Barney O'Sullivan

• Full name: Bartholomew O'Sullivan.
• Born: Limerick, circa 1899.
• Died: Dublin, 16th March 1978.
• Irish Champion: 1939, 1946.

Contents

• Oisin O'Siochru's Comments
• Enda Rohan's Comments
• Vincent Maher's Comments

Oisin O'Siochru's Comments

Oisin O'Siochru made these comments in 1996.

Barney was an extraordinary character with an impish sense of humour, unorthodox and irrreverant. An exceptionally good player when the mood took him but equally capable of very bad tournaments (I think he played in one zonal where he scored 0 or close to it). Hated dull games, liked to attack and was good at tactics. May have had a bit of a drink problem.

Enda Rohan's Comments

Enda Rohan sent these comments in 1977.

Barney was a taylor. He was a small man and spoke with a strong southern accent with lots of accompanying sibilant noises. He was a magician, comic and general entertainer. A kind of boy who never grew up. He didn't drink but often behaved like a man who had. He was friendly with Vincent Maher. He was a gifted though, some thought, irresponsible player since he was apt to clown around and lose games to weaker players towards the end of a tournament if he thought first place was beyond his reach.

Vincent Maher's Comments

Vincent Maher sent the following in 1997.

Was the most original Irish player I knew and I learned a lot from him. His game against O'Kelly de Galway, at the Hilversum Zonal 1947, was typical of his play.