The 61-year-old Derry woman was taken ill last weekend at her Ranelagh home and admitted to St Vincent's Hospital before being transferred to the Blacrock Clinic for Friday's operation.

Upon waking up, she joked that the operation had been "a doddle", a friend said.

"She's not ready for the disco yet, but she's doing as well as can be expected. The next 48 hours are very important."

McCafferty was involved in the setting up of the feminist movement in Ireland in the 1970s.

In her best-selling autobiography Nell, which was published in 2004, she dealt with the issue of her sexuality and her relationship with fellow journalist Nuala O'Faolain.

She has written for several Irish papers, including the Sunday Tribune.

A widely-praised piece on New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina appeared in this newspaper last weekend.