A Brendan Behan Chronology
| 1923 |
(9 Feb.) Brendan Behan born into a Dublin working-class family.
|
| 1928-34 |
Attends School of the French Sisters of Charity, Dublin.
|
| 1934-37 |
Attends Christian Brothers' School, Dublin.
|
| 1939 |
Arrested in Liverpool during 'private bombing campaign' on behalf of the IRA;
sentenced to three years' Borstal (i.e. house of correction for young offenders).
|
| 1941 |
Deported to Dublin.
|
| 1942 |
Involved in shooting incident at Glasnevin Cemetery; sentenced to 14 years in prison.
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| 1946 |
Released from prison in general amnesty; works as a house-painter, sailor and smuggler;
freelance
journalist and full-time writer from 1951 onwards.
|
| 1954 |
The Quare Fellow (play) opens in Dublin.
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| 1956 |
Appears drunk on BBC Panorama programme.
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| 1957 |
The Big House (radio play) broadcast by the BBC.
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| 1958 |
An Giall (play in Irish) opens in Dublin; English version, The Hostage, directed by Joan Littlewood,
at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London; Borstal Boy (autobiography) published.
|
| 1959 |
Experiences the first in a series of physical breakdowns caused by alcoholism and diabetes.
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| 1960 |
Begins work on Richard's Cork Leg.
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| 1961 |
Lecture- and drinking-tour across the US and Canada.
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| 1962 |
Brendan Behan's Island (reminiscences, anecdotes) published.
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| 1963 |
Brendan Behan's New York published.
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| 1964 |
(20 March) Dies in Meath Hospital, Dublin.
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| 1965 |
Confessions of an Irish Rebel (second volume of autobiography) published.
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| 1972 |
Richard's Cork Leg opens in Dublin.
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| 1978 |
The Complete Plays published.
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| 1981 |
After the Wake (miscellaneous prose) published.
|
| 1992 |
The Letters of Brendan Behan published.
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