Aosdána expresses great sadness at the passing of writer and Aosdána member Críostóir Ó Floinn.
Críostóir Ó Floinn, born in Limerick in 1927, was one of the most prolific and versatile Irish writers of the twentieth century, with over sixty works published in all genres, in both English and Irish. He wrote many plays for radio and television, as well as working freelance in broadcasting and journalism. For eight years, he wrote a weekly Irish column in the Irish Press.
He was the winner of a number of literary awards and, in 2021, Leabhair Comhar published his collected Irish poems under the title Éigse Saoil (Poems of a Lifetime).
Prof. Kevin Rafter, Chair of the Arts Council, said: “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Críostóir Ó Floinn, a brilliant writer whose words touched the hearts and minds of countless readers around the world. Ó Floinn was not just a writer; he was a storyteller, a visionary, and a true wordsmith. Rest in peace, Críostóir Ó Floinn.”
Theo Dorgan, Chair of An Toscaireacht, said: “Rebellious, independent-minded, steadfast and often controversial, Críostóir was concerned in all his works to consider the plight of those who were true to themselves in the face of certain trouble. His was a long and remarkable life of complete dedication to his powers and to his gifts.”
He is survived by his wife Rita Beegan of Farranshone, Limerick, and his seven children, seventeen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.