Statement by President Higgins on the death of Jennifer Johnston
Date: Wed 26th Feb, 2025 | 12:32
“May I join with all those who will have been so saddened to learn of the death of Aosdána member Jennifer Johnston.
Throughout her many novels and plays, Jennifer Johnston provided a deep and meaningful examination of the nature and limitations of identity, family and personal connections throughout the tumultuous events of 20th century Irish life.
It is noteworthy that her work has always been championed by so many of her fellow writers, who have acknowledged her as one of the finest of Irish novelists. So many of them have recorded her as a strong influence on so much of their own work.
The awarding of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Jennifer Johnston at the Irish Book Awards in 2012 was a well deserved public recognition of her work.
It was preceded by many other recognitions of her work, including in her winning of the Whitbread Prize in 1979 for ‘The Old Jest’ and the shortlisting of ‘Shadows of Our Skin’ for the Booker Prize in 1977.
Jennifer Johnston’s passing reminds us of the important heritage which served as context to her work. The daughter of actress and director Shelah Richards, who made distinctive and unique contributions to Irish performance and writing, and playwright and war correspondent Denis Johnston, Jennifer Johnston leaves a significant legacy which stands proudly among the achievements of so many members of her family. These contributions include those which have been made by her own children, who are continuing a distinctive contribution.
May I extend my deepest sympathies to Jennifer’s children Patrick, Sarah, Lucy and Malachi, to her grandchildren, and to all of her extended family, friends and many admirers and colleagues throughout the world.”