Tom a’ Bhungaló – Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde (1923-2013)

Book in Irish only.

Tomás Mac Giolla Bhríghde (1923-2013), or Tom a’ Bhungaló as he is better known, spent his life working on behalf of his native parish, Gaoth Dobhair.

Tom was a member of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair (The Gweedore Players) from 1938 until his death in 2013. He was an actor, a producer, an author and was director of Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. He had a significant impact of various different generations of young people in Gaoth Dobhair and kept the area’s rich tradition of drama flourishing for many years.

It was Tomás’ vision and entrepreneurship, along with a small group of like-minded people, that led to the foundation of Eastát Tionsclaíochta Ghaoth Dobhair (Gaoth Dobhair Industrial Estate) in the 1960s, an action that laid the foundation for the industrial development that followed in northwest Donegal.

Tomás also wrote songs and plays, including the song ‘Céad Slán leis an Oileán’ and his major work, Shoilsigh Solas sa Dorchadas, his own retelling of the Passion of Jesus.

National University of Ireland, Galway, awarded Tom an honorary degree in 2005 in recognition of his work in creating employment and in promoting the arts, culture and the Irish language.

A proud language activist, an visionary entrepreneur and a master of the stage.

Information about the author: Noel Ó Gallchóir

Noel Ó Gallchóir is a writer, historian and dramatist who lives in Gort an Choirce. He taught in Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair from 1977 until 2015, as principal from 1998. 

Noel has a keen interest in local history and in literature and has published an array of articles on those topics.

He is president of An Cumann Scoildrámaíochta agus was involved with An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta from 1976 until 1996. He was a member of Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair agus Aisteoirí Ghort an Choirce and is involved with An Béal Binn and Éigse Uladh. He has won various national competitions, including awards at An tOireachtas, Scór agus drama festivals.

In 2011, Noel published the book Trasna an Ghaoith: Scríbhinní Johnny Sheáin, a collection of the writings of his father, Seán Ó Gallchóir (1912–84). Noel’s book Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair, 1931-1981 was awarded Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin for Irish language book of the year in 2021.

Noel has also gained recognition as a dramatist and went on tour with the shows Idir Dhá Cheann na hImní (2015), Ó Pheann an Phiarsaigh (2016) and Máire (2019). He was awarded the BBC Stewart Parker Award Irish Language Award in 2015.