Edna O'Brien remembered - conversations from the RTÉ Archives

An Irish literary giant has left us - writer Edna O'Brien has died at the age of 93.

Ms O'Brien died yesterday in London after a long illness.

While the days ahead will undoubtedly see a deeper dive into the formidable body of work created by the incomparable Edna O'Brian over a career spanning seven decades, below we remember a mercurial talent in her own words, via some of her memorable appearances on RTÉ television and radio over the years.

A mere two years ago, her play Joyce's Women received its World Premiere at the Abbey Theatre, written for the occasion of the 100th anniversary of James Joyce's Ulysses. RTÉ News talked to the creative team:

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Back in 2006, RTÉ Drama On One presented a season of plays inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins - below, have a listen to Edna's memorable cotribution, Madame Cassandra, responding to the sin of Envy and starring Rosaleen Linehan (NB: This programme contains adult themes and some strong language along the way)

Back to Joyce's Women, and 2022, when Enda O'Brien discussed the play in an illuminating chat with Sean Rocks for RTÉ Arena, the creative fires still burning brightly in her ninth decade:

Via RTÉ Archives, we go back to 1992, and an episode of Writer In Profile featuring O'Brien talking life, work and religion in conversation with David Hanly. The programme begins with the seismic impact the publication of her debut novel The Country Girls in 1960 had on her life:

We'll leave the last word to the woman herself, talking to Sean O'Rourke about her acclaimed novel Girl, winner of the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year in 2020:

Edna O'Brien remembered - classics from the RTÉ Archives

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