Brendan Behan

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Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, and playwright (1923-1964)

WritersLived 1923 to 1964 · aged 41

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Brendan Francis Aidan Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican, an activist who wrote in both English and Irish.

Also inDeutsch

Photos 5

Study from life of Brendan Behan by Reginald Gray, 1953 (Egg tempera on wood panel)

Grave of Brendan Behan by Clíodhna Cussen, Glasnevin, Dublin. A bronze likeness of Brendan's face was stolen from the vacant opening in 1984. It was restored in 2014.

Statue of Behan in DublinSculpted by John Coll[40]

A plaque unveiled on the current building on 13 Russell Street, Dublin on Feb 7th 2026 commemorating writer Brendan Behan, who lived there.

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Connected to Brendan 6

Sylvia SymsAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)

Aubrey MorrisAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)

David KellyAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)

T. P. McKennaAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)

Patrick McGoohanAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)Anthony Havelock-AllanAlso in The Quare Fellow (1962)

About this person

Brendan Francis Aidan Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican, an activist who wrote in both English and Irish. His widely acknowledged alcohol dependence, despite attempts to treat it, impacted his creative capacities and contributed to health and social problems which curtailed his artistic output and finally his life. He is widely regarded as one of Ireland's greatest writers.