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The Annual Frances Browne Award
The Annual Frances Browne Award recognises individuals or groups who have contributed to the legacy of Frances Browne either directly by increasing awareness of Frances and her body of work, or by acting in a manner that espouses the values she upheld.
Inaugural Frances Browne Award 2021 Paddy Bonar
Celine McGlynn, Chairperson of the Frances Browne Literary Festival, was delighted to present the Inaugural Frances Browne Award to Paddy Bonar of Ballybofey. The award was presented during the Covid pandemic and was therefore presented to Mr Bonar at his home. Watch the presentation video here.
Paddy has been the instigator of a large body of research into both the life of Frances Browne and into her work that has emerged in the last 30 years. Through his own research, and by working with and encouraging others, he has brought Frances to life and restored her to a place of pride in her community. In particular, his book 'The Life and Works of Frances Browne' published in 2007 is a hugely valuable resource for anyone who wants to know more about 'The Blind Poetess of Ulster'
We owe Paddy a huge debt of gratitude for his perseverance and persistence and his continuing celebration of our very own literary heroine.
You can access Paddy's website and details of his book here.
The Award was kindly sponsored by Karen Murphy Speech, Drama & Communications
Frances Browne Award 2022 Celine McGlynn
Celine McGlynn was the recipient of the 2022 Frances Browne Award at the Poetry Awards event of the 2022 Festival. Celine has worked tirelessly to celebrate and promote the legacy of Frances Browne.
In the late 2000s Celine founded the Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Awards, an annual event celebrating the unique trilingual legacy of Stranorlar and its hinterland. She is a true innovator and entrepreneur, as well as a gifted poet and artist in her own right.
Her first poetry collection Forged in the Stars was published by Summer Palace Press in 2011. She edited the Best of William Allingham, and co-edited Sarah Leech: The Ulster-Scots Poetess of Raphoe, Co Donegal. In 1994 she co-founded the Finn Valley Voice, a newspaper that will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary, and has succeeded in surviving the digital age at a time when so many newspapers have not.
Celine co-founded the remarkable Fiach Arts Circle and the Errigal Writers, Letterkenny, both of which have encouraged and nurtured the talents of so many. Her interest and generosity towards other artists has touched many lives, and inspired them to be all that they can be. Celine’s passion and energy for art and culture, particularly the legacy of Frances Browne, is truly inspirational.
