Shortlist unveiled for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024

The shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024 features a diverse and exciting mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 20 categories.

Now in its 19^th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent and 2024 will be no different.

This year, the An Post Irish Book Awards has introduced the ‘Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year’ category to celebrate Ireland’s history writers and acknowledge the importance of historical writing and its contribution to the Irish literary landscape.

Additionally, the awards have expanded the ‘Cookbook of the Year’ category and renamed it as the ‘Food and Drink Book of the Year’ category to reflect the evolving tastes and interests of readers who enjoy culinary literature.

The ‘Best Short Story’ and ‘Best Poetry Award’ categories are now in partnership with the Irish Independent’s New Irish Writing competition. Formerly known as the Hennessy Literary Awards, New Irish Writing has been a platform for unpublished writers since its establishment in 1968. It has helped launch the careers of numerous Irish literary stars, including Colum McCann, Anne Enright, Joseph O’Connor and Claire Keegan. The monthly winners are published on the last Saturday of each month online and in the Review supplement of The Irish Independent.

The shortlist of six for the Short Story and Poetry categories was selected from the monthly winners between November 2023 and October 2024 by Ciaran Carty, New Irish Writing’s Editor since 1988, and Associate Editor Dermot Bolger. The overall winners of both categories will be chosen by two of New Irish Writing’s most successful and respected alumni – John Boyne and Paula Meehan.

Other categories include Novel of the Year, Children’s (Junior and Senior), Newcomer, Lifestyle, Crime Fiction, Biography, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.

To tie in with the announcement of the An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist, the public are now being asked to have their say and cast their votes for the best books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote. All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Voters may cast their votes from 8pm on 24^th October until voting closes on the 14^th November at 5pm.

Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 19^th December giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six books and the authors competing for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2024’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“The shortlist for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards is, once again, remarkable, showcasing the immense talent of Irish writers and the strength of our literary community. Each category highlights exceptional writing, with well deserving authors, publishers, illustrators, and booksellers being recognised.

The An Post Irish Book Awards is a key event in the literary calendar, and it is wonderful to see the growing enthusiasm for this initiative. I would like to wish all the nominees the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating the winners on the 27^th November.”

PJ Brigdale, Head of Brand at An Post, says:

“We are thrilled to announce this year’s shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards and celebrate the incredible talent and diversity of Irish writing. Each shortlisted book reflects the rich storytelling tradition we cherish, and we’re proud to honour the authors, publishers, booksellers and readers who make these awards so special. As a brand, we are especially proud to support and foster a love of reading across Ireland, helping to ensure that it remains a vital part of our culture and communities for generations to come.”

The An Post Irish Book Awards 2024 Shortlist is as follows:

TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

• The Enchanted Bay: Tales and Legends from Ernie O’Malley’s Irish Folklore Collection – Cormac K. H. O’Malley and Patrick J. Mahoney (Merrion Press)
• Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives – Hélène O’Keeffe, John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, John Borgonovo and Mike Murphy (Cork University Press)
• The Irish Words You Should Know – Hector Ó hEochagáin (Gill Books)
• Irish Food History: A Companion – Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire & Dorothy Cashman (Royal Irish Academy)
• 1588, The Spanish Armada and the 24 Ships Lost on Ireland’s Shores – Michael B. Barry (Andalus Press)
• Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past – Páraic Kerrigan (New Island Books)

Dubray Biography of the Year

• This Boy’s Heart: Scenes from an Irish childhood – John Creedon (Gill Books)
• Finding Mangan: The Lives and Afterlives of Ireland’s National Poet – Bridget Hourican (Gill Books)
• American Mother – Colum McCann with Diane Foley (Bloomsbury Publishing)
• Well, Holy God: My Life as an Irish, Catholic, Agnostic Correspondent – Patsy McGarry (Merrion Press)
• Leaning on Gates – Seamus O’Rourke (Gill Books)
• Nature Boy: A journey of birdsong and belonging – Seán Ronayne (Hachette Books Ireland)

Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year

• Hotel Lux: An Intimate History of Communism’s Forgotten Radicals – Maurice J. Casey (Footnote Press)
• Revolutionary Times – Ireland 1913-23: The Forging of a Nation – Mike Cronin and Mark Duncan (Merrion Press)
• Land Is All That Matters: The Struggle That Shaped Irish History – Myles Dungan (Apollo, Head of Zeus)
• The Revelation of Ireland: 1995-2020 – Diarmaid Ferriter (Profile Books)
• A History of Ireland in Ten Body Parts – Dr Ian Miller (Gill Books)
• Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives - Hélène O’Keeffe, John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, John Borgonovo and Mike Murphy (Cork University Press)

WHSmith Non-Fiction Book of the Year

• Who Killed Una Lynskey?: A True Story of Murder, Vigilante Justice and the Garda ‘Heavy Gang’ – Mick Clifford (Sandycove, Penguin)
• Twelve Sheep: Life lessons from a lambing season – John Connell (Allen & Unwin)
• The Magic of an Irish Rainforest: A Visual Journey – Eoghan Daltun (Hachette Books Ireland)
• Murder at Lordship: Inside the Hunt for a Detective's Killer – Pat Marry and Robin Schiller (Allen & Unwin)
• Money: A Story of Humanity – David McWilliams (Simon & Schuster)
• Missing Persons, Or My Grandmother's Secrets – Clair Wills (Allen Lane)

Eason Novel of the Year

• Wild Houses – Colin Barrett (Jonathan Cape, Vintage)
• The Heart in Winter – Kevin Barry (Canongate Books)
• The Woman Behind the Door – Roddy Doyle (Jonathan Cape, Vintage)
• Our London Lives – Christine Dwyer Hickey (Atlantic Books)
• Seaborne – Nuala O’Connor (New Island Books)
• Intermezzo – Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber)
• Heart, Be at Peace – Donal Ryan (Doubleday, Penguin Random House)
• Long Island – Colm Tóibín (Picador, Pan Macmillan)

Bookselling Ireland Food & Drink Book of the Year

• Sprout & Co Saladology: Fresh Ideas for Delicious Salads – Theo Kirwan (Mitchel Beazley, Octopus Books)
• Irish Food History: A Companion – Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire & Dorothy Cashman (Royal Irish Academy)
• Eat Out at Home – Neven Maguire (Gill Books)
• Season: Master the elements of amazing taste – Mark Moriarty (Gill Books)
• The Home Sommelier: Your down-to-earth guide to choosing good wine – Brigid O’Hora (Hachette Books Ireland)
• Dad Food – Dylan McGrath (Gill Books)

Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year

• What We Know Now – Jenny Kelly and Mairéad Ronan (Gill Books)
• It's All Too Much: Practical ways to pause panic attacks, reduce overwhelm and anxiety, and rediscover everyday joy – Allison Keating (Gill Books)
• The Complete Book of Wild Swimming in Ireland – Maureen McCoy and Paul McCambridge (Gill Books)
• Gaeilge i Mo Chroí - Irish In My Heart: Your Guide to Loving and Living the Irish Language – Molly Nic Céile (Hachette Books Ireland)
• Some of Our Parts: Why we are more than the labels we live by – Laura Kennedy (Eriu)
• The Hike Life: 50 More to Explore – Rozanna Purcell (Black & White Publishing)

Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year

• Sally Rooney
• Donal Ryan
• Colm Tóibín
• Sheila O’Flanagan
• Eoin Colfer
• Jo Spain

Eason Sports Book of the Year

• Joe Canning: My Story – Joe Canning with Vincent Hogan (Gill Books)
• Unladylike: A History of Ladies Gaelic Football – Hayley Kilgallon (New Island Books)
• The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99% - Conor Niland with Gavin Cooney (Sandycove, Penguin)
• Blood and Thunder: Rugby and Irish Life: A History – Liam O’Callaghan (Sandycove, Penguin)
• My Autobiography – Davy Russell with Donn McClean (Eriu)
• Obsessed: The Autobiography – Johnny Sexton with Peter O'Reilly (Sandycove, Penguin)

Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana

• Geansaithe Móra – Gearóidín Nic Cárthaigh (LeabhairCOMHAR)
• Saighdiúir - Cathal Ó Searcaigh (Leabhar Breac)
• Flaitheas – Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird (Leabhar Breac)
• Mná – Daithí Ó Muirí (Cló Iar-Chonnacht)
• Cuimhní Poircealláin agus Scéalta Eile - Majella Ní Dhomhnaill (Cló Iar-Chonnacht)
• Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile - Michelle Nic Pháidín (Cló Iar-Chonnacht)

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior

• Beanie the Bansheenie – Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Walker Books)
• The Golden Hare – Paddy Donnelly (The O’Brien Press)
• The Great Discovery – Peter Donnelly (Gill Books)
• Where to Hide a Star – Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune – Chris Judge (Gill Books)
• Over the Red-Brick Chimney – Una Leavy, illustrated by Shannon Bergin (The O’Brien Press)

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior

• Nina Peanut Is Amazing – Sarah Bowie (Scholastic)
• Fia and the Last Snow Deer – Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Puffin, Penguin Random House Children’s)
• Milly McCarthy and the Sports Day Shambles – Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte (Gill Books)
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Irish Lighthouses – David Hare, illustrated by Linda Fährlin (Gill Books)
• The History of Information – Chris Haughton with Loonie Park (DK Children’s)
• Fixing Mum and Dad – Sinéad Moriarty (Gill Books)
• Molly Malone & Bram Stoker in The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens – Alan Nolan (The O’Brien Press)
• The Weather Girls – Sarah Webb (The O’Brien Press)

International Education Services Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy

• Something's About to Blow Up – Sam Blake (Gill Books)
• Braids Take a Day – Zainab Boladale (The O’Brien Press)
• The Traitor in the Game – Triona Campbell (Scholastic)
• Where the Heart Should Be – Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury YA)
• The Dagger and the Flame – Catherine Doyle (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books)
• Sisters of the Moon – Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Faber & Faber)

Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year

• A Stranger in the Family – Jane Casey (Hemlock Press)
• Witness 8 – Steve Cavanagh (Headline)
• Where They Lie – Claire Coughlan (Simon & Schuster)
• Someone in the Attic – Andrea Mara (Bantam, Transworld)
• Somebody Knows – Michelle McDonagh (Hachette Books Ireland)
• When We Were Silent – Fiona McPhillips (Bantam, Transworld)

Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year

• Old Romantics – Maggie Armstrong (Tramp Press)
• Spirit Level – Richy Craven (Eriu)
• Evenings and Weekends – Oisín McKenna (4^th Estate)
• The Amendments – Niamh Mulvey (Picador, Pan Macmillan)
• The Coast Road – Alan Murrin (Bloomsbury Circus)
• Glorious Exploits – Ferdia Lennon (Fig Tree)

Ireland AM Popular Fiction Book of the Year

• Into the Storm – Cecelia Ahern (HarperCollins)
• Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy? – Rachael English (Hachette Books Ireland)
• The Bookshop Ladies – Faith Hogan (Aria)
• My Favourite Mistake – Marian Keyes (Michael Joseph, Penguin)
• Frankie – Graham Norton (Coronet)
• Don’t Look Back in Ongar – Ross O’Carroll Kelly (Sandycove, Penguin)

The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award

• The Heart in Winter – Kevin Barry (Canongate Books)
• In Her Place – Edel Coffey (Sphere, Little, Brown Book Group)
• The Alternatives – Caoilinn Hughes (Oneworld Publications)
• The Last Disco: The Story of the Stardust Tragedy – Sean Murray, Christine Bohan and Nicky Ryan (Eriu).
• The Racket: On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99% - Conor Niland with Gavin Cooney (Sandycove, Penguin)
• Long Island – Colm Tóibín (Picador, Pan Macmillan)

New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent

• Growth – Margaret Cahill
• Valentine’s Day – Kathleen Macadam
• Estepona – Dónal O’Sullivan
• Night Shift – Stephen Brophy
• Stick Shift – Claire Bamber
• Everything is in Place – David O’Neill

New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent

• ‘It’s Hard to Burn a Word’ and ‘Herding’ – Bill Richardson
• ‘Dream of an Atrocity’ – Féilim James
• ‘Pravda’ – Eoin Devereux
• ‘Typewriter’ and ‘Provence’ – Agnieszka Filipek
• ‘Maure ‘Soshin’ O’Hallroan’ and ‘Halo’ – Colette Colfer
• ‘Onionskin’ – Eilín de Paor

An Post Bookshop of the Year

• Bridge Books, Dromore, Down
• Liber, Sligo
• Little Acorns Bookstore, Derry
• O’Mahony’s Booksellers, Limerick
• Tales for Tadpoles, Bray, Wicklow
• The Company of Books, Ranelagh, Dublin