Michael O'BRIEN

My condolences to all of Michael’s family. I sailed with Michael many years ago on Pippa IV. Many happy memories. Michael was always so kind & lots of stories. Take care.

Michael was a mountain of courage and encouragement. Wise and witty and brave. The ultimate story teller. His passing is a huge loss for his family, friends and so many others who he gave voice to.

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Michael. My thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time. I remember him as a warm welcoming man who was so full of life it was infectious.

He will be long remembered in the wide world of literature and publishing.in Ireland. Sincere condolences to his family

Sincere condolences to all at O'Brien Press and to Michael's family at this sad time. I enjoyed working with Michael on our cookbook a few years ago. May he sleep peacefully. RIP.

I'm very sad to hear of Michael's sudden passing. I was lucky to start out in publishing at The O'Brien Press - it was a warm, humorous and hardworking environment and I loved working there. Michael was always full of energy, ideas and enthusiasm and we all had to work hard to keep up with him! I'm very grateful to Michael for how he always sought to encourage his staff and writers - he only ever saw the way forward, never the obstacles. He was a unique person.
My deepest sympathies to Ivan, Eoin, Dara and all of Michael's family - and to his work family as well.

Michael was for me the embodiment of a fine Irishman, passionate and strong in his opinions, combined with sensitivity, creativity and a great sense of humor and wit. Some thirty years ago he invited me to come and talk about IBBY to an interested group of book professionals that in 1998 led to the establishment and growth of the Irish Section of IBBY under his presidency. His commitment to promote IBBY’s mission resulted also in the decision to reprint Jella Lepman’s memoir “A Bridge of Children’s Books” to commemorate IBBY’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee Congress in 2002 in Basel. As a children’s book activist Michael O’Brien made a unique and lasting contribution and will be remembered and missed by his many friends and colleagues worldwide.

Like so many other “O’Brienites”, I was shocked on hearing from Sean Boyne of Michael’s passing. When other publishers were unwilling to publish my John Charles McQuaid: Ruler of Catholic Ireland in 1999, Michael did not flinch from confronting critics – and he lived long enough to witness later revelations vindicating the biography’s allegations based on Dr Noel Browne’s claims about the archbishop. Michael's finest stand!
John Cooney, Terenure, Dublin.

Michael's wife and family have every reason to be proud of Michael, a great and courageous Irishman. He was early into the Campaign to Separate Church and State in the late 1980s when it was a cold place to be. And now.... My condolences to all the O'Brien family and work associates.

Very sorry to hear of Michael's death. He was a great neighbour, thoughtful and helpful and a good friend to our parents. Condolences to his family.

To Svetlana Ivan Eoin Dara Ferdia I’m so very sad to hear of Michael’s sudden passing. What a great loss to you all..
I worked for Michael for 21 years and he was a true gentleman. My thoughts are with you and the OBP staff at this sad time.

To dear Svetlana and all the O Brien family. My sincere sympathy on the death of Michael. Sending you love and strength Svetlana.

To Svetlana, Ivan, Eoin, Dara, Ferdia and the wider O'Brien family, my deepest condolences to you all on the sad passing of Michael. To Miriam, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your brother. Thinking of you all at this sad and most difficult time. Michael was a true professional and a pure gentleman. He has left a lovely legacy through the O'Brien Press and will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace!

I wish to extend my condolences to Svetlana and the O’Brien family on the sudden passing of Michael.
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael on a number of occasions, as he carefully and skilfully guided the publication of the book about the life of the late Tony Gregory TD.

Michael was a gentleman and an inspirational, very professional publisher.

May he rest in peace.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the O’Brien family on the untimely passing of Michael. May he rest in peace.

Sending deepest sympathy and condolences to Ivan, Svetlana and all the O'Brien family, and all at O'Brien Press, at this very sad time. It feels like a tree has fallen in the forest.
Jane
On behalf of the Board, members and friends of IBBY Ireland.

Our deepest sympathies to all the O'Brien family on your loss. May Michael Rest in Peace.

To Svetlana and the O’Brien family, my deepest condolences on Michael’s death. Svetlana, thinking of you at this very sad time. Ann and family, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow.

Michael was a pioneering figure in Irish publishing who was willing to take a punt on issues outside the mainstream. He offered consistent encouragement and help to novice authors. May he rest in peace. Sincere sympathy to his family and all at O'Brien Press.

Very sorry to hear of Michael's passing. Condolences to all the O'Brien family.

Sincere condolences to Ivan, Kilian and family on the passing of your beloved father/ grandfather. Our thoughts are with you.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis

I'm so sorry to hear of Michael's passing - he will always be a legend in Irish publishing. My deepest sympathies to Ivan, the O'Brien family and the O'Brien Press team.

Michael was my first boss and a lifetime friend. The time I worked at O´Brien Press, and the people with whom I worked there, have been a huge influence. But even long before I worked at OBP their work shaped my life through the books I loved a young reader. Thank you Michael.

Condolences to Ivan and all the O'Brien Family at this sad time.

Deepest sympathies to Ferdia, Dara and all the family, on the sad passing of your Dad Micheal and to O'Brien Press, who will miss his whit and leadership.
Remembering you all in prayer at this sad time, and know all of us and those in Heaven will be reading books as requested.
God bless you all and sorry I can't be with you at the service.
" Gone Home'

32nd Rathgar Scout Group

Michael lent his guiding hand to a number of projects I had the good fortune to work on, and his vision was always clear and impactful.

Condolences to extended O'Brien family from myself and everyone at Balls Media

My deepest condolences to Ivan, the O'Brien family and all at the O'Brien Press on Michael's passing. He was a real visionary in Irish publishing.

My deep condolences to all in Michael's family. Michael O'Brien was a very important man in publishing, especially in children's books. He has given so many the opportunity to showcase creative ideas and have an incredible reach into Irish homes, making the O’Brien Press a household name. Hoping his family and close friends find strength during this difficult time.

Sincere condolences to Ivan, Suzanna and family on the passing of Michael. May he rest in peace. Look after yourselves and each other.

To Ivan and the O’Brien family…. Deepest condolences on the sudden death of Michael…. A lovely interesting gentleman… I enjoyed showing him around Derry…. He had a great feel for the place and it’s story…. May he Rest In Peace…. Peter and Nicola..

I'm so sorry to hear of Michael's passing. He was a lovely person, may he rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to Ivan, all the O'Brien family and the team at the O'Brien Press.

Very sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. My deepest condolences to all the O’Brien family.

Deepest sympathies to all of Michael's family and to his colleagues at O'Brien Press. Michael was a good friend to Blackstaff Press over the years and we remember him as a tireless and generous advocate for Irish writing and irish publishing.

We were so sorry to hear the sad news of Michael's death. I first met Michael in the early 70's and had many lively discussions and long enjoyable evenings with him over the years. He was a great and passionate publisher and will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences go to to Ivan, Svetlana and all his family and publishing team. R.I.P.

Dad and I were saddened to learn of Michaels passing.

To his family and all at The O'Brien Press our deepest sympathy at this difficult time.

An absolute gentleman and a true supporter of the Friends of St Luke's. May Michael rest in peace. Our deepest sympathy to the O'Brien family.

Ivan, Svetlana, the O'Brien family and all at O'Brien Press
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Michael's passing and offer you my deepest sympathy. I'm certain that gatherings of Irish publishers and literary types will be infinitely less animated without his inimitable style and input. I always had fun in his company and enjoyed watching the mischievous glint in his eye as he challenged the status quo. He will be missed. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

To Ivan, Eoin, Dara, and family. I wish I could be with you in person to celebrate and remember the life of your dad. He was a lucky man to have had three fine sons such as yourselves, and to be blessed with the gift of grandchildren. No doubt you have many fond memories of him that will be with you always. I am sad for your loss, and I am thinking of you at this time.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Michael O’Brien. A true star of Irish publishing. He will always be remembered in the books and business he brought to life. Condolences to Ivan and all the family

My deepest sympathy to Svetlana, to Ivan and all the family, and to all at O'Brien Press. Michael will be sorely missed. In many years of publishing-related travel, Michael's presence was energising and enjoyable. Our group of "Elder Lemons" will deeply regret his absence. Michael never let us all be complacent - we need to keep that thought. We'll not forget him.

Sincere sympathy to Svetlana, Ivan and Dara [guitar teacher extraordinaire] and your families on this sad news of Michael's death. I will always remember his great positivity and enthusiasm, and be grateful for all the wonderful books.

We would like to add our condolences to the many expressions of sympathy to the family of Michael O'Brien. Michael was extremely kind and generous with his advice and counsel to us when we embarked on our own publishing journey for Theatre and the Performing Arts, 24 years ago. He will be sorely missed from the world - not just the world of publishing.
Dan Farrelly, Eamonn Jordan and Lilian Chambers. Carysfort Press

Uncle Michael lived life to the fullest. His fearless nature continued the pioneering work of grandpa Tom O'Brien and has contributed much creativity to the world. I am grateful for all the moments we shared and wish him well on the next phase of his journey. He will be missed.

We are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend Michael. We shared many happy times together in Greece and in his lovely house and garden in Victoria Road. Sincere condolences to Svetlana and all the O'Brien family

Deepest sympathy to all Michael's family, and to all at O'Brien Press and its circle. As so many have noted in both personal and general ways, a great giant and champion of Irish books and publishing, and whose legacy is genuinely an amazing one. RIP & may his memory be a blessing.

Sincere sympathies to Ivan, Suzanne, Killian and Alice and the extended O'Brien family on the death of Michael, may he rest in peace.

Dear Eoin, Roisin, Art, Sally, and all of the O’Brien family, Thinking of you all at this very difficult time. Michael’s light will continue to shine through all of you. Sending our deepest condolences to you all.
Orla, Paul, Paddy, Aidan and Conor.

Dear Ivan,Suzanna,Alice & Killian, and all the family we are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all,
Love from Craig,Linda,Lucy,Alastair,Guy&Warren MacWilliam.

It was such a deep shock for the heart to hear of your sudden passing. There was and is deep love for you dearest Michael. We had wonderful time while our children were growing. I'm so grateful for those memories. Also our times working together in the family business. You are a wonder soul and human being. The keeper of the ancestral history and a great lover of Life. I will miss you. May you find true freedom for your spirit and rest in deep peace.Love and deep appreciation also from your lovely niece Manda Kim. We will always love you.

Deepest sympathy to Michael’s family and to all at O’Brien Press. Michael was a wonderful champion of children’s literature as well as a supportive and innovative publisher. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

To All the O'Brien Family

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Michael, a most wonderful man. Michael and my father Feargal had a great relationship stretching back over 30 years which resulted in Michael publishing three of his books. He was a special man who will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.

With extreme sadness we received the news of Michael O’Brien death, what a heavy loss!

IBBY Palestine mourns Michael as a friend and as one of the main advocates for our membership in the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Michael spent time and efforts to guarantee our right to membership that was wrongly denied for long years! We admired Michael courage and his vision.

Rest in Peace dear Michael, you will be greatly missed! 🌹❤️🙏

Warmest condolences to Michael’s family, Irish IBBY and all his friends



Jehan Helou
President of IBBY Palestine

So sorry to hear of Michael's death. In addition to being a great publisher he was a very kind man. Sincere condolences to his family and to O'Brien Press.

Sincere condolences to all the family.
May Michael rest in peace.

To Ivan and all of Michael's family, our deepest condolences. A wonderful free spirit has left us. He will be missed. Fond memories of Book House Ireland, the Frankfurt Book Fair over many years, and a breath of fresh air in the Irish book publishing industry. Our thoughts are with you all.

I was so saddened to hear of Michael's passing. My deepest condolences to the O'Brien family and all at the O'Brien Press. RIP Michael.

Our most sincere condolences to Svetlana, Ivan, all the O'Brien family and all at O'Brien Press. A man of integrity, vision and passion, he is a great loss. May he rest in peace.

My condolences to the family and friends of a great publisher.

Ivan, Suzanne, Killian and Alice,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Ivans dad.
May he rest in perfect peace.
Paul & Ann.

Michael was such an encouraging and dynamic publisher, and will be greatly missed. Deepest sympathy to his family, and to all at O'Brien Press.