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

by John Ryan, J.P. Donleavy (Foreword)

Edna O’Brien chose John Ryan’s memoirs as her Observer Book of the Year in 1975, describing it as ‘a fine and loving account of literary Dublin in the golden fifties, which purrs with life and anecdote’. This classic evocation of the period 1945-55 celebrates a city and its personalities – 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 revitalized post-war literature in Ireland. As friend, publisher, publican and fellow artist, Ryan paints a vivid picture of this ebullient, fertile milieu: ‘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

184 pages, 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......