Eoin O'Brien

Eoin O'Brien, born in 1939, is an esteemed Irish clinical scientist, well known for his extensive publications on hypertension, signified as a principal cause of death and disability in society. Eoin's significant contribution to literary criticism and biography, alongside his medical career, sets him apart. He has written books about distinguished personalities like Samuel Beckett, Nevill Johnson, and Con Leventhal. Coming from a lineage of medicos, Eoin was born to Muriel and Gerard T. O'Brien, both doctors, in Dublin in 1939. His mother was the daughter of Professor Timothy Smiddy, renowned for his role in Irish political and financial history. Eoin's proclivity towards medicine was perhaps driven by this familial legacy, as he commenced his medical study at RCSI in 1957. His vast medical career spans numerous designations including Senior Consultant Physician in Cardiology and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine. He served as the Irish Heart Foundation President from 2006-2009 and chaired the Irish Skin Foundation at the Charles Institute from 2011-2017.

In addition to his illustrious medical career, Eoin's foray into literary criticism and biography is equally remarkable. His friendship with the acclaimed Irish novelist, playwright and poet Samuel Beckett, led to the creation of The Beckett Country: Samuel Beckett’s Ireland, which reestablished the Irish influence in Beckett's writings. Eoin wrote numerous essays on Beckett's writings and their profound impact. His book titled The Weight of Compassion enshrines his relationship with the writer. Eoin's body of work extends beyond Beckett, with contributions on other literary and artistic figures. Alluding to his friendship with English artist Nevill Johnson, Eoin co-authored a monograph on Johnson's painting and wrote about his input as a writer and photographer. Eoin's multifaceted life and career make him an extraordinary figure in both medical and literary landscapes.