This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 203.219.136.188 (talk) at 12:55, 23 December 2024 (→Biography: Fixed incorrect name of Ó Cairralláin's son from Conall to Naoise (as per referenced article)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 12:55, 23 December 2024 by 203.219.136.188 (talk) (→Biography: Fixed incorrect name of Ó Cairralláin's son from Conall to Naoise (as per referenced article))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Gearóid Ó Cairealláin (1957 – 20 December 2024) was an Irish language activist who played a leading role in promoting the Irish language in West Belfast and elsewhere.
Biography
Ó Cairealláin was born in West Belfast, where he attended St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast. It was there that he developed an enthusiasm for the Irish language.
After leaving school he worked in various clerical positions but became more active in several Irish language organisations. He founded the weekly publication Preas an Phobail, which evolved into the Irish language daily newspaper Lá in 1984. He was a founding member of Aisling Ghéar - the Irish-language theatre group, Raidió Fáilte - the Irish-language radio station, and Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich - the Irish language cultural centre on the Falls Road, Belfast.
He helped to establish Meánscoil Feirste which became Coláiste Feirste, the only secondary-level Irish-medium school in Belfast.
From 1995 to 1998, he was president of the Irish language advocacy group Conradh na Gaeilge.
In 2006, he suffered a stroke which left him paralysed from the waist down but he continued to be a strong advocate for the Irish language.
Ó Cairealláin was also a talented musician. He was the father of Naoise Ó Cairealláin/Móglaí Bap, a member of the Kneecap band.
Ó Cairealláin died on 20 December 2024, at the age of 67.
References
- ^ "Gearóid Ó Cairealláin". Funeral Times. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- O'Loughlin, Ciara (21 December 2024). "Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, father of Kneecap rapper Moglaí Bap, has died, aged 67". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- O Muilleoir, Mairtin (20 December 2024). "Gearóid gone: Irish language revolutionary, community hero has died". Belfast Media. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- Porzio, Stephen (21 December 2024). "Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, Irish language champion and father of Kneecap's Móglái Bap, dies aged 67". Joe.ie. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- O Muilleoir, Mairtin (20 December 2024). "Gearóid gone: Irish language revolutionary, community hero has died". Belfast Media. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- McCarthy, James (22 December 2024). "Kneecap pay tribute as star's father dies hours before SSE Arena gig". Belfast Media. Retrieved 22 December 2024.