by Colum O’Siochrú
THE prestigious Oireachtas literary prize, Buaic-Shaothar Próis na Bliana, has been awarded to Mícheál Ó Siochrú, a native of South Kerry Gaeltacht who now lives by Shannonside near Castleconnell.
Over the years, his writings have won various Oireachtas accolades, the novel ‘An file’, for instance in 2017, and he is delighted to have been honoured with this major award for his most recent work which will be published in the new year. This is his fourth novel, and he has had five collections of poetry published.
His tribute to Vicky Phelan was shortlisted at Listowel Writers’ Week last year, and a collection of his poems had previously won first prize at the same festival. While he writes mainly in the Irish language, his English poetry book Healing Room (2015), and novel Redshank (2018) were both highly acclaimed.
Mícheál has taught for many years in Castleconnell, in St Clements and in Mary Immaculate College. He has a deep love for Limerick City and speaks fondly of the years he spent in the New Road, Thomondgate and in Nicholas Street.
