Irish Literary Giant Jennifer Johnston Passes Away

Award-winning writer Jennifer Johnston, renowned for her novel ‘How Many Miles to Babylon?’, has passed away at the age of 95. This celebrated Irish novelist and playwright was born in Dublin in 1930 and spent part of her life in Londonderry during the 1970s.

Johnston came from a family with notable talents: she was the daughter of playwright Denis Johnston and actress-producer Shelah Richards. Her literary career began early, as her first novel ‘The Captains and the Kings’ was published in 1972, followed by ‘How Many Miles to Babylon?’ two years later.

Throughout her prolific writing life, she penned dozens of novels and plays. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to literature, Johnston received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Book Awards in 2012. She was also nominated for Ireland’s first position as Laureate for Fiction in 2014.

Johnston’s work continues to be celebrated across Europe and beyond, leaving behind a rich legacy of storytelling that has touched countless readers over the years.