Gráinne Mhic Géidigh, who has died in Letterkenny University Hospital in her 60th year, was the first woman elected to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta; Sinn Féin’s first woman elected representative in Donegal; a living storehouse of folklore, and of Irish words and phrases; and an excellent traditional singer.
Like many of her generation, she was radicalised by the Hunger Strikes of the early 1980s,which led her into Sinn Féin. There, when Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty was nominated for Donegal County Council for the first time, senior party members asked her to speak on his behalf. Before doing so she made her own discreet inquiries, because she was determined she would tell the truth – not what others wanted her to say.
She was born in Rannafast, Co Donegal, in August 1958, eldest of seven daughters to John Gráinne Ó Duibheannaigh, a small farmer, story-teller and traditional singer, and his wife Gracie (née Rodgers). She was educated at National Schools in Mín na Leice and Anagaire, then the Vocational School in Gweedore. After school she worked in various jobs locally. Bhí sí sáite sa traidisiún, í mar chuid den ghlúin deireannach sa Ghaeltacht go raibh an Béarla imeallach ina saol.
Honours degree
She returned to education when her children were young, graduating with a first-class honours degree in Irish after part-time study at the University of Ulster. Lecturers remember her as an outstanding student. Later she became an adult tutor in Irish with Donegal Vocational Education Committee.
Mar bhean, bhí an-daonnacht innti. Ní thabharfadh sí breithiúnas ar dhuine ar bith.
She is survived by her husband, Edward; daughters Aisling and Mairéad: sons Brendan and John: and sisters Maighréad, Síle, Méabh, Máire and Róisín. She was predeceased by her sister Eilín.