Mayo Alive
November 1996

"In My Travels"

The Gaelic Teacher - Michael O'Doherty

by
Seamiuse
Cleveland, Ohio, USA


The townland of Lurga was the birth place of the great Gaelic Teacher, Michael O'Doherty. He was the son of Seamus Ban (the fair) O'Doherty and was born in 1843. The family settled in County Mayo after having been banished by Cromwell from Inis Eogain. On their arrival to Connaught the family held on to the task of teaching, which then had to be done in secret places as on the mountain side, in the middle of a wood or in the lonely glens, because of the laws that prevailed at that time. The head of the family, Seamus (the fair) was a real schoolmaster, a learned man in Irish and Latin. And so was his son Michael, as the idea of being a school teacher was with the young man from an early age. In his fifteenth year he was to be found reading while out watching the herd, and at night, reading from the light of a turf fire as they had no lamp light, only a rush candle.

No wonder he succeeded being so consistent and determined with his study, that only after finishing his childhood, he got a school at Turlough to the surprise of fellow young teachers. His wage for a years teaching was L15 and the young teacher had to keep up a high standard. He gave his pupils a love for religion and learning and passed onto them a graw for the country of the gael. Shortly afterwards Michael got a school in his own native parish of Kilbeagh. He then married Julia Kelly, who was also a school teacher, on 19 July, 1868.

They were blessed with a large family from which came brilliant children including Michael who became Archbishop of Manila, and Denis J. who was ordained a priest and later became President of the Irish College at Salamanca, Spain. He followed in the footsteps of his brother , as they both served as Rector of the College.

After their years of teaching at Cloonlyon and at the request of Most Rev. Dr. Frances J. McCormack, Bishop of Achonry the O'Doherty's moved to a new school in Kiltimagh. Michael O'Doherty became known as a master of masters as a result of his good teaching, good pupils came forth to do him honour and glory throughout the world, amongst them were bishops, priests, doctors, lawyers, business people, trades people and farmers.

His wife Julia died in 1901, three years later he retired from teaching and in 1906 settled in Dublin

Michael had a book published, it was a gaelic work, dealing with the formation of the Gaelic League, Irish happenings and accounts about what he had heard about in the 1798 uprising.

The book by the school teacher/writer Michael O'Docartaig, written about 1898 was called - "Creac Baile An Teamphaill."

Michael O'Doherty died during the Christmas season of 1917. The family grave is in Tample cemetary.

 

Towns and villages in County Mayo, Ireland