'A great loss to the literary world': Tributes paid following death of Irish novelist Jennifer Johnston

The celebrated author of dozens of novels and plays passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday night

Award-winning novelist Jennifer Johnston has died at the age of 95. Picture: Maura Hickey.

Tributes have been paid to award-winning novelist and playwright Jennifer Johnston who passed away aged 95 on Tuesday.

Johnston died surrounded by friends and family at a nursing home in Dún Laoghaire on Tuesday night.

The celebrated author of dozens of novels and plays had been suffering from dementia in recent years.

Paying tribute to the writer and Aosdána member, The Arts Council expressed its sadness at her passing.

Chair of the Arts Council Maura McGrath described Johnston as an esteemed literary voice whose work captured the complexities of Irish life with extraordinary depth and sensitivity.

“Her novels and plays resonated across generations, and her contribution to Irish literature will endure. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” she said.

Director of the Arts Council, Maureen Kennelly, said: "Jennifer Johnston’s passing is a great loss to the literary world. A gifted storyteller, she brought nuance, compassion, and truth to every page she wrote. Her influence on Irish writing is immeasurable, and her legacy will continue to inspire. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.” 

The Dublin-born novelist, who was the daughter of actress and director Shelah Richards and playwright Denis Johnston, attended Trinity College and graduated in 1965 with a degree in ancient and modern literature.

She moved to Derry in the 1970s after meeting her second husband, solicitor David Gilliland, and returned to Dublin on his death in 2019.

Much of her work focused Protestant-Catholic relations, the Troubles and Irish and British identity.

Among her prose works are the novels The Captains and the Kings, The Gates, How Many Miles to Babylon?, and The Old Jest and The Invisible Worm. Her novels have been translated into several languages, all of which have been translated to French.

She also wrote a number of radio plays and was awarded the Giles Cooper Award for Best Radio Play for O Ananias, Azarias and Misaelin 1989. The piece was also staged by the Abbey Theatre.

Her first novel, The Captains and the Kings, was published in 1972 and was awarded the Evening Standard Award for Best First Novel.

She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Irish Book Awards and also received the Robert Pitman Award and the Yorkshire Post Award.