Blue plaque for Strabane’s Flann O’Brien

The plaque - in memory of Brian O’Nolan (a.k.a. Flann O’Brien and Myles na gCopaleen) - will be unveiled by his nephew Kevin O’Nolan .

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 2pm at 6 Bowling Green, Strabane.

Brian O’Nolan (Brian Ó Nualláin) was born at 6 Bowling Green, Strabane, Co. Tyrone on October 5, 1911.

He was educated at Blackrock College and University College Dublin where he started his literary career by contributing to the UCD magazine Comhthrom Féinne under the names of Brother Barnabas and Count O’Blather.

O’Nolan joined the Civil Service in 1935 where he worked in town planning, retiring in 1953.

The Irish Civil Service prohibited the writing of articles and letters on current affairs so he used a variety of pseudonyms writing satirical letters to newspapers, sometimes criticising his own letters using different names.

His novels were published under the pseudonym Flann O’Brien. His first one, At Swim Two Birds, published in 1939 is regarded as a masterpiece.

The Third Policeman written in 1939-40 was published posthumously in 1967.

Other works include The Hard Life, 1961, The Dalkey Archive, 1965. An Béal Bocht written in Irish in 1941 and translated into English in 1973 as The Poor Mouth. He wrote two plays Thirst and Faustus Kelly, which was produced in the Abbey Theatre in 1943.

Using the pseudonym Myles na gCopaleen (Myles of the Little Horses) he wrote a column for the Irish Times under the title Cruiskeen Lawn. The column first appeared on 4 October 1940, continuing right up the time of his death, in hospital in Dublin on 1 April 1966.

Flann O’Brien is considered a major figure in twentieth century Irish literature. The writer Anthony Burgess said that: “If we don’t cherish the work of Flann O’Brien we are stupid fools who don’t deserve to have great men. Flann O’Brien is a very great man.” Burgess included At Swim Two Birds on his list of 99 Great Novels.

The plaque is supported by Strabane District Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund

Chris Spurr, Chairman of the Ulster History Circle said, “On an island with much more than its fair share of world-class writers, Brian O’Nolan under his many noms de plume stands out amongst them as a great humourist.

One hundred years since his birth it is an appropriate tribute to his talents that he is honoured in this way. To borrow from the writer’s own catechism of cliché, we might inquire: Of what colossal size is the pride shared by the Ulster History Circle, Strabane District Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund in erecting this plaque? Immense.”

Councillor Brian McMahon, Chairman of Strabane District Council said: “We are delighted to be part of this event which will be a fitting tribute to one of Strabane’s most famous sons and it is fitting that members of the O’Nolan family will be in attendance on the day. The unveiling of the Ulster History Circle plaque one of the highlights in a wider programme of events planned to mark 100 years since the birth of Brian O’Nolan which also includes lectures, discussions, drama, film and the visual arts.”

Paul Mullan, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund for Northern Ireland said, “This plaque is a fitting tribute to one of major figures of twentieth century Irish literature and is a wonderful way to raise awareness of O’Nolan’s connections to Strabane. We are delighted to be involved in celebrating the achievements of our local heroes and their contributions to the development of local life through the unveiling of these Blue Plaques.”