Liam Miller 1924-1987

By Frank Meehan
Extracted from "Laois Yearbook" 1989

Liam Millar was born in Mountrath, Co. Laois on 24th April 1924, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs James Millar. Educated at the Patrician School, Mountrath, the Patrician College, Ballyfin and University College, Dublin. He married Miss Josephine Browne and they had one son Liam and three daughters, Marie, Kate and Jane. After qualifying as an architect he went to London at the end of World War II where he worked on many of the city's reconstruction projects. He returned to Ireland in 1951 and founded the now world famous Dolmen Press. Starting with only a hand press he published the works of Austin Clerk, John Montague and Thomas Kinsella all of which became instant best sellers. He became the first President of the Irish Book Publishers Association and was responsible for Irish Publishers promoting their work at the Frankfort International Book Fair.

An internationally renowned typographer, he was also responsible for the new gaelic-gothic script based on the Book of Kells, etc. He also designed Thomas Kinsella's translation on the Tam and the Roman Missal, which was published in 1974. He became director and one of the founders of the Lantern Theatre in Dublin. He helped produce and designed the sets of the Abbey in 1966 for "The Plough and the Stars" and "Countess Kathleen" in 1969. In 1970 he adapted "The Tam" for the B.B.C. production of the story. Became Chairman of the Yeats Association and President of Pen in 1970 and became a recognised authority on the poems of W.B. Yeats. Was appointed a member of An Post's Philately Advisory Committee and was responsible for two books on Irish stamps.

He lived at The Lodge in Mountrath and died at Our Lady's Hospice on 17th May, 1987 and was buried in Clonenagh.

Back to List

Site Hosted by Dotser

A-Z of Laois - About Laois - Community History - Famous People - Photographs - Maps - 19th Century Laois