Now in its 19th 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.
The public can now vote for the best books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website. All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Voters may cast their votes until 5 pm on November 14.
Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on December 19, 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.
Shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @thejournal_ie Best Irish-published Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/imHJ4bnOds
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @DubrayBooks Biography of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/1w8emZLVOU
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @Hodges_Figgis History Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/tZtWIPszPX
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @WHSmith Non-Fiction Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/bkk3KB3Wm9
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @easons Novel of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/ni02LNm4il
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @BooksellingI Food & Drink Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/rZ5rOFDDdQ
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @bookstationeire Lifestyle Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/K9lOgls2xW
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year
- Sally Rooney
- Donal Ryan
- Colm Tóibín
- Sheila O’Flanagan
- Eoin Colfer
- Jo Spain
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @LAIonline Author of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/99u6LVDSCo
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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 (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 (Sandycove, Penguin)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @easons Sports Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/47U9clUsy3
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the 2024 shortlist for the Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/pHzIBJbvtU
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @SpecsaversIE Children’s Book of the Year – Junior…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/LkUZGpNLqT
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @SpecsaversIE Children’s Book of the Year – Senior…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif #APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/EQeifLq76T
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 International Education Services Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/0Tl4Hq69wM
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @Independent_ie Crime Fiction Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/UCaYYjInNc
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
- “Old Romantics” – Maggie Armstrong (Tramp Press)
- “Spirit Level” – Richy Craven (Eriu)
- “Evenings and Weekends” – Oisín McKenna (4th Estate)
- “The Amendments” – Niamh Mulvey (Picador, Pan Macmillan)
- “The Coast Road” – Alan Murrin (Bloomsbury Circus)
- “Glorious Exploits” – Ferdia Lennon (Fig Tree)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @TheSundayIndo Newcomer of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/hgmhd5GOc7
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @IrelandAMVMTV Popular Fiction Book of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/SQqLX23zW8
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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 (Sandycove, Penguin)
- “Long Island” – Colm Tóibín (Picador, Pan Macmillan)
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 @lstwrd Listeners’ Choice Award…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/cjI7vq7eDJ
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
New Irish Writing Best 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
Here is the 2024 shortlist for the New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the @Independent_ie…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL8r7N#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/2mb5Mu9C9h
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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
Here is the 2024 shortlist for the New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the @Independent_ie..
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/3WkXC5925I
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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
Here is the shortlist for the 2024 An Post Bookshop of the Year…
Discover all the shortlists: https://t.co/x5wCyL7Tif#APIBA #ReadersWanted pic.twitter.com/U72jAZDeRA
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) October 24, 2024
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