Brendan Francis Aidan Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican, an activist who wrote in both English and Irish. His widely acknowledged alcohol dependence, despite attempts to treat it, impacted his creative capacities and contributed to health and social problems which curtailed his artistic output and finally his life. In 2023 reports emerged of his allegedly sexually violent behaviour against a young New York publicist, Letty Cottin Pogrebin in the early 1960s.
Behan (left) with actor Jackie Gleason in 1960
Study from life of Brendan Behan by Reginald Gray, 1953 (Egg tempera on wood panel)
A mosaic of Brendan Beehan created by Mark Kennedy for Manchester Irish Festival
Grave of Brendan Behan by Clíodhna Cussen, Glasnevin, Dublin. A bronze likeness of Brendan's face was stolen from the vacant opening in 1984. It was restored in 2014.
A borstal was a type of youth detention centre in the United Kingdom, several member states of the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland. In India, such a detention centre is known as a borstal school.
Entrance to The Grove Prison. Built in 1848, it operated as an adult prison from 1848, a borstal from 1921, and a young offenders institution from 1988.
HMP Portland, Dorset, former Borstal
