Anne Enright was the toast of the literary world yesterday after winning the Man Booker 2007 Prize for her novel The Gathering.
The day was "an absolute whirlwind", Enright said in London before she boarded a flight for Dublin last night. "I've had four hours sleep, not a lot to eat and I've been talking for 12 hours," she told The Irish Times.
Her two children were pleased that she had won the award and were especially looking forward to their mother coming home to buy them lots of ice pops, Enright said with a laugh.
She was surprised when her name was called out even though "every writer thinks they are going to win the Man Booker", but she added: "There's a little munchkin in your head that says 'yes, it's going to be you' but you beat it over the head and say 'no, no, no, shut up'."
The bookie's outsider to scoop one of the world's most prestigious literary awards was lauded throughout the day by fellow writers, politicians and friends. President McAleese sent good wishes to the Dublin-born writer for her award-winning novel.
Mrs McAleese described the win as "a most deserved affirmation" of Enright's talents as "an imaginative and insightful writer who continues the long tradition of literary richness which flows from Ireland".
Enright (45) is the second Irish writer in three years to win the €72,000 (£50,000) award. John Banville's novel, The Sea, won in 2005, while Roddy Doyle's book, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, won in 1993.
The Arts Council, which sent a copy of Enright's book to every member of the Oireachtas last month as a mark of its belief in the strength of The Gathering, also sent congratulations to Enright.
Director Mary Cloake said it was "a wonderful achievement and honour" for Enright, "whose commitment to the craft of writing is paramount".
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Séamus Brennan also congratulated Enright.
"In many ways The Gatheringinjects new blood into the Irish literary tradition," Mr Brennan said, "merging the lyricism of the old with the blunt shock of the new . . . Ireland can be truly proud of her success against such a prestigious and internationally recognised short list of other competing writers."
Banville said he was very happy about Enright's win, adding: "I always like to see the bookies being undone in their predictions."
Former International Impac Dublin Literary Award winner Colm Tóibín said: "Anne Enright writes crisp, sharp sentences and she is afraid of nothing. It is about time she won the Booker Prize."