Joe Steve Ó Neachtain
Genres: Critic, Playwright, Poet, Short story writer, Scriptwriter, Childrens' author, Reviewer, Lyricist, Novelist, Commentator
Rugadh Joe Steve Ó Neachtain sa Spidéal, áit ar chaith sé bunadh a shaoil i mbun feachtaisíochta le ceannairí áitiúla eile, le huisce reatha, páirc, áiseanna spóirt agus comharchumann a chur ar fáil. Bhí sé an-ghníomhach freisin i bhfeachtas Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta, a chuir dlús le bunú Raidió na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus TG4. Bronnadh céim oinigh MA ar Joe Steve as a chuid iarrachtaí in NUIG i 2005.
B’é Fead Ghlaice (1986), leabhar agallamh beirte agus bailéad, a chéad shaothar foilsithe. Ina dhiaidh sin, d’fhoilsigh sé cnuasaigh filíochta, De Dhroim Leice (1990), An Dé Deireadh (2008), agus Fad Saoil (2015); cnuasaigh gearrscéalta, Cloch Mhóin (1998), a bhuaigh Duais Sheán Uí Éigeartaigh agus Gradam Chló Iar Chonnacht, Salann Garbh (2009), agus Idir Neamh is Talamh (2014); úrscéalta, Scread Mhaidine (2003), agus Láimh Láidir (2005), a bhuaigh Duais Comhairle Ealaíon an Connaught Tribune agus Gradam Chló Iar Chonnacht; drámaí, In Ainm an Athar & Níor Mhaith Linn do Thrioblóid (2006), agus Faoi Dheireadh Thiar (2008); agus cnuasach aistí, Ag Caint Linn Fhéin (2013). Scríobh sé sraithdhráma Raidió na Gaeltachta “Baile an Droichid” a ghnóthaigh Gradam Raidió Jacobs 1992, idir 1986 agus 1996. Tá geamaireachtaí, scoraíochtaí, scéalta do pháistí, léirmheasanna liteartha, agus léachtaí ar chúrsaí liteartha scríofa aige freisin. Chomh maith leis sin, ba aisteoir chumasach é, agus bhí aithne air as páirt Pheadair a ghlacadh i Ros na Rún.
Bronnadh mórchuid duaiseanna ealaíona ar Joe Steve feadh na mblianta, ina measc, Gradam an Oireachtais, Gradam an Uachtaráin as Ardchaighdeán Liteartha, Duais Stuart Parker agus Gradam Raidió na Gaeltachta 2016. Roghnaíodh é mar bhall de Aosdána i 2014.
Joe Steve Ó Neachtain was born into an Irish-speaking community in Spiddal. Although emigration was rampant, Joe decided to stay to fight with likeminded community leaders. A massive and mainly voluntary effort provided running water, sporting facilities and a co-op. As vocal members of the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Movement, they demanded and established Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta. NUIG honoured Joe with an MA degree for his efforts in 2005.
Joe published twelve books and also won major awards for his writing: novels, short stories, poetry, three full length plays and a ten year stint as writer of the radio soap Baile an Droichid. He also authored ballads, dialogues in verse, pantomimes, literary reviews, stories for children, and has delivered lectures on Irish language literature. His awards include: Jacob’s Award 1992 for Baile an Droichid; Stuart Parker Award for his play Níor Mhaith Linn do Thrioblóid; the President’s Award; Gael na Bliana 2008; Galway County Council Supreme Arts Award 2008 and Gradam Liteartha an Oireachtais 2009.
Joe was named as a member of Aosdána in 2014. An actor for stage and television, Joe was perhaps best known for playing the part of Peadar in the soap Ros na Rún.
Birth date: 25 October 1942
Place of birth: An Spidéal, Co. Galway
Death date: 19 January 2020
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