Colm Tóibín has been awarded the 2011 Irish PEN Award for outstanding contribution to Irish Literature. The award has been bestowed annually by the members of Irish PEN, an affiliate organisation of International PEN, a worldwide association of writers with over 140 branches, in recognition of “a significant body of work, written and produced over a number of years, and is open to novelists, playwrights, poets, scriptwriters etc.” Tóibín was presented the award on Friday February 11th by the directors of The Arts Council Mary Cloake.
After the announcement Tóibín stated that “now more than ever, I believe that the work which Pen does is vital, and I feel honoured to be involved in that work for freedom of expression worldwide, and honoured, too, to have my own work recognised in my own country.”
Charirmen of The Arts Council issued a congratulatory statement on behalf of the organisation describing Tóibin as “a writer of many, many gifts,” and expressed delight at seeing “his work celebrated and to see him honoured by Irish PEN. Colm is one of our country’s most accomplished writers. He has been a columnist and a features writer, an editor and a reviewer. He has made such an impact on Irish and international writing and has supported other writers and artists in getting their voices heard.”
Tóibín’s published works spans novels, short stories and plays. Previous honours bestowed include the Encore Award for his novel The Heather Blazing, the Costa Novel Award for Brooklyn, and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for both The Blackwater Lightship and The Master; the latter also receiving the The Stonewell Book Award, Lambada Literary Award and the Los Angeles Times Novel of the Year award. Two of his novels have been shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Previous recipients of the Irish PEN Award include Thomas Kilroy, Brian Friel, William Trevor, John McGahern, Neil Jordan, Seamus Heaney, Jennifer Johnston, Maeve Binchy and Roddy Doyle.
