Statement by President Higgins on the death of Críostóir Ó Floinn
Date: Tue 10th Oct, 2023 | 14:36
“It is with great sadness that I have heard of the death of the accomplished bilingual author Críostóir Ó Floinn at 96 years of age. His long list of publications, over 60 in total, cover nearly every facet of literature, including plays, poetry, fiction, essays, biographies and translations.
Críostóir began writing initially in English in Limerick, his native city, but took to writing Irish also in his teenage years. He had a particular interest in drama and wrote for stage, radio and television. Some of his plays were produced in the Abbey and Gate Theatres in Dublin, and the Lyric in Belfast while his plays in Irish featured in Galway’s Taibhdhearc, and the Damer and Peacock theatres in Dublin.
His originality as a writer took courage and there was a price exacted.
He was twice dismissed from teaching posts when two of his plays were produced in other theatres having been rejected by the board of The Abbey Theatre on grounds of morality.
Críostóir Ó Floinn’s collected works include 12 books of poetry. During his career he was awarded many literary prizes and was a member of Aosdána.
Both Sabina and I were privileged to have him as a friend. I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Rita and their children Colm, Ruairí, Caoimhe, Ríonach, Éanna, Niamh and Ciarán.”