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| Rugadh Seosamh MacGrianna i Rann na Feirste, Condae Dhún na nGall. Fuair sé a chuid oideachais i gColáiste Naomh Adamhnán, Leitir Ceanann, Coláiste Naomh Cholumb, i nDoire agus Coláiste Ullmhuchán Naomh Pádraig, Baile Átha Cliath. Roghnaigh MacGrianna an "Mac" in áit an "Ó" d'a ainm chun idirdhealú a dhéanamh idir é féin agus a dhearthair Séamus, mar gur múinteoirí agus scríobhneoirí an bheirt acu. Le linn Cogadh na Saoirse ghlac MacGrianna páirt san IRA agus i 1921 cuireadh sa príosún é i Leitir Ceanann, an Bhun Crannach agus in mBeairic Airme na Bhreataine ar an Droichead Nua, ar feadh cúpla mí. Ghlac MacGrianna páirt sa Chogadh Cathartha ar thaobh na bPoblachtánach go dtí gur chuir an Saorstáit í ngéibheann é i nDroichead Nua agus i gCampa Géibheannach san Churragh ar feadh dhá bhliain i 1922. Nuair a scaoileadh amach é, scríobh MacGrianna *Fáinne an Lae* (1925) agus *Filí Gan Iomrá* (1926). Mhúin MacGrianna ar feadh cúpla bliain sular ghlac sé post mar aistrítheoir i dteach foilsiúcháin Saorstat Éireann, An Gúm. Sa bhlian 1929 foilsiú *An Grádh agus an Ghruaim*, a chéad bhailiúchan de ghearrscéalta. D'fhoilsigh sé beathaisnéis Eoghan Rua O'Neill leis An Gúm i 1931, ach nuair a rinneadh cinsireacht ar an obair sin, d'fhág sé a phost i 1932. Lean MacGrianna air ag teagasc go dtí gur b'éigean dó é a thabhairt suas de bharr droch-shláinte sna ceatharaidí. Ba ghnách le MacGrianna scríobh faoin ainm cleite 'Iolann Fionn' agus ba é a scríobh *Dochartach Duibhlionna* (1936, rep 1976); *An Bhreatain Bheag*(1937); *Na Lochlannaigh*(1938); *Mo Bhealach Féin*(1940); *An Droma Mór*(1972) agus *Filí agus Felons*(1987). |
Seosamh MacGrianna was born in Rannafast, County Donegal. He was educated at St. Eunan's College, Letterkenny, St. Columb's College, Derry and St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Dublin. MacGrianna choose the Mac as opposed to the Ó version of his name to distinguish himself from his brother Seamus as they were both school-teachers and writers. During the War of Independence MacGrianna joined the IRA and in 1921 he was imprisoned in Letterkenny, Buncrana and Newbridge British Army Barracks for several months. MacGrianna partook in the Civil War on the republican side and was imprisoned by the Free State in Newbridge Gaol and the Curragh Internment Camp for two years in 1922. On his release MacGrianna wrote *Fáinne an Lae* (1925) and *Filí Gan Iomrá* (1926). MacGrianna taught for several years before becoming a translator for the Irish Free State publishing house An Gúm. In 1929 MacGrianna published his first short story collection *An Grádh agus an Ghruaim*. He published a biography of Eoghan Ruadh O'Neill with An Gúm in 1931 but when they censored his dedication MacGrianna resigned in 1932. MacGrianna taught intermittingly until ill-health forced him to retire in the 1940's. MacGrianna's other publications (he frequently wrote under the pseudonym 'Iolann Fionn') include: *Dochartach Duibhlionna* (1936, rep 1976); *An Bhreatain Bheag* (1937); *Na Lochlannaigh* (1938); *Mo Bhealach Féin* (1940); *An Druma Mór* (1972) and *Filí agus Felons* (1987). © |