Ireland hails Enright's Booker success
Tributes were paid in Ireland today to the 2007 Man Booker winner, Dubliner Anne Enright.
The 45-year-old outsider became the second Irish writer in three years to win the £50,000 (€70,000) award, which guarantees increased sales and recognition.
Enright’s book, The Gathering, beat competition from five other writers, including previous winner Ian McEwan.
Arts Minister Seamus Brennan said the award was a testament to Enright’s talent as a writer and maturity as a creative artist.
“She has fused tragedy with humour to deliver a novel that is compelling and at times haunting. Ireland can be truly proud of her success against such a prestigious and internationally recognised shortlist of other competing writers.”
The Arts Council hailed the win as proof of the wealth of literary talent which continues to emerge in Ireland.
Director Mary Cloake said: “This is a wonderful achievement and honour for Anne Enright, whose commitment to the craft of writing is paramount.
“Significantly, it puts the international spotlight on Enright’s work and on Irish literature generally – this is the second Irish win in three years.”
The Gathering is the fourth novel written by mother-of-two Enright, who is a former RTE producer.
It the second Irish Booker win in two years – John Banville took the prize in 2005 for The Sea.
The other Irish winners were Iris Murdoch in 1978 and Roddy Doyle in 1993, making Enright only the second Irishwoman ever to win.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes listed Enright as the 12/1 outsider, with McEwan’s book, On Chesil Beach, the 6/4 favourite.
