Writer Edna O’Brien in Profile, Ireland 1970

The influence of growing up in Clare on the work of writer Edna O’Brien.

Edna O’Brien has written six novels, a volume of short stories, a film script and a play in the last ten years. All of her work has been influenced by her upbringing and experiences in County Clare.

She talks here about growing up in Clare and the influence it has had on her writing. Haunted by images of things and people she saw and heard as a child. She compares the nature of County Clare to a theatre which has come to influence many aspects of her writing.

I would not want to have come from anywhere else despite certain inconveniences which I haven’t omitted to remember.

Now living in London, Edna O’Brien has moments when she feels like she is back in County Clare through a process which she refers to as “resensation”.

She compares life in suburban London to that of rural county Clare in terms of the degree to which people expose themselves.

That thing of poor narrative which you never get in a city because people are very cloaked from each other and the manners are different.

While young she had a habit of talking to herself and to inanimate objects. To escape the monotony of life, she fabricated stories of more exotic kinds of lives.

I didn’t think of stories as being fiction. I think of them as being life.

This episode of ‘Writer in Profile’ was broadcast on 25 March 1970. The presenter is Niall Sheridan.

‘Writer in Profile’ was produced and directed by James Plunkett.

[fiddlejohn]

When I was young I didn’t know much about literature and I would hear people say negative things about Edna O’Brien and her books, and then they would whisper among themselves. When I got old enough to read what I wanted to read and could form my own opinions, it was then I realized what a gifted artist she was. After several decades passed and I was able to read her newer books and reread some of her early works, my opinion of her only grew.

[annebowen]

I could listen to Edna O Brien all a wonderful writer

[jamesbradshaw]

The very great, classy and wonderful Edna O’Brien was a country girl an Irish girl with green eyes, she was a very rare one, she was gifted with a way with words, I could not and did not and do not agree with every word she spoke and wrote, she wrote, spoke through her thoughts, dreams and signals that came from her ancestor's ancient history, from deep down in her heart and soul, I often heard the most brilliant Phil Lynott often spoke about Enda, he also included her name in a few of his masterpieces songs. Many people in the world will miss you greatly Edna O’Brien, may your soul rest in eternal peace in Heavan with God, Jesus, his holy mother Mary and all the angles and saints

Reply

[yokomccrae]

This sounds the best of her interview. I like to hear more about her Universe and Reality.

[marynadononeill]

I love the lady like manners of the era. Let’s bring them back!

[Grace-lzps]

Did Clare people speak like that in the 60s?

[JJONNYREPP]

Writer Edna O’Brien in Profile, Ireland 1970 0425am 31.7.24 you seem taken with edna o'brien. what about sean?