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Ar an Bhaile seo

Séamus Mac Géidigh Image Name: Séamus Mac Géidigh Description: Séamus Mac Géidigh, Presenter Copyright: RTÉ

Inniu, beidh clár ag Séamus Mac Géidigh dúinn faoin údar Mhicí Mac Gabhann agus a leabhar cáiliúil Rotha Mór an tSaoil.  I bPollán an Raithní i mbaile fearainn Dhoire Chonaire i nGort an Choirce a rugadh Micí Mac Gabhann ar an 22 Samhain 1865.  Bhí aon chloigeann déag sa teaghlach. Cha raibh naoi mbliana féin slánaithe aige nuair ab éigean do dhul ‘na Lagáin. Chaith se cúig shéasúr in Albain sula dtug sé a aghaidh ar Mheiriceá.  I ndiaidh tréimhsí a chaitheamh i Pennsylvania agus Montana, thug sé a aghaidh ar Klondyke.  I ndiaidh dó trí bliana go leith a chaitheamh ansin ag tochailt óir, phill sé na bhaile. Phós sé Máire Dixon i 1902, agus thóg siad aon chloigeann déag teaghlaigh sa teach a thóg sé ar an Chaiseal i nGort an Choirce leis an saibhreas a shaothraigh sé.  Tá cliú agus cáil ar an leabhar Rotha Mór an tSaoil a dheachtaigh sé dona  mhac cleamhnais, an bailitheoir béaloidis Séan Ó hEochaidh, i 1959 agus a d’aistrigh Valentine Iremonger “The Hard Road to Klondike” i 1962.  Rinneadh an scannán Rotha Mór an tSaoil i 1968. Láithriú & Léiriú: Séamus Mac Geidigh.

Today, Séamus Mac Géidigh brings us a programme about the author Micí Mac Gabhann, and his well-known autobiography Rotha Mór an tSaoil.  Micí was born in  Pollán an Raithní in the townlond of Doire Chonaire in Gort an Choirce on 22 November 1865.  There were 11 in the family, and when he was a mere 8 years old he had to go to the Lagan to work.  He spent 5 seasons working in Scotland before heading to work in the US.  After spending time there in Pennsylvania and Montana, he headed for Klondyke.  He spent three and a half years there mining for gold before heading back home.  HE married Máire Dixon in 1902 and they raised a family of 11 in the big house that he bought with in Caiseal in Gort an Choirce with the riches he earned.  The account of his life is contained in the book Rotha Mór an tSaoil, which sold far and wide, and was dedicated to his son in law, folklore collector Seán Ó hEochaigh, in 1959.  It was translated by Valentine Iremonger to ‘The Hard Road to Klondike’ in 1962.  The film Rotha Mór an tSaoil was made in 1968.  Presented and produced by Séamus Mac Géidigh.