Westmeath born novelist Dermot Healy has died

The award winning novelist, playwright and poet, Dermot Healy has died at the age of 66.

Born in Finea in Westmeath, Mr Healy spent his childhood in Cavan, before moving to London and back to Ireland, to Sligo.

Among his many accolades, Mr Healy won the Hennessy Award (1974 and 1976), the Tom Gallon Award (1983), and the Encore Award (1995). He was also shortlisted for the Poetry Now Award for his 2010 poetry collection, A Fool’s Errand, in 2011.

His books include Banished Misfortune (stories), The Bend for Home (memoir), Fighting with Shadows, and Long Time, No See, which was selected for the International IMPAC Literary Award by libraries in Russia and Norway.

He has also written and directed plays including The Long Swim, On Broken Wings and Mister Staines.

Mr Healy is survived by his wife Helen and two children.