The awards, worth £15,000 each, were presented in recognition of the contribution each of the artists has made to creative life in Northern Ireland.

The three join a distinguished list of artists who have previously benefited from the award, including writers Carlo Gébler, Damian Gorman, Patricia Craig, Sinéad Morrissey, Glenn Patterson and Owen McCafferty, visual artists Rita Duffy, Susan MacWilliam and Cara Murphy, and composer Elaine Agnew.

The grants make it possible for artists to take time out to dedicate to their creative work and to produce a substantial and ambitious project that will make a significant contribution to the development of their careers.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: ‘All three of these artists have already made a notable contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland. Each will benefit greatly from being able to spend the year concentrating purely on their new projects and with the financial backing needed to produce work of lasting value. This award will help to cement their national and international reputations, and help to strengthen the positive cultural profile of Northern Ireland abroad.’

Full details: http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/major-awards-for-three-of-nis-most-celebrated-artists