John Banville says the work of Ireland's great writers is 'revenge for colonisation'

John Banville: 'We had basic English imposed on this essentially dreamy linguistic sense, and out of that came wonders.' File picture

The work of Ireland's many great writers has been the country's "revenge for colonisation", John Banville has said.

Speaking on Saturday afternoon on a panel alongside fellow Irish Book of the Year nominees Sally Rooney, Kevin Power, and Nuala O'Connor at the Dalkey Book Festival, the influential Wexford writer spoke of how it is that Ireland has been able to consistently produce literary greats.