The Booker Prize-winning Irish novelist is recognized for his literary achievements and contributions to UL’s Creative Writing programme.
Award-winning Irish Novelist Paul Lynch has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Limerick this Friday, April 11.
Lynch, who was born in Limerick, received the honour from Acting UL President, Professor Shane Kilcommins, during a ceremony at UL’s Plassey House. The author was recognised not only for his literary achievements, including winning the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel Prophet Song, but also for his contributions to the university’s Creative Writing programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Kilcommins said, “Paul Lynch has made significant contributions to the academic community. He is a valued member of the Creative Writing teaching team at Maynooth University and has generously supported our Creative Writing program at University of Limerick since its inception 11 years ago.
“By awarding Paul Lynch this honorary doctorate, we celebrate his remarkable contributions to literature and his unwavering support for our university. This honour not only acknowledges his outstanding achievements but also enhances the reputation of our Creative Writing programme.”
Born in Limerick on 9 May 1977, Lynch lived in the city for the first nine months of his life before his family relocated to rural Donegal. After he completed his university studies, he worked as a film critic and senior sub-editor at The Sunday Tribune newspaper in Dublin.
His debut novel, Red Sky in the Morning, was published in 2013 and was named a book of the year by The Irish Times, The Toronto Star, The Irish Independent, and The Sunday Business Post. His second novel, The Black Snow, followed in 2014 — the same year UL’s Creative Writing programme was launched. Lynch was an early supporter of the programme.
In 2024, Lynch was elected as a member of Aosdána, the Irish academy that honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts.
UL’s Professor of Creative Writing, Joseph O’Connor, who read the citation at the ceremony, praised Lynch for his “legacy that will last and will influence many younger and newer writers and become part of the consciousness of readers not yet born. ”
“His novels are replete with moments that cause his readers to pause, to be still and silent so that they can experience fully the sublimity of his language, his prescience and wisdom, the wild brilliance of his imagination, the skill and grace of his storytelling,” O’Connor said.