AODHAGÁN BRIOSCÚ: Aodhagán Brioscú, who has died aged 82, was the last surviving founder of Gael Linn.
He was a member of Craobh na hAiséirí of Conradh na Gaeilge and auditor of An Cumann Gaelach at University College Dublin, where he was also a member of An Cumann Liteardha. He was president of An Comhchaidreamh, the combined Gaelic societies' body that established the periodical Comhar in 1942.
In 1953 An Comhchaidreamh set up football pools based on Gaelic games with the title Gael Linn. Five people were appointed as caomhnóirí or trustees. With Aodhagán Brioscú these were Máire Bhreathnach, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Dónal Ó Móráin and Seán Ó Síocháin. They effectively constituted the first board of Gael Linn.
Gael Linn adopted a novel approach to promoting Irish that combined cultural and economic initiatives. Industries were established and supported in order to provide employment for native Irish speakers in their own localities.
Gaeltacht scholarships were provided for primary schoolchildren. An Irish-language theatre was established at the Damer Hall, Dublin, where An Giall (The Hostage) by Brendan Behan was first performed in 1958. A record label issued recordings of sean nós singing and traditional music. A weekly newsreel, Amharc Éireann, was launched in 1959 and shown in cinemas throughout the country. The first-ever full-length feature film in Irish, Mise Éire, with a memorable musical score by Seán Ó Riada, was released in 1960. Aodhagán Brioscú stepped down from the board of Gael Linn in 1960.
He was born on March 28th, 1920, one of the four children of Henry Briscoe, a tax official, and his wife Mary (née Halton).
The family originally lived in Sandymount, Dublin, later moving to Ranelagh, and finally to Harold's Cross.
As a child he showed an interest in drawing. In his early teens he developed a talent for writing, becoming Irish correspondent of the British-based Radio Pictorial.
He was educated at Synge Street CBS and later studied architecture at UCD under J.V. Downes, attending drawing classes at the National College of Art.
In addition to his Irish-language activities, he was a founding member of the Archaeological Society and was elected to the students' representative council. He also helped to organise the annual student rag day.
He graduated in 1945. In order to gain practical experience he took a job as the clerk of works on the construction of a factory in Mountmellick.
He then worked in Vincent Kelly's architectural practice, later joining Michael Scott and Partners where he spent eight years, becoming senior assistant. On moving to Gypsum Industries, he worked in product development and marketing. He joined the staff of An Foras Forbartha in 1968 as senior research officer, retiring in 1985.
A contributor to a wide range of Irish-language and architectural magazines, he also edited a number of trade and professional journals as well as two books on architectural history. He taught building construction at Bolton Street College of Technology.
He exhibited pastel drawings at the Oireachtas art exhibition and held several one-man shows.
He designed book-jackets and won awards for his Christmas card designs. His drawings and photographs were used to illustrate many books and magazines.
Aodhagán Brioscú regularly broadcast on Radió Éireann, delivering five-minute topical talks after the early-evening news in Irish. He was a former cathaoirleach of Na Teaghlaigh Ghaelacha, an organisation to promote the use of Irish in the home.
A lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, he was closely involved with the publication of the Knocklyon parish newsletter until the time of his death.
Predeceased by his son Cillian, he is survived by his wife Anna; daughters Orla, Cróine and Colma; sons Cormac and Luan; and sister Ita.
Aodhagán Brioscú: born, March 28th, 1920; died, January 14th, 2003