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Rev. Brother Charles B. Quinn 1913 - 2007
The first Eoghan Ó Growney Award for work in support of the Irish language was presented to An Bhráthair Cathal Ó Cuinn ó Coláiste Í (Brother Charles B. Quinn of Iona College) in 2005. Fr. Eoghan Ó Growney was the unbroken link that bridged the gap between the 18th and 19th century activists when An Gaeilge was on the verge of a disastrous demise. A descendant of the Dalcassian Niall Ó Cuinn, who fell at Clontarf in 1014, Brother Quinn was born in America in 1913; he returned with his family to Ireland at age 10. He perfected his Irish from truly inspired, and inspiring, teachers in the Christian Brothers School in Ennistymon, County Clare, joining the Irish Christian Brothers himself in 1929. He finished his education at University College Dublin, and taught at New Ross and in Tipperary and in the Synge Street CBS in Dublin. He was transferred back to New York in 1949, teaching at All Hallows, until his final transfer to Iona in 1957 where he taught Irish and Literature and served as Dean. He was moderator of the Iona Gaelic Society and gave a lot of his own time in teaching An Gaeilge and authored a text book to teach An Gaeilge titled Irish For Everyone. He also wrote as Gaeilge, Oige na Tire, a collection of essays on the history of Ireland. Brother Quinn went to his eternal reward on 19 February 2007. Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam. |
In recognition of
his unselfish work for generations of students, Brother Charles B. Quinn was
selected 1982 Grand Marshal of the New York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade;
Muiris Ó Bric (former President of the Kerrymen’s Association, and a native
speaker of Irish) said that the only way that the modest Bro Cathal would accept
the honor of being the Grand Marshal was when he, Muiris asked him to accept it
for Iona.