History of Scoil Acla - Founding Members

Tomás Ó’Raghallaigh 1883 - 1966

Tomás Ó’Raghallaigh was born in Moycullen Co.Galway on the 12th of May in 1883. His father was Seán Ó’Raghallaigh and his mother was Máire Ní Loideáin from Spiddal. They raised a large family throught the medium of Irish. He was educated in the primary school in Moycullen, progressed to St Josephs in Galway and he attended St. Patricks teacher training college in Dublin. After he qualified he spent a time teaching in Dublin but he moved from there to Carlow and then to Achill.

In Achill he taught in the national schools of Achill Sound,  Saula, Dooagh and Dookinella. It was during this time in Achill he helped establish Scoil Acla, the summer school which he was responsible naming. While teaching in Achill he met his wife Máire Sineád Ní Challanáin, also a teacher, they raised five children. In 1911 he got a job as a muinteoir taistil in Mayo. Later he got a job in Co. Galway teaching in St Josephs while his wife taught in The Claddagh. He attended UCG and qualified with a BA. MA and Ph.D. He was a professor in Tourmakeady, Pearse College, Rosmuc and Colaiste Chonnacht in Spiddal. He also lectured in UCG as well as being an external examiner in Irish for Queens University Belfast and UCC. He died on the 26th of January 1966 and is buried in Galway.

Emily Weddall | An Paorch | Claude Chevasse | Tomas O’ Raghallaigh | Colm O’Loughin

Donal O’Riordain | Darrell Figgis | Anita McMahon | Charlie Barrett