Brendan Behan
Brendan Behan was a prominent Irish poet, playwright, and novelist, known for his works that explored themes of Irish identity, politics, and the human condition. Born in 1923 in Dublin, Behan became a significant figure in Irish literature, particularly with his acclaimed play 'The Quare Fellow,' which critiques capital punishment. His life was marked by his involvement with the IRA and subsequent imprisonment, experiences that deeply influenced his writing. Behan's outspoken political views and his bohemian lifestyle made him a controversial yet beloved figure in Ireland and abroad. His support for John F. Kennedy during the presidential campaign highlighted his engagement with significant political movements of his time, showcasing the intersection of art and activism in his life.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Brendan Behan was one of the Irish writers fostered by Roibeard Ó Faracháin.
RTÉ should be accountable for its spending, but critics’ focus is too selective – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-05-29
Brendan Behan’s book Borstal Boy was also censored and banned.
Should parents be held responsible for children’s activities online? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-15
Brendan Behan was honored with a plaque outside his childhood home in Dublin.
Brendan Behan’s family ‘extremely proud’ as plaque is unveiled outside his childhood home in Dublin – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-07
Brendan Behan was a notable figure in Irish literature and was referenced in the context of a protest.
‘I started to write Great Irish Wives without any idea I would be a widow by the time it went to print’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-14
Brendan Behan was mentioned in connection with a court case involving Patrick Kavanagh.
Auctioneers’ favourite items from 2025 – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-13
Brendan Behan is quoted regarding the potential split in the left coalition.
Left’s unity from Catherine Connolly campaign faces its first big tests – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-20
Brendan Behan's writings reflect the alienation felt by residents of Crumlin.
Fintan O’Toole on the commodification of Crumlin – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-15
Brendan Behan was a house painter who later became a successful writer.
Frank McNally on how a book inscription came back to haunt Patrick Kavanagh – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-27
Brendan Behan is mentioned as one of the interlinked lives with Kavanagh and Brian O'Nolan.
Ballet Go Backwards – Frank McNally on Patrick Kavanagh’s short-lived career as a dance librettist – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-19
Brendan Behan was involved in a fracas at Smyth's pub with Patrick Kavanagh.
‘If we keep knocking down places like Smyth’s, soon there’ll be nothing interesting left for tourists to visit’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-04
Brendan Behan owned a cat called Beamish and was proud of it.
Never employ a cat. They are ‘unreliable, capricious and liable to absenteeism’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-07
Brendan Behan used to quip that in Ireland he was 'the leader of the banned'.
Ray Burke on how the books of almost every Irish writer of note were banned in the last century – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-10
Brendan Behan was a novelist and playwright who famously traded insults with Patrick Kavanagh.
Barge restaurant on Grand Canal in Dublin 4 on sale for €350,000 – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-04
Brendan Behan is one of Morrissey's perennial obsessions, referenced in his performance.
Singer folds in four Smiths songs over chimeric evening – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-01
His childhood memories are now uppermost in his mind; cycling through Moore Street with friends, knowing Brendan Behan.
Not just a travel document but a declaration of hope and of reclaiming identity – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-05
Brendan Behan is one of the notable figures mentioned in Michael Kane's recollections of Dublin's artistic community.
‘Patrick Kavanagh did nothing else but create art. And that was my ideal’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-04
Brendan Behan was referenced tangentially in Gerry Adams' recounting of his life story.
Gerry Adams takes jurors in his defamation case against BBC on a very long stroll down memory lane – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-30
Brendan Behan's quote about splits in Irish organizations is referenced in the context of the far-right movement's discord.
The fracturing of Ireland’s far right – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-18
Brendan Behan mentions someone singing The Yellow Rose of Texas in his memoir.
All Yellow - Frank McNally on singing Emily Dickinson, Joyce’s advanced maths, and quantum mechanics in Blackrock – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-17
Brendan Behan’s seated bronze figure listens forever to the old triangle going jingle jangle in nearby Mountjoy Prison.
Frank McNally explores the streets of Dublin’s north inner city – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-15
Brendan Behan is mentioned as a legendary figure who once caused a ruckus outside the Palace Bar.
A timeless classic that is old-school in the best sense – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-03-27
Brendan Behan became the best-known Irish opponent of capital punishment.
Friends in high places – John Mulqueen on Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington’s American tour – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-03-23
