William O'Brien | |
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![]() O'Brien, c. 1930 | |
Teachta Dála | |
In office July 1937 – June 1938 | |
In office June 1927 – September 1927 | |
Constituency | Tipperary |
In office June 1922 – August 1923 | |
Constituency | Dublin South |
Personal details | |
Born | John William O'Brien 23 January 1881 Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland |
Died | 31 October 1968 Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland | (aged 87)
Resting place | Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin |
Political party |
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Occupation | Trade union leader |
William O'Brien (23 January 1881 – 31 October 1968) was a politician and trade unionist in Ireland.[1] While rarely dominating the political spotlight, O'Brien was incredibly powerful and influential behind the scenes, maintaining a firm grip over Ireland's trade unions for many decades. Besides his leadership in the trade unions, O'Brien was a founder, alongside James Larkin and James Connolly, of the Labour Party of Ireland.[2] In later years a rift formed between Larkin and O'Brien that would last the rest of their lives and often divide the labour movement in Ireland.