irish writers union

Tony Quinn

a tribute
by Conor Kostick
former IWU chairperson

Anthony Quinn died on April 28, 2008, suddenly and peacefully, at his house in Donegal. It was with considerable sorrow that the Irish Writers’ Union learned of the death of Anthony Quinn. Tony’s writings included Wigs and guns : Irish barristers in the Great War and an important book on the credit unions in Ireland.
But it is his advocacy of Public Lending Rights for Irish authors for which he will be most remembered.
As a member of the executive of the Irish Writers’ Union, and as its chair 2004 – 5, Tony was dogged in pursuit of the right of authors to be paid when their books are borrowed through the library system.
The day that Irish writers receive their first payment from a PLR scheme here will be a celebratory one and it will also be a day to remember Tony’s determined efforts on behalf of Irish writers, the results of which he was justly proud of.
Tony is survived by his wife, Ann; brother, John; by children Bláithín, Jeannette, Anthony and Paul; and by grandchildren Maya, Ruarí, Anú and Tegan.

Helen Dwyer
IWU chairperson

Tony was a former Chairman and a long serving member of the executive committee.
He worked unstintingly on the issue of Public Lending Rights and gave freely of his time, energy and legal expertise.
We will miss his guidance at our meetings.
May he rest in peace.

Fred Johnston

Very shocked to hear of Tony Quinn's passing, especially following so close on Robert Greacen's death.
It's like a whole generation falling.
Tony devoted himself, and his wealth of knowledge and wisdom, to the IWU, and without him it would not have achieved the significance that it has.

Jim Parker
Registrar of the UK Public Lending Rights Scheme

'The passing of the Irish PLR legislation in November last year was a personal triumph for Tony Quinn. He attended the first international PLR conference in 1995 and heard there about the benefits that authors enjoyed from PLR systems in other countries.
From that date he made it his mission to achieve an Irish PLR system.
He encountered many obstacles along the way and for years had no progress to report at the regular international PLR meetings which he attended on behalf of the IWU and where he became a well known and much liked figure.
The lack of progress at home must have been disheartening as he watched newer EU member states taking steps to introduce PLR systems.
But Tony stuck to his task, taking his campaign to the media, government officials and anyone else he felt could support the cause. In the end, his efforts were rewarded with the government's decision to set up an Irish PLR system.

Sam Mc Aughtry

The news that Tony Quinn had passed on comes hard upon the loss of Robert Greacen.
These two highly regarded members of the Irish Writers' Union's executive committee will be sorely missed.
Robert had already resigned from the committee but Tony, having just successfully led a long campaign for the introduction of Public Lending Rights, was looking around our Union territory for fresh fields to cover on behalf of writers in Ireland.
My co-operation with Tony on the committee must have lasted at least twelve years. We had something in common, in that we were both retired senior civil servants from our respective administrations. Tony had the added skills of a barrister, and his work in the Union reflected this in many of our areas of activity.
We will miss him very much in the Union: our deepest symphathy goes out to his wife and family.
Tony will be remembered well beyond the limits of union work by his fine books, on the History of Credit Unions in Ireland and his last book, reminding us of the contribution and sacrifices many members of the Irish legal profession in World War One.

Angelina Kelly

It is with great sadness that I learn that Tony Quinn has also joined the ranks of "the great writers in the sky".
Tony and I served on the EC many years ago and his guidance and wisdom were an enoumous help at a time when I really wasn't sure what I was doing. He assisted me along the way and gave me great confidence.
I will miss him greatly and I know the IWU will too.
I am however comforted by the fact that he and Robert are together again and God only knows what storm they will write up together!
Rest in peace, Tony.

Kieran Fagan

I don’t think any one individual has done more for writers trying to make a living from writing than Tony Quinn. Our paths first crossed more than 30 years ago. His patient diligence in advancing the public lending right cause will bear fruit next year. Sadly, he won’t be around to see it. We should not forget what we owe him. I shan’t forget many personal kindnesses over the years.

Samantha Holman
Executive Director ICLA.

Anthony Quinn represented authors on the board of the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency from 1994 until 2001 and continued to be an active member of the organisation. He campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of Public Lending Right for authors. His commitment to this cause both at home and within the European Writers’ Congress and PLR International was instrumental in the recent introduction of Public Lending Right into Irish law. His legal background and his passion for authors’ rights is a rare combination and he will be remembered for his work in this area. His contribution will be sorely missed by both the ICLA and the Copyright Association of Ireland.

Anthony Paschal Quinn:
B.Comm., MA, FCI Arb., Dip.Arb.Law, Dip.Intl.Arb., FCIS,
13th June 1932 ---28th April 28th, 2008.

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	Irish Writers Union Chomhar na Scribhneoiri	obits
	Tony Quinn a tribute by Conor Kostick former IWU chairperson Anthony Quinn died on April 28, 2008, suddenly and peacefully, at his house in Donegal. It was with considerable sorrow that the Irish Writers’ Union learned of the death of Anthony Quinn. Tony’s writings included Wigs and guns : Irish barristers in the Great War and an important book on the credit unions in Ireland. But it is his advocacy of Public Lending Rights for Irish authors for which he will be most remembered. As a member of the executive of the Irish Writers’ Union, and as its chair 2004 – 5, Tony was dogged in pursuit of the right of authors to be paid when their books are borrowed through the library system. The day that Irish writers receive their first payment from a PLR scheme here will be a celebratory one and it will also be a day to remember Tony’s determined efforts on behalf of Irish writers, the results of which he was justly proud of. Tony is survived by his wife, Ann; brother, John; by children Bláithín, Jeannette, Anthony and Paul; and by grandchildren Maya, Ruarí, Anú and Tegan. Helen Dwyer IWU chairperson Tony was a former Chairman and a long serving member of the executive committee. He worked unstintingly on the issue of Public Lending Rights and gave freely of his time, energy and legal expertise. We will miss his guidance at our meetings. May he rest in peace. Fred Johnston Very shocked to hear of Tony Quinn's passing, especially following so close on Robert Greacen's death. It's like a whole generation falling. Tony devoted himself, and his wealth of knowledge and wisdom, to the IWU, and without him it would not have achieved the significance that it has. Jim Parker Registrar of the UK Public Lending Rights Scheme 'The passing of the Irish PLR legislation in November last year was a personal triumph for Tony Quinn. He attended the first international PLR conference in 1995 and heard there about the benefits that authors enjoyed from PLR systems in other countries. From that date he made it his mission to achieve an Irish PLR system. He encountered many obstacles along the way and for years had no progress to report at the regular international PLR meetings which he attended on behalf of the IWU and where he became a well known and much liked figure. The lack of progress at home must have been disheartening as he watched newer EU member states taking steps to introduce PLR systems. But Tony stuck to his task, taking his campaign to the media, government officials and anyone else he felt could support the cause. In the end, his efforts were rewarded with the government's decision to set up an Irish PLR system. Sam Mc Aughtry The news that Tony Quinn had passed on comes hard upon the loss of Robert Greacen. These two highly regarded members of the Irish Writers' Union's executive committee will be sorely missed. Robert had already resigned from the committee but Tony, having just successfully led a long campaign for the introduction of Public Lending Rights, was looking around our Union territory for fresh fields to cover on behalf of writers in Ireland. My co-operation with Tony on the committee must have lasted at least twelve years. We had something in common, in that we were both retired senior civil servants from our respective administrations. Tony had the added skills of a barrister, and his work in the Union reflected this in many of our areas of activity. We will miss him very much in the Union: our deepest symphathy goes out to his wife and family. Tony will be remembered well beyond the limits of union work by his fine books, on the History of Credit Unions in Ireland and his last book, reminding us of the contribution and sacrifices many members of the Irish legal profession in World War One. Angelina Kelly It is with great sadness that I learn that Tony Quinn has also joined the ranks of "the great writers in the sky". Tony and I served on the EC many years ago and his guidance and wisdom were an enoumous help at a time when I really wasn't sure what I was doing. He assisted me along the way and gave me great confidence. I will miss him greatly and I know the IWU will too. I am however comforted by the fact that he and Robert are together again and God only knows what storm they will write up together! Rest in peace, Tony. Kieran Fagan I don’t think any one individual has done more for writers trying to make a living from writing than Tony Quinn. Our paths first crossed more than 30 years ago. His patient diligence in advancing the public lending right cause will bear fruit next year. Sadly, he won’t be around to see it. We should not forget what we owe him. I shan’t forget many personal kindnesses over the years. Samantha Holman Executive Director ICLA. Anthony Quinn represented authors on the board of the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency from 1994 until 2001 and continued to be an active member of the organisation. He campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of Public Lending Right for authors. His commitment to this cause both at home and within the European Writers’ Congress and PLR International was instrumental in the recent introduction of Public Lending Right into Irish law. His legal background and his passion for authors’ rights is a rare combination and he will be remembered for his work in this area. His contribution will be sorely missed by both the ICLA and the Copyright Association of Ireland. Anthony Paschal Quinn: B.Comm., MA, FCI Arb., Dip.Arb.Law, Dip.Intl.Arb., FCIS, 13th June 1932 ---28th April 28th, 2008. home aims benefits committee events faq obituary plunkett join links contract membersites news plr reviewing tax	Anthony P. Quinn, was a writer, barrister and credit union activist. As a civil servant, he was Assistant Principal in the Office of Registrar of Friendly Societies, the state office that supervises credit unions. Tony wrote: Credit Unions in Ireland (1994) which became a standard work and remains an essential text. He moved from the civil service to the Bar, becoming Junior Counsel in 1984, a member of the Bar of England and Wales in 1990 and of Northern Ireland in 1994. He wrote: Wigs and Guns : Irish Barristers in the Great War (2006). A fluent Irish speaker, Tony had a passion for walking and was on the founding committees of the Irish Ramblers’ Club and Na Coisithe family outdoor group. He enjoyed membership of a number of writers’ groups - latterly the Dalkey Writers’ Group - and his engagement with Ireland’s literary traditions led to his editorship of a book on AE, The Golden Triangle (1989). Tony wrote many articles for newspapers and magazines and regularly broadcast on RTÉ’s Seascapes and Sunday Miscellany. As a member of the executive of the Irish Writers’ Union, and as its chair 2004 – 5, Tony was dogged in pursuit of the right of authors to be paid when their books are borrowed through the library system. He regularly represented the IWU in Europe and it was through the European Writers’ Congress and the resulting legal pressure on non-compliant states that the argument for the introduction of PLR to Ireland was finally won.
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