Acclaimed Irish writer Edna O'Brien to be laid to rest on island off Co Clare today

The funeral of acclaimed Irish writer Edna O'Brien will take place in Co Clare today.

The author passed away peacefully following a long illness in her London home on July 27, at the age of 93.

Ms O'Brien - a novelist, short story writer, memoirist, poet and playwright – is best known for her portrayal of women’s lives against repressive expectations in Irish society.

Her first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 and became part of a trilogy that was banned in Ireland for their references to sex and social issues.

Prior to her death, Ms O'Brien had expressed her desire to return home for her funeral.

Her Funeral Mass takes place today, Saturday, August 10 at 11 am in St. Joseph's Church, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare with burial afterwards in Holy Island. Mourners such as President Michael D Higgins and heavyweights of the literary world are expected at today's funeral.

Inis Cealtra, also known as Holy Island, is one of Ireland's most famous monastic sites. Located on an island in the beautiful Lough Derg, this historic site has been a place of significant importance for hundreds of years. The island lies approximately 1km from the mainland and about 2km from Mountshannon village, and is only accessible via boat.

Ms O'Brien is predeceased by her brother John, sisters Patricia and Eileen and her husband Ernest Gebler. She is "deeply regretted by her family, sons Carlo Gebler and Marcus Gebler, daughter-in-law Tyga Gebler, Marcus's partner Marieme Dieng, her grandchildren India, Jack, Finn, Georgia, Euan and Oscar, great-grandchildren Sam, Noah and Lexi, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law," according to her death notice on RIP.ie. 

The funeral will be livestreamed here and there will also be coverage on the RTÉ News Channel from 11am.