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O'Direain Mairtin
(1910—1988)

Máirtín Ó Direáin, born in Sruthán on Inishmore in the Aran Islands, was an Irish language poet.

The son of a small-farmer, Máirtín Ó Direáin spoke only Irish until his mid-teens. He worked as a civil servant from 1928 until 1975. His main works include the poetry collections: Rogha Dánta (1949), Ó Mórna agus Dánta Eile (1957), Ar Ré Dhearóil (1962), Cloch Choirnéil (1967), Crainn is Cairde (1970), Dánta 1939-79 (1980), Ceacht an Éin (1984), Béasa an Túir (1984), Tacar Dánta/Selected Poems (1984), Craobhóg: Dán (1986).

His autobiographical essays are collected as Feamainn Bhealtine (1961). His awards include the An Chomhairle Ealaíon/The Arts Council Awards (1964 and 1971); the Butler Prize, with Eoghan Ó Tuairisc (1967); the Ossian Prize for Poetry, FVS Foundation, Hamburg (1977). He was a member of Aosdána. Carraig agus cathair: Ó Direáin is a recent (2002) biography. Its title ('Rock and City') refers to Ó Direáin's journey from his native rocky island to Dublin, where he lived most of his life.

Irland, 2010, Martin O Direain

Irland, 2010.05.27, Dublin. Martin O Direain