Sean O'Faolain
Critic, writer and editor
Biography
Sean O’Faolain (1900-1991) was an influential Irish critic, short story writer, commentator and editor. He attended school and university in Cork and fought with the Republican side in the Irish Civil War. He edited the literary journal The Bell from 1940 to 1946. And, as well as writing the novels and short stories for which he is most famous, also wrote biography, criticism and travel books.
His main works are his short story collections, Midsummer Night Madness (1932); A Purse of Coppers (1937); Teresa and Other Stories (1937); The Man Who Invented Sin and Other Stories (1949); The Heat of the Sun (1966); Foreign Affairs (1976). While his novels include, A Nest of Simple Folk (1934); Bird Alone (1936); Come Back to Erin (1940); and And Again (1979).
His biographical works include Constance Markievicz (1943); King of the Beggars: A Life of Daniel O’Connell (1938); De Valera (London, Penguin, 1939); The Great O’Neill (1942); and his autobiography, Vive Moi! (1964).
O'Faolain was a member of Aosdána, and was elected Saoi, Aosdána’s highest accolade, in 1986.
Represented by
Sean O'Faolain titles