Flann Ó Riain

Early life Ó Riain was born in Lucan, County Dublin, to Edmund and Nora Ryan. His father, a member of the Garda Síochána (police), 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.

In 1977, he was confined in Mountjoy Prison, having been fined for refusing to pay his television licence in protest at what he saw as RTÉ's neglect of the Irish language. He was subsequently released after the fine was paid anonymously.

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

Books

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