Today would have been the 101st birthday of Irish author Brian O’Nolan, otherwise known as Flann O’Brien or Myles na gCopaleen, and Google has given him his very own stylised Google logo – a Google Doodle – to mark the occasion.
Born on 5 October 1911 in Strabane, Co Tyrone, O’Nolan wrote under the pen names of Myles na gCopaleen and Flann O’Brien and he is seen as being a key figure in post-modernist literature, especially for his novels At-Swim-Two-Birds and The Third Policeman.
He also wrote plays such as Faustus Kelly and a satirical column called Cruiskeen Lawn for The Irish Times for 26 years under the name Myles na gCopaleen.
Today’s doodle from Google depicts the author, working at his desk, possibly alluding to O’Nolan’s other career as a civil servant, with references to some themes in his works.
Brian O’Nolan (1911-1966). Image via Wikipedia
O’Nolan studied at University College Dublin where he was an active member of the Literary and Historical Society and contributed articles to the student magazine. Along with some fellow students, he also set up a magazine called Blather, which ran for a short time.
After graduating from University College Dublin, O’Nolan entered the civil service in 1935 where he worked until 1953.
O’Nolan died in Dublin on 1 April 1966 at the age of 54. He was married to Evelyn McDonnell.
The Flann O’Brien Literary Festival is taking place at the Alley Arts and Conference Centre in Strabane, Co Tyrone, next weekend.