Blanaid Salkeld facts for kids

Blánaid Salkeld was an important Irish writer, actor, and publisher. She was born Florence Ffrench Mullen in 1880 and passed away in 1959. She was well-known for hosting a special gathering called a literary salon. Many famous writers, like Patrick Kavanagh and Flann O'Brien, would visit her home to share ideas.

Blánaid Salkeld's Early Life

Blánaid Salkeld was born Florence Ffrench Mullen on August 10, 1880. This happened in a place called Chittagong, which was in India at the time. She later grew up in Dublin, Ireland. Her father, Jarlath ffrench-Mullen, was a doctor. He was friends with the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore. He also taught Blánaid about the poetry of Keats.

In 1902, Blánaid married Henry Salkeld. They lived in India for six years. Her husband worked for the Indian Civil Service. They lived in cities like Dacca and Bombay. After her husband passed away in 1909, Blánaid returned to Dublin. She came back in 1910 with her son, Cecil.

Her Creative Career

When Blánaid returned to Dublin, she became an actor. She joined the Abbey Players and used the stage name Nell Byrne. She even played the main character in a play called The Country Dressmaker.

In the 1930s, Blánaid started writing her own plays. These were often written in verse, like poems. One of her plays, Scarecrow Over the Corn, was performed in 1941. The famous artist Louis le Brocquy designed the stage sets for it.

Blánaid also wrote many book reviews. These were published in well-known magazines. Some of these magazines included The Dublin Magazine and The Bell. She was also skilled at translating. She translated works from Russian writers into English. These writers included Anna Akhmatova and Alexander Pushkin.

Literary Salons and Connections

Blánaid Salkeld was famous for the literary salons she hosted. These were like special get-togethers at her home. Writers, artists, and thinkers would meet there. They would discuss books, ideas, and art. Many important people visited her salons. These included Kate O'Brien, Patrick Kavanagh, and Flann O'Brien.

Her first book of poems was called Hello Eternity. It was highly praised by the famous writer Samuel Beckett. In 1933, Blánaid helped start the Irish Women's Writers' Club. She founded it with Dorothy Macardle.

Starting a Publishing Press

In 1937, Blánaid co-founded a publishing company. It was called the Gayfield Press. She started it with her son, Cecil. The press was located in a garden shed at their home. It used a small, hand-operated printing machine. The Gayfield Press operated until 1946.

Later, in 1951, the Salkelds loaned their printing press to Liam and Josephine Miller. The Millers then used it to start their own company. This new company became the well-known Dolmen Press.

Blánaid Salkeld passed away in Dublin in 1959. Her granddaughter, Beatrice Behan, later married the famous writer Brendan Behan. Blánaid's own writing is now being recognized more. It is seen as an important part of Irish poetry from the early 20th century.

Blánaid Salkeld's Poetry Books

Blánaid Salkeld published five books of poetry during her life:

• Hello, Eternity (published in 1933)
• The Fox’s Covert (published in 1935)
• The engine is left running (published in 1937)
• A Dubliner (published in 1942)
• Experiment In Error (published in 1955)