Deposited Collections

Biographical History

Born in Knockaderry, County Limerick, Ó Briain was educated at Ahalin National School and Redemptorist College, Limerick. He joined the Gaelic League, The Irish Volunteers and Sinn Féin in 1917. For most of the 1920s he worked as a Gaelic League organiser and was General Secretary, 1928–32.

A founder member of Fianna Fáil, he served as TD for the West Limerick constituency, 1933–69, and as Parliamentary Secretary to An Taoiseach and to the Minister for Defence, 1951–54, 1957–61.

Archival History

This collection was deposited in UCD Archives in 1987 by Dr Pat Wall.

Scope and Content

Sinn Féin: material relating to the 1918 general election in West Limerick including organisational, membership and publicity material. Notes relating to the operation of the Dáil Courts in Limerick (1920).

Fianna Fail TD for West Limerick (1933–69): material relating to general, local and bye-elections in the constituency (1927–73) including selection of candidates; organisational, canvassing and publicity material; correspondence, results and analysis. Party organisation in the constituency (1927–76) including membership, finances, meetings and policy. Correspondence and related material consisting of representations from constituents (1927–73) including during his period as Parliamentary Secretary to An Taoiseach and Minister for Defence (1951–4, 1957–61). Material concerning specific local issues such as industrial and commercial development, rural and infrastructural improvements, and health and education provision (1933–65).

Material relating to national politics (1933–65) including legislation, Dáil business, reports of committees and commissions, and government policies and programmes; the constitutional referendum on the abolition of proportional representation (1959); and republican and subversive organisations (1938–57)

Promotion of the Irish language (1919–75): includes material relating to his roles as Gaelic League Organiser for Munster (1925–7), and General Secretary (1928–32); as well as to the promotion of Gaeltacht and Irish-language schools; and the use of the language in the Dáil and public service.

Personal documents and memorabilia (1915–80).

• Access: Application to consult the collection must be made to the depositor. Details of the procedure may be had from UCD Archives. UCD Archives reader's ticket and appointment necessary. Produced for consultation in microform.
• Language: English
• Finding aid: Descriptive catalogue