IRISH ACADEMY AWARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 88, 13 April 1935, Page 28

IRISH ACADEMY AWARDS

William Butler Yeats presided over a public session of rthe Irish Academy of Letters when, it met recently in Dublin. The purpose of the gathering was to award the laurels to'lreland's literary giants for their labours during the last year. This was the first meeting for this purpose, and the little Peacock Theatre in EJublin.was crowded with a brilliant throng of the literati of the Free State. .

It was significant that the convocation took place in the Peacock Theatre which has been, intimately associated with the revival of letters in Ireland. An international touch was given by the presence of x the French Minister, M. Pierre Guerlet. Others present included the American Charge d'Affaires, James Orr. Denby. The Irish literary movements were represented by Dr. Lennox Robinson, dramatist and director of the Abbey Theatre, F. R. Higgins poet, and Scan O'Faolain, novelist.

The Casement award, given in alternate years for drama and poetry, again was provided by the gift of George Mac Donald, of New York, Papal Marquis. Agroup of Irish-Americans'who preferred to remain anonymous, also presented a prize for the best wopk in Gaelic.

Lord Dunsany received the Harmsworth Prize for his story, "The Curse of the Wise Woman." It was announced that close contestants for this award were Scan O'Faolain's novel, "A Nest of Simple Folk,", and Helen Waddell's "Peter Abelard."

The award provided by Marquis MacDonald was given, to Brinsley McNamara's play, "Margaret' Gillan." This drama was one of the outstanding presentations of the Abbey Theatre during the last season. Maurice O'Sullivan, from Blasket Island, off- the Kerry coast, received the award for the best work in the Gaelic. His book, "Twenty Years -A-Growing," was a great success in America in its English translation.