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A NEW PORTRAIT of Irish writer Edna O’Brien has been purchased by the State and will be installed at the Irish Embassy in London later this year.
The painting, by artist Colin Davidson, was unveiled at an event in London attended by the Co Clare-born novelist and Ireland’s ambassador to the UK, Adrian O’Neill.
Speaking at the event, O’Brien recalled some of the experiences when she sat for Davidson at her London home last September, saying it had brought back memories from 80 years ago.
She said: “I felt I was being stripped but stripped in a good way that would be necessary to what would be eventually on the painting.”
“As a writer I never want to lose my past and never to lose my earliest feelings and impressions and fears and all else.”
O’Brien emigrated to London in 1958. Her first novel, The Country Girls, was published two years later in 1960.
She established an international reputation as a novelist, short story writer, memoirist, poet and playwright.
In a 2012 review of her memoir, former president Mary Robinson referred to her as one of the great creative writers of her generation.
O’Brien continues to live in London and celebrated her 90th birthday last December.
Speaking at yesterday’s event, O’Neill said he was “delighted” the portrait will have its permanent home at the embassy.
He said: “In years to come I am sure visitors to the embassy will gaze on the portrait and be delighted that the Country Girl has returned home.”
Davidson said he hopes the portrait captures some sense of spirit and courage of a “remarkable woman”.
Addressing O’Brien, he said: “You are very much loved and appreciated. You have written modern Irish history in your own way and we thank you for that.”
The portrait is 50×46 inches, similar in size to Davidson’s portraits of Seamus Heaney, President Michael D Higgins, John Hume, Christy Moore, Queen Elizabeth, Brad Pitt.
Davidson is also the creator of the Silent Testimony series, individual portraits of 18 people who experienced loss during Northern Ireland’s Troubles.
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Hi everyone, I’ve never posted a comment before as I like to read them but I would ask that a little respect for her as I knew her and her family. Her death was sudden and she was a lovely woman, so please be mindful of that when posting. Thank you
Hi everybody I’m just asking for a little bit of respect as I know the woman and her family, so please be mindful of that when you make a comment. She was a lovely woman and her death was sudden. Thank you
Do they put the remains back out or what? This is very interesting
@Ísla Carabine:
Wonder if they’re superstitious?
@Glascott Richard Symes: Surely it would be better to cremate first, then scatter the ashes on the water so that this situation doesn’t arise. What if the same thing happens again.
@Glascott Richard Symes: please tell me you’re joking.
I honestly didn’t know it was even an option here. Terrible for the family right now of course but it’s certainly sounds much more pleasant than being buried
@Avina Laaf: generally I’m not but I would be if this happened!
@Glascott Richard Symes: hang on! The coffin goes out to sea as well?!
Very disappointed with the comments. This women was an Irish citizen and obviously it was a wish to be buried at sea. It’s unfortunate that her remains were washed ashore, this must be heartbreaking for the family to have to deal with. My condolences to the family and friends.
@Donna: I agree Donna. Must be quite disturbing for the family after what happened :(
The coffin you use must be made of solid softwood and must not contain any plastic, lead, copper or zinc. It must have:
between 40 and 50 50mm (2 inch) holes drilled throughout
corners butt-jointed and strengthened with mild steel right angle brackets screwed internally, or substantial wooden bracing struts 50 x 38mm
about 200kg of iron, steel or concrete clamped to the base of the coffin with brackets of 10mm mild steel bar, or blocks of weak concrete mix
weight distributed evenly to prevent the coffin from turning to the vertical
2 long mild steel bands running from the top to the bottom of the coffin
several mild steel bands across the coffin at about 30cm intervals along its length
The coffin and any inner box or liner must be made from natural, non-toxic and biodegradable materials. They must both be able to withstand any impact and be able to carry the body quickly to the seabed.
The only time I have heard of anything similar to this was when some fishermen reckoned that a beam trawler had smashed up a coffin and let the remains up into the current/tide. It may also explain this. Beamers wreck the sea bed.
There are two issues here, first it must be incredibly upsetting and distressing for the family and all who know this woman and anyone would feel for them. Second issue is an environmental one and there are very good reasons why as a species we don’t just bury bodies where we feel like it. Imagine if the body was only a few weeks dead and few kids found it? Insane practise.
Can’t have bodies resurfacing and washing up because bodies are allowed to be buried at sea ,with regulations to protect the environment . You should only be buried at sea as a last resort and not as a choice
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