Photos

Labhrás Ó Cadhla (with the kind permission of the National Folklore Collection, UCD)

Biographical Note

Ó Cadhla, Labhrás (1889-1961): The best known traditional singer in the Decies during his lifetime. He was born in Scartnadriny, county Waterford, on 26 January 1889 to Richard Kiely, a labourer, and Johanna Flynn. Labhrás became an Irish teacher, and worked as an organiser for County Waterford Vocational Education Committee. He taught on summer courses in Saint Declan’s College in Ardmore and in Ring College. When not working as a travelling teacher or organiser, he lived in Cappoquin, apart from a short period spent living in Ring College after he had retired from being an organiser in 1945. He played the flute and the uileann pipes. He won second prize at the Oireachtas singing competition in 1919. He never married. He died 15 January 1961 in Dungarvan Hospital, and was buried in Kilbryan, county Waterford.

For songs and airs collected from him see, for example, Daithí Ó hÓgáin (ed.), Binneas thar Meon I (Dublin, 1994), 116-43. Material collected from him can also be found in the National Folklore Collection, UCD. Further information on Labhrás Ó Cadhla may be found on Ainm.ie at http://www.ainm.ie/Bio.aspx?ID=309.

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