Writer O'Nolan honoured by stamp

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1004/breaking38.html

Writer O'Nolan honoured by stamp (Oct 4, 2011)
(click link to see image of stamp)

A commemorative stamp celebrating the centenary of the birth of writer and columnist Brian O’Nolan has gone on sale.

The popular author, who wrote under a number of pseudonyms including Flann O’Brien and Myles na gCopaleen, was known and loved for his satirical style.

The 55c stamp is adorned with a portrait of the writer by his brother, artist Micheál Ó Nualláin.

O’Nolan was born in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on October 5th 1911 but spent most of his life in Dublin.

He entered the civil service in 1935 and served as private secretary to three successive ministers in the Department of Local Government.

His first novel, At Swim-Two-Birds , was published in 1939 and was followed by several books and plays including The Third Policeman (1940), Faustus Kelly (1943), The Hard Life (1960), and The Dalkey Archive, produced on the Dublin stage in 1965.

Under the name Myles na gCopaleen, he wrote the comical Cruiskeen Lawn column in The Irish Times from October 1940 until his death in 1966, aged 56.

An Post said the stamp and a special first day cover by Irish designer Steve Simpson may be viewed and purchased at irishstamps.ie, at the GPO in Dublin and main post offices.