Uilleam Ruisséal
1819-188?, active in Buckingham, Québec
Uilleam Ruisséal (Dónall Ó Dubhghaill, 2024)
Born in the picturesque Co. Clare, Ireland, around the year 1819, Uilleam Ruisséal remains a somewhat enigmatic figure. Though some details of his life are unknown, his passion for his heritage and the Irish language left an indelible mark on the Gaelic literary world.
Uilleam relocated to Ontario’s Ottawa Valley where he married Mary Ann Leavy in Perth in 1845. By 1847, the couple had settled in Buckingham, Québec, a community situated on the opposite bank of the river from Ottawa. Here, they began a family together, having numerous children. Uilleam also began to cultivate his talents as a poet and writer under the pen name Ború. His work came to the forefront with the publication of a rousing poem titled "Maidin Lae Phádraig" (St. Patrick’s Morn) in the ‘Irish-American’ newspaper.
Regrettably, this poem would be the last published before the newspaper's Gaelic department was shuttered, shortly after St. Patrick's Day in 1863, citing a lack of editorial support.
In 1869, Uilleam received a remarkable invitation that would take him on a new journey. The “Irish-American" newspaper extended an invitation for him to become the editor of their revived Gaelic Department in New York. For two years, from 1869 to 1871, he toiled diligently, producing poems and songs drawn from ancient manuscripts.(1) His dedication to his native Co. Clare was unwavering, and he exclusively showcased translations of poets from his home county.
Adapted from: Austin, William Augustus. 1856. Falls at Buckingham. Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-46-3
Sadly, despite Uilleam's earnest efforts, the Gaelic department of the magazine eventually met the same fate once again, and was closed due to a “lack of readership.” This setback left Uilleam deeply disheartened, and he retired to Siverly, Pennsylvania, where he lived through the 1880s working as a shoemaker. He became an active participant in the Irish language movement in his new home, a testament to his enduring commitment to preserving and promoting the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland.
Uilleam Ruisséal's dedication to the Irish language and his tireless efforts to share its beauty with the world stand as a testament to his enduring legacy. He remains a symbol of unwavering devotion to heritage and language in the face of adversity.
For citation, please use: Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. “Uilleam Ruisséal.” Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca
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Image citation:
Details of the life of Uilleam Ruisséal after leaving Canada, including his further compositions in America, were found as a result of the invaluable dissertation: Knight, Matthew Thomas. 2021. “"Our Gaelic Department": The Irish-Language Column in the New York Irish-American, 1857-1896”. Dissertation. Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
And
Moran, M.C. 2024. “William Russell.” Ottawa Valley Irish. https://www.familytree.ottawavalleyirish.com/getperson.php?personID=I3759&tree=Moran
