Liam O’Buachalla Papers

Repository: Cork City and County Archives

Identity Statement

TitleLiam O'Buachalla Papers
Archive ReferenceIE CCCA/U203
Web Link to this Entryhttps://iar.ie/archive/liam-obuachalla-papers
Creation Dates1907-1925
Extent Medium187 items

Context

Creator(s): O'Buachalla, Liam (1882-1941), Banteer County Cork, Teacher and Gaelic League Organiser

  • Administrative History ↴

    Born 1882. Known in his early days as William Buckley. Active member of the Gaelic League (Cumann Na Gael), the Irish language organisation, and held the post of Secretary of the Banteer branch for many years. Original career was as a primary school teacher, but later in lafe he worked as a shopkeeper and dance hall proprietor. First teaching appointment was in 1907 in Gorey, Co. Wexford, which he left rather abruptly seemingly because of homesickness. Founding role in the 1910 Kilcorney Feis (near Millstreet, County Cork). Honorary Secretary of the Feis Committee, overseeing the raising of sponsorship, organisation of events and the distribution of prizes. Other activities and interests outside of teaching and the Gaelic League include a job with the Mutual Insurance Company (Jan 1914 – Feb 1915), which was unsuccessful. From 1914 to the mid 1920s, he was Presiding Officer for Parliamentary and Local Government elections in the Kilcorney and Crinnaloo Districts. Involved in disputes relating to the appointment of non-Irish speaking doctors to Gaeltacht areas. Possessed of Nationalist leanings, he was imprisoned in February 1915 for being a suspected member “of an organisation or organisations which have promoted armed insurrection against his Majesty, and is reasonably suspected of having favoured, promoted or assisted in armed insurrection against his Majesty”. Invited by William O’Brien M.P. to join the 'All-For-Ireland League’, a group which received support from, amongst others, Canon Sheehan. His religious faith (he was a Roman Catholic) was an important aspect of his life. Wife Catherine (Kathleen) nee Dennehy. Unlike many of his contemporaries, O’Buachalla spoke and wrote Irish fluently. Contributed to the preservation and rejuvenation of traditional song and dance in the Millstreet area of Co. Cork. Maintained correspondence with a number of emigrant friends and relatives in the U.S.A. Died in 1941.

  • Archival History ↴

    Donated to the Archives by O’Buachalla’s only son, Sean O’Buachalla of Banteer.

  • Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

    Donation

Content & Structure

  • Scope & Content: O'Buachalla, Liam (1882-1941), Banteer County Cork, Teacher and Gaelic League Organiser ↴

    This collection consists mainly of correspondence relating to O’Buachalla’s work as a Gaelic League teacher and organiser, and founder of the Kilcorney Feis. The collection documents efforts to preserve and promote the Irish language and the preservation and rejuvenation of traditional song and dance in the Millstreet area of Co. Cork. It is also a valuable insight into the ethos of the early 20th century period in Ireland, and the political affiliation, interests, business life, teaching career, and motivations of a Gaelic League member.

  • Appraisal Destruction ↴

    Permanent Retention

  • Arrangement ↴

    The original order having been lost prior to arrival at the Archives, an artificial order was imposed. The collection has been divided into three main sections, each containing material similar in nature and content.

    Section 1: Gaelic League, Teaching, Feiseanna

    A. Gaelic League
    i. Letters To Liam O’Buachalla
    ii. Gaelic League Activities
    iii. League Publications And Memorabilia

    B. Teaching
    i. Qualifications
    ii. Wexford
    iii. North Cork
    iv. Texts And Publications

    C. Feiseanna
    i. Correspondence
    ii. Finances And Organisation
    iii. Dromtarffe Feis And Controversy

    Section 2: Correspondence

    i. Letters From Emigrants
    ii. General Correspondence
    iii. Business Letters

    Section 3: Work And Interests

    A. The Mutual Insurance Company
    i. Official Letters to O’Buachalla
    ii. Documents
    iii. Policy For Sean O’Buachalla

    B. Electoral Work
    i. Official Documents
    ii. Appointment Of District Medical Officers

    C. Political Affiliations
    i. Imprisonment
    ii. The All-For-Ireland League
    iii. Laochra Gaodhal
    iv. Newspapers

    D. Religious Affiliation
    i. The Catholic Bulletin
    ii. Religious Artifacts

    E. Memorabilia
    i. Relating To’mrs. Kathleen Buckley
    ii. Millstreet Cumann Na H-Oige

    F. Death

Conditions of Access & Use

Access Conditions Open by appointment to those holding a current readers ticket.
Creation Dates1907-1925
Extent Medium187 items
Material Language ScriptEnglish and Irish
Finding Aids Descriptive list Archive Web Link →

Allied Materials

There are no Allied Materials

Notes

NoteCork Archives also holds the papers of another Liam O’Buachalla, of Carrigtwohill, County Cork, local historian.

Descriptive Control Area

Archivist NoteCarol Quinn
Rules/ConventionsISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
Date of Descriptions1994