Introducing our 2023 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature Winner, Michael Magee for his novel, Close To Home.
Michael Magee's Close to Home stands as a compelling testament to his storytelling prowess, blending gritty realism with a heart-warming exploration of familial bonds. His vivid portrayal of Belfast's streets and his characters' enduring resilience make this novel an unforgettable and thought-provoking literary achievement.
About The Rooney Prize
The Rooney Prize for Irish Literature is for an outstanding body of work by an emerging Irish writer under forty years of age. The Rooney Prize for Irish Literature is valued at €10,000. The prize has been awarded annually since 1976, through the generosity of the late Dr Daniel Rooney, and of his wife Patricia. (Dr Rooney served as Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland.) The Trinity Oscar Wilde Centre is deeply honoured that Dr Peter Rooney, their nephew, is the new benefactor of the Rooney Prize, continuing the Rooney family’s long association with Irish Literature and support for ‘the longest-established literary prize’. Since 1976 the prize has achieved renown as one of the most distinguished of Irish literary awards.
Rooney Writer Fellowship
Making a Difference in the Lives of Others
The Fellowship will enable a creative writer to join the research community in the Hub and to engage with the institute’s many research projects and initiatives. The inaugural Fellow is Caitríona Lally, who began her position in January 2022.
