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| Cover Art by Jack Yeats, brother of W.B. Yeats |
Canon O'Leary's "Mo Scéal Fein" (My Story) was first published in 1915, but did not see print in English until 1970. At that time, the addition of generous notes and appendices allowed a context for his memories, giving those of us with a weak grasp on Irish history and issues of moment a better understanding of what he is describing.
This highly readable autobiography offers glimpses of the
Great Hunger, the launching of efforts to rescue Irish from extinction, and the
successful resistance of farmers against landlords at a time when rent was
insisted upon despite the lack of harvest and funds. From a poor background
himself, Father O'Leary worked tirelessly to bring education to the boys and young men of
rural Ireland, gathering books from The Poets and Poetry of Munster to Shakespeare and Milton, and teaching Irish, Latin, and Ancient Greek in exchange for their
commitment to abstain from drink, the destructiveness of which raised him to a
passion. He witnessed and frequently participated in much more besides,
including the Easter Rising and the War of Independence, about which he had
firm opinions—as he did about every other thing.
Though he only mentions her a few times, Canon O'Leary was
deeply devoted to Saint Brigit, and his trust in her was complete. Whether we
see things from his viewpoint or not is unimportant; that we are given the
opportunity to see her, and their shared world, through his eyes is the
wonderful thing.
"We put the entire business, ourselves and the library, under the protection of St. Brigid."
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