Friel is Donegal Person of the Year
Posted online: Jan 20th, 2011
Brian Friel has been named as the 2010 Donegal Person of the Year.
The renowned playwright, author and dramatist was officially informed of the honour by committee members of the Donegal Association Dublin, who travelled to his home in Greencastle, on Monday.
As he was unable to attend the function in Foley’s Bar, Merrion Row, Dublin on Tuesday, he was represented by his daughter, Mary.
Brian Friel is widely recognised as one of the greatest contemporary dramatists writing in the English language.
He has brought life in Donegal to the world stage through his plays based in the fictional Donegal village of Ballybeg.
“We are proud to have a man of the literary stature of Brian Friel as Donegal Person of the Year, 2010” said Tony Dunlevy, President of the Donegal Association.
Mr. Friel said he was altogether delighted that this honour has come his way. “I consider it a signal celebration,” he commented when informed of the decision.
Congratulating Mr. Friel, the Mayor of Donegal, Cllr. Cora Harvey, said: “I think Brian Friel is a very worthy recipient of this award, as people young and old know of Brian’s Friel work, either as an avid theatre fan, a historian or as a student simply doing their Leaving Certificate. The work of Brian Friel has touched all our lives at some stage in our lives and he has been a great ambassador in representing his adopted home of Donegal.”
He will be inaugurated as Donegal Person of the Year at the Annual Gala Dinner which will be held at the Burlington Hotel on Saturday, March 5th.
Tickets are available from The Donegal Association website
