Micheál Breathnach

Micheál Breathnach (1886–?), Irish writer.

Born at Sylaun, Tuam, County Galway, the son of two teachers, raised as a Gaeilgeoir (a native-Irish speaker). he was educated by the Jesuits at Coláiste Iognáid, Galway, and later at Queen's University, Galway (now National University of Ireland, Galway) where he graduated with a B.A. in Irish, French and English. He taught in Dublin for over six years, and was awarded an M.A.. In 1922 he was appointed a National School's inspector and promoted to Assistant Chief Inspector of the Department of Education's Secondary Branch in 1932. In 1944 he was appointed Secretary to the Department of Education, holding it till his retirement in 1953. He prepared a number of texts for the use of Secondary school students, and as the Irish public library movement held a particular interest, in 1954 he was appointed Chairman of the Library Council, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. His autobiography, Cuimhne an tSeanpháiste was published in 1966.

Select bibliography

• Trom agus Eadtrom, Dublin, 1927.
• Fion na filidheachta, 1931.
• Pros na fiannaidheachta, 1932.
• Droidheacht Chaitlin, 1933.
• Cuimhne an tSeanpháiste, Dublin, 1966.

See also

• Breathnach