Seamas O Cathain was born in Drumquin, Co. Tyrone, and educated at Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh, and at Queen's University Belfast where he graduated: BA in 1960, MA in 1966, and PhD in 1977. Among other academic posts, he has been appointed Professor of Celtic, Queen's University Belfast in 1980; Associate Professor, University College Dublin in 1990; Dean, Faculty of Celtic Studies, University College Dublin from 1990 to 1996; Acting Head, Department of Archaeology, University College Dublin in 1995-1996; Acting Head, Department of Irish Folklore from 1996 to 2000; Professor of Irish Folklore, University College Dublin from 2000 to 2005; Interim Head, School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics in 2005 and 2006; and Director, National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin in 2006 and 2007. He has been Editor of 'Bealoideas', the Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society from 1996 to 2005, and has received numerous honours and awards, including the Gael Linn Gold Medal in 1960, the Dag Stromback Prize of the Gustavus Adolphus Akademi, Uppsala, Sweden in 1994, and in 1986 became a Knight (First Class) of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

‘A Gem…’ — Tristan Rosenstock, RTÉ Radio 1; ‘Leabhar an-bhrea Jumping the Border – bhaineas an-taitneamh as, agus taim cinnte go mbainfidh na leitheoirí sult as.’ — Raidio na Gaeltachta; ‘Is beag duine nach mbainfeadh taitneamh as an gcuntas beathaisneise seo … is blaiseadh iontach e an leabhar seo de shaol eachtruil.’ — Iris Comhar; ‘A timely look at borders here and elsewhere, written in an engaging style. …OCathain provides fascinating insights …he got to do research among the Sami (Lapland people) of Norway and Finland. In this remote area, far from Ireland, he encountered many of the same issues he grew up with in Tyrone. Here, too, was a minority-language community struggling to maintain their identity and language in face of an officialdom determined to assimilate them.’ — Books Ireland Magazine; ‘The descriptions of the people and life of the shrinking Gaeltacht area Na Cruacha in Donegal … and the Sami people high above the Arctic Circle, stand out for their insights into lives and living that few of us might get the chance to glimpse. …This warm book – a memoir of insights and inspirations …across many borders.’ — Bealoideas, Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society.

• 1. A Cub in Langfield; 2. Jumping the Border; 3. 'Felix Education'; 4. The 'No English' Rule; 5. Mind Your Slender 'R's; 6. In Pursuit of Irish - 'Ar Thoir na Gaeilge'; 7. A Queen's Postgraduate; 8. Beyond the Arctic Circle; 9. At Large in Lapland; 10. A Long Night; 11. Going Home; 12. A Personal Postscript: Family, Roots, & Music.

Seamas O Cathain was born in Drumquin, Co. Tyrone, and educated at Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh, and at Queen's University Belfast where he graduated: BA in 1960, MA in 1966, and PhD in 1977. Among other academic posts, he has been appointed Professor of Celtic, Queen's University Belfast in 1980; Associate Professor, University College Dublin in 1990; Dean, Faculty of Celtic Studies, University College Dublin from 1990 to 1996; Acting Head, Department of Archaeology, University College Dublin in 1995-1996; Acting Head, Department of Irish Folklore from 1996 to 2000; Professor of Irish Folklore, University College Dublin from 2000 to 2005; Interim Head, School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics in 2005 and 2006; and Director, National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin in 2006 and 2007. He has been Editor of 'Bealoideas', the Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society from 1996 to 2005, and has received numerous honours and awards, including the Gael Linn Gold Medal in 1960, the Dag Stromback Prize of the Gustavus Adolphus Akademi, Uppsala, Sweden in 1994, and in 1986 became a Knight (First Class) of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

‘A Gem…’ — Tristan Rosenstock, RTÉ Radio 1; ‘Leabhar an-bhrea Jumping the Border – bhaineas an-taitneamh as, agus taim cinnte go mbainfidh na leitheoirí sult as.’ — Raidio na Gaeltachta; ‘Is beag duine nach mbainfeadh taitneamh as an gcuntas beathaisneise seo … is blaiseadh iontach e an leabhar seo de shaol eachtruil.’ — Iris Comhar; ‘A timely look at borders here and elsewhere, written in an engaging style. …OCathain provides fascinating insights …he got to do research among the Sami (Lapland people) of Norway and Finland. In this remote area, far from Ireland, he encountered many of the same issues he grew up with in Tyrone. Here, too, was a minority-language community struggling to maintain their identity and language in face of an officialdom determined to assimilate them.’ — Books Ireland Magazine; ‘The descriptions of the people and life of the shrinking Gaeltacht area Na Cruacha in Donegal … and the Sami people high above the Arctic Circle, stand out for their insights into lives and living that few of us might get the chance to glimpse. …This warm book – a memoir of insights and inspirations …across many borders.’ — Bealoideas, Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society.

• 1. A Cub in Langfield; 2. Jumping the Border; 3. 'Felix Education'; 4. The 'No English' Rule; 5. Mind Your Slender 'R's; 6. In Pursuit of Irish - 'Ar Thoir na Gaeilge'; 7. A Queen's Postgraduate; 8. Beyond the Arctic Circle; 9. At Large in Lapland; 10. A Long Night; 11. Going Home; 12. A Personal Postscript: Family, Roots, & Music.

Seamas O Cathain was born in Drumquin, Co. Tyrone, and educated at Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh, and at Queen's University Belfast where he graduated: BA in 1960, MA in 1966, and PhD in 1977. Among other academic posts, he has been appointed Professor of Celtic, Queen's University Belfast in 1980; Associate Professor, University College Dublin in 1990; Dean, Faculty of Celtic Studies, University College Dublin from 1990 to 1996; Acting Head, Department of Archaeology, University College Dublin in 1995-1996; Acting Head, Department of Irish Folklore from 1996 to 2000; Professor of Irish Folklore, University College Dublin from 2000 to 2005; Interim Head, School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics in 2005 and 2006; and Director, National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin in 2006 and 2007. He has been Editor of 'Bealoideas', the Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society from 1996 to 2005, and has received numerous honours and awards, including the Gael Linn Gold Medal in 1960, the Dag Stromback Prize of the Gustavus Adolphus Akademi, Uppsala, Sweden in 1994, and in 1986 became a Knight (First Class) of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

‘A Gem…’ — Tristan Rosenstock, RTÉ Radio 1; ‘Leabhar an-bhrea Jumping the Border – bhaineas an-taitneamh as, agus taim cinnte go mbainfidh na leitheoirí sult as.’ — Raidio na Gaeltachta; ‘Is beag duine nach mbainfeadh taitneamh as an gcuntas beathaisneise seo … is blaiseadh iontach e an leabhar seo de shaol eachtruil.’ — Iris Comhar; ‘A timely look at borders here and elsewhere, written in an engaging style. …OCathain provides fascinating insights …he got to do research among the Sami (Lapland people) of Norway and Finland. In this remote area, far from Ireland, he encountered many of the same issues he grew up with in Tyrone. Here, too, was a minority-language community struggling to maintain their identity and language in face of an officialdom determined to assimilate them.’ — Books Ireland Magazine; ‘The descriptions of the people and life of the shrinking Gaeltacht area Na Cruacha in Donegal … and the Sami people high above the Arctic Circle, stand out for their insights into lives and living that few of us might get the chance to glimpse. …This warm book – a memoir of insights and inspirations …across many borders.’ — Bealoideas, Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society.

• 1. A Cub in Langfield; 2. Jumping the Border; 3. 'Felix Education'; 4. The 'No English' Rule; 5. Mind Your Slender 'R's; 6. In Pursuit of Irish - 'Ar Thoir na Gaeilge'; 7. A Queen's Postgraduate; 8. Beyond the Arctic Circle; 9. At Large in Lapland; 10. A Long Night; 11. Going Home; 12. A Personal Postscript: Family, Roots, & Music.