The inaugural €5,000 Irish Times Poetry Now prize was last night awarded posthumously to Dorothy Molloy, who died in January 2004.
The announcement was made by festival director John McAuliffe at the opening night of the Poetry Now festival in Dún Laoghaire. Mayo-born Molloy died before she saw a finished copy of her first book of poems, Hare Soup.
Molloy grew up in Dublin and lived in Barcelona for a time before returning to Ireland. She published late in life, working first as a painter, translator and historical researcher.
Hare Soup, which was published by Faber and Faber, generated much excitement on publication and received excellent reviews.
Molloy was one of five on the shortlist. The other poets were Paul Durcan, The Art of Life; Alan Gillis, Somebody Somewhere; Peter Sirr, Nonetheless; and Medbh McGuckian, The Book of the Angel.
The judges were Simon Armitage, Colm Tóibín and Selina Guinness. The festival, now in its 10th year, runs until April 3rd.