'M'asal beag dubh', by Pádraic Ó Conaire, is a hilarious short story about a man who buys a little black donkey, thinking he’s struck gold with the bargain of the century. But instead of the fleet-footed beast he believes he's buying he ends up with the most disobedient, stubborn creature in Ireland. Read on for a bit more information about the author of this great short story, Pádraic Ó Conaire.

Pádraic Ó Conaire (1882 - 1928)

Pádraic Ó Conaire was born in the heart of Galway city in 1882. Orphaned at an early age he then went to live with relatives of his father in Rosmuc, in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht. Shortly after leaving school he moved to London where he worked in the British civil service. He wasn't one for the 9 to 5 however, and his day job held little to no interest for him. During this twenties Pádraic was also involved with the Conradh na Gaeilge in London, teaching Irish and writing in the Irish language. He married Molly Ní Mhanais and they had four children. Their youngest daughter died in 1922, at eleven years of age. With conscription threatening him around 1915 he left the U.K. and moved back to Ireland, leaving his family behind him in London. He then spent most of his time between Galway and Wicklow, continuing to teach classes but making his living for the most part with his pen. 

Influence on Irish literature

Pádraic Ó Conaire's influence on Irish language literature was immense. He became the first person to rely on writing in the Irish language for his livelihood. What was so startling about Ó Conaire's work at the time, however, was that he wrote about real life; the life he saw around him. He wrote about the poverty and prostitution of Irish exiles he witnessed on the streets of London; he wrote about the social issues of the time and he explored human psychology in a fresh modern way through the Irish language. In this Ó Conaire paved the way for others to follow him. He was also a great storyteller and over the course of his short lifetime he produced over 470 short stories, 237 essays,  6 plays and one novel (Deoraíocht / Exile). Ó Conaire's writing moved Irish language literature out of the more traditional style which had been practice to then, one which emphasised the joys of rural living rather than the realities of life at that time. His work was more connected with the movements which were happening on the mainland of Europe than with the traditional literature of his own country at that time.

Death and Commemoration

Ó Conaire died at just 46 years of age in the Richmond hospital in Dublin, without a penny in his pocket and no worldly goods to his name. One of the most esteemed sculptors of the time, Albert Power was commissioned to design a statue in his memory.  It is a mark of the popularity of Ó Conaire, and the esteem with which he was held, that within just seven years of his death a life-sized stone statue was unveiled in Eyre Square. The original statue has since been replaced by a bronze replica (due to an act of vandalism in the 1990s).

A Galway Icon

Ó Conaire remains a cherished figure in Glaway and beyond, a symbol of the richness of the Irish language and Irish literature. Although the century of the death of Ó Conaire will take place in 2028  his work continues to entrance and delight those who read it to this very day.

What happened to the donkey?

Ah, you'll have to read the rest of the story to find out! If you'd like to learn Irish by listening to some of the best pieces of Irish literature make sure to check out our Learn Irish Through Literature course. You'll also find out what happens to the donkey!