THE poet and playwright, Sebastian Barry, has become the latest in a long line of distinguished Irish literati to receive the Ireland Funds' Literary Award. The Dublin born playwright was presented with the prize, worth £10,000, by the chairman of The Ireland Funds, Dr A.J.F. O'Reilly, at a ceremony in Dublin last night.
Since its inception in 1971, the award, which is funded annually by the Thomas F. O'Neill family, has been awarded to many distinguished writers. They include Austin Clarke, Seamus Heaney and John Banville in the 1970s, Brian Friel and John McGahern in the 1980s and, in this decade, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Eavan Boland. Last year the award went to the poet Michael Longley.
Mr Barry agreed "it is almost frightening to be included in such a roll call but, of course, it is a huge honour".
Dr O'Reilly made special mention of Mr Barry's play The Steward of Christendom. First performed in London in 1995, it was seen in Ireland at the Gate Theatre later that year and has since toured Britain, Luxembourg, Australia and the US.
Mr Barry, who also received the Christopher EwartBiggs Literary Prize earlier this year, attended last night's presentation with his wife, Alison, and their newborn son, Tobias.
On receiving the award, he said: "It is particularly poignant to receive an award like this in Ireland. Performing your work in your own country is critically terrifying. To receive a prize like this brings with it a moment of peace."
Mr Barry will bring out a novel, The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty, in March. He has also recently finished a play, Our Lady of Sligo, which will be performed in London.
In presenting the award, Dr O'Reilly said: "Sebastian Barry is a most worthy recipient of the award. He has already demonstrated, particularly in his work The Steward of Christendom, the power and vitality of a talent that will be with us for many years to come."