Doncha Ó ConchúirDoncha Ó Conchúir was a dedicated and inspirational teacher who made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of his native Corca Dhuibhne.
He in turn drew inspiration from his community that sustained him through a long and full life. An accomplished local historian, his major work, Corca Dhuibhne, I Aos Iorruis Tuaiscirt agus Uí Fhearba (1973), is an examination of the Dingle peninsula from the Neolithic age to the 16th century.
Scríobh sé an staidéar i nGaeilge, de rogha ar an mBéarla, "leis an ndóchas go bhfuil an lá ag teacht go gcruinneóidh muintir na tíre uile guala ar ghualainn leo chun saíocht Gael a chur i réim arís ó cheann ceann ár dtíre".
His illustrated guide to Corca Dhuibhne was published in 1977.
Describing the Dingle peninsula as one of the areas richest in archaeological remains in Western Europe, he cited the Oratory at Gallaras and the Cross Stone of Riasc as evidence of the area's long tradition of craftsmanship.
He was born on January 23rd, 1918, in Ballyferriter, Co Kerry, one of the five children of Mícheál Ó Conchúir and his wife, Nellie (née Garvey). His father was headmaster of Ballyferriter national school, where Doncha received his early education. He later attended Rockwell College, Co Tipperary, and did his teacher training at the De La Salle College in Waterford. Completing his formal education at University College Cork, in 1943 he completed an MA degree in Celtic studies.
He spent four years teaching in Durrow, Co Laois, where he compiled a booklet on the Irish names being used in the local vernacular and developed an interest in archaeology with the encouragement of an tAthair Ó Haidhlearta. Moving to Dublin in 1948, he taught briefly at the Model School, Marlborough Street, before joining the team that worked under Tomás de Bhaldraithe on the English-Irish Dictionary.
He was a member of An Réalt, where he made lifelong friends and with them published a newsletter Geamhar which became FÁS. (FÁS - Foillseacháin Ábhair Spioradálta - today publishes religious materials in Irish.) In 1952 he married Síle Ní Chairealláin from Belfast, who shared his love of Irish, music and the countryside and was also in An Réalt.
By now principal of Ballyferriter national school, he taught there until his retirement in 1983. He inspired a love of their language and heritage in his pupils, some of whom made their mark on the world of learning at home and abroad. Field trips with them in the locality formed the basis of his Corca Dhuibhne.
The schoolhouse that he taught in is now Musaem Chorca Dhuibhne. Relations of his in the United States, the Dunfey family, helped him to realise this dream by contributing to the Ireland Funds and by their interest and commitment to the area.
A pioneer of local development in the Gaeltacht and a strong believer in self-sufficiency, he was a founding member - and for many years chairman - of Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne. Founded in 1967, the co-operative made spectacular progress in land reclamation, vegetable growing and plant nursery development. In addition, a lively cultural development programme was devised, a publishing company established, and three community halls built.
His work with Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne focused on the historical and archaeological heritage of the Dingle peninsula, and took account of the wealth of flora and fauna in the area. He believed that heritage is the sum of our resources for living.
His long-standing commitment to local development and heritage was recognised when Gradam an Oireachtais was bestowed on him in 2001.
He was an active and independent thinker all his life, and took a strong position on global issues, particularly sustainable economics and development. He was a founder member and former vice-president of the Kerry Archaeological and History Society. With Róisín Uí Chuill he translated Across the Threshold of Hope, by Pope John Paul II, which was published in 2002 under the title Thar Táirseach an Dóchais Isteach. His translation of Tim McGillicuddy's The Living Past was published as An Saol Beo.
In retirement he compiled a genealogical record of his ancestors and their descendants, some of whom remained in Ireland and many who emigrated to America in the 1880s. A transatlantic collaborative work culminated in the O'Connor Chronicle 1780-2002, published in the US. He also enjoyed working with the soil and his hands, growing vegetables and building stone walls. To his family he was a fine husband, a patient mentor, a teacher and a father.
He is survived by his wife, Síle; sons, Mícheál, Aodán, Doncha; daughters, Máire, Líle and Eadaoin; and brothers, Father P.J. O'Connor CSSP and Mícheál.
Doncha Ó Conchúir: born January 23rd, 1918; died April 26th, 2004.