Áralt Ó Tnúthail

Canada
Written By Dónall Ó Dubhghaill

Unknown-1959?, active in Toronto, Ontario

Áralt Ó Tnúthail (Dónall Ó Dubhghaill, 2024)

Save for a few illuminating details, little is known about Aralt Ó Tnúthail. Yet his writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of an Irish speaker in a major Canadian city.

Residing in the vicinity of Eglinton Ave. in Toronto, Ó Tnúthail was a father to two young sons, a facet of his life that permeated his writings. It seems likely that Ó Tnúthail also used the name Harry Newell, who appears in Toronto City directories post-1931. His Irish dialect, Munster, is a possible hint to his connection to Ireland.

Ó Tnúthail's career path was as varied as his life's narrative. He navigated through different roles, from the Veterans' Hospital to Loew’s Theatre. In 1949, he found himself at the infamous Winchester Hotel in Cabbagetown, a neighborhood known for its historical Irish immigrant population.

The hotel earned a sinister reputation as "The Bucket of Blood," yet paradoxically, it became a hub for jazz music and illicit activities during the era of Prohibition. Legends like Billie Holiday and Al Capone were associated with this notorious establishment.

Lakeview (Winchester) Hotel, Parliament St., 1954. Toronto Public Library R-5790.

In his writings, Aralt Ó Tnúthail’s love for his young sons is very clear as he details their explorations of the world. While it remains uncertain whether he raised his children in the Irish language, his written words quoted them as Irish speakers. These writings stand out in the landscape of Canadian Irish language literature due to their personal and intimate nature.

Aralt Ó Tnúthail displayed a profound connection to Irish culture and language. Even his loyal dog was named Bran, a nod to the war dogs of the legendary Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhail. His own adventures, titled "Eachtra Ghiolla an Amaráin Nua” (The Adventures of the New Luckless Fool), are another subtle nod to Gaelic culture, named for the epic poem composed by Donnchadh Ruadh mac Conmara on his way to the New World 200 years before Ó Tnúthail.

Regrettably, the chapters of Aralt Ó Tnúthail's life beyond his writings are largely obscured. Details about his eventual fate, including the date of his passing, remain elusive. The sole clue to his departure from Toronto comes from the city directory, where his name disappears in 1959, suggesting either a move away from the city or the end of his journey.

Aralt Ó Tnúthail's legacy is etched in the intriguing tales he penned, a testament to a life rich in experiences and loving parental emotions. Though he may remain a figure of mystery, his words continue to resonate as a unique and precious piece of the Canadian Irish language heritage.


For citation, please use: Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. “Aralt Ó Tnúthail.” Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca

 

Explore Aralt Ó Tnúthail’s Writings

Culture Collection
Eachtraí Ghiolla an Amaráin Nua: III (1956)

Is iomaí eachtraí a tharla i saol an duine. Eachtraí grinn go mór mór arae is deacair iad go léir do choimhéad id cheann, agus is fiú iad a theacht i machnamh agus scéal éigin uait.

It is many adventures that happen in a person’s life. Funny adventures for the greatest part but it is difficult to keep them all in your head, and they are worth reflecting on and telling about in some stories.

Eachtraí Ghiolla an Amaráin Nua: II (1956)

Tamall ó shin agus mé ag obair chomh tapaidh is féidir mo chéad lón d’fháil, an t-ailtín do ghlanadh, an lón do ghearradh, agus an drámh do chuir i mála, ní raibh ach deich neomaití liom an obair go léir do dhéanamh.

A while ago I was working as fast as I could to get my breakfast, to clean things up, to prepare the lunch, and to put the garbage in a bag, and I didn’t have but ten minutes in which to do all the work.

Eachtraí Ghiolla an Amaráin Nua: I (1956)

Is minic a téann sruth beatha an duine ar an gclé aige, go mór mór ar tráthnóna fada Dé Domhnaigh. Ba mhaith liom an tráthnóna sin.

It’s often that the stream of a person’s life goes astray, for the most part on a long Sunday afternoon. I would like that afternoon.

Eachtraí Buachaillí na mBó (1955)

Aon lá amháin an tseachtain seo caite agus mo bheirt stócaí amuigh faoin spéir ghorm, tháinig tuirse na nGort Mór orthu faoin spórt éigin a bhí ag imirt acu.

One day this past week and my two young men out under the blue sky, they became tired of the game they had been playing.

An Capall Dubh (1955)

Bhí an lá caite agus an beirt ridirí ina leaba. Ní rabhadar ina gcodladh, áfach, ach ag gol agus ag cur scréach astu go minic.

The day was spent and the two riders were in their bed. They weren’t asleep, however, but crying and screeching often.

Scéaltaí Ridirí na mBó (1954)

Is minic a téann sruth beatha an duine ar an gclé aige, go mór mór ar tráthnóna fada Dé Domhnaigh. Ba mhaith liom an tráthnóna sin.

It’s often that the stream of a person’s life goes astray, for the most part on a long Sunday afternoon. I would like that afternoon.

Eachtraí na hÓige: IV (1954)

Ní raibh Micheál ach bliain go leith nuair chuir sé a chabhair beag romham. Ní raibh cúnamh uaim an lá sin agus ní bhfuaireas é in aon chor, ach seo mar an scéal.

Micheál wansn’t but a year and a half when he helped me a little bit. I didn’t need help that day and I didn’t get it in any way, but here is the story.

Eachtraí na hÓige: III (1954)

Lá agus allas ag titim go trom leis an obair trom a bhí á dhéanamh agam faoin spéir glan gorm, tháinig in aigne an linbh óg Mícheál cabhair do thabhairt.

One day and sweat falling heavily with the hard work that I was doing under the blue sky, in came into the mind of the young child Mícheál to help.

Eachtraí na hÓige: II (1954)

Bhí beirt buachaillí óga agam, argoidíní beaga gan aird ceart don aois, agus deirimse leat níl an grá athartha agam dóibh-san uaireanta.

I had two young boys, little arguers without the proper heed for age, and I tell you that sometimes I don’t have the fatherly love for them.

Eachtraí na hÓige: I (1954)

Bhí beirt buachaillí óga agam, argoidíní beaga gan aird ceart don aois, agus deirimse leat níl an grá athartha agam dóibh-san uaireanta.

I had two young boys, little arguers without the proper heed for age, and I tell you that sometimes I don’t have the fatherly love for them.

Dónall Ó Dubhghaill

Rugadh agus tógadh Dónall in Ontáirio, Ceanada. Ardaíodh go Taoiseach na Gaeltachta é i 2019. Tá sé a’ tógaint a bheirt chailíní suas i gCeanada tríd an nGaelainn.

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