Bryan MacMahon (writer)

Bryan MacMahon
Born	29 September 1909
Died	12 February 1998(1998-02-12)(aged 88) Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
Occupation	writer

Bryan Michael MacMahon(29 September 1909 – 13 February 1998)was anIrishplaywright,novelistandshort storywriterfromListowel,County Kerry.A schoolteacher by training, his works includeThe Lion Tamer, Patsy-o and his Wonderful PetsandThe Red Petticoat.He wrote an autobiography,The Master,and his works include an English translation ofPeig,theIrish-languageautobiography ofPeig Sayers.

Early life and education

MacMahon was born on 29 September 1909 to parents Patrick and Joanna MacMahon, inListowel,County Kerry.He was one of four children, his father was a clerk in a law office, a butter-buyer and exporter, and his mother was a schoolteacher. His father was also a member of theGaelic League.He had a traditional country up-bringing, which he illustrated in the first chapters ofThe Storyman(1994).He learned his love for the Irish language from his grandmother, who was a native Irish speaker. His grandfather was weighmaster in charge of the market and Bryan assisted him often.He was educated in Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Lios Tuathail, and then St Michael's College, Listowel,where he was influenced by the writer Seamus Wilmot, who encouraged him in his passion for writing.Like his mother, he also had a passion for teaching.He attendedSt. Patrick's Teacher Training Collegein Drumcondra, County Dublin. After this, he taught in Donore Avenue, off South Circular Road inDublin.Due to family pressures, he resigned his teaching post in Dublin in 1931 and returned to Listowel, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

He became principal teacher of Scoil Réalta na Maidine and taught there for 44 years.During theSecond World War,MacMahon worked in factories inEngland.He wrote about this experience in his 'Plain People of England' column forThe Bellmagazine. He opened a book shop in his wife Kitty's name on the main street of Listowel.

Family

MacMahon married his wife Kathleen "Kitty" Ryan in 1936.Kathleen was born on 14 June 1911 in Cashel, County Tipperary, to parents James Ryan and Ellen Ryan (née O’Connor).MacMahon and Ryan were married in the Roman Catholic Church of Cashel on 4 November 1936.They had five sons, includingBryan,a judge of the Irish High Court, andGarry,who playedGaelic footballfor the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1958 to 1962and went on to practice law. One of his other sons, Owen, is a solicitor with PG MacMahon Solicitors.

Later life

Bryan MacMahon's statue inListowel

During his later years, MacMahon paid more attention to the media while continuing to publish. Together withJohn B. Keaneas well as other Irish playwrights, he foundedListowel Writers' Weekin 1970, an international literacy festival based in MacMahon's home town ofListowel.In 1989, MacMahon featured onThe Late Late Show,withGay Byrne.MacMahon published his first autobiography,The Master,in 1992, which documented his career in teaching. The book went on to win the 1993TheAmerican Ireland Literary Award.MacMahon released a second autobiography in 1994,TheStoryman,which focused primarily on his career as a writer.

Throughout his career, MacMahon was awarded many accolades for his contributions to Irish literature including theKerryman of the Yearaward in 1987. He also was awardedAmerican Ireland Fund Literary Award1993 and the award of the degree of LID from theNational University of Irelandin recognition of his work.MacMahon was a member of theAosdána.MacMahon's final book, a collection of fictional conversations between men and women, is entitledA Final Fling,and was published in 1998.MacMahon died on the 13 February 1998, inBeaumont Hospital, Dublin.After his death, his colleagueJohn B. Keanesaid: "The streets have lost their star. He was a giant and a gentleman, and we were lucky to have had him for so long."