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11/10/2005
Banville wins the 2005 Booker Prize
Irish-born author John Banville has won the Man Booker Prize 2005 for his novel, ‘The Sea’.
Banville’s novel, about a man confronting a distant trauma in a town he once spent a childhood holiday in, was selected from a short-list of six authors to win the £50,000 prize at London’s Guildhall on Monday night.
Banville, a former literary editor of the ‘Irish Times’, beat other authors Julian Barnes, Sebastian Barry, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ali Smith and Zadie Smith, in what was described as an “extraordinarily closely contested last round.”
Chair of the judges, John Sutherland, said that the judging panel felt the level of the shortlisted novels “was as high as it can ever have been”, but they finally agreed to award the prize to Mr Banville. Mr Sutherland described The Sea as “a masterly study of grief, memory and love recollected.”
Last night’s win was second time lucky for Banville, who was shortlisted for the prestigious prize in 1989 for his novel ‘The Book of Evidence’. However, he lost out to Kazuo Ishiguro, also nominated this year, for his novel ‘The Remains of the Day’. His win makes him the first Irish author to win the Booker Prize since Roddy Doyle won the award with ‘Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha’ in 1993.
The other novels shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2005 were:
Banville’s novel, about a man confronting a distant trauma in a town he once spent a childhood holiday in, was selected from a short-list of six authors to win the £50,000 prize at London’s Guildhall on Monday night.
Banville, a former literary editor of the ‘Irish Times’, beat other authors Julian Barnes, Sebastian Barry, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ali Smith and Zadie Smith, in what was described as an “extraordinarily closely contested last round.”
Chair of the judges, John Sutherland, said that the judging panel felt the level of the shortlisted novels “was as high as it can ever have been”, but they finally agreed to award the prize to Mr Banville. Mr Sutherland described The Sea as “a masterly study of grief, memory and love recollected.”
Last night’s win was second time lucky for Banville, who was shortlisted for the prestigious prize in 1989 for his novel ‘The Book of Evidence’. However, he lost out to Kazuo Ishiguro, also nominated this year, for his novel ‘The Remains of the Day’. His win makes him the first Irish author to win the Booker Prize since Roddy Doyle won the award with ‘Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha’ in 1993.
The other novels shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2005 were:
- Julian Barnes - ‘Arthur & George’
- Sebastian Barry - ‘A Long Long Way’
- Kazuo Ishiguro – ‘Never Let Me Go’
- Ali Smith – ‘The Accidental’
- Zadie Smith – ‘On Beauty’
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29 April 2005
Child murder novel shortlisted for prize
A novel inspired by the murder of toddler James Bulger has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for children’s literature. ‘Looking for JJ’, by Anne Cassidy tells the story of a ten-year-old girl who is jailed after murdering another child.
Child murder novel shortlisted for prize
A novel inspired by the murder of toddler James Bulger has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for children’s literature. ‘Looking for JJ’, by Anne Cassidy tells the story of a ten-year-old girl who is jailed after murdering another child.
26 January 2005
Levy wins prestigious Whitbread book prize
Andrea Levy has won the prestigious Whitbread Book of the Year Award for her novel, 'Small Island'. The London-based author collected the main prize after 'Small Island' was also named Whitbread Novel of the Year at last night's award ceremony, which took place at the Brewery in London.
Levy wins prestigious Whitbread book prize
Andrea Levy has won the prestigious Whitbread Book of the Year Award for her novel, 'Small Island'. The London-based author collected the main prize after 'Small Island' was also named Whitbread Novel of the Year at last night's award ceremony, which took place at the Brewery in London.
16 June 2011
British Museum Scoops £100K Art Fund Prize
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last night presented one of the culture sector's most prestigious accolades to one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
British Museum Scoops £100K Art Fund Prize
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last night presented one of the culture sector's most prestigious accolades to one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. The British Museum’s groundbreaking project A History of the World won the 2011 Art Fund Prize, worth £100,000.
26 August 2011
Irish Comedian Wins 'Show Me the Funny'
An Irish comedian has been crowned the winner of ITV 1's reality TV contest, Show Me the Funny. Patrick Monahan won the first series after competing against two other finalists and winning the audience's vote. Each of the three finalists performed a 5 minute set of original material.
Irish Comedian Wins 'Show Me the Funny'
An Irish comedian has been crowned the winner of ITV 1's reality TV contest, Show Me the Funny. Patrick Monahan won the first series after competing against two other finalists and winning the audience's vote. Each of the three finalists performed a 5 minute set of original material.
25 January 2006
Spurling wins Whitbread award
Biographer Hilary Spurling has won the 2005 Whitbread Book of the Year award for the second part of her biography of artist Henri Matisse. 'Matisse the Master' took Ms Spurling 15 years to complete. Ms Spurling was chosen over four other Whitbread winners to collect the overall £25,000 prize.
Spurling wins Whitbread award
Biographer Hilary Spurling has won the 2005 Whitbread Book of the Year award for the second part of her biography of artist Henri Matisse. 'Matisse the Master' took Ms Spurling 15 years to complete. Ms Spurling was chosen over four other Whitbread winners to collect the overall £25,000 prize.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
