Mary Mulreany (1878 – 1954) was a schoolteacher in Killybegs, Co Donegal. Two of the notebooks that she used for preparing lessons survive, although in somewhat battered state. Mary was the daughter of John C Ward, another national school teacher in the area who was involved in the revival of the Irish language, and Mary was also a keen supporter of the language. Before moving to teach at the Niall Mór school following her marriage to Patrick Augustine Mulreany who was the school principal, Mary taught in Carrick where she met the poet and Irish language campaigner Ethna Carbery. Ethna’s song, Mary of Carrick, was inspired by their meeting, and they remained in touch with Mary and Patrick working on translations for the journal, The Shan Van Vocht.
This pdf includes the pages from the notebook that she started in 1930. Keep an eye out for the point where it is signed by the school inspector.
Colin Brady 