The funeral of former president of Conradh na Gaeilge Pádraig Ó Snodaigh will take place in Dublin on Monday.
The 89-year-old writer and publisher died last week.
Mr Ó Snodaigh was born in Carlow in 1935 and spent his life working with the Electricity Supply Board and the National Museum in Dublin. He served as president of Conradh na Gaeilge from 1974 to 1979.
He played a key role in Irish language publishing sector by establishing the publishing house Coiscéim in 1980.
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Coiscéim went on to produce an extensive catalogue of over 1,500 titles – an achievement that was particularly significant at a time when the overall media landscape offered limited space for Irish language writing. Coiscéim’s extensive output helped create a vital platform for Irish language expression.
Among the books Coiscéim published were works by Biddy Jenkinson, Gabriel Rosenstock, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Tomás Mac Síomóin, Nollaig Ó Gadhra, Breandán Ó Doibhlin, Richard Ó Glaisne and many others.
President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Mr Ó Snodaigh.
“A man of immense dedication and a major figure of the Irish language movement, Pádraig Ó Snodaigh’s life was marked by such a strong and lifelong commitment to the promotion and preservation of our native language, for its use, its literature, and above all its place in the daily life of our people,” he said.
“His numerous contributions and his long-standing work inspired countless others to cherish and embrace the language that is central to our shared cultural heritage.”
“I was privileged to call both Pádraig and his late wife, the artist Cliodhna Cussen, friends of mine. I recall their strong support for the right to have TG4 for the language, people and the Gaeltacht.”
Describing Mr Ó Snodaigh as a “steadfast advocate for the richness and resilience of Irish as a living language”, President Higgins said his passing is “a great loss” for those who work to promote the Irish language. He added that his contributions to Irish society “will undoubtedly leave an enduring legacy for generations to come”.
The current president of Conradh na Gaeilge, Paula Melvin, said: “On behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Coiste Gnó, our branches, staff and all our members, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Pádraig’s sons, Fergus, Aengus, Colm, Cormac, Rónán and Rossa, his extended family, friends, and the entire Irish language community.
“The enormous impact Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, a past president of Conradh, had on the Irish language movement – through his leadership, pioneering publishing efforts and unwavering passion for our culture – is something we will all cherish. His profound legacy will inspire generations to come. Go raibh maith agat, Pádraig, for your life’s work, and may you rest in peace.”
Mr Ó Snodaigh’s son Aengus is a Sinn Féin TD who was recently re-elected in the Dublin South-Central constituency. Three other sons, Colm, Rónán and Rossa, are members of the award-winning Irish folk music group Kíla.
Mr Ó Snodaigh was recognised in 2019 when he was the recipient of an honorary degree of DLitt Celt awarded by University College Dublin.
His wife, the renowned artist Cliodhna Cussen, died in August 2022.
Mr Ó Snodaigh is survived by his sons: Fergus, Aengus, Colm, Cormac, Rónán and Rossa.
The funeral will take place at 11.30am in Church of St. Peter and Paul, Baldoyle, on Monday with burial afterwards to St. Fintan’s Graveyard, Sutton.
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