Remembering How We Stood: Bohemian Dublin at the Mid-century by John Ryan

by John Ryan

This classic evocation of the period 1945-55 celebrates a city and its Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh, Myles na gCopaleen (Flann O'Brien), as well as `Pope' O'Mahony, Gainor Crist the original Ginger Man, and others. A remarkable group who were to revitalize post-war literature in Ireland. As friend, publisher, and fellow artist, Ryan paints a vivid picture of this ebullient, fertile No more singular body of characters will ever rub shoulders again at any given time, or a city more uniquely bizarre than literary Dublin will ever be seen.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland

Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

John Ryan (1925-92)

Reviews

[Kieran Fagan]

A valuable series of pen-pictures and anecdotes about the literary life in Dublin in the 1940s and 1950s.

[Paul Mcloughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming , witty and often fascinating portrait of literary Dublin’s golden age , in the years after WW2. Contains honest , funny and poignant portraits of famous men .

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of 1945-55 Dublin via Ryan's accounts of his friends - he knew everyone worth knowing - Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh, Brian O Nolan (Flann O'Brien) etc. It's a love letter to them all and Dublin too. Now, I would have loved some photographs to accompany the text - even just of the pubs, cafes and houses mentioned. In any case, I have a newfound interest in Kavanagh, there are some wonderful stories about him in this book including the unexpected arrival of his friend Archbishop John Charles McQuaid as Kavanagh is 'entertaining' a woman in bed.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very valuable historical treasure trove of Dublin’s many characters in the post-war ‘50s and into the ‘60s. People with any sort of connection to Dublin and/or the literary might of Flann O’Brien, Kavanagh and the bould Brendan Behan should definitely spend the time to get hold of and read this gem!

[Michael Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hidden Gem

A beautifully and modestly written memoir by a man who knew all the Irish literary giants of the first half of the 20th century.

Although a multi talented man himself, Ryan takes a back seat as he tells his anecdotes as smoothly as black pints and as sweetly as

twelve year old glasses of Redbreast.

[Eilagh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is relevant to anyone who remembers Dublin at the time or just slightly later. Lots of interesting facts that explain some things I was unaware of......