Brinsley MacNamara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brinsley MacNamara
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Drawing of MacNamara, circa 1920
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| Born | John Weldon 6 September 1890 Hiskinstown, Delvin, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Died | 4 February 1963 (aged 72) Dublin, Ireland |
| Pen name | Brinsley MacNamara, Oliver Blythe |
| Occupation | Novelist, playwright, actor, critic |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Literary movement | Irish Literary Revival |
| Notable works | The Valley of the Squinting Windows (1918), Look at the Heffernans! (1926) |
John Weldon (born September 6, 1890 – died February 4, 1963) was a famous Irish writer. He was also known by his pen name, Brinsley MacNamara. Besides writing, he worked as the registrar for the National Gallery of Ireland.
MacNamara wrote many novels and plays. His very first novel, The Valley of the Squinting Windows (1918), is his most well-known work. Before becoming a famous writer, he also acted. He started his acting career in September 1910 at the Abbey Theatre.
Contents
Brinsley MacNamara: A Famous Irish Author
Brinsley MacNamara is still remembered most for his first novel, The Valley of the Squinting Windows. This book was set in a made-up village called Garradrimna. When it was published, it caused a big stir in his home county of Westmeath. Many people felt the story was based on their own community.
Even after this book caused some controversy, MacNamara kept writing for many years. Most of his later stories were also set in Garradrimna, in the middle of Ireland.
His Creative Works and Olympic Connection
MacNamara wrote several plays too. Some of his plays include The Glorious Uncertainty (1923) and Look at the Heffernans! (1926).
Did you know he was also part of the Olympic Games? His writing was entered in the literature event at the 1924 Summer Olympics. This shows how important his work was.
A Glimpse into His Life
In 1920, Brinsley MacNamara married Helena Degidon, who was a schoolteacher. He passed away at his home in Sandymount, County Dublin, in February 1963.
List of Brinsley MacNamara's Works
Here are some of the books and plays Brinsley MacNamara wrote:
- The Valley of the Squinting Windows, novel (1918)
- In Clay and in Bronze, novel (1919/1920) – also published as The Irishman: A Novel
- The Clanking of Chains: A Story of Sinn Fein, novel (1919)
- The Mirror in the Dusk, novel (1921)
- The Glorious Uncertainty, play (1923)
- Look at the Heffernans!, play (1926)
- The Various Lives of Marcus Igoe, novel (1929)
- The Smiling Faces, and other stories, short stories (1929)
- Return to Ebontheever, novel (1930) – later called Othello's Daughter
- Margaret Gillan, play (1933)
- Marks and Mabel, play (1945)
- Some Curious People, short stories (1945)
- Michael Caravan, novel (1946)
- The Whole Story of the X.Y.Z., novella (1951)
