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Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan today expressed his sympathy to the husband and extended family of the late Maeve Binchy:

It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Maeve Binchy. She was a woman of immense intellect who had a wonderful ability to observe the Irish character and, in particular, the idiosyncrasies that make us uniquely Irish. Her work, whether as a journalist or as an author was infused with the skill of the truly great writer to transport the commonplace and ordinary to the uncommon and extraordinary. Out of the everyday, her sharp ear and exquisite pen created writing of enduring beauty, quality and appeal. Her prolific works will no doubt stand the test of time and provide a window into an emerging and ever changing Ireland.

She was generous with her wisdom and time and will be remembered as someone who carried the torch for many emerging Irish women writers by sharing her experiences and knowledge with one and all.

A Portrait of Maeve Binchy by the artist Maeve McCarthy was commissioned by the National Gallery of Ireland in 2005 as part of the Irish Life and Permanent Portrait Series.