Bean Uí Chathasaigh (Máthair Mháire) (Leaving Cert Irish): Revision Notes

Bean Uí Chathasaigh (Máthair Mháire)

Role in the Story:

Bean Uí Chathasaigh is Máire's mother and plays a major role in her daughter's tragic fate. She is strict, very religious, and expects total obedience from her children.

Relationships with Other Characters:

• Máire Ní Chathasaigh: She pressures Máire to become a nun and reacts with anger and disgust when she learns of Máire's pregnancy. Instead of offering support, she shames her daughter and prioritises the family's reputation over Máire's well-being.
• Liam and Seán: Her two sons, whom she also tries to control. She wants Liam to take care of the farm and Seán to become a priest.

Key Actions in the Play:

1. Strict Expectations for Máire, Liam and Seán: Bean Uí Chathasaigh expects Máire to live a devout, religious life and pushes her to join the convent. She refuses to let Máire make her own choices or have any independence. Liam also feels controlled by his mother, and we see him sneak out of the window to meet Beití de Búrca.

2. Shames Máire When She's Pregnant: When she finds out that Máire is pregnant, she immediately turns on her, showing no empathy. She's concerned only with the shame Máire has brought on the family.

3. Disowns Máire: Instead of helping her daughter, Bean Uí Chathasaigh kicks Máire out of the house, leaving her to face the world alone. This decision is a major turning point in Máire's life and sets her on a tragic path.

Symbolism/Importance:

Bean Uí Chathasaigh symbolises the rigid, judgmental attitudes of Irish society at the time, particularly the harsh way unmarried mothers were treated. Her lack of compassion and extreme concern for reputation show how people often prioritised appearances over real kindness or understanding. Her actions push Máire into deeper isolation and play a direct role in her tragic fate.

Aidiachtaí

Máthair míthrocáireach, mícharthanach agus míchríostúil a bhí inti. (She was a cruel, uncharitable and unchristian mother.)

Míthrocáireach	Cruel
Mícharthanach	Uncharitable
Míchríostúil	Unchristian
Ceartaiseach	Self-righteous
Coiméadach	Conservative
Fimíneach	Hypocritical
Baintreach	Widow
Údarasach	Authoritative

1. Saol Crua

(A Hard Life)

• Bhí saol deacair aici. Fuair a fear céile bás nuair a bhí beirt mhac aici agus í ag iompar clainne.
  • She had a difficult life- her husband died when she had two sons and was pregnant.
• Bhí sí ceartaiseach agus bhí brionglóid aici go mbeadh "Seán ina shagart agus Máire sna mná rialta agus Liam i mbun na feirme."
  • She was self-righteous and she had a dream that "Seán would be a priest and Máire would be in the nuns and Liam in charge of the farm."

2. Ródhian ar a Páistí

(Too Strict on her Children)

• Bhíodh ar Liam agus ar Mháire éalú amach an fhuinneog chun bualadh lena leannáin.
  • Liam and Máire had to sneak out the window to meet their partners.
• Nuair a bhí Liam ag iarraidh dul amach le Beití de Búrca, cheistigh sí go géar é.
  • When Liam was trying to go out with Beití de Búrca, she questioned him sharply.
• Nuair a fuair sí amach go raibh Máire ag iompar clainne, bhí sí ar buaille.
  • When she found out that Máire was pregnant, she was furious.

3. Cúrsaí Creidimh

(Religious Matters)

• Leagadh Bean Uí Chathasaigh béim mhór ar chúrsaí creidimh.
  • Bean Uí Chathasaigh placed great emphasis on religious matters.
• Cé go luann sí Dia go minic, chomh luath is a fhaigheann sí amach go bhfuil Máire ag iompar clainne, is beag rian den chríostaíocht atá le feiceáil.
  • Although she often mentions God, as soon as she finds out that Máíre is pregnant, there is little trace of Christianity to be seen.

4. Thréig sí a hiníon

(She abandoned her daughter)

• Ní thugann sí aon tacaíocht do Mháire. Duine coimeádach, fimíneach, ceartaiseach a bhí inti.
  • She does not give Máire any support. She was a conservative, hypocritical and righteous person.
• Chaith sí go dona le Máire. Níor thaispeáin sí grá mháthair dá híníon.
  • She treated Mary badly. She did not show the love of a mother to her daughter.
• Chuir sí brú uirthi athair an linbh a phósadh, nó imeacht go Sasana.
  • She pressured her to marry the child's father, or leave for England.
• Dhíbhir sí Máire ón teach-thréig sí a hiníon in am an ghátair.
  • She threw Máire out of the house- she abandoned her daughter in her time of need.

4. Ní Ghlacann Sí Aon Fhreagracht

(She Takes No Responsibility)

• Nuair atá Máire agus a gariníon marbh, ní ghlacann sí aon chuid den fhreagracht uirthi féin. Ní léiríonn sí brón ar bith.
  • When Máire and her granddaughter are dead, she does not accept of the responsibility herself. She does not show any grief.
• Is deacair aon trua a bheith ag an leitheoir di.
  • It is difficult for the reader to have any pity for her.

Quotes:

"Agus mallacht Dé anuas ortsa … a striapach"

"And the curse of God be upon you… you prostitute."