Professor Brian Farrell

Biographical History

Brian Farrell was an academic, author, journalist and broadcaster. Born in Manchester in 1929, he was educated in University College Dublin and Harvard. In 1955 he joined the administrative staff of UCD and later became Director of Extramural Studies. From 1966, he lectured in the Department of Politics, and went on to become senior lecturer, acting head of department and associate professor. He wrote and broadcast widely on the subject of politics in Ireland. His publications include Chairman or Chief?, and The Founding of Dáil Éireann, as well as pieces for various Irish newspapers and Irish television programmes. On retirement from UCD in 1994 he became Director-General of the Institute for European Affairs.

Scope and Content

Photocopies of notes by Professor Brian Farrell, Department of Politics, University College Dublin, of an interview and telephone conversation with Seán MacEntee (December 1968; October 1970) in the course of research for Chairman or Chief? The role of the Taoiseach in Irish Government (Dublin, 1971); further note by Farrell concerning material in the MacEntee Papers (see IE UCDA P67/788) relating to the book, MacEntee's objections to those sections of the book dealing with his relationship with Seán Lemass, his refusal to review the book for the Irish Press, and subsequent correspondence between Farrell and MacEntee concerning a request for an interview in connection with a biography of Seán Lemass.

Access: Available byappointmentto holders of a UCD Archives reader's ticket. Produced for consultation in digital format.

Language: English