Críostóir O'Floinn

Críostóir Ó'Floinn [O'Flynn] was born in Limerick in 1927. He is a bilingual writer who has published over sixty books in all literary genres. He first qualified as a teacher, but also worked in broadcasting and journalism. He wrote a weekly column in the Irish language for eight years on the (now defunct) Irish Press newspaper. He was also a writer on cultural affairs with the Irish Tourist Board. His stage plays have been produced at the Abbey and Gate theatres in Dublin, at the Lyric in Belfast and at An Taibhdhearc in Galway.

Críostóir is greeted by Barney Sheehan during one of his visits

to the White House Bar readings.

Críostóir's latest work, his thirteenth poetry collection, brings together his selected poems. Entitled 'The Woman Who Never Said "Hello"', (Original Writing, 2014), the title, he explains, is about his mother and is the first featured poem in the collection. Another poem is to his father while another, entitled 'No. 10118', is about his paternal uncle, Private Thomas Flynn, who died while serving with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and who, like thousands of others, have no known graves only a name and number carved on the Tyne Cot Memorial at Passchendaele, Belgium.

Consistent with Críostóir's lifelong values, a previous book was dedicated to both of his parents for the gift of life and the faith that sustains him, a faith everywhere evident in his work. Críostóir's first book, as well as his autobiography, are dedicated to his wife, Rita Beegan, of whom he says no words, in prose or verse, can express the mystery of love. He could only say he is 'a very fortunate man'.

Críostóir's published life's work to date includes, thirteen collections of poetry, nine in English and four in the Irish language. Of course, throughout his life, he has worked in all literary genres. These include novels (2), short stories (3), essays (3), plays in Irish (13) and English (5), plays for radio (8) and television (3), autobiogaphical (5) and biographical (3) works, translations and editions as well as books for junior readers and children.

'The Woman Who Never Said "Hello" ' is a delightful addition to anyone's collection of this writer's work.

As I look back on my life as a creative writer, surveying what I have done in all the literary genres, in Irish and English, I realize that poetry is the medium in which the writer is free to express his own thoughts and emotions... it is in the creation of a poem that the writer finds the greatest sense of personal literary fulfilment.

- Críostóir Ó Floinn (in the Foreword to 'The Woman Who Never Said "Hello" '

 Críostóir's most recent previous work, Remember Limerick, (Original Writing, 2014, pp318). It consists of four essays, and a 'tailpiece', on historic aspects of Limerick City - his City of the Broken Treaty. The 'so-called' pogrom in 1904 and 'the veracity' of the content and integrity of of the author of Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt are included. The five-line verse, known as the limerick, is 'explored' amid a claim that the form had its origns in the Irish language. The fourth essay discusses the 'legend' concerning the historic stone block known as the Treaty Stone on which it is claimed the treaty of Limerick was signed.

Original Writing Ltd., Dublin.

(978-1-78237-734-4)

Marking, as it does, some 'evergreen' keystone Limerick topics, this book should find a place in all Limerick households - within reach - and for ready reference. Researched, and highly opinionated, it forms a great basis for challenging your own opinions on topics you thought were long settled. Críostóir in fine form on happy hunting ground.

- Brian J. Slattery (Poet, WebMaster)

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Brian Blaney