OBITUARY. MARTIN O’BRIEN

The Leinster Leader 8 July 1961

OBITUARY

M. O’BRIEN, SALLINS ROAD, NAAS

The death took place on Sunday, June 25th, of Mr. Martin O’Brien, Sallins Road, Naas, a worker since boyhood in the national cause, a well known athlete in his youth, and writer of ballads, stories and plays. He was in his early sixties.

The funeral from Our Lady and St. David’s Church, Naas, to St. Corban’s Cemetery was followed by a large cortege. The coffin was draped in the tricolour and a guard of honour was supplied by the Republican movement. Fr. Swayne, C.C., Naas officiated. Old comrades friends and co-founders of the athletic club and Republican representatives attended.

A noted athlete. Martin O’Brien made a name for himself particularly as a long-distance runner. Among many other distinctions he was the winner of the Dublin to Naas and Navan to Croke Park marathon races.

Among his other activities he organised Green Cross concerts during the national struggle; wrote sketches, songs and ballads. He contributed to many national publications. In later years he wrote under the pen-name Conleith Martin.

He is survived by three brothers and four sisters.