author
Seumas O'Kelly
d. 1918
A sharp-eyed Irish writer and journalist, he is best remembered for stories and plays rooted in rural life and for the lasting reputation of "The Weaver's Grave." His work grew out of both literary talent and a lively career in nationalist journalism.
1 Audiobook
Waysiders, Stories of Connacht
by Seumas O'Kelly
About the author
Born in Loughrea, County Galway, Seumas O'Kelly was an Irish journalist, fiction writer, poet, and playwright who worked for newspapers including the Southern Star and later the Leinster Leader. Sources agree that he died on 14 November 1918, though his exact birth year is given differently in different references.
He wrote across several forms—short stories, novels, poems, and plays—and is especially associated with The Weaver's Grave, often singled out as his best-known work. His writing is closely linked with Irish rural life, and his career also connected him with the world of Irish nationalist publishing.
O'Kelly's life was brief, but his reputation endured through both his journalism and his fiction. He remains a notable figure in early 20th-century Irish literature, especially for readers interested in Irish short stories and literary life during a turbulent period in Ireland's history.