Christopher Nolan dies at just 43

The author, Christopher Nolan, who died on Friday at Beaumont Hospital, was a native of Milltownpass. The 43 year old had suffered from cerebral palsy, he had turned out a number of books, one of which was a Whitbread Prize winner.Mr. Nolan, son of Joseph and Bernadette Nolan, was severely disabled, was unable to speak, and had limited mobility, but used a device strapped to his forehead to tap out the letters on firstly, a keyboard, and latterly, a computer, to write.His mother used hold his head to support him as he wrote.Mr. Nolan learned to type at the age of 11, and finally, for the first time, was able to do more than blink his eyes to communicate with the outside world.His first published writing was 'Dam Burst of Dreams', a collection of poems and short stories, published when he was just 15, and his Whitbread award came for his second book, 'Under The Eye of the Clock'.In the book, readers got a glimpse into Nolan"s own, difficult world, as he told of the life of a mute profoundly handicapped person, in a style described as 'shrewd, irreverent, moving, joyous and bold'.The chairman of the Whitebread biography panel at the time, Ben Pimlott, a London University professor, said that the book was 'extraordinary', and 'powerfully written'.His third published book was 'The Banyan Tree', published in 1999, and featuring the story of Westmeath woman, Minnie O"Brien. It was published to critical acclaim.As well as his Whitbread award, Christopher Nolan was also awarded the Medal of Excellence from the United Nations Society of Writers, and in 1991, he was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Lancaster University. He was named 'Person of the Year' in Ireland in 1988, and ten years later, was made a member of Aosdána.The family moved to Dublin while Christopher was in his early teens, and he was educated at Central Remedial Clinic School, Mount Temple Comprehensive School and at Trinity College, Dublin, but he received his earliest education from his mother, who taught him to read while he was just a toddler.Mr. Nolan is survived by his parents, and by his elder sister, Yvonne.Tributes flowed in as news broke of his death.President Mary McAleese conveyed her sympathies to the family of Christopher Nolan on the news of his death, and in a statement, said: 'Christopher Nolan was a gifted writer who attained deserved success and acclaim throughout the world for his work, his achievements all the more remarkable given his daily battle with cerebral palsy. Christopher"s indomitable courage and determination will be remembered along with his literary gifts, inspiring many generations to come.'A statement from the Arts Council expressed deep sadness at his loss, and Mary Cloake, Director of the Arts Council said: 'Christopher Nolan was a remarkably talented writer, and made history on numerous occasions throughout his life and career. Under the Clock, the writer"s biography and the winner of the Whitbread in 1988, displayed a brilliant command of language and voice, and secured Nolan"s place as a major literary writer when he was only 21. Nolan has made an invaluable contribution to literary and cultural life and the Arts Council extends its condolences to his friends and family.'The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen, expressed deep sympathy to the Nolan family.'It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Christopher Nolan, a member of Aosdána, the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland,' he said.'We can draw inspiration from Christopher Nolan. With grace and courage, and with the support of his fmaily, he never gave up, and he never gave in.'His bold creativity has ensured a written legacy which includes a volume of poetry and short stories and an illustrious Whitbread Book of the Year award for his autobiography, Under the Eye of the Clock.'His passing is a great loss and I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to his parents and sister at this sad time.'