Efforts underway to recognise Paul Lynch's Booker Prize win

A former teacher who taught Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch, at national school said he doesn’t feel the magnitude of the author’s achievement has been realised yet.  

Sinn Féin Councillor Albert Doherty said he is exceptionally proud of the author’s achievement adding that Paul was a delightful student who came from a delightful family. 

Paul Lynch was born in Limerick and when he was nine months of age his parents moved to Malin. His family later moved to Carndonagh. His book Prophet Song saw him become the sixth Irish author to earn the much sought-after Booker Prize. 

“What an achievement. I don’t think, locally, that we have taken onboard that this young man who walked the hills and dales of Carndonagh is now world renowned and deservedly so,” Cllr Doherty said.  

Mr Doherty taught both Paul and Derek at St Patrick’s Boys’ School:  “They would have attended St Patrick’s Boys’ School and his sister Louise would have attended St Patrick’s girls’ School. They all went to the Carndonagh Community School after that,” he said. 

At a plenary meeting of the council this week, Cllr Doherty proposed holding a civic reception or profferring the Freedom of the County on Paul Lynch. 

The proposals are currently being considered.“I also said that any function, of any nature, would take place before this present council period would expire,” Mr Doherty said.