An Dithreabhach

O hAnluain, Eoghan (1926-2012), writer, lecturer, editor, broadcaster and Irish language specialist. After graduating, O hAnluain spent a year teaching in CBS Youghal. He then returned to Dublin where he taught in CBS Synge Street until October 1966, when he took up a lecturing post at St Patrick's teacher training college, Drumcondra. The move from second to third level teaching marked a watershed moment in O hAnluain's career: in the autumn of that year he was appointed editor of Comhar, the highly influential Irish-language literary magazine, and during his tenure he published many of the modern poets associated with the Innti movement, including Sean O Riordain and Sean O Tuama, and encouraged them to establish their own magazine.

The following year he was also instrumental in founding the Merriman schools dedicated to the work of the eighteenth-century Irish poet Brian Merriman. In a radio interview with the Cork poet Liam O Muirthile in 1985, O hAnluain credited the winter and summer schools with renewing public interest in Irish poetry and in encouraging young writers to come forward (Agallamh na bhFili, RTE Radio, 1985). In 1969 O hAnluain returned to his alma mater when he was appointed a lecturer in the Irish department at UCD. His lectures were described as vibrant, including both English and Irish verse to illustrate his point (Ir. Times, 4 February 2012). As well as his editorial work and involvement with the Merriman schools, he was a regular guest, researcher and contributor to radio and television programmes at RTE;, most notably to Buntus Cainte, Teilifis Scoil, Duitse na hudair and Feach. In addition, his contribution to Irish-language publishing was significant: he was behind the publication of Pearse Hutchinson's first collection Faoistin Bhacach (1968) and he edited six of the Merriman society's 'Book of the year' publications including: An dithreabhach and other stories from Comhar (1977); An duine is dual: aisti ar Shean O Riordain (1980); Leachtai Ui Chadhain (1989); Leath na speire (1992); On ulan ramhar siar (2003) and Mairtin O Direain: danta 1939-1979 (2010).

He also wrote in English, contributing an additional chapter 'Twentieth century prose and verse' to Gaelic literature surveyed by Aodh de Blacam (1973) and an article, 'Irish writing: prose fiction and poetry 1880-1988' to The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing (1991). Posthumously his daughter Eilis Ni Anluain published a collection of his essays in a volume entitled Eoghan O hAnluain: Creidim fos agus aisti eile (2013).O hAnluain retired from UCD in 2003 but remained actively engaged in publishing, broadcasting and the Cumann Merriman. Throughout the course of his career he directed twenty-four Merriman winter schools, was secretary of the Cumann in the early years, and was cathaoirleach from 1992 to 1997. In addition to chairing poetry sessions, he also ran Irish language classes, recited poetry and was known for his rendition of the song, 'Na Conneries'. He died in Dublin on 1 February 2012.