Christening gown which, according to family, was worn by Pádraic Ó Conaire (1882-1928) at his baptism. Born Patrick Joseph Conroy at New Docks, Galway on 28 February 1882, to Thomas and Kate Conroy (née McDonogh), Ó Conaire was baptised the following day (Wednesday, 1 March) at the Old-Pro Cathedral on the corner of Middle Street and Lower Abbeygate Street, Galway.
Made from white cotton, the gown is full length with short capped sleeves. It was constructed using machine and hand stitching, and is embellished with lace, numerous pin tucks, and broderie anglaise.
Renowned as an Irish writer and journalist whose work was primarily in the Irish language, Ó Conaire wrote 26 books, 473 stories, 237 essays and 6 plays in his lifetime. His acclaimed novel “Deoraíocht” (Exile, 1910) has been described by Angela Bourke as ‘the earliest example of modernist fiction in Irish.
Ó Conaire died in October 1928 at Richmond Hospital, Dublin, and is buried at the New Cemetery, Bohermore, Galway.
