"Ireland has lost an icon," said the Taoiseach Simon Harris in a statement made in response to news of the death of Irish author Edna O'Brien.

Continuing, Simon Harris described the writer as: "A brave, gifted, dignified and magnetic person."

As reported by Hot Press yesterday, President Michael D. Higgins also paid tribute to the author of The Country Girls – among over 20 works of fiction – saying that: "Edna was a fearless teller of truths, a superb writer possessed of the moral courage to confront Irish society with realities long ignored and suppressed"

Describing O'Brien as a "dear friend" of the President, and of his wife Ireland's First Woman, Sabina Higgins, the tribute went on to say: "While the beauty of her work was immediately recognised abroad, it is important to remember the hostile reaction it provoked among those who wished for the lived experience of women to remain far from the world of Irish literature, with her books shamefully banned upon their early publication."

The President went on to say: "Thankfully Edna O’Brien’s work is now recognised for the superb works of art which they are. As President of Ireland, I was delighted to present Edna with the Torc of the Saoi of Aosdána in 2015, and with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Her election as Saoi, chosen by her fellow artists, was the ultimate expression of the esteem in which her work is held."

Among the many writers who hold O'Brien in high regard, is Trainspotting's Irvine Welsh, who shared in a post on X that O'Brien was "a pretty amazing woman."

Edna O’Brien, a pretty amazing woman. Obviously a great and courageous writer, and one whose flame burned strongly. Even in her later years she radiated a powerful charismatic sexy aura. pic.twitter.com/164ob52IrM

— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) July 29, 2024

The Arts Council also shared a tribute to the "distinguished Irish writer":

We would like to express great sadness at the passing of distinguished Irish writer Edna O’Brien, aged 93. Elected to @Aosdana by her peers and fellow Irish artists, she was honoured with the title of Saoi in 2015.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.https://t.co/Pj3Kn2JSlb pic.twitter.com/QSsWSDf5ne

— The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (@artscouncil_ie) July 29, 2024

The Museum of Literature Ireland shared a statement on the passing "one of the world’s true literary titans."

The museum went on to say that O'Brien "has operated a huge space in our hearts since the museum opened.

"Alongside her own orbiting and championing of the work of James Joyce, Edna's integrity as an artist has been endlessly influential".

Paying homage to O'Brien the museum said that she was pivotal in the development of the museum and served as the inspiration for their Edna O'Brien Young Writers Award.

"As we developed the first exhibitions at the museum, it was Edna's prose style that we aspired to: her sharpened ability to tell the truth in spare, human writing was a constant reference point. Most importantly, Edna continues to be the inspiration for one of the museum's most important projects, the Edna O'Brien Young Writers Award."

Yesterday saw the announcement of the passing of one of the world’s true literary titans, Edna O’Brien. Here at MoLI, Edna has occupied a huge place in our heart since before the museum opened, including inspiring the Edna O'Brien Young Writers Award. https://t.co/ETXaHKvkuG pic.twitter.com/ewZUENCjud

— MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland (@MoLI_Museum) July 29, 2024

Independent bookstore and publishers The Lilliput Press also paid their respects to "one of Ireland's literary canaries", saying, "We miss her voice, that song of freedom."

A statement from Lilliput Publisher Antony Farrell on the sad passing of Edna O'Brien pic.twitter.com/3BAnhmXXek

— The Lilliput Press (@LilliputPress) July 29, 2024