Bean Iain Ruairidh , Catrìona Iain Ruaidh | Catherine (MacDonald) MacNeil
(1840 - 1910)

Catherine MacNeil, also known as Catrìona Iain Ruaidh or Catrìona Bean Ruairidh, was a well-known bard who lived in the far eastern part of the Highlands, Rear Christmas Island. Catherine's father was born in South Uist and came to Cape Breton in 1822. She married Iain Ruairidh "Gilleonan" MacNeil and settled near the foot of Eskasoni Mountain in Rear Christmas Island. The couple remained childless and their life was supposedly difficult, being so far from neighbours. Catherine would later spend considerable lengths of time living with the MacLean family in Rear Christmas Island. Catherine MacNeil was illiterate but Mrs. MacLean states that she insisted on the integrity of her songs being preserved by anyone who wished to sing them.

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