Domhnall Ó Broin

Domhnall Pádraig Ó Broin was born in Waterford, Eire, on 11 March 1934; he died in Costa Rica on 9 October 2005 at the age of 71.

During his life, he made a significant contribution to Scottish glass, glass design and glass technology.

Domnhall Ó Broin, apprentice Piece 1955 Waterford Crystal ©2010 Emer Gunter

In 1950, Domhnall started an apprenticeship at Waterford Crystal, three years after the company was re-established. He was apprenticed to Czech engraver Miroslav Havel and was the first Irish engraver to be employed. From 1952 to 1954, he studied glass chemistry and design at Orrefors in Sweden.

Domnhall became a master engraver and was an important designer of Waterford cut designs. On completing his apprenticeship at Waterford, he was awarded an Andrew Grant scholarship and continued to study glass technology and design at Sheffield and Edinburgh universities, and also glass design under Helen Monro Turner at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

His work was first exhibited internationally in an exchange between Nice France and Scotland in 1958. It was a copper wheel engraving called Petroushka. From 1959 to 1961, Domnhall's work was included in a US touring exhibition, the British Artist Craftsmen's Exhibition, which was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute. Two pieces were shown: a tall slim vase in fused brown glass called The Tube and a set of three pieces called The Boats.

While at ECA, he met Robin Sinclair, who wanted to found a glassworks in Caithness, Scotland. Domhnall was a significant factor in establishing Caithness Glass in Wick. He specified equipment and found the skilled workers from Austria, Germany and Italy to train local workers. He also provided some of the start-up capital. Caithness Glass opened in 1961 and by 1962 employed 40 people, when Domhnall recruited Paul Ysart as training officer and factory supervisor. Domnhall was the only designer in the company and by 1965 he was also the managing director before deciding to emigrate to the USA in 1966.

In 1965, Caithness had 36 glassblowers in its 76 strong workforce and produced a rage of 300 pieces with the clean modern lines. Domnhall was clearly influenced by Scandinavian design but used Scottish-inspired colourings. Domnhall was clear :“We have to be at least as good as Orrefors.” He also designed and engraved presentations pieces for the German Chancellor, Ludwig Erhardt, and for Prince Philip.

His first four years in the USA were as the general manager of Pilgrim Glass in Ceredo, Virginia, where he doubled sales and production, and introduced the signature Pilgrim colour cranberry and the Kitchen Chemistry line. He continued to exhibit his work, and, in 1968 at the Allied Artists Exhibition, West Virginia, his piece Tube won best in show and best in class.

In 1970, he became manufacturing manager at Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown, where he stayed until 1980. At Fenton, he turned his attention to production technology efficiency: work that resulted in a 50% reduction in gas usage and less pollution for the same volume of production.

In 1980, he went solo and established a glass consultancy, Domhnall ÓBroin Company. Domhnall's clients were based worldwide, and he represented the products of Sismey & Linforth Ltd (English furnace makers), Putsch and Co., Inc. (glass technology) and Sigmund Lindner GmbH (glass bead manufacturers), amongst others. He retired in 2000.

Domhnall was involved in various glass organisations, including the Society of Glass Technology (from 1960), the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers (from 1964, now the Chartered Society of Designers) and in the USA the Society for Glass Science and Practices (chairman 1977).

Clearly, Domnhall Ó Broin was one of the giants of 20th century glass as well as of great importance to Scottish glass. To date, his role has largely been forgotten but Scottish collectors are now eagerly collecting his Caithness designs, and, as more knowledge of his work becomes available, he will surely take his deserved place in the hall of glass fame.

Frank Andrews 2010

Early 1960s postcard featuring Domnhall O'Broin's Caithness designs

Loch, Heather & Peat

An exhibition of Domnhall Ó Broin's work from the Graham Cooley collection and to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Caithness Glass will be held in 2011. A catalogue of the exhibition being published by Mark Hill.

- Broadfield House Glass Museum – 15 January to 24 April 2011

- Perth Museum & Art Gallery – 7 May to 1 October 2011

Career summary

• 1950–1955 Waterford Crystal. Apprenticeship. Master Engraver
• 1960–1966 Caithness Glass. Setting up. Designer. Sales Director. Managing Director
• 1966–1970 Pilgrim Glass. General Manager
• 1970–1980 Fenton Art Glass. Manufacturing Manager
• 1980–2000 Domhnall ÓBroin Company. Glass Consultancy

References

• Correspondence with Ó Broin’s daughter Emer Gunter
• Marietta Times, Ohio
• Washington Post, January 11 1959.