Ó CATHASAIGH, Séamus ( c.1864–1919) Cuid a haon. Part 1. Literal translation. No time to convert to 'proper English'
In aiste faoin gcéad Oireachtas in 1897 (An Glór 24 Bealtaine 1947) scríobh Tadhg ó Donnchadha: ‘Ní nach ionadh do chabhraíomar go léir leis an obair, oiread agus ab fhéidir linn. Ach tar éis an clár a shocrú thit urmhór an dua ar an rúnaí Séamus Ó Cathasaigh, agus is ábalta a rinn sé a chion, ní hamháin don chéad Oireachtas, ach do gach ceann ina dhiaidh sin go bhfuair sé bás.... Má bhí an lá leis an gcéad Oireachtas is dósan atá barr moladh ag dul’.
In an essay regarding the first Oireachtas, in 1897 (An Glór 24 Bealtaine 1947). Tadhg Ó Donnchadha wrote. ‘Indeed, we all helped with the work, as much was we were able. But after the programme was decided, most of the work fell on the secretary Séamus Ó Cathasaigh, and it is ably he did his utmost, not only for the first Oireachtas but for each one after that until he died…. It is to him that the greatest praise is due to him for the success of the 1st Oireachtas.’
Mac ba ea é le William Casey, cléireach. I dtuairisc in Sinn Féin 19 Lúnasa 1911 ar a ‘bhainis airgid’ deirtear gurbh é aonmhac Uilliam Uí Chathasaigh as an Muileann Cearr é. Phós sé Kathleen Weir, haitéir arbh fheirmeoir a hathair, ar 19 Lúnasa 1886 in Eaglais Naomh Seosamh, Bóthar Berkeley, Baile Átha Cliath. Cléireach an cur síos ar shlí bheatha Shéamuis ag an am agus ba é a sheoladh 7 Paráid Ghrattan. Bhí cónaí ar Chaitlín ag 76 Sráid loch, na Driseoige. Dar le foirm Dhaonáireamh 1911 gur i gcathair Bhaile Átha Cliath a rugadh é. Bhí 47 bliana d’aois aige ag an bpointe sin. B’as Co. na hlarmhí dá bhean Caitlín (45) agus ní raibh Gaeilge aici. Seisear clainne a rugadh dóibh agus bhí cúigear díobh beo. Bhí ceathrar iníonacha sa teach oíche an Daonáirimh, iad idir 16 agus 24 bliana d’aois. Mac ba ea an duine eile den chúigear. Bhí cónaí orthu ag 11 Cúilbhealach Naomh Seoirse, Droim Conrach, agus bhí post cuntasóra ar an mbóthar iarainn ag Séamus.
He was a son of William Casey, clerk. In a report in Sinn Féin 19 August 1911 at his “silver wedding” it is said that he was the only son of William Casey from Mullingar. He married Kathleen Weir, a hatter/millner whose father was a farmer, on 19 August 1886 in St. Josephs Church, Berkely Road, Dublin. Séamus’s occupation at the time is listed a a clerk and his address as 7 Grattan Parade. Caitlín lived at 76
Lake Street, The Briars/Brambles?
. According the 1911 census he was born in Dublin. He was 47 at this time. His wife Caitlín (45) was from Co. Westmeath and she did not have Irish. Six children were born to them and five were alive. There were four daughters in the house on the night of the census, they were between 16 and 24 years old. The fifth was a son. They lived in St. Georges Avenue, Drumcondra and Séamus had an accountacy job with the railroad.
Bhí sé i láthair ag cruinniú de Chonradh na Gaeilge 27 Meán Fómhair 1893 (Fáinne an Lae 12 Meitheamh 1926), bhí ina bhall den Ard-Choiste ó thús agus den Choiste Gnó faoin mbunreacht nua anuas go ham a bháis, agus ar dhuine de rúnaithe na heagraíochta ó Nollaig 1896 go Feabhra 1901. Níl amhras ach go raibh sé ar dhuine de na baill ba ghníomhaí sna blianta tosaigh. Nuair a beartaíodh ar 25 Lúnasa 1896 Féile an Oireachtais a chur ar bun ceapadh triúr de bhaill an Ard-Choiste chun na socraithe a dhéanamh: Séamus, Pádraig Mac Cathmhaoil (Keawell) agus Dónall Ó Conchubhair.
He was present at a meeting of the Gaelic League 27 September 1893 (Fáinne an Lae 12 Meitheamh 1926), He was a member of the executive committee from the beginning and of the business commitee under the new constitution up to the time of his death, and one of the secretaries of the organisation from Christmas 1896 to February 1901. There is no doubt but that he was one of the most active members in the early years. When it was decided on 24 August 1896 to set up an Oireachtas festival, three people were elected as members of the executive committee to make the plans: Séamus, Pádraig Mac Cathmhaoil (Keawell) agus Dónall Ó Conchubhair,