Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Journalist Eileen Battersby who died in a car crash over the weekend. ICDublin

'A critic relied upon by so many readers has been taken from us': Tributes pour in for former Irish Times literary journalist Eileen Battersby

During her career, Battersby wrote about all aspects of art and culture, and had a particular focus on literature.

TRIBUTES ARE BEING paid to former Irish Times literary correspondent, Eileen Battersby, who was killed in a car crash on Saturday. 

Battersby was seriously injured in the single-vehicle collision in Co Meath, and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where she later died. 

It is understood her daughter was also injured in the incident. 

The incident happened on the Oldbridge to Donore road, 4km outside Drogheda, at around 2pm that afternoon. 

During her career, Battersby wrote about all aspects of art and culture, and had a particular focus on literature.

President Michael D Higgins said in a statement:

News of the death of Eileen Battersby, literary critic, award winning journalist, novelist, animal lover and enthusiast for natural beauty, will have been heard with both shock and enormous sadness by those familiar with her work.
They will have been impressed over the years by the sheer breadth of her interests, her insatiable curiosity for what was being produced in writing in both English and lesser known languages, which she reviewed in translation.
Among all those, including Sabina and I, who have read her unique pieces over the years, there will be a feeling that criticism of fiction in particular has suffered a great loss. Indeed, to all those in the world of books, there will be a sense that a critic relied upon by so many readers, and respected by writers, has been taken from us.
All of us owe her a debt of gratitude for her unstinting efforts to bring the best writers from around the world to our attention, her unflinching standards, and for the enthusiasm with which she brought her celebration of all aspects of the arts to so many different audiences.
Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to her daughter Nadia, and the members of her family.

In a tribute published to the journalist in today’s edition of The Irish Times, Battersby is described as being as a four-times winner of the National Arts Journalist of the Year award. She also won the accolade of Critic of the Year.

In that article, Irish Times writer, columnist and former literary editor Fintan O’Toole writes:

Everything Eileen wrote was marked by a passionate curiosity. She had an insatiable interest in art, in architecture, in archaeology and of course in literature, especially fiction.
That curiosity extended to fiction in translation: she wanted to know what was being written in Korea or in Bangladesh just as much as in Ireland or Britain.

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan said in a statement:

“I was very saddened to hear the news of the passing of Eileen Battersby.  Eileen was an immensely well-regarded arts critic and journalist – winning numerous awards during her career including the National Arts Journalist of the Year award – as well as publishing a number of works of both fiction and non-fiction.

“She will be greatly missed.  I would also like to offer my sincere condolences to Eileen’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Other tributes include the Book Editor of The Irish Times, Martin Doyle, who tweeted: 

“Shocking news. A terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Eileen’s daughter Nadia. Eileen was a fearless and forthright critic and a great champion of literature, particularly in translation.”

Her colleagues from the newspaper have also been paying tribute to Battersby. 

“Such a sad night to be at work in The Irish Times newsroom,” tweeted journalist Bernice Harrison. 

Broadcaster Sinéad Gleeson said: 

“Awful news for Eileen’s family. RIP. Wishing her daughter Nadia a swift recovery.”

New Island Books also tweeted: 

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Eileen Battersby. A fierce and uncompromising critic, a talented novelist and a friend to many, it is a great loss to the world of Irish literature. We are thinking of her daughter Nadia and the rest of her family at this time.

Today, RTE’S Morning Ireland programme played a clip of Battersby on the Christmas Sunday Miscellany, which is due to be broadcast between 9am-10am tomorrow morning. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
    Favourite Mary Mc Carthy
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 8:29 AM

    RIP . Condolences to her family and to all other families who lost a loved one this year .

    253
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 9:07 AM

    Incredible journalist, writer and woman.

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RoisinSheridan#focus
    Favourite RoisinSheridan#focus
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 9:46 AM

    Rest in Peace

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Blacoe
    Favourite Deborah Blacoe
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 10:20 AM

    An irreplaceable and unique talent is gone. We are so much poorer today. RIP.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Daly
    Favourite Michael Daly
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 10:40 AM

    Terribly sad news. I really liked how she championed unrecognised and unfashionable talent around the world and called out overhyped writers. RIP

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andy Heffernan
    Favourite Andy Heffernan
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 11:07 AM

    Terribly sad news, Brilliant critic who I always trusted and introduced me to some wonderful books and steered me away from some duds.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rachel Didleu
    Favourite Rachel Didleu
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 10:11 AM

    Used to collaborate with Derek Crozier on the cry.ptic cross word lit clues ..legend RIP

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mulligan
    Favourite John Mulligan
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 1:38 PM

    Brilliant mind. A sad loss.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Nolan
    Favourite John Nolan
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 4:23 PM

    A terrible loss to the Arts World. May she rest in peace

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SFNutters
    Favourite SFNutters
    Report
    Dec 24th 2018, 12:06 PM

    RIP

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds