Writers Edna O'Brien and William Trevor along with artist Imogen Stuart were today bestowed with the highest honour from Aosdána, the state funded artists' organisation.
All three were awarded the title of Saoi, which is bestowed for singular and sustained distinction in the creative arts.
President Michael D Higgins presented Edna O'Brien and Imogen Stuart with the symbol of the office, a gold torc at the offices of the Arts Council in Dublin. A representative of William Trevor accepted the torc on his behalf.
In her acceptance speech Imogen Stuart spoke of the Government's decision to allow Star Wars Episode VII to be filmed on Skellig Michael and said tourists may now travel to the area unaware of its historical importance, while Edna O'Brien spoke of the need to protect our linguistic heritage
Aosdána was established in 1981 by the Arts Council to acknowledge artists who have made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland. Membership is by peer nomination and election, is open to artists engaged in architecture, choreography, music, literature and the visual arts and it currently has 249 members.
No more than seven members of Aosdána can be elected as Saoithe at any given time. Other recipients of the title include writers Brian Friel, Anthony Cronin and artist Camille Souter.
