret Fox of Ballymote, County Sligo in 1949, and they went on to have eight children. He died on the 27th of July, 1981.