Some 15 artists and writers have been elected to membership of Aosdana, bringing the full membership to 164. The new members are: Clare Boylan, writer, Cathy Carman, sculptor, Marina Carr, writer, Harry Clifton, poet, Micky Donnelly, painter, Marie Foley, sculptor, Hugo Hamilton, writer, Rita Ann Higgins, poet, Mick O'Dea, painter, Alannah O'Kelly, visual artist, Liam O Muirthile, writer, Tim Robinson, writer, Vivienne Roche, sculptor, Eithne Strong, writer, and Nancy Wynne Jones, visual artist.