If those books can end up in the hands of people who will love and value them, while also doing some good in a charitable sense, then Michael will have his wish.

— Ivan O’Brien, son of the late Michael O’Brien, founder of O’Brien Press

2 mins read time
Published: 27th August 2024
Blog by Melissa Cooke

Michael O’Brien bequests 2,500 books to Oxfam Books Parliament Street

Books are the greatest gift. Through the magic of ink on the page, a book can transport you to any time or place. With a donation of 2,500 books to Oxfam Books Parliament Street, the estate of the late Michael O’Brien really provided a wonderful gift.

The collection, a window into history, consists of most of Michael’s private library.

Michael founded the iconic O’Brien Press publishers with his father in 1974. After going on to become one of Ireland’s most respected publishing houses, O’Brien Press became a beloved household name.

Michael died in July 2022, but the family commitment to the printed word goes on, with Michael’s son Ivan O’Brien continuing the legacy as Managing Director of O’Brien Press. Ivan explains why his father’s books were donated.

The work Oxfam does across the world is really important. It’s a good and noble charity. Michael wanted to make sure the right thing happened to his collection of books

— Ivan O’Brien

“It can be hard to know what to do with unusual and special collections like this that people gather through their lives. It would be a tragedy to end up throwing these things out, but finding the right route can be difficult. If they can’t be kept together, enabling a charity like Oxfam to sell them to and raise money for important work is a fantastic alternative,” comments Ivan.

“I’ve known Christine in the Parliament Street Oxfam shop for many years, and trusted that the shop was the best place to find good homes for my father’s precious books. Rather than relying on luck and personal contacts, and a complex process for relatives mourning their loss, planning these legacies is a better option,” Ivan notes.

Michael’s love of books and the written word makes this donation even more meaningful.

“Books were central in Michael O’Brien’s life. He constantly collected books and he loved them. He was a huge collector. He spent most of his life making books. If he wasn’t making them, he was reading them, talking about them, or creating other art.

“He was particularly interested in Irish history and Ireland’s built heritage, as well as cultural independence.”

Oxfam’s archivist, Greischa Raffin, noted that this was the largest private collection of books on Dublin history that they had come across. It contains several books from the 1700's about laws and trading in Dublin that are in exquisite condition.

There are also signed and rare copies of many books, including some limited signed editions of Gallery Press poetry books, for example Seamus Heaney’s Hailstones.