Éilis NÉ Bhrádaigh
Eilís Ní Bhrádaigh, who has died aged 80, was a lexicographer closely involved in the preparation and publication of three major Irish-language dictionaries.
She was also the author of a unique book of urban folklore that focused on children's street games and rhymes.
The book had its origins in a collection of children's folklore that she compiled and which she contributed to the Department of Irish Folklore at University College, Dublin. All in, all in: A selection of Dublin Children's traditional Street Games with Rhymes and Music, was published by Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann in 1975; a paperback edition followed in 1984.
In it she described ball games like "Queenie" and "Donkey", skipping games like "Handy Andy" and "Apple Jelly" and various other games such as "Snap the bacon", "O'Grady says" and "Long or short". She also included examples of children's verse such as Janey Mac, I see Paris and Oh! The Horse broke down.
Born in Fairview, Dublin in 1927, she was the daughter of Francis Brady and his wife Elena (née Nolan). A member of the Irish Volunteers, her father was attached to the Jacob's factory garrison in 1916 under the command of Thomas MacDonagh. The family moved to Cabra and she attended Scoil Mhuire, Marlborough Street. A scholarship student at St Louis, Rathmines, she also won a trade union scholarship to learn Irish in Connemara.
On completing her secondary education, she took the Civil Service entrance examination and in 1945 was assigned to Rannóg an Fhoclóra at An Gúm, the publishing arm of the Department of Education. She joined the team working on the English-Irish Dictionary under Tomás de Bhaldraithe.
Colleagues included the Donegal writer Séamus Ó Grianna, the poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Seán an Chóta Caomhanach (brother of Kruger Kavanagh) and Donnchadh Ó Céileachair. She remembered her colleagues as friendly, educated and interesting people, but when settling into her job had to overcome an unexpected linguistic problem.
"Ní raibh Séamus Ó Grianna sásta focal Gaeilge a labhairt dom ón gcéad lá, rud a chuir olc ar Thomás agus an fhoireann, agus díomá an tsaoil ormsa. Ach, d'éirigh liom teacht ar réiteach leis an Ultach crosta seo a bhí an-mhórálach as a chuid Béarla: dá mbéadh ormsa glacadh leis uaidh nach mbeadh Gaeilge líofa agam go deo toisc nár saolaíodh sa Ghaeltacht mé, bheadh air féin glacadh leis uaimse nach mbeadh Béarla líofa aige go deo toisc nár saolaíodh i mBaile Átha Cliath é agus d'fhás cairdeas agus cion agus meas eadrainn a mhair go lá a bháis."
The English-Irish Dictionary was published in 1959 and there was praise for her "diligence and accuracy [ in] preparing word-lists, cross-checking and proof-reading". The launch was accompanied by little public fuss or fanfare. However, Tomás de Bhaldraithe and his wife Vivienne marked the occasion by hosting a memorable party at their home.
She next worked on Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla and colleagues included Niall Ó Dónaill, the folklore collector Seosamh Ó Dálaigh from Dún Chaoin and Pádraig Ua Maoileoin, the novelist and grandson of Tomás Ó Criomhthain. In July 1978, Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla was published, in conjunction with English-Irish Dictionary: Additions and Corrections.
Eilís Ní Bhrádaigh had long argued for a concise, pocket-sized bilingual dictionary and eventually her superiors at An Gúm decided to proceed with the project. She and Máire Ní Icí spent a few years compiling the dictionary and Foclóir Póca was published in 1986. Also that year she was invited by the Royal Irish Academy to work on Foclóir na Nua Ghaeilge, which was being supervised by Tomás de Bhaldraithe. She worked on the project as assistant editor until she retired in 1995.
In retirement she collected examples of the Dublin vernacular, gathering material for a possible second book with the working title, A Manner of Speaking. Shortly before her death, she donated the material to the UCD Delargy Centre for Irish Folklore.
A member of the Old Dublin Society, she was also a stalwart of Cumann Merriman. She enjoyed music and travel.
Her sisters Áine and Margaret, and brother Christy, survive her.
Eilís (Letitia/Letty) Ní Bhrádaigh: born April 1st, 1927; died May 17th, 2007