Seamus O Grianna (Maire) was born in Rannafast in the Rosses of County Donegal. He wrote many novels and short stories about his native place which were treasured for their idioms and their picture of Donegal life at the turn of the century. The publication of his best work in paperback had to wait until after his death. Cith is Dealan was first published in 1927.

This collection of short stories displays the best qualities in his writing û the rich poetical language of the Gaeltacht and the life of the people who lived there.