Introduction to 'An Triail'

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Litríocht Bhreise is the 'Additional Literature' section of Paper 2. It's a compulsory question and the last one on the paper. You will see 6 questions, but you have only studied one text with your teacher, so will have only one option. As this question is worth 40 marks—more than the prose and poetry questions (30 marks each)—it's important to get comfortable with your chosen text. Unlike prose and poetry, where any of the 10 texts could show up, Litríocht Bhreise will always include a question on the text you've studied, so it's a sure thing! Even though it's the last question, it's a great idea to start with it. You can prepare well, and it's a confidence booster as you begin the exam!

An Triail, le Máiréad Ní Ghráda

Cúlra (Background)

Tá an dráma 'An Triail' suite sna seascaidí, in Éirinn. Tugtar léargas dúinn ar an gcaoi chruálach, mhíthrócaireach ar caitheadh le máthair neamhphósta ag an am.
- The drama 'An Triail' is set in the sixties, in Ireland. We are given an insight into the cruel, heartless way in which unmarried mothers were treated at the time.
Tá téama an scéil seo thar a bheith réadúil.
- The theme of this story is very realistic.
Is téama corraitheach é, le máthair shingil ag iarraidh a dícheall a dhéanamh dá leanbh.
- It is a moving theme, with a single mother trying to do her best for her baby.
Bhí smacht agus cumhacht ag an Eaglais Chaitliceach.
- The Catholic Church has control and power.
De réir na heaglaise, ceann de na rudaí a bhí ina pheaca ná gnéas roimh phósadh.
- According to the church, one of the things that was a was sex before marriage.
Nuair a d'eiríodh cailín singil torrach, chaití go dona.
- When a single girl became pregnant, she was treated poorly.
Is beag tuiscint ná trua a bhíodh le fáil ó éinne di.
- Little understanding or pity would she get from anyone.
Thugtaí rogha do na cailíní- an leanbh a chur ar altramas nó athair an linbh a phósadh.
- The girls were given a choice- to have the child adopted or to marry the child's father.
Ní ghlactaí in aon chor leis an leanbh a choimeád.
- Keeping the child was not accepted at all.

Na Pearsana sa Dráma (The Characters in the Drama)

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There are lots of characters in the drama, and many have similar-sounding names! It's easy to mix them up, so here's a quick guide you can use whenever you get confused.

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Máire Ní Chathasaigh

The main character.
Máire falls in love with Pádraig and becomes pregnant.
As a single mother, she is outcast from society.

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Bean Uí Chathasaigh

Máthair Mháire (Máire's mother)
She is strict, very religious, and expects total obedience from her children.

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Liam Ó Cathasaigh

Deartháir Mháire (Máire's brother)
His mother expects him to run the farm.
He is engaged to Beití de Búrca.

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Seán Ó Cathasaigh

Deartháir Mháire (Máire's brother)
He is training to be a priest.

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Pádraig Mac Carthaigh

Athair an linbh (The child's father)
Schoolteacher
He seduces Máire and then abandons her once she becomes pregnant.

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Bean Uí Chinsealaigh

Bean Uí Chinsealaigh is a wealthy woman who hires Máire as a domestic servant in Dublin.
She later dismisses her due to the social stigma surrounding Máire's pregnancy.

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Áine ní Bhreasail

An t-oibrí sóisialta (The social worker)
She is supposed to help Máire during her pregnancy.

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Mailí

An striapach (The prostitute)
Máire meets Mailí in the 'Teach Tearmainn'.
Mailí offers Máire shelter when her house collapses.

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An Bainisteoir (The Factory Manager)

D'oibrigh Máire dó sa mhonaracha (Máire worked for him in the factory)

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Colm Ó Sé

An muinteoir damhsa agus múinteoir scoile (The dance teacher and the school teacher)
Colm visits Mailí's house in Dublin with Pádraig.

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Seáinín an Mhótair

Works in the 'Teach Tearmainn'
Comes across Máire when her house collapses and brings her to Mailí's house.

Introduction to ‘An Triail’ Simplified Revision Notes for Leaving Cert Irish

Introduction to 'An Triail'

An Triail, le Máiréad Ní Ghráda

Cúlra (Background)

Na Pearsana sa Dráma (The Characters in the Drama)

Máire Ní Chathasaigh

Bean Uí Chathasaigh

Liam Ó Cathasaigh

Seán Ó Cathasaigh

Pádraig Mac Carthaigh

Bean Uí Chinsealaigh

Áine ní Bhreasail

Mailí

An Bainisteoir (The Factory Manager)

Colm Ó Sé

Seáinín an Mhótair

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