author
Brian O'Higgins
1882–1963
An Irish writer and poet with a strong republican voice, he turned politics, memory, and national identity into vivid verse and song. His life moved between literature and activism, giving his work a direct connection to the struggles of early 20th-century Ireland.
1 Audiobook
Fun o' the Forge: Stories
by Brian O'Higgins
About the author
Born in County Meath on July 1, 1882, he became known as Brian na Banban and built a reputation as a poet, writer, and committed figure in Irish cultural and political life. He was involved with the Gaelic League, helped found Sinn Féin, and took part in the 1916 Easter Rising, experiences that shaped both his public career and his writing.
His poems and songs were closely tied to Irish nationalism, and he was widely admired for work that blended patriotism, history, and popular appeal. Alongside his literary work, he remained active in republican politics for decades and served as president of Sinn Féin from 1931 to 1933.
He died on March 10, 1963. Today he is remembered as a writer whose work captures a passionate, uncompromising strand of Irish republican and cultural history.