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Previous Winners

2008

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
THE GATHERING by Anne Enright
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Booker Prize-winning "The Gathering" is a family epic, condensed and clarified through the lens of the author's unblinking eye.


International Education Services Ltd Best Irish Newcomer of the Year

This award was created to reward the most promising first-time author published in Ireland in any given year. The award is unrestricted by genre and the first winner was Gisele Scanlon for The Goddess Guide. We're delighted that 2008 sponsorship of this award was recently taken up by International Education Serices Ltd of Leixlip.

Winner
WITH MY LAZY EYE by Julia Kelly
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The freshest voice in Irish fiction since the wonderful early novels of Edna O'Brien said John Banville.


The Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year

One of the mainstays of the Irish book-trade, Argosy book wholesalers, joined the first expansion of the Irish Book Awards in 2006 when their Nonfiction prize went to Brian Dillon for his searing memoir In the Dark Room. The 2007 winner was Tim Robinson for Connemara.

Winner
JUDGING DEV by Diarmaid Ferriter
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Timely and wise reassessment of the career of the Ireland's greatest statesman.


The Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

Following the loss of one of our sponsors and the transfer of Eason's sponsorship to the Popular Fiction category, this category will be unsponsored in 2009.

Winner
JUDGING DEV by Diarmaid Ferriter
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Timely and wise reassessment of the career of the Ireland's greatest statesman.


The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Jnr

The Dublin Airport Authority, along with Argosy,completed the the three-sponsor roster for the first Irish Book Awards in 2006. That year the winner was Kate Thompson for The New Policeman. In 2007 the DAA award winners were Oliver Jeffers in the junior category and John Boyne in the senior category. PJ Lynch received a special award for illustration. The titles below refer to the junior category for readers aged 8 and under.

Winner
THE STORY OF IRELAND by Brendan O'Brien
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Superbly illustrated and artfully conceived, The Story of Ireland encapsulated for children in an extraordinarily fresh and exciting way.


The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Snr

The titles below refer to the the senior category for children in the 9 + age group.

Winner
WILDERNESS by Roddy Doyle
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Few writers know how to engage the imagination of young readers like Roddy Doyle and Wilderness is as good as anything he's done.


The Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year

Following the withdrawal of Galaxy, Easons have transferred their sponsorship from the Best Irish-Published category to the Popular Fiction category. This is a particulary appropriate switch since Easons have been in the vanguard of promoting Irish popular fiction in recent decades. We wish them well in their new role.

Winner
TAKE A LOOK AT ME NOW by Anita Notaro
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Most of us can remember a defining moment in our lives. This is the story of the moment that changed Lily Ormond's forever.


The Energise Sport Irish Sports Book of the Year

Long recognised for their massive contribution to sports promotion in Ireland, Club Energise Sport hope to establish their Irish Sports Book of the Year as the premier award in a crowded field. Paul McGrath, for Back from the Brink, was an immensely popular first winner in 2007.

Winner
TREVOR BRENNAN: HEART AND SOUL by Trevor Brennan with Gerry Thornley
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Superb account of a brilliant at times turbulent rugby career.


The Tubridy Show Listeners' Choice Book of the Year

This award is a huge feather in the cap of the Irish Book Awards since Ryan Tubridy is fast becoming the most influential media personality actively promoting books in Ireland. A massive public vote awarded the first TTS award to John Boyne for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Winner
JUDGING DEV by Diarmaid Ferriter
More »

Timely and wise reassessment of the career of the Ireland's greatest statesman.


2007

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
Winterwood (Bloomsbury) by Patrick McCabe
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Acclaimed as Patrick McCabe's finest novel since Butcher Boy.


International Education Services Ltd Best Irish Newcomer of the Year

This award was created to reward the most promising first-time author published in Ireland in any given year. The award is unrestricted by genre and the first winner was Gisele Scanlon for The Goddess Guide. We're delighted that 2008 sponsorship of this award was recently taken up by International Education Serices Ltd of Leixlip.

Winner
The Goddess Guide (Harper Collins) by Gisele Scanlon
More »

A highly covetable hardback, guaranteed to give every woman the life of a goddess.


The Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year

One of the mainstays of the Irish book-trade, Argosy book wholesalers, joined the first expansion of the Irish Book Awards in 2006 when their Nonfiction prize went to Brian Dillon for his searing memoir In the Dark Room. The 2007 winner was Tim Robinson for Connemara.

Winner
Connemara (Penguin Ireland) by Tim Robinson
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Another Connemara classic from the rugged pen of the great Tim Robinson.


The Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

Following the loss of one of our sponsors and the transfer of Eason's sponsorship to the Popular Fiction category, this category will be unsponsored in 2009.

Winner
Lifelines: New and Collected (Townhouse) by ed. Niall McMonagle
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The definitive collected Lifelines anthology. Every home should have one.


The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Jnr

The Dublin Airport Authority, along with Argosy,completed the the three-sponsor roster for the first Irish Book Awards in 2006. That year the winner was Kate Thompson for The New Policeman. In 2007 the DAA award winners were Oliver Jeffers in the junior category and John Boyne in the senior category. PJ Lynch received a special award for illustration. The titles below refer to the junior category for readers aged 8 and under.

Winner
The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Harper Collins) by Oliver Jeffers
More »

A deliciously inventive children's story as the intriguing title suggests.

Winner
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (David Fickling) by John Boyne
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John Boyne has written A Holocaust novel like no other. Truly a small masterpiece.


The Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year

Following the withdrawal of Galaxy, Easons have transferred their sponsorship from the Best Irish-Published category to the Popular Fiction category. This is a particulary appropriate switch since Easons have been in the vanguard of promoting Irish popular fiction in recent decades. We wish them well in their new role.

Winner
Should Have Got Off at Sydney Parade (Penguin Ireland) by Ross O'Carroll Kelly
More »

The saga of South Dublin legend, the Rossmeister, continues, roysh!


The Energise Sport Irish Sports Book of the Year

Long recognised for their massive contribution to sports promotion in Ireland, Club Energise Sport hope to establish their Irish Sports Book of the Year as the premier award in a crowded field. Paul McGrath, for Back from the Brink, was an immensely popular first winner in 2007.

Winner
Back from the Brink (Century) by Paul McGrath
More »

Paul McGrath's extraordinary story is possibly the most candid sports book ever written.


The Tubridy Show Listeners' Choice Book of the Year

This award is a huge feather in the cap of the Irish Book Awards since Ryan Tubridy is fast becoming the most influential media personality actively promoting books in Ireland. A massive public vote awarded the first TTS award to John Boyne for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Winner
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (David Fickling) by John Boyne
More »

John Boyne has written A Holocaust novel like no other. Truly a small masterpiece.


2006

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
The Sea by John Banville
More »

John Banville's shining literary hour arrived with this multi-award winning novel.


The Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year

One of the mainstays of the Irish book-trade, Argosy book wholesalers, joined the first expansion of the Irish Book Awards in 2006 when their Nonfiction prize went to Brian Dillon for his searing memoir In the Dark Room. The 2007 winner was Tim Robinson for Connemara.

Winner
In the Dark Room by Brian Dillon
More »

Fine memoir which won the inaugural Argosy Irish Non-fiction Book of the Year.


The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year - Jnr

The Dublin Airport Authority, along with Argosy,completed the the three-sponsor roster for the first Irish Book Awards in 2006. That year the winner was Kate Thompson for The New Policeman. In 2007 the DAA award winners were Oliver Jeffers in the junior category and John Boyne in the senior category. PJ Lynch received a special award for illustration. The titles below refer to the junior category for readers aged 8 and under.

Winner
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
More »

Worthy winner of the inaugural Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year.


2005

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
Havoc in its Third Year by Ronan Bennett
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The 2005 winner was this powerful historical novel replete with contemporary significance.


2004

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
Dancer by Colum McCann
More »

This beautiful and daring novel on Nureyev deservedly lifted he 2004 Hughes & Hughes award.


2003

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year is both the senior award and the foundation stone of the new Irish Book Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, it counts among it's distinguished Irish winners the late John McGaherm, Colum McCann, Ronan Bennett, and John Banville. The worthy 2007 winner was Patrick McCabe for Winterwood.

Winner
That They May Face the Rising Sun by John McGahern
More »

John McGahern's magnificent last novel is as good as any Irish novel ever writeen.


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