Career
Of Ballymacane (or Ballymacain) townland in the parish of Moynalty, Kilmainhamwood, Kells, County Meath, Ó Gealacáin was by 1814 a hedge school master, being educated in Irish, English, and mathematics. In 1824 average attendance at his school was thirty-five boys, six girls. Ó Gealacáin transcribed Irish manuscripts and collected ancient songs, but his main interest was in mathematics and general literature.
His surviving manuscripts were compiled between 1823 and 1858.
One, Royal Irish Academy Mississippi. 3.B. 39, contains his genealogy, which reads:
He was also a contributor to several almanacs. His mother"s name was Margaret Williams of Munterconnacht parish, Lough Ramor, who died in 1837.
All of the family are interred in the graveyard of Munterconnacht, but without any tombstones. Due to clearances and emigration, by the early 20th century many of his relatives and their descendants left the area.
