Former President Michael D. Higgins was amongst the winners celebrated at the 20th anniversary of the annual An Post Irish Book awards, held tonight in Dublin.
Having published a significant body of literary works including five poetry collections and several collections of essays and speeches on arts and politics, he was presented with the prestigious Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award.
He joins a host of distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Anne Enright, Maeve Binchy, Colm Tóibín, Edna O'Brien and Seamus Heaney.
In conferring the award, the Board of the Irish Book Awards stated that "Both politically and personally, Michael D. Higgins has exerted a profound and lasting influence on Irish art and culture. His stalwart championing of Irish writers has been a particular source of inspiration to many."
Accepting his award, Michael D. Higgins said: "Accepting this award is a prestigious honor, and one that I receive with humility, given the lifetime of achievements of previous awardees.
"When I was a minister, or when I became President, my library was often the focus of photographic images, and sometimes it looked like I was being smothered by books! I use books and teaching as a way to escape some of the barriers in my life.'
Celebrating its 20th year, other writers celebrated on the night included the much loved author, Manchán Magan who died in October. His work with his illustator Megan Luddy was recognised on the night.
Other winners included Joseph O'Connor, Andrew Porter, Cecilia Ahern, Andrea Mara, Elaine Feeney, Sarah Corbett Lynch, Kathi and John Burke, Sophie Morris and Roisin O'Donnell.
The much-loved Chapters Bookstore in Dublin city centre claimed the An Post Bookshop Of The Year title.
The ceremony which was held at the Convention Centre in Dublin, also included a moving tribute to the late Seán Rocks, the much-loved presenter of the arts and culture show Arena on RTÉ Radio 1. Mr Rocks had been at the helm of the show for over 15 years, when he died after a brief illness on July 31st, aged 64.
TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year was awarded to Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun), written by Manchán Magan, and illustrated by Megan Luddy (Gill Books).
Manchán Magan's wife, Aisling Rogerson collected the award on the night, saying "For such a simple book in its essence, it represents so much more than 100 words. It's really a shining example of the interest at the moment in the revival of the Irish language that is so powerfully present right now."
Irish Book Week Non-Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Jacqueline Connolly with Kathryn Rogers for the book Deadly Silence: A Sister’s Battle to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of Clodagh and Her Sons by Alan Hawe. Published by Hachette Books Ireland, the book chronicles the personal and moving story of Ms Connolly and her family as she set out to seek the truth about her sister and her three young nephews' brutal murders at the hands of their father.
Speaking of her win, Jacqueline Connolly said: "I've mixed emotions. it's an honor to be here tonight amongst all of these wonderful writers. But I suppose the reason for writing Deadly Silence was not only to have the findings of the serious crime review published in my words, but to bring on the conversation about domestic violence and coercive control and family annihilation in Ireland.
"That was my purpose, really. And I think my voice has been heard, and that I'm grateful for."
The Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year was awarded to Sophie’s Swaps written by health food advocate Sophie Morris for Gill Books. She set out to write a book that would empower shoppers to take back control of the weekly food shop, replacing ultra processed foods with healthier alternatvies that do not compromise flavour.
Eason Sports Book of the Year was won by professional Irish rugby player Andrew Porter for his deeply personal account of his life, successes and struggles both on and off the pitch in his autobiography Heart on My Sleeve.
Andrew Porter said: "Hopefully this will help people who have had their own mental health struggles. I've kind of explained mine in the book, and it's hard to put into words, but winning is incredibly surreal. I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who supported me in in the process of this. And, I suppose I am a little proud of myself."
Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year was won by Nicola Pierce for her book Great Irish Wives, published by O’Brien Press. Fueled by the idea that the stories of women's lives and work have been overshadowed by those of men, in this book Ms Pierce tells the story of ten remarkable women from history ranging from Matilda Tone to Emily Shackleton and Beatrice Behan.
Dubray Biography of the Year was awarded to Sarah Corbett Lynch for her deeply personal and intimate memoir A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing published by Hachette Books Ireland.
This account recalls and examines the shocking story of how she and her brother Jack had to navigate life after their much-loved father Jason Corbett was killed by her stepmother Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens in the USA.
The Last Word Listeners' Choice Award was presented to the acclaimed author Joseph O'Connor for his novel The Ghosts of Rome, published by Harvill, Penguin. Set against the backdrop of Rome during the end stages of the Second World War, as brave citizens help smuggle refugess to safety. In a review, The New York Times said O'Connor's book was 'not just a wartime thriller, but a mediation on how even in the darkest times, humanity endures'.
"It's like the Christmas office party for the Irish book world," said Joseph O'Connor, "and I always love being here. Growing up in Dublin, I was very aware of the great writers, the pantheon of Irish writers who lived in that hood and I kind of grew up with their ghosts, with Shaw and Yeats and then tonight, you're walking here, across the Samuel Beckett bridge, looking at the Irish Book Awards being projected on the side of the Convention sector, and you suddenly realize, just, I'm a little part of that, you know, and it is a lovely thing.
"There's no place like home, and there are no readers like Irish readers, so that's part of the special joy of being recognised at this ceremony."
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year - Junior was awarded to Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann, illustrated by Shannon Bergin for their book Run Home, Little Fox, published by The O’Brien Press, while the Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior prize was awarded to the popular father and daughter duo Kathi and John Burke, for Animalopeia for Gill Books.
Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy
International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy was awarded to Solo, written by Gráinne O’Brien for Little Island Books.
Bonnadh Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana ar Bódléar ar Darach Ó Scolaí ó Leabhar Breac. Tá an-cáil bainte amach ag Darach Ó Scolaí maidr le spreagadh an Ghaeilge ar na meáin shóisíalta chomh maith.
New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent was awarded to Pádhraic Quinn for his story "The Birch Trees Were Waving", while New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent was presented to Vincent Barton for his poem 'There’s never a crowd at the poetry section’.
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year was awarded to debut novelist Claire Gleeson for her book Show Me Where It Hurts published by Sceptre, Hachette. The book tells the story of a young mother, Rachel, who has to pick through the wreckage of her life after an unexpected and shocking tragedy shatters her life. Ms Gleeson is a GP by profession and this is her first novel.
winners of the Specsavers Children's Book of the Year – Junior
WHSmith Popular Fiction Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM was presented to Cecelia Ahern for her novel Paper Heart, published by HaperCollins. A much loved author, this book delves into the heart and mind of 32 year old Pip, a young woman who lives in rural Ireland who faces emotional battles to find her true place in her family and in the bigger world outside the home.
The Book Centre Crime Fiction Book of the Year in association with The Irish Independent was won by the best-selling crime author and now TV hit maker, Andrea Mara. As the adaptation of her previous book, All Her Fault is a proving a hit on Sky Drama; tonight the award was given to her for her latest release, It Should Have Been You for Bantam, Transworld.
The Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year award was presented to the acclaimed writer Elaine Feeney. Her publications including How to Build a Boat and Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way were widely praised by readers and garnered acclaim from reviewers. She is a wide-ranging writer, covering poetry, fiction, drama and non fiction - she also lectures at the University of Galway.
The Eason Novel of the Year was awarded to Roisín O'Donnell for her breakthrough novel Nesting, published by Scribner Bools from Simon & Schuster. Set against the backdorp of the housing crisis, this story centres on the bleak challenges facing a young mother, Ciara Fay as she escapes from an abusive relationship.
The An Post Bookshop of the Year was awarded to the much loved Chapters Bookstore in Dublin. Based on Parnell Street in the heart of Dublin's city centre, the team offers over 200,000 books both online and instore and have been celebrated for their committment to stocking a comprehensive 2nd hand book section.
Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said that this year the awards brought "an impressive range of Irish books to the shelves, celebrating the work of established authors while also shining a light on remarkable new voices who are adding fresh depth to our literary heritage".
For David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, writing "remains Ireland’s leading world class skill," adding that "The An Post Irish Book Awards are at the heart of our sustainability strategy and purpose - to act for the common good, now, and for generations to come."
The An Post Irish Book Awards public vote was sponsored by National Book Tokens. A one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 11th December which will reveal this year’s overall An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025.
The Judging panel this year included Paul Howard, author, screenwriter and newspaper columnist, Madeleine Keane, Literary Editor at the Sunday Independent, lecturer and journalist, Sinéad McCorry, Retail Manager at Waterstones Ireland, Cyril McGrane, Director of International Trade at An Post and Sara Keating, writer, journalist and critic.
