Tributes have been paid to acclaimed Irish author Edna O’Brien following her death aged 93.
She died yesterday in London after a long illness.
A statement from his literary agent and publisher, Faber, said: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends, in particular his sons Marcus and Carlo. The family has requested privacy at this time.”
Paying tribute to Co clear native President Michael D Higgins expressed his “great sadness” at the passing of “one of the greatest writers of modern times”.
He said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a dear friend of mine and Sabina, Edna O’Brien.
“Enda O’Brien has been one of the most distinguished writers of modern times, her work has been sought after as a model throughout the world.
“Edna was a fearless truth-teller, a superb writer, possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed.
“Through this deeply insightful and humanity-rich work, Edna O’Brien was one of the first writers to give a true voice to the experiences of women in Ireland across generations and played an important role in transforming the status of women across Ireland . society.
“While the beauty of her work was immediately recognized abroad, it is important to remember the hostile reaction it provoked among those who wanted women’s lived experience to remain far removed from the world of Irish literature, with her books shamefully banned in her early years of life.
“Fortunately, Edna O’Brien’s work is now recognized for the excellent works of art that it is. As President of Ireland, I was pleased to present Edna with the Torc of the Saoi of Aosdána in 2015 and the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Her election as Saoi, chosen by her fellow artists, was the ultimate expression of the esteem in which her work is held.
“This work will continue to celebrate the full freedom that a writer must have, the risks and contradictions of circumstances, the liberation into the beauty that imagination makes possible.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to Edna’s children, Carlo and Sasha, to her family and friends, to her Aosdána followers and to all those who love her work around the world.”
Her agent, Faber, added that Ms O’Brien was “one of the greatest writers of our time”.
A statement said: “She revolutionized Irish literature, capturing women’s lives and the complexities of the human condition in luminous, economical prose, and which had a profound influence on so many writers who followed her.
“A defiant and courageous spirit, Edna constantly strived to open new artistic paths, to write sincerely, from a deep feeling. The vitality of her prose was a mirror of her zest for life: she was the best company, kind, generous, mischievous, courageous.
‘Dear friend”
“Edna was a dear friend to us all and we will miss her greatly. It is an enormous privilege for Faber to publish her, and her bold and brilliant work lives on.”
The author was born in Tuamgraney in December 1930 and would write more than 20 novels.
She received acclaim for her publication, The Country Girls, in 1960.
She has also written a number of biographies, plays, screenplays and a memoir.
His portrayal of female sexuality in some of his novels was controversial for Ireland during the 1950s.
Lost icon
Taoiseach Simon Harris said “Ireland has lost an icon” as he remembered the “brave, talented, dignified and magnetic person” she was.
He said: “She wrote her debut novel, The Country Girls, in just three weeks. Sixty-four years later, it is not only a remarkable work, but still a landmark moment for women and Irish society.
“The book would be banned and burned, but Edna O’Brien would never be silenced.
“Most people would have stopped and hidden from the misogyny she faced, but Edna O’Brien continued to work on her artistic talent and became one of modern Ireland’s most celebrated and honored writers.”
Thoughts with the family
He also offered his condolences to Edna’s family.
O Good Gaelic The leader said: “To his family, especially his children Carlo and Sasha, as well as his legions of fans, I want to express my deepest condolences as Taoiseach on the passing of such a special person.
“Edna said writing was her breathing and in recent years, when promoting her novel Girl, she told the interviewer: ‘I want to come out as someone who spoke the truth.’
“To say that Edna O’Brien achieved this and more is the understatement of the century.”
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