IRISH writer Jennifer Johnston, known for novel How Many Miles to Babylon?, has died aged 95.
The novelist and playwright passed away on Tuesday night at a nursing home in Dun Laoghaire.
Jennifer’s son Patrick Smyth, who is the former editor of the Irish Times, confirmed to the paper that the author was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.
The Dublin native had been suffering from dementia in recent years.
Jennifer had spent most of her life living in Derry and her time in Northern Ireland inspired extensive works on the Troubles and Protestant-Catholic relations.
The prolific writer published her first novel The Captains and the Kings in 1972.
It scooped up the Evening Standard Award for Best First Novel.
Her extensive collection of work included novels The Gates, The Old Jest and The Invisible Worm.
Among her plays was award winning radio play O Ananias, Azarias and Misael, staged by the Abbey Theatre.
She was awarded the Giles Cooper Award for Best Radio Play for the piece in 1989.
She also wrote a stage adaptation of her famous How Many Miles to Babylon? novel.
In 2012 Jennifer was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Book Awards.
FAMILY LIFE
The author had been studying English and French in Trinity College but left in 1951 without completing her degree.
At the time she had married Ian Smyth and the couple had four children together, Patrick, Sarah, Lucy and Malachi.
In 2001 Trinity College granted Jennifer an honorary degree.
Jennifer is pre-deceased by her parents playwright Denis Johnston and actor and producer Shelah Richards.
‘A WRITER OF GRACE’
The International Literature Festival Dublin lead tributes to the “leading voice” today.
It said: “Award-winning novelist Jennifer Johnston, a cherished voice in Irish literature, has died at 95.
“We were honored to celebrate her work and legacy through numerous events at the International Literature Festival Dublin over the years.
“A leading voice in Irish literature, she explored Anglo-Irish identity, political tensions, and personal relationships in works like Shadows on Our Skin (Booker-shortlisted, 1977) and The Old Jest (Whitbread winner, 1979).
“She was also a celebrated playwright, winning the Giles Cooper Award for O Ananias, Azarias and Misael. A member of Aosdána, she received the Irish Book Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.”
Dun Laoghaire TD Barry Ward also paid tribute as the news of the author’s passing spreads this morning.
He said: “Very sorry to see this news. An insightful writer who deserved the international acclaim she won during her lifetime. Rest in peace.”
Former journalist Séamus Dooley offered his condolences to the family on the loss of the “wonderful writer”.
He said: “A writer of grace, elegance, insight and deep humanity.
“Condolences to Paddy and the family on the death of a wonderful writer.”
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