irish writers union

Robert Greacen
a tribute
by Sam Mc Aughtry

Robert Greacen It was good to see in the Irish Times of 19 April, 2008, such a comprehensive and positive obituary, on Robert's passing.

The man himself would have been surprised: he was never one to put himself forward. Over a span of fifty years he just quietly published his work and it took his dying to see that work described as outstanding with a strong strain of social awareness.

I have two copies of his most recent work:"Protestant without a Horse, and "Nine Northern Writers."

In the latter work, he offers a critical insight into the works of Shan F Bullock, Forrest Reid, Patrick Magill and others. These two books represented the last of his output. They are as strong as any of his earlier works. He was a quiet man, justifiably a member of Aosdana, but I first met him in the late Eighties, in the Writers' Centre, a member of the Executive Committee of the Irish Writers' Union almost since the union's founding.

As someone who lived for a while on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, we got on well together. One day, he took me to one side and showed me a copy of Fortnight in which another poet had published an unfair and personal attack on the man and his work:" I'm no good at defending myself against this sort of thing," he said," do you think that you might help?"

He was truly upset. Next day I wrote the rebuttal, fired it in to the paper and a short time later the poet concerned got in touch and apologised. Robert then offered an apology of his own for the tone of the rebuttal.

He was a lovely man, and a fine writer with a conscience, which is why he worked for so long in the Irish Writers' Union, but on the flyleaf of Protestant Without a Horse he inscribed:" For Sam McAughtry, with all good wishes, and thanks for his recent letter in :Fortnight, September 1997."

Helen Dwyer
Chairperson Irish Writers' Union

I first met Robert Greacen at a committee meeting of the Irish Writers' Union in the Irish Writers' Centre. I found him to be a kindly mentor. The first time I gave him a lift home he sent me a signed copy of one of his poems.

Robert held many sub-committee meetings in his home; where he dealt diligently with union business; then entertained us with tales of his life as a young writer in London.

We will remember Robert - may perpetual light shine upon him.

Liam Mac Uistin

I was privileged to be a friend of Robert Greacen for many years. I first met him in the early days of the Irish Writers' Union, of which he became a life member.

We met regularly for lunch, which was always enhanced by his colourful recollections of the well-known writers he knew in the three cities that featured most in his long life, Belfast, London and Dublin.

He was a gifted poet, author and critic, and a faithful friend.

I shall miss him greatly.

I attended a memorial ceremony held on 19 April 2008 in Findlater's church for Robert. There was a very large attendance, including our Chairperson and many other members of the IWU.Tributes and readings were contributed by close friends and writers Rory Brennan and Dennis O'Driscoll.

Later, at a reception in the Irish Writers' Centre, further tributes were paid by other friends including Robin Buick, Margaret O'Driscoll, Mathew Sweeney, Anthony Quinn and myself.

Angelina Kelly

I am so sorry to hear that Robert Greacen is no longer with us. When I joined the IWU he welcomed me warmly into its ranks and we had many an "intelligent conversation" since.

He is a sad loss to me, to the Union and to writers. We are all privileged to have known him.

Rest in peace Robert though I suspect you are up there with your "colleagues" writing up a storm!

Tony Quinn

When I first met Robert Greacen at New Year soiree for reviewers in Books Ireland, he quietly clarified how to pronounce his surname. Precision with words is evident in his writings.

Wide experience of life and literature in Belfast, Dublin and London informed his role as an IWU EC member. Modest and unassuming, he was a friendly encouraging colleague. Despite physical constraints, he continued to attend EC meetings. When he retired from an active role, we kept in touch by phone and with Christmas cards.

Cider with Rosy, Laurie Lee’s acclaimed evocation of a English rural childhood, emerged during my recent spring clean. That book reminded me of Robert who had suggested it as an inspiring model for memoir writing. Happenstance: The day after finding Cider with Rosy, I heard about Robert’s death. Memories of him continue…

Fred Johnston

I was very sorry to hear of Robert's passing. I knew him quite well over a number of years.
We read together and visited France on a number of occasions.

He was a gentleman, a writer of the old school, mannerly, scholarly, impeccably honest.

He will be sadly missed by anyone who knew him.

Brendan Nolan
newsletter editor

Robert was one of the great strengths of the Irish Writers' Union. As with everything else, he was self effacing to the point of anonymity.

It was Robert who instituted the practice of the union conferring life membership on distinguished Irish writers, beginning with Ben Kiely in 1999. Each year after that, Robert so discreetly suggested a new recipient of the honour that we all thought it to be our own good idea.

He declined to allow his own name to go forward for public tribute and only accepted life membership on his 80th birthday in conjunction with a main celebration for another writer.

The previous year, Robert celebrated his 79th birthday by giving a reading of his work in Paris, in Carr's pub, in company with other invited Irish poets. Old friends of his travelled from Poitiers to be with him on that day. Later, they toured Paris by night, according to Robert who, when asked by this editor where in Paris the pub was located; replied that he didn't know: he had been driven there in a car! But he did enjoy Paris, he said.

In May 2006, he sent the following note for the attention of the editor of Final Draft, the union's newsletter. As usual, it begins with an explanation as to why he could not physically attend meetings any more and only then mentions the launch of his latest book; an affair I was privileged to attend some time later. It seemed, on the night, that half of Dublin turned out for the occasion with Robert in fine fettle.

Robert wrote:

"I miss the meetings of the committee but really old age has caught up with me - 86 next birthday -and I've a lot of aches and pains, as one might expect. Otherwise I would be active on the part of the IWU.

I wonder if it would be possible to put a note in Final Draft about my forthcoming book?

Here are the details: Selected And New Poems by Robert Greacen. Salmon Publishing, to be launched by the book's editor, Professor Jack W. Weaver (Winthrop University, USA) in the Board Room of Poetry Ireland,123 St. Stephen's Green,Dublin. 2, at 7 p.m, on Tuesday, 27th June.

With every good wish,

Robert Greacen.

Robert Henry Greacen: 24th October, 1920 --- 13th April, 2008.

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	Irish Writers Union Chomhar na Scribhneoiri	obits
	Robert Greacen a tribute by Sam Mc Aughtry It was good to see in the Irish Times of 19 April, 2008, such a comprehensive and positive obituary, on Robert's passing. The man himself would have been surprised: he was never one to put himself forward. Over a span of fifty years he just quietly published his work and it took his dying to see that work described as outstanding with a strong strain of social awareness. I have two copies of his most recent work:"Protestant without a Horse, and "Nine Northern Writers." In the latter work, he offers a critical insight into the works of Shan F Bullock, Forrest Reid, Patrick Magill and others. These two books represented the last of his output. They are as strong as any of his earlier works. He was a quiet man, justifiably a member of Aosdana, but I first met him in the late Eighties, in the Writers' Centre, a member of the Executive Committee of the Irish Writers' Union almost since the union's founding. As someone who lived for a while on the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, we got on well together. One day, he took me to one side and showed me a copy of Fortnight in which another poet had published an unfair and personal attack on the man and his work:" I'm no good at defending myself against this sort of thing," he said," do you think that you might help?" He was truly upset. Next day I wrote the rebuttal, fired it in to the paper and a short time later the poet concerned got in touch and apologised. Robert then offered an apology of his own for the tone of the rebuttal. He was a lovely man, and a fine writer with a conscience, which is why he worked for so long in the Irish Writers' Union, but on the flyleaf of Protestant Without a Horse he inscribed:" For Sam McAughtry, with all good wishes, and thanks for his recent letter in :Fortnight, September 1997." Helen Dwyer Chairperson Irish Writers' Union I first met Robert Greacen at a committee meeting of the Irish Writers' Union in the Irish Writers' Centre. I found him to be a kindly mentor. The first time I gave him a lift home he sent me a signed copy of one of his poems. Robert held many sub-committee meetings in his home; where he dealt diligently with union business; then entertained us with tales of his life as a young writer in London. We will remember Robert - may perpetual light shine upon him. Liam Mac Uistin I was privileged to be a friend of Robert Greacen for many years. I first met him in the early days of the Irish Writers' Union, of which he became a life member. We met regularly for lunch, which was always enhanced by his colourful recollections of the well-known writers he knew in the three cities that featured most in his long life, Belfast, London and Dublin. He was a gifted poet, author and critic, and a faithful friend. I shall miss him greatly. I attended a memorial ceremony held on 19 April 2008 in Findlater's church for Robert. There was a very large attendance, including our Chairperson and many other members of the IWU.Tributes and readings were contributed by close friends and writers Rory Brennan and Dennis O'Driscoll. Later, at a reception in the Irish Writers' Centre, further tributes were paid by other friends including Robin Buick, Margaret O'Driscoll, Mathew Sweeney, Anthony Quinn and myself. Angelina Kelly I am so sorry to hear that Robert Greacen is no longer with us. When I joined the IWU he welcomed me warmly into its ranks and we had many an "intelligent conversation" since. He is a sad loss to me, to the Union and to writers. We are all privileged to have known him. Rest in peace Robert though I suspect you are up there with your "colleagues" writing up a storm! Tony Quinn When I first met Robert Greacen at New Year soiree for reviewers in Books Ireland, he quietly clarified how to pronounce his surname. Precision with words is evident in his writings. Wide experience of life and literature in Belfast, Dublin and London informed his role as an IWU EC member. Modest and unassuming, he was a friendly encouraging colleague. Despite physical constraints, he continued to attend EC meetings. When he retired from an active role, we kept in touch by phone and with Christmas cards. Cider with Rosy, Laurie Lee’s acclaimed evocation of a English rural childhood, emerged during my recent spring clean. That book reminded me of Robert who had suggested it as an inspiring model for memoir writing. Happenstance: The day after finding Cider with Rosy, I heard about Robert’s death. Memories of him continue… Fred Johnston I was very sorry to hear of Robert's passing. I knew him quite well over a number of years. We read together and visited France on a number of occasions. He was a gentleman, a writer of the old school, mannerly, scholarly, impeccably honest. He will be sadly missed by anyone who knew him. Brendan Nolan newsletter editor Robert was one of the great strengths of the Irish Writers' Union. As with everything else, he was self effacing to the point of anonymity. It was Robert who instituted the practice of the union conferring life membership on distinguished Irish writers, beginning with Ben Kiely in 1999. Each year after that, Robert so discreetly suggested a new recipient of the honour that we all thought it to be our own good idea. He declined to allow his own name to go forward for public tribute and only accepted life membership on his 80th birthday in conjunction with a main celebration for another writer. The previous year, Robert celebrated his 79th birthday by giving a reading of his work in Paris, in Carr's pub, in company with other invited Irish poets. Old friends of his travelled from Poitiers to be with him on that day. Later, they toured Paris by night, according to Robert who, when asked by this editor where in Paris the pub was located; replied that he didn't know: he had been driven there in a car! But he did enjoy Paris, he said. In May 2006, he sent the following note for the attention of the editor of Final Draft, the union's newsletter. As usual, it begins with an explanation as to why he could not physically attend meetings any more and only then mentions the launch of his latest book; an affair I was privileged to attend some time later. It seemed, on the night, that half of Dublin turned out for the occasion with Robert in fine fettle. Robert wrote: "I miss the meetings of the committee but really old age has caught up with me - 86 next birthday -and I've a lot of aches and pains, as one might expect. Otherwise I would be active on the part of the IWU. I wonder if it would be possible to put a note in Final Draft about my forthcoming book? Here are the details: Selected And New Poems by Robert Greacen. Salmon Publishing, to be launched by the book's editor, Professor Jack W. Weaver (Winthrop University, USA) in the Board Room of Poetry Ireland,123 St. Stephen's Green,Dublin. 2, at 7 p.m, on Tuesday, 27th June. With every good wish, Robert Greacen. Robert Henry Greacen: 24th October, 1920 --- 13th April, 2008. home aims benefits committee events faq obituary plunkett join links contract membersites news plr reviewing tax	Robert Greacen was one of Ireland's foremost poets. Born in Derry, in 1920, he was the only child of Henry Greacen and his wife Elizabeth. The family moved to Belfast where his father opened a newsagent's shop on the Newtownards Road. Robert was a poet, reviewer and editor in Belfast, Dublin and London. Returning to Dublin, he settled in Sandymount, his final home In 1986 he was elected to membership of Aosdána. in 2000 he was made a life member of the Irish Writers’ Union. Robert’s marriage to the writer and critic Patricia Hutchins, who died in 1985, had ended in divorce in 1966. Their daughter Arethusa survives them both. Robert Greacen was born on October 24th, 1920; and died on April 13th, 2008.
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