Flann Ó Riain (18 September 1929 – 6 December 2008^[2]) was an Irish cartoonist, writer and Irish language activist. He was born on 18 September 1929 in Lucan, County Dublin. He was primarily known for his work as a political cartoonist with the Irish Independent. Using the nom de plume, "Doll", he had a regular appearance in the newspaper where he created satirical cartoons. He was also known as creator of the 1960s Irish language television series Dáithí Lacha, and "Rí Rá agus Ruaille Buaille"

Early life

Ó Riain was born in Lucan, Dublin to Edmund and Nora Ryan. His father, a member of the Garda Síochána, took a posting in Arranmore, County Donegal in order to foster his son's interest in the Irish language. From there, he attended numerous national schools throughout the country. From school, he attended St Patrick's College, Dublin graduating as a primary school teacher.^[1]

In 1977, he was imprisoned in Mountjoy Prison having been fined for refusing to pay his television license in a protest to what he saw as RTÉ's neglect of the Irish language. He was subsequently released after the fine was paid anonymously.^[2]

He also was a writer of books on history and language.

Books

• Dáithí Lacha - (1965)
• Dáithí Lacha '67 - (1967)
• I gComhar le Doll - ISBN 0902537008 (1970)
• Euphoria is a lovely word - ISBN 0902537008 (1972)
• Suas agus Siós: Sórt Scéil - ISBN 0905027035 (1976)
• Lazy Way to Irish - ISBN 0862432871 (1995)
• Lazy Way to Welsh - ISBN 0862432405 (1995)
• Scéal An "Union Paddy" - ISSN 0010-2369 (1995)
• Townlands of Leinster and the People Who Lived There - ISBN 1851824650 (2000)
• Duanairí 1, illustrator - (1974)
• Lazy Way to Gaelic, illustrator - ISBN 1841583316 (1995)

References