Donal Ryan has won the 2024 An Post Irish Book of the Year award with his novel 'Heart, Be at Peace', which explores themes of grief, healing, and the complexities of human emotions.
The book was among six titles competing for the accolade, all of which were category winners at the recent 2024 An Post Irish Book Awards.
It is the second time that Ryan has won the award following his triumph in 2012 with his debut novel ‘The Spinning Heart’.
‘Heart, Be at Peace’ is told old in the voices of 21 characters and has been describe as a heartfelt, lyrical novel.
Congrats Donal Ryan on winning An Post Irish Book of the Year for Heart, Be at Peace 📚
— An Post (@Postvox) December 19, 2024
And thank you to all the other nominees, what an incredible year in Irish writing! #ReadersWanted #APIBA pic.twitter.com/B9YR7GKbOt
The book received a range of positive reviews, including one which said it was an "absorbing, emphatic story of a community in trouble".
It can be read independently or as a companion to ‘The Spinning Heart’, which also won the award more than a decade ago.
Maria Dickenson, chair of the judging panel, said the book was the "unanimous choice" choice of the judges from a "fantastic array of titles shortlisted this year".
She added: "Donal Ryan’s writing has earned him a place among the greatest names in Irish literature and this lyrical novel speaks to the very heart of modern Irish society.
"Weaving 21 voices together, Ryan portrays the passions, frailties and sorrows of one Irish town with compassion and clarity. ‘Heart, Be at Peace’ is a masterful achievement and we congratulate Donal warmly on winning this award."
The ceremony was broadcast on RTÉ 1 television and the award was presented by broadcaster Oliver Callan.
From Nenagh in Co Tipperary, Ryan lectures in creative writing at the University of Limerick, and lives with his wife and their two children outside of Limerick city.
His works have been published in more than 20 languages to critical acclaim.
The other books shortlisted for the award were Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher and illustrated by Dermot Flynn; Frankie by Graham Norton; A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey; Obsessed: The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton with Peter O’Reilly and Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging by Seán Ronayne.
