This week, you probably noticed many references to Brendan
Behan in the media. It was 50 years since his death, and many newspapers
published columns on how Behan’s literary talents, and the man himself, were
destroyed by alcohol.
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| Brendan Behan leaves the High Court, 1961 |
It is undeniable that Behan’s literary legacy stems from his
early work – The Quare Fellow, The Borstal Boy, An Giall/The Hostage. Yet, he
always had a way with words and his witticisms never dried up. Behan became
internationally notorious when he appeared drunk on the Malcom Muggeridge show.
He realized that people wanted to see the drunken Irishman stereotype, and he
delivered this persona in public for most of his life.
Sadly, Behan developed diabetes as a result of his drinking,
and when he collapsed in a diabetic coma on the street in Dublin, people
assumed he was just drunk again and left him them. When he was finally taken to
hospital, there was little that could be done for him and the news of his death
came as little surprise to his friends.
Although Behan’s early death at the age of 41 could have
been foretold, his passing still caused a great deal of sorrow. People lined
the streets as Behan’s coffin made its way to Glasnevin cemetery, and it was
described as one of the biggest funerals in Ireland since that of Michael
Collins. In later years, a bronze likeness of Behan’s face was stolen from the
headstone at his grave, which can be seen as a rather misguided token of
respect for the man.
Behan had married Beatrice Salkeld in 1955, and they had a
daughter together, Blanaid, just two years before Behan’s death. Beatrice had
seen the effect fame and alcohol were having on Behan, but it proved impossible
to keep him away from drinking. However, it was through her quiet influence
that Behan managed to write as much as he did. Without Beatrice, it is doubtful
we would have the small body of work left by Behan.
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| Beatrice and Brendan Behan in Connemara, with friends, 1959 |
