Biography

Donald MacDonald (Dòmhnall Eachainn 'ic Dhòmhnaill 'ic Aonghais 'ic Eòghainn 'ic Dhòmhnaill Mhòir nan Each, or Dòmhnall Éirisgeach) was born in Eriskay in 1912. His mother was Kate MacKenzie (Ceit Maiseig Iain Dhòmhnaill 'ic Ruairidh).

As with most Eriskay folk, his ancestors came from other islands. The landlords of Eriskay were not very fond of the island, due to its rocky landscape. His great-grandfather on his father's side was evicted from Coradal in South Uist. After being moved three times, they arrived in Eriskay. His mother's side was also from Uist and Donald was the eldest of a family of fourteen.

Donald went to Daliburgh School and then to Fort William High School and from there to Glasgow University. While in Glasgow he was involved in some Gaelic broadcasting for the BBC from 1933. After graduating and training as a teacher, Donald found employment in Eoligarry, Barra. In 1937 he got a job in Castlebay School, where he remained for 11 years.

He married Kate (Ceit Nèill 'illeasbaig Nèill Eòin) from Brevig in Barra in 1949, two years after returning to Eriskay. They raised their family in Eriskay, two daughters called Catherine and Margaret, and two sons called Neil and Allan. Donald spent the rest of his life on the island.

When he went to Eriskay he developed the football community and became the first president of the Uist and Barra Football Association, a position he held twice, for three years each time. He was a local councillor for twenty-three years on the Uist Local Council, campaigning for improvements to roads and piers, and for electricity and water services to be provided to the area. He encouraged the fishing industry, which had declined significantly during the Second World War, and with Donald's help the industry improved and flourished. Indeed, seafaring was amongst the subjects he taught at Eriskay School. He was also heavily involved in establishing the Eriskay Shop.

There was, as far as he knew, no poets in his family. However, he had a talent for poetry. He won the Bardic Crown at the Inverness Mod in 1949. His book Rannan à Eilean na h-Òige was published by Gairm in 1981, containing poetry, hymns and songs. Among these songs is his song Òran Èirisgeigh, which is a favourite with both singers and listeners of Gaelic music. He also translated the hymn Mater Christi by Sister Mary Xavier (1850-1917) from Latin into Gaelic, as Màthair Mhic Dè. Donald's hymns are often sung at church services and some of them have been heard in television programmes.

Donald passed away in 1989.

List of compositions

Màthair Mhic Dè (translation)