The award committee was deeply saddened to hear of the death of William Trevor yesterday and our sincere sympathies are with hi
s family.
We were very fortunate to have met both William and Jane when they came to Dublin when Love and Summer was shortlisted for the 2011 award.
For many of the staff of Dublin City Libraries it was a once in a lifetime experience, to meet the man who had written The Ballroom of Romance, Felicia’s Journey, Love and Summer and so many wonderful stories.
He was kind enough so say good things about the award and awards in general:
“What is most important is that these prizes exist. It is very important that people continue giving them, particularly to younger writers, because that is the time of life when, as a fiction writer, you need most encouragement. Indeed, all prizes and particulary this one, do a considerable service to literature”. William Trevor
Following the shortlist announcement William Trevor spoke to Masters Students from The Oscar Wilde School of Literature, Trinity College, and to students from the School of English, UCD. I am quite sure that as students of English, this was an experience and a privilege that they will remember for a very long time.
