Ó Cadhla, Labhrás

Photos

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

Personal Details Form ('Personalbogen')

Personalbogen Personalbogen

A personal details form (‘Personalbogen’) was completed for each speaker at the Doegen Scheme recording sessions 1928-31. The information displayed below is derived mainly from these forms.

SexMale
Personalbogen form(s) for this speaker (RIA Library ref.)Doegen P-B/1, Doegen P-B/2
Record number(s) for this speakerLA 1031, LA 1032
Track title(s) for this speakerTáilliúir an chroí mhóir - Labhrás Ó Cadhla
Sliabh na mBan - Labhrás Ó Cadhla
Track ID(s) for this speaker (User Version)LA_1031d1, LA_1032d1
Forename(s) (Canonical)Labhrás
Surname (Canonical)Ó Cadhla
Alias forename(s)

No data.

Alias surname(s)

No data.

County of originCo. Waterford
AddressCappoquin, Co. Waterford (or Ballynamult (Ballinamult), Co. Waterford)
Age39
Date of birth1889-02-01
Place of birthScart, Ballynamult (Ballinamult), Co. Waterford
Nearest big town to place of birthDungarvan, Co. Waterford
Place(s) lived age 0-6Scart, Ballynamult (Ballinamult), Co. Waterford
Place(s) lived age 7-20Scart, Ballynamult (Ballinamult), Co. Waterford
Place(s) lived from age 20Co. Waterford
EducationPrimary school, Ring College, Co. Waterford
Father's home placeScart, Co. Waterford
Mother's home placeScart, Co. Waterford
Father's professionFarmer
NationalityIrish
Mother tongueIrish
Languages spoken other than IrishEnglish
Able to read?Yes (Irish and English)
Able to write?Yes (Irish and English)
Able to play a musical instrument?Yes (pipe and flute)
Able to sing or play modern European kinds of music?No
ReligionCatholic
ProfessionIrish teacher
Names (of RIA committee members, recordist) appearing on formOsborn Bergin, Tadhg Ó Donnchadha, Wilhelm Doegen
Comment(s) on voice etc. No data