Flann O’Brien Stamp unveiled by ‘The Brother’

4 October 2011

Brian O’Nolan was a writer and columnist, known and loved for his satirical style, he wrote under a number of pseudonyms, including Flann O’Brien and Myles na gCopaleen.

O’Nolan was born on 5th October 1911 in Strabane, Co Tyrone. However he spent most of his life in in Dublin, attending University College Dublin where he became active in the Literary and Historical Society.

O’Nolan entered the Civil Service in 1935. During his career in the Department of Local Government he served as Private Secretary to three successive ministers. His first novel At Swim-Two-Birds was published in 1939. His other books and plays include The Third Policeman (1940); Faustus Kelly (1943); The Hard Life (1960 and The Dalkey Archive which was produced on the Dublin stage in 1965

For more than 25 years he wrote The Irish Times column, ‘Cruiskeen Lawn’ a satirical take on Irish life, under the pseudonym Myles na gCopaleen.  Following the sudden death of his father in 1937, O’Nolan took on much of the financial responsibility for his mother and ten siblings.   He remained close to his family all his life.  He died in 1966, aged just 56.

The stamp and a special first day cover by Irish designer, Steve Simpson may be viewed and purchased at www.irishstamps.ie; at the GPO Dublin, main Post Offices and by phone at (01) 7057400. The stamp will also feature in the limited edition 2011 Irish Stamp Year Book, available online from late November.