Muiris Ó Gormáin

Who is Muiris Ó Gormáin?

Muiris Ó Gormáin, bookseller, poet, and scribe.

A native of Ulster, Ó Gormáin spent most of his later life in Dublin, where he was a member of the Tadhg Ó Neachtain's circle of scholars.

Faulkner’s Dublin Journa] of 24 July 1766 contains the following advert by Ó Gormáin:

"Whereas the Irish, the ancient language of this Nation, hath long been neglected; an Evil justly complained of, as it renders Gentlemen unable to have Recourse to the many Chronicles and Compositions still preserved among us, relative to the ancient State of this Kingdom, its Arts, Sciences and Literature. Therefore, Maurice Gorman, Professor of that Language, offers his Service to the Public, and proposes to lay himself out in his own Appartment every Morning from Ten to Two, for the Instruction of Youth and Others, as wish for their own cultivation, to open Treasures so long locked up. Such Persons who cannot conveniently go to him, shall be attended at their own Houses. N.B. He is perfect Master of the Difficulties attending the Reading and Explaining the ancient Irish Manuscripts in Vellum."

He resided for a while in Belanagare transcribing material for Charles O'Conor. He helped Charlotte Brooke in compiling and translating Reliques of Irish Poetry. However, Peadar Ó Doirnín mocked him for a supposed lack of competence in English.