Michael O’Brien, founder of IBBY Ireland

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Michael O’Brien, the founder of IBBY Ireland and well-known publisher, passed away on Sunday, 31 July in Dublin.

Michael was a champion of Irish writing, including for children and young people. His publishing house, The O’Brien Press, is a regular at the Bologna and Frankfurt Book Fairs. Michael was very involved in IBBY and promoted the establishment of IBBY Palestine in 2002 at the Congress in Basel.

He was a great force in Irish publishing and his loss will be felt across the country.  Our deepest condolences go to his family.