John McDonald (19 September 1846 – 1932) was an Irish cultural nationalist poet during the nineteenth century Irish Literary Revival. Known for frequent contributions to weekly and periodical Irish publications, he published a book of poetry in 1886.
Born in the parish of Cloone in county Leitrim, John was the son of a small farmer and Roman Catholic. He completed his education in local schools before pursuing a teaching career.[1] From 1881, he lived in New York for a few years. McDonald married his wife Mary c. 1886, and they raised eight children, named Michael, Patrick, Mary, John, Anne, Charles, and two unknown.[2] The family lived at Cloonboniagh South townland near Dromod in county Leitrim, John running a farm whilst holding down a job as schoolteacher in county Longford.[1] He died October 1932, and many of his children emigrated to America.[1]
An Irish cultural nationalist, McDonald contributed verse to periodicals such as "United Ireland", "Weekly News", "Young Ireland", "Weekly National Press (1891–2)",[3] and to local newspapers in county Leitrim and county Longford.[1] While living in America for a time, he published poetry in the "Irish World of New York".[3] McDonald's sole book, a collection of poetry titled "Irish National Poems", was published in 1886. He wrote most of his poetry in his spare time, mainly at night or Sunday evenings,[4] explaining his motivation thus-
One copy of the book is kept at Keenans Hotel -Tarmonbarry in county Roscommon, and another copy is kept in the archives of the National Library of Ireland in Dublin.[4] Reprints of his poems appeared in the Leitrim Observer newspaper during the 1960s. All his poems usually appeared with the signature "J. McD. (Dromod)".[3][4]
McDonald was an Irish nationalist, supporting the Irish National Land League movement. Writing to John Devoy in 1881, John Sexton enthused "before I ever had the pleasure of meeting Mr McDonald, I knew him through my connection with the Dublin press, as a graceful and frank writer, both in prose and verse ... indeed I am aware that he has been a tower of strength to the Land League cause in Leitrim, his native county".[5]
