Desmond MacNamara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Desmond MacNamara
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| Born | 10 May 1918 |
| Died | 8 January 2008 |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
Desmond J. MacNamara (born May 10, 1918 – died January 8, 2008) was a talented Irish artist. He was known as a sculptor, painter, and designer for plays and movies. He also became a novelist later in life.
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Life and Early Work
Desmond MacNamara was born in Dublin, Ireland. He studied at University College, Dublin and the National College of Art in Dublin. This was in the early 1940s.
Designing for the Stage
After college, Desmond started working in theatre. He became a stage designer and prop maker. He worked at the famous Abbey Theatre and the Gate Theatre in Dublin. There, he collaborated with well-known theatre figures, Michael Macliammoir and Hilton Edwards.
He also helped design the art for the 1944 film Henry V (1944 film). His work on this movie was not officially credited. Desmond also designed book covers for his friends. These included The Dalkey Archive by Flann O'Brien. He also designed The Public World of Parable Jones by Dominic Behan. Desmond MacNamara was a vegetarian his whole life.
Art and Friends in Dublin
You can see Desmond MacNamara's sculptures today. They are on display at the National Art Gallery of Ireland. You can also find them at the Dublin Writers Museum. In the 1940s and early 1950s, he and his first wife hosted many artists and writers. Their home on Dublin's Grafton Street became a popular meeting place.
Many important writers and artists visited their home. These included John Ryan, Anthony Cronin, and J. P. Donleavy. Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh were also frequent guests. This time in Dublin was very creative. Desmond was seen as a key person in this artistic group.
A Character in a Book
This lively art scene in Dublin was captured in a famous novel. It was called The Ginger Man by J. P. Donleavy. In the book, Desmond MacNamara appears as a character named MacDoon. MacDoon is an artist who wears a kangaroo suit.
The book describes MacDoon as a "Small dancing figure." It also says his eyes are "like the crown jewels." He had a "sharp red beard." The book suggests he was like a leprechaun.
Moving to London and Later Career
In the early 1950s, a fire happened at the Abbey Theatre. After this, Desmond MacNamara moved to London. He married his second wife, Priscilla Novy, there. Priscilla was a script reader for film studios. She also wrote children's novels.
They made their home in West Hampstead, London. They raised two sons, Oengus and Oisin. Desmond taught art at the Marylebone Institute. He also wrote reviews for magazines like the New Statesman.
Writing Books
Desmond wrote several books during his career. He wrote practical guides on art topics. These included books about picture framing and using papier-mâché. He also wrote a book about puppetry.
After he retired from teaching, he wrote more books. He wrote a biography of Éamon de Valera. This book was specifically for young readers. He also published two funny fiction books. The Book of Intrusions came out in 1994. His last fiction book was Confessions of an Irish Werewolf in 2006. Desmond MacNamara passed away in London when he was 89 years old.
Selected Publications
- New Art of Papier-Mache (1963)
- Puppetry (1966)
- Picture Framing: A Practical Guide from Basic to Baroque (1986)
- Eamon de Velera (1988)
- The Book of Intrusions (1994)
- Confessions of an Irish Werewolf (2006)
