President Michael D Higgins pays tribute to Limerick author who passes away at 96

LIMERICK AUTHOR Críostóir Ó Floinn, has passed away at the age of 96.

Críostóir was born in 1927 in Limerick city and has published over 60 pieces of well known writing from plays to poetry, short essays, biographies and translations.

“Some of his plays were produced in the Abbey and Gate Theatres in Dublin, and the Lyric in Belfast while his plays in Irish featured in Galway’s Taibhdhearc, and the Damer and Peacock theatres in Dublin,” said President Michael D Higgins, remembering the author.

Críostóir married Rita Beegan of Farranshoe in 1952 and the pair had seven children, seventeen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Críostóir qualified as a teacher from St Patrick’s Training College, Drumcondra, later, acquiring an honours degree, in English, from University College Dublin (UCD) and a Higher Diploma in Education (H.Dip.Ed.) from Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

Críostóir spent his early career working as a freelance journalist, a writer as well as a lecturer.

Críostóir enjoyed writing and speaking in our native language, Irish as well as English.

In a previous interview with the Leader Críostóir said; “Indeed, I was never able to earn a living from it, apart from a brief interlude, when I worked as a writer for the Irish Tourist Board dealing with cultural affairs. I, also, worked freelance in journalism and broadcasting. Indeed, I wrote a weekly column, in Irish, for eight years for the Irish Press, and broadcast many short stories and talks, in both Irish and English, while occasionally giving lectures. Thank God that none of our seven children have been similarly afflicted.”

Arts interview: Críostóir Ó Floinn

My education took place firstly at the Sisters of Mercy Infant School in St. Mary’s Parish.

Paying further tribute to the author, President Michael D Higgins said; “It is with great sadness that I have heard of the death of the accomplished bilingual author Críostóir Ó Floinn at 96 years of age. His long list of publications, over 60 in total, cover nearly every facet of literature, including plays, poetry, fiction, essays, biographies and translations.”

President Higgins continued; “His originality as a writer took courage and there was a price exacted.He was twice dismissed from teaching posts when two of his plays were produced in other theatres having been rejected by the board of The Abbey Theatre on grounds of morality.

“Críostóir Ó Floinn’s collected works include 12 books of poetry. During his career he was awarded many literary prizes and was a member of Aosdána.Both Sabina and I were privileged to have him as a friend.  I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Rita and their children Colm, Ruairí, Caoimhe, Ríonach, Éanna, Niamh and Ciarán.”

Funeral details have yet to be confirmed.