Rosemary Barry writes:
Professor Nigel Leask of Edinburgh University and Doctor Peader O’Muircheartaigh of Glasgow delighted a full house with their report of their research into one of Lismore’s more intriguing characters. The Rev McNicol was well known as a long term island minister and writer but not a lot was known about the surprising and varied life of his son, Donald who was born in 1791. At his father’s death in 1811 he
led a peripatetic life for a few years with time spent in Inverary in particular.
Professor Nigel Leask of Edinburgh University and Doctor Peader O’Muircheartaigh of Glasgow
What was unique was his travel writing in Gaelic when such as there was of those who travelled in these parts was English folk writing in English. Not being able to afford to buy a commission he became an ensign in the ‘penal’ regiment of The Royal West Indian Rangers and moved to Barbados. Here he became involved long term with, but could not marry, a mixed-race freed slave with whom he had at least eight children and left £1000 to on his death in 1844.
Professor Nigel Leask of Edinburgh University with Sebastian Tombs 7.02. 2026
While in the West Indies he composed a long Gaelic song poem where he compared a local promontory to the hill top above Inverary.
Moving back to the UK he eventually joined the Royal Scot Regiment, rising to the rank of Major. Part of the intriguing story involved his father’s papers which seem to have travelled to both India and China, losing some on the way and somehow involving a tea chest!
Doctor Peader O’Muircheartaigh of Glasgow with David White 7.02.26
The enthusiastic duo ended with a plea for information about any other examples of Lismore Gaelic poets and poetry.