20 Years of Unforgettable Irish Stories
For two decades, the Irish Book Awards have celebrated the stories that moved us, challenged us, comforted us and stayed with us long after the final page.
To mark our 20th anniversary, we invited readers across Ireland to help us choose the best Irish books of the last 20 years.
From unforgettable novels and powerful memoirs to groundbreaking debuts, inspiring children’s stories and cultural touchstones — these are the books you voted for. It’s time to celebrate your favourite Irish books of the last 20 years.
The Final 20.
After an incredible response from readers across Ireland, we are proud to reveal the Top 20 books, chosen by public vote from our anniversary list of 60 award-winning titles. These are the stories that have resonated most deeply over the past two decades – the novels, memoirs and collections that readers have returned to, recommended, and carried with them long after the final page. Voted for by the people who know and love them best, this list is a celebration not only of exceptional writing, but of the powerful connection between books and their readers.
The Full LIST.
Celebrating the very best of Irish writing since 2005, this list of 60 books brings together some of the most outstanding stories of the past two decades. Each title is a previous winner at the Irish Book Awards, chosen for the impact it has made on readers and on Ireland’s literary landscape.
Irish writing has long shaped our cultural conversation. Over the last 20 years, Irish authors have won international acclaim, sparked national debate, and told stories that reflect who we are, where we come from, and who we are becoming. These are the books that stayed with us…
Now its your turn...
This campaign is more than a celebration — it’s a literary time capsule, and you get to help choose what goes inside.
We’re asking readers across Ireland to vote for their favourites from 60 of our past winning titles — with some incredible prizes up for grabs along the way.
And the conversation doesn’t stop there. If there’s a book you love that isn’t on the list, we want to hear about it.
Join the conversation and share your favourites with us on our social channels.
A Short History of the An Post Irish Book Awards
Twenty years of celebrating, shaping and championing Irish writing
Don’t miss a chapter…
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