Robert was knowledgeable about many
things, very wise and very, very funny – and of course enormously well-read. He
was a pioneer in the study of children’s books in Ireland and to most people,
he simply *was* children’s literature in Ireland. He was a founder member
of the Children’s Literature Association of Ireland, which merged with the
Irish Children’s Book Trust to become Children’s Books Ireland. He has held
many roles within CBI: board member, Inis magazine editor,
Bisto Book of the Year Awards judge, reviewer and patron. He was also the
recipient of the CBI Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises
an individual’s outstanding contribution to children’s literature in Ireland.
Robert was, for many years, a lecturer
in the Church of Ireland College of Education and a regular commentator on
children’s literature in The Irish Times and on various radio
programmes. Even those who had not met him in person felt they knew him well as
a regular contributor to Rattlebag and other programmes.
Robert also hosted his own children’s book show with Dublin Community Radio.
He was a fierce and generous supporter
of those whose work he admired and a staunch supporter of those whose careers
were just beginning. It was our honour to introduce those new entrants to the
children’s book community to Robert as we knew we were passing them into very
safe hands.
Despite all the roles he held within our
organisation and the numerous awards bestowed upon him, we will foremost
remember him as a friend: of the organisation, the board and most especially of
ours. An email or phone call from Robert at the close of the CBI conference, or
an acknowledgement of enjoying reading an article in Inis were
always most happily received. For those of us who joined the organisation many
years ago, he was a quiet reassurance just a phone call away.
We will miss his presence at our events,
his emails and his humour more than we can ever say. The staff and board of
Children’s Books Ireland offer sympathy to Carole, and to their children
Gráinne and Dominic, and their grandchildren. We respect their wish for privacy
as they remember the long and happy years with Robert. It’s very hard for us to
imagine a world without him. It must be unimaginably difficult for them.
