Menu
23/03/2007
Northern Ireland poet receives £40,000 prize
Northern Ireland poet Derek Mahon has been awarded the David Cohen Prize for a lifetime’s achievement in English-language writing.
Belfast-born poet was awarded £40,000 at the British Library.
“There you are, staring at the clouds and dreaming up unrealistic projects, when the world comes and tells you you’ve been noticed,” said Mahon.
Born in 1941, and educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Sorbonne Paris, Mahon also worked as an editor, screenwriter, journalist and lecturer while producing several collections of poetry.
These included ‘The Hudson Letter’, ‘Twelve Poems’ and ‘Night Crossing’.
Poet laureate Andrew Motion, who was the chairman of the judging panel, described Mahon as “one of the most original and subtle poets writing in the English Language.”
Previous winners of the award include Harold Pinter, Muriel Spark and VS Naipaul.
(JM/SP)
Belfast-born poet was awarded £40,000 at the British Library.
“There you are, staring at the clouds and dreaming up unrealistic projects, when the world comes and tells you you’ve been noticed,” said Mahon.
Born in 1941, and educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Sorbonne Paris, Mahon also worked as an editor, screenwriter, journalist and lecturer while producing several collections of poetry.
These included ‘The Hudson Letter’, ‘Twelve Poems’ and ‘Night Crossing’.
Poet laureate Andrew Motion, who was the chairman of the judging panel, described Mahon as “one of the most original and subtle poets writing in the English Language.”
Previous winners of the award include Harold Pinter, Muriel Spark and VS Naipaul.
(JM/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
23 January 2019
Belfast Poet Padraic Fiacc Dies
Tributes have been paid to Belfast poet Padraic Fiacc, who has died at the age of 94. The celebrated writer's death comes only 10 days after Irish President Michael D Higgins paid a private visit to see him and thank him for his work.
Belfast Poet Padraic Fiacc Dies
Tributes have been paid to Belfast poet Padraic Fiacc, who has died at the age of 94. The celebrated writer's death comes only 10 days after Irish President Michael D Higgins paid a private visit to see him and thank him for his work.
02 August 2013
Belfast Appoints First Poet Laureate
Belfast has appointed its first ever Poet Laureate, Queen’s University’s award-winning poet Dr Sinéad Morrissey. Dr Morrissey is Reader in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre at the School of English at Queen’s.
Belfast Appoints First Poet Laureate
Belfast has appointed its first ever Poet Laureate, Queen’s University’s award-winning poet Dr Sinéad Morrissey. Dr Morrissey is Reader in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre at the School of English at Queen’s.
19 March 2009
Heaney Accolade Is Second Irish Honour
The Co Londonderry poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney has received a major national accolade, the David Cohen prize for literature. It was two in a row for Northern Ireland as the last winner was also Irish, the poet Derek Mahon. The David Cohen Prize for Literature, worth £40,000, is awarded every two years.
Heaney Accolade Is Second Irish Honour
The Co Londonderry poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney has received a major national accolade, the David Cohen prize for literature. It was two in a row for Northern Ireland as the last winner was also Irish, the poet Derek Mahon. The David Cohen Prize for Literature, worth £40,000, is awarded every two years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
