Statement from the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins on the passing of Colm Ó Briain
Date: Thu 30th Jul, 2020 | 20:08
“It is with the greatest sadness that I have learned of the passing of Colm Ó Briain.
Colm Ó Briain was an adviser to me in the period 1993-1997 when I served as Minister for the Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht, and a comrade when he served as General Secretary of the Labour Party of which I was Chairman.
His immense support to me as Minister was, however, just one part of a long and distinguished service to the arts and arts education in Ireland, and on an all-island basis.
A wonderful director, his sense of the importance of drama and theatre was deep and impressive. He was associated with so many of the founding moments and movements of the arts, including the Project Arts Centre. He served as a distinguished Director of the Arts Council.
Colm was associated with all the special reports prepared during my time as Minister and they were all informed by his experience, his enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to practitioners and to the arts. His contribution to the Department covered every aspect of what was a new and exciting Department.
I will miss him deeply as a colleague and a friend. To Muireann and his daughters Seóna and Aisling, Sabina and I send our deepest sympathies.
He will be deeply missed by so many at what is such a crucial time for the arts.”