Alf MacLochlainn

Alfred (Alf) MacLochlainn was born in 1926 in Dublin to Alfred Vincent MacLochlainn,^[3] who was a photographer, and Marcella Dowling. Marcella's brother was Séan Dowling, also known under the alias of John Philip Dowling, who was involved in the Irish Revolutionary Period spanning 1916 up until 1923.^[4] Seán Dowling was appointed Commandant of the 4th Battalion in 1920 and was the President of the old IRA Cumann in 1930s to 1940s.^[5] Alf MacLochlainn's sister is Charlotte MacLochlainn, author of Letters from Doig: Letters to My Dear Ones in Ireland, 1955 to 1958.^[6] She married John Groarke, a teacher and moved to London where she had four sons. The family then emigrated to St  Bruno, Quebec in Canada. Their grandmother was Emily Pearse, half sister to Patrick and William Pearse who were the famous Pearse brothers that died in the 1916 Rising. Emily Pearse is one of two surviving children from James Pearse's first marriage to Susannah Fox.^[7] James Pearse is great-grandfather to Alf and Charlotte MacLochlainn. In 1863, in Birmingham, James Pearse married Susannah Fox.^[8] Fox and Pearse had three daughters and one son together. Only one daughter survived, Emily Pearse born in 1864.^[9]

Alf MacLochlainn grew up in Dublin city and he completed a bachelor's degree in French and Irish in University College Dublin in 1947.^[10] The following year 1948, he graduated with a master's degree in Irish once again from University College Dublin. He completed internships at the Library of Congress and the Simmons College in Boston after he finished his MA.^[10]

He married Fionnuala Ní Riain, Irish singer who most notably sang ‘Taim Breoite Go Leor’ in 1976.^[11] She performed alongside Luke Kelly and other Irish singers.^[12] She recorded songs with Gael Linn alongside women like Máire Ní Scolaí and Marjorie Courtney in a collection called Amhrain na Grá.^[13]

The couple performed together, Mr. MacLochlainn performing his satires and Mrs. MacLochlainn singing Irish songs.^[14] The couple had six children together: Colm, Kate, Nuala, Ian, Gile and the late Fred.^[15] Colm MacLochlainn followed in his mother's shoes in the way of performing and singing.^[16] Mr. MacLochlainn moved his family from Dublin to Salthill, Galway where he joined the National University of Ireland Galway as a librarian in 1982.^[17]

Following his Masters, in 1949 Alf MacLochlainn was hired by the National Library of Ireland in the position of Assistant Librarian.^[18] Alf MacLochlainn held various positions during his tenure at the National Library, from Assistant Keeper of Manuscripts in 1963,^[19] and then deputy director.^[18] Twenty years into his career with the National Library, in 1976 Alf MacLochlainn was appointed its Director^[1] serving as successor to former directors Richard J. Hayes and Patrick Henchy.^[20] MacLochlainn held the position of director for five years until he resigned in 1982. The National Library recorded in a report that he was with the National Library for over 30 years, but that Maclochlainn was choosing to leave for higher paying libraries in Ireland.^[21]

During his time as director, the collections acquired by the National Library include the Dillon-Mahon Family archives, received by the library in 1976.^[22]

In April 1982, Alf MacLochlainn became the librarian of the University College Galway,^[23] known today as the University of Galway. He retired from the position in 1987.^[24][25] Subsequent to his retirement, Alf MacLochlainn accepted a position as the Burns Library Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies at Boston College for the 1991-1992 Academic year.^[18] During his time, he was named the inaugural holder of the Burns Library Chair.^[26]

As a writer, his works include writings for radio, films, television and fictional novels.^[27]

Finally, Alf MacLochlainn was also actively engaged with various committees, serving as  trustee of the Chester Beatty Library,^[1] chair of the James Joyce Institute of Ireland, and a member of the board of directors of the Irish Film Theatre. Furthermore, he was a member of  the Irish Manuscripts Commission, the Library Council on the committee of the Royal Irish Academy for the study of Anglo-Irish Literature,^[17] and member of the north–south committee on library cooperation in Ireland.^[28]