Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1936-1991 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 sub-series
Context area
Archival history
The Micheál Ruiséal memoir was written, recorded, and transcribed in Irish in 1955 by folklorist Seán Ó Dubhda and preserved as MS 1407 in the Department of Irish Folklore, now the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Micheál (Maidhc Joan) Ruiséal was an Irish-speaker born in 1876 and from Corca Dhuibhne, possibly Great Blasket, in west County Kerry. He emigrated sometime during the Boer War of 1899-1902. Ruiséal landed in New York, moving and working between various towns in New England, particularly Massachusetts, and ultimately returning home to Ireland after about 14 weeks. Per Kerby A. Miller: 'In 1955, when [Seán] Ó Dubhda recorded his memoir, Ruiséal was aged 72 and living in Baile ne nGall townland, Cill Maoilchéadair (Kilmalkedar) parish, Corca Dhuibhne (Corcaguiney) barony, Co. Kerry [...] Ruiséal was a fisherman by trade. Three months before emigrating he had gathered a crew and bought a naomhóg.' Miller also notes that this memoir material appears in 'Ms. 1407, pp. 156-189, Department of lrish Folklore, UCD; recorded by Seán Ó Dubhda, January-February 1955; trans. by Bruce D. Boling.' The series contains materials pertaining to Ruiséal and his memoir.