Irish-language revivalist honoured with sculpture

A sculpture of an Irish-language revivalist who served as a parish priest in North Cork for 40 years has been unveiled at Maynooth University.

Created by renowned sculptor Seamus Connolly, the bronze bust of an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire was gifted to the museum by the people of Castlelyons in recognition of his legacy.

An tAthair Peadar graduated from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1867 and later became one of the leading figures of the Irish language revival of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Maynooth University Registrar, Prof. Ronan Farrell, and President of St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Rev. Dr Michael Shortall unveiled the sculpture in the university library last week.

Welcoming the new sculpture, Prof. Farrell, said: “An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire’s legacy reminds us that the Irish language is not only part of our past, but a living and creative force in our present and future.

“We are deeply honoured that the Parish Council of Castlelyons has bestowed this sculpture upon Maynooth University, a gesture that reflects the enduring connection between the place where an tAthair Peadar studied and the community where he ministered for so many years.”

In 2020, the centenary of his death, Maynooth University produced an exhibition drawing from the Ó Laoghaire archives, housed in the special collections and archives of Maynooth University Library.

The university’s Irish language office also produced a short film adaptation of ‘Séadna’, a novel written by Peadar Ó Laoghaire and the first-ever novel written in modern Irish. It was filmed on campus and featured staff and students from the university’s Irish language community.

Attending the launch via video link, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, described an tAthair Peadar as not only a priest or a writer, but a pioneer.

Minister Calleary said: “At a time when the Irish language was in grave danger, he stood steadfastly for the language, and it is partly because of his great efforts that Irish is so alive today.

“It is also because of his great efforts that we now have a duty to keep the Irish language alive and safe for the next generation coming after us.

“May the Irish language live forever and may an tAthair Peadar live forever in our memory,” added the minister.

A second bust of an tAthair Peadar was also created by Seamus Connolly and will be on display in Castlelyons village in North Cork.