Born in Dromore, Co Tyrone, Benedict Kiely was brought up in Omagh. He began working as a journalist in Dublin, where he spent close to 70 years of his life.
The first of his many novels, Land Without Stars, was published in 1946 and he will also be fondly remembered for his work on RTÉ's Radio One's Sunday Miscellanyprogramme.
"Over six decades he has created a body of work which is impressed indelibly in contemporary literature," Mary Cloake, director of the Arts Council, said."His exquisite prose explored and celebrated humanity in all its complexity and intrigue."