BRENDAN BEHAN

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BRENDAN BEHAN:

Playwright and Republican

Boasting a fierce sense of patriotic determination and an outspokenness which never failed to attract attention -- and not all of it good -- Behan left school at fourteen years of age, evolving into a troubled young man who forged a somewhat hostile relationship with the authorities. He was to be arrested several times in his youth. The anger and bitterness within him was to fester for some time, eventually erupting in a series of turbulent incidents. He was actively involved in an IRA bombing campaign in England, which resulted in three years detention for him in Borstal.

Periods in Strangeways, Lewes and Mountjoy prison provided inspiration for the creation of 'The Auld Triangle' and 'Borstal Boy', two of the most prominent examples in an impressive list of literary achievements. He carefully analysed his time there and the people encountered with more than a hint of humour: "The English are wonderful -- first they put me in jail and then they made me rich!" ....

.....By the time he returned to his native land he had made a name as an accomplished writer and balladeer, producing his first play 'The Quare Fella' in 1954. This was closely followed by 'The Hostage' and both critically acclaimed and staged in Britain, Paris, Berlin America and in other places. It is however for 'Borstal Boy' that Behan is best remembered. For the man who has accepted the challenge of portraying the troubled writer, it remains one of his proudest pieces of work to date -- and one he returns to again and again.

Despite falling into ill health, Behan's mind remained brilliant and alert to the end and when he could no longer write physically, he chose to record his thoughts and words on tape, which today remains a precious and wonderful legacy of his genius.

"A hungry feeling come o'er me stealing,
And the mice were squealing in my prison cell
And that old triangle went jingle jangle,
Along the banks of the Royal Canal."

Taken from 'The Quare Fellow'

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