Statement by Minister O’Donovan on the death of Jennifer Johnston
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 26 February 2025
- Last updated on: 26 February 2025
Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport has expressed his sadness at the news of the death of Jennifer Johnston.
Minister O’Donovan said:
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Jennifer Johnston, one of Ireland’s most celebrated authors. From the very beginning of her literary career, when “The Captains and the Kings” was awarded the Author’s Club First Novel Award in 1972, she has been rightly acclaimed among the best novelists in the world.
“Winner of the Whitbread Book Award for “The Old Jest”, and shortlisted for the Booker Prize for “Shadows on our Skin”, Jennifer was also an accomplished playwright, attaining a Giles Cooper Award for her radio play “O Ananias, Azarias and Misael”. She was honoured with the Irish Book Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for her contribution to the Irish literary landscape.
“Many Irish people of my generation will remember “How Many Miles to Babylon” from our schooldays, and its examination of how war breaks apart the class structure and strengthens interpersonal bonds.
“I wish to express my deepest condolences Jennifer’s family, to her friends, and to her legion of loyal readers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”