Look Back at Brendan Behan

Much has been written and reported about Brendan Behan's prolonged drinking bouts and self-destructive incidents. Brendan Behan began to live out the image of the character Brendan Behan, the public image that he felt was expected of him. A lifelong battle with alcoholism came to an end when Brendan Behan died on the 20 March 1964. Beatrice Behan talks about her husband's battle with alcohol. Behan biographer Ulick O'Connor talks about the public and private image of the writer. RTÉ producer Mícheál Ó hAodha recalls Brendan Behan's life and work.

Beatrice Behan talks about promising herself that she would never change Brendan. For many years alcohol did not appear to be a problem for him. However, later in life, Behan appeared to use alcohol as a shield against life and that which upset him.

On the publication of a biography of Brendan Behan, author Ulick O'Connor and broadcaster Andy O'Mahony discuss how Behan became trapped by his public image. For O'Connor, Behan became weaker as a writer as he was physically weakened by drink and diabetes. O'Connor feels that later he was no longer able to get in touch with his real self.

RTÉ Radio drama producer Michael Ó hAodha pays tribute to Brendan Behan on the death of the writer in 1964.