Published Tuesday, 31 July 2012
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Maeve Binchy tributes
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Maeve Binchy on... writing
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Maeve Binchy on... the 1950s
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Maeve Binchy on... success
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Maeve Binchy on.. Circle of Friends
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Taoiseach Enda Kenny led tributes from fellow politicians, authors and celebrities, after the Dubliner passed away on Monday following a short illness.
He said that a national treasure had been lost and offered his deepest sympathies, on behalf of the Government and the Irish people, to Ms Binchy's family.
"Across Ireland, and the world, people are mourning and celebrating Maeve Binchy," Mr Kenny said.
"She is a huge loss wherever stories of love, hope, generosity and possibility are read and cherished."
Today, as a nation, we are thankful for and proud of the writer and the woman Maeve Binchy.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny
Ms Binchy had sold more than 40m books worldwide during her career, including several that were developed into films and television series.
Irish actress and author Amy Huberman called Ms Binchy "a truly wonderful, talented, inspirational woman", while Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin described her as "a gregarious, larger than life, ebullient recorder of human foibles and wonderment".
The popular writer began her career as a teacher, after studying at University College Dublin. Her first novel, Light a Penny Candle, was published in 1982 and became a best seller.
Her early collections of humorous short stories were based in London and Dublin.
But Binchy's novels also touched on poignant issues such as parent-child relationships and the illusion of love.
She also worked as a journalist, columnist and women's editor at the Irish Times before moving to England to become a London editor.
Novelist and former Miss Ireland Amanda Brunker said Maeve "will forever be remembered for her words and generosity", while Irish presenter Amanda Byram said Ms Binchy was "one of my favourite authors and a national treasure".
Fellow Irish writers Sheila O'Flanagan and Cathy Kelly also took to their Twitter accounts to pay their respects to the author.
"The world is truly a darker place within the golden light of lovely Maeve Binchy. We'll all miss her genius," said Cathy.
"So sad to hear of Maeve Binchy's passing. A warm, wonderful woman and an inspiration in so many ways," added Sheila.
Meath East TD Regina Doherty paid her respects on the social network site.
"Godspeed Maeve Binchy RIP lovely warm gentle lady brought much joy through all her work," said Ms Doherty.
Ms Binchy appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1999 and her novel Tara Road was chosen for Oprah's Book Club.
Although she announced her retirement in 2000, Ms Binchy continued to write. She was with her husband, writer Gordon Snell, when she died in hospital.