Micheál de Barra was born on the border of the Burren – his spiritual home – in Kilfenora, Co. Clare. He was later educated by the Christian Brothers and qualified as primary school teacher in Mary Immaculate College, Marino. He has a degree in Irish and Spanish from the University of Ireland, Dublin and read for a Master’s in Education at Trinity College, Dublin. He has worked as both a primary and secondary teacher in Ireland and in Argentina, while also spending short periods as a guidance counsellor and as a secondary school vice-principal.

An Bóthar go Santiago (Cois Life, 2007) was Mícheál’s first publication. It takes the form of a daily diary of his personal journey along the well-known pilgrimage, and won the Glen Dimplex Award 2007 in the Irish section. His second book, Gaeil I dTír na nGauchos (Coiscéim, 2009), was published in 2009 and tells the story of Gaels that have emigrated to Argentina over the years. In October, 2012; Mr Bruce Davis, Ambassador from Australia launched Gaeil faoi Bhratach Eureka (Coiscéim, 2012) in the Australian Embassy, Dublin. The story of the Eureka Stockade is discussed in this new book – one of the most racially motivated events in Australia’s history. Micheál is currently living with his wife Siobhán in Kildare.

Updated June 2017