Cork author Creedon honoured to receive international arts award

A Cork author has said he is humbled to receive a prestigious international arts award for “following my own heart, indulging my passion, and living my dream”.

At a ceremony in McGill University in Montreal, the World Cultural Council (WCC) presented its Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts 2024 to Devonshire Street novelist Cónal Creedon.

The WCC is an international organisation that promotes cultural values, goodwill, and philanthropy.

Founded in 1982 and based in Mexico, every year it awards outstanding artists, scientists, and educators who have contributed positively to the cultural enrichment of mankind.

In its citation this year, it states: “Cónal Creedon, an award-winning novelist, short-story writer, playwright, documentary film-maker, essayist, and collaborative artist, has been awarded the Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts 2024. His creative practice has been described as an exploration of ‘the spaghetti bowl of streets’ in downtown Cork City, Ireland, where his family has lived and traded for over a hundred years. His detailed investigation of such a tight-knit neighbourhood reveals insights in to the universal nature of the human condition and constitutes a significant contribution to the artistic legacy of creative expression.”

In his acceptance speech, Mr Creedon said he was humbled to receive the award and thanked the WCC.

“It’s a great personal honour for me to accept this award,” he said. It is an honour for my home place of Cork city in Ireland. And, indeed, it is an honour for Irish people across the world.”

He added that it was “extremely special to have the luxury” of working at what he loves doing.

“So, it is very humbling for me to receive the World Cultural Council Leonardo da Vinci Award of Arts for effectively following my own heart, indulging my passion, and living my dream,” he said.