Sir,—I am researching the life of Conor O’Brien the writer, architect,patriot and round-the-world yachtsman. His full name was Edward ConorMarshall O’Brien and he lived from 1880-1952. He was a grandson ofWilliam Smith O’Brien and a half-brother of Dermod O’Brien, the artistand former President of the RHA. He married Katharine Clausen theartist daughter of Sir George Clausen in 1928.
An early member of Sinn Féin and of the Volunteers, he was involvedwith Childers in the gun-running at Howth and Kilcoole using his yachtKelpie. From 1923-1925 he circumnavigated the world in Saoirse, a yachtbuilt to his own design at Baltimore, West Cork. He was also a climberand mountaineer who was friendly with George Mallory. He served in bothworld wars. He worked briefly as an architect from 1909-1914 in Dublinhaving trained at Guildford in England from 1903-1909.
I would be interested in any information that your readers mighthave such as photographs, articles, memorabilia, etc. and/or referencesor contacts relating to Conor O’Brien.—Yours etc.,
ROY LALOR
13 Shenick Ave.
Skerries
Co. Dublin
ph: int+353+(0)1+8494426
mobile: int353+(0)87+4170927
e-mail: roylalor@eircom.net
