O'Brien, Edna

Irish author Edna O'Brien (1930-2024) was a native of County Clare.

Edna O'Brien's writing career spanned over sixty years and included the publication of novels, short stories, poetry and plays.

Her debut novel 'The County Girls' was published in 1960 and earned critical acclaim but was banned in Ireland. She developed a reputation as a controversial but groundbreaking writer. Her final novel 'Girl' was published in 2019.

Recognised as one of the greatest Irish novelists, the many literary awards she received throughout her life include the Irish PEN Award (2001), the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award in Irish Literature (2009) and France's highest cultural distinction "Ordre des Arts et Lettres" (2021).

Throughout her career, she made many appearances on RTÉ television and radio.