Best-loved

Irishman in Fleet Street

By W. J. IGOE nERALD BROSNAN, the Abbey I‘ellTheatre playwright, who died last week, was the best-loved Irishman in Fleet Street.

At his funeral on Monday from St. Etheldreda's Church, Ely Place, after Requiem Mass in the crypt, representatives of the English and Irish national Press were presentreporters, sub editors, sports and feature writers, critics and editors of national magazines.

In the darkness of Sunday evening many had gathered to pray when his body was brought to the church he deeply loved.

Nearly 20 years a go G er ry Brosnan came to Fleet Street which he, a Clare man. educated in Cork, had served in Dublin, where he was a columnist and drama critic.

Lady Gregory considered him one of the most promising of the younger Irish writers. His "Before Midnight" and "The Dark Isle" were presented at the Abbey Theatre in 1928 and 1929.

In England he %tote for stage, radio and screen, and during his last illness was planning a series for television.

Fleet Street men will remember his genius for friendship, unflagging generosity, his kindly ironic wit. the disarming smile and eager readiness to help younger men. his zest for good writing and good talk.

He was that rare thing, a most civilised man with the taste of a patrician and the strong charity and simple faith of a peasant. He walked on Fleet Street and it became a village street.

All who live and work there saluted him and his wife, "Paddy." the hostess in their hospitable flat in Old Mitre Court. He was a good man and, to his friends, irreplaceable.