Media Links to Irish PEN

Delighted and humbled: O’Connor revisits early chapter of a literary life : Irish Independent 06/12/2011

“The UCD doctorate was the first part of what will be a double honour for Mr O’Connor: next February he is to receive the Irish PEN award for outstanding contribution to Irish literature.

PEN is an international association of writers.”

Irish Independent link to Joseph O Connor reportage is here.

Joseph O’Connor wins Irish Pen Award : Irish Times 03/12/2011

“LOOSE LEAVES: Joseph O’Connor (pictured) is to receive the 2012 Irish Pen Award – Irish Pen is part of the international organisation that celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression – to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to Irish literature.

In keeping with the tradition started at the WB Yeats dinner in 1935, the writer is presented with the award in the company of other writers at Pen’s annual dinner. It will be held on February 10th next year.”

Irish Times link to Irish PEN reportage is here.

  ‘ Delighted President picks up PEN honour’ ( 11/02/2012)

“To be given this award by Irish PEN, an organisation that campaigns for writers all over the world, is to be reminded of the undying value at the heart of great literature,” he said.

“We read to know we are not alone. That we are not doomed to live in the tomb of the self, to the grubbing of individualism, to the lies of materialism, that Ireland’s greatest asset is not the one referred to in the initials of NAMA but our capacity to create and imagine.”

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/delighted-president-picks-up-pen-honour-3016617.html 

O’Connor to receive Irish Pen prize from President

O’Connor, the author of seven novels, has also written for the stage and screen, as well as several books of non-fiction. His 2004 novel Star of the Sea has sold more than a million copies and been translated into 38 languages, as well as winning a number of international awards.

His most recent novel, Ghost Light , was chosen as Dublin’s One City One Book novel for 2011.

Several Irish writers, including former winners, will gather at tonight’s dinner at Dublin’s Royal St George Yacht Club, where President Higgins will also be awarded honorary membership of Irish Pen.

According to the organisation, an empty chair at the event will “symbolise silenced writers around the world who are imprisoned, denied free speech, prohibited from travelling, or who have been ‘disappeared’, tortured or murdered”.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0210/1224311572897.html

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