| Famed Irish poet lifts coveted British
award ONE of Ireland’s foremost poets has received one
of the most prestigious awards for literature in Britain.
Belfast-born Derek Mahon scooped first place in the David Cohen Prize
for Literature for his lifetime’s commitment and achievements in
his field.
The prize worth £40,000 was presented to Mahon at a gala ceremony
hosted by the British Library in London.
On receiving the honour he said: “The really nice thing is the element
of surprise.
“There you are, staring at clouds and dreaming up unrealistic projects,
when the world comes and tells you you’ve been noticed.
“The other nice thing is the distinguished company including judges
and previous recipients. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The prize is awarded every two years to a living writer from Britain and
Ireland whose work merits the deserved recognition.
The 66-year-old Mahon studied French at Trinity College Dublin before
working as a teacher and then a journalist.
He has been likened to WH Auden and Gerard Manley while Seamus Heaney
has written of his poetry: “There is a copiousness and excitement
about these poems found only in work of the highest order.”
His poetry collections include Night Crossing, The Hudson Letter and Harbour
Lights.
He has adapted Irish novels and short stories for television and radio
and in an Irish newspaper survey was ranked as one of the 10 most important
Irish writers of all time.
A prize of £12,500 known as the Clarissa Luard Award is also given
to an organisation that supports young writers or individuals under the
age of 35.
This year Mahon chose to present the cheque funded by Arts Council England
to his publisher The Gallery Press based in Co. Meath to continue its
development of younger poets.
On receiving the award founder and publisher Peter Fallon said: “I
was 18 when an instinct whispered that I could be a help to young, emerging
poets by offering an outlet for their work.
“Several of those poets have become leading figures in Irish writing
now. We will use it to continue our purpose to protect, present, promote
and preserve new work in the great assembly of poetry.”
The Cohen Prize is selected by a panel of judges comprising of distinguished
authors, literary critics and academics. |
