The winners of this year's Dalkey literary awards have been announced as author Sally Rooney and poet Victoria Kennefick.
Sally Rooney’s Beautiful World, Where Are You was awarded novel of the year, while Kerry-based poet Victoria Kennefick won this year’s emerging writer award for her collection Eat Or We Both Starve.
Sally Rooney, from Mayo, will receive €20,000 and Victoria Kennefick, will be awarded €10,000, which represents the biggest prize value solely for Irish writers.
Three judges reviewed the five shortlisted authors in the categories and selected one overall winner.
Beautiful World, Where Are You was described by the judges as: "the most ambitious of Sally Rooney’s books so far; it is exciting to experience her accomplishment in this determinedly contemporary Irish novel."
On Eat Or We Both Starve, the judges said "this is a slim volume with an impact that's heavy-hitting. It delivers everything one looks for in a piece of writing: emotional heft, story, nuance, hope, memorability; and because it's also quirky, it has the element of surprise".
Director of the Dalkey Book Festival, Sian Smyth, said that after a virtual event last year, it was important to bring life back into the festival.
"We’re proud to play a part in recognising some of the best literary talent, thanks to our sponsors Zurich and the time and dedication of our wonderful judges.
"It’s such a joy to see all ten authors recognised and shortlisted for these important awards."
The full shortlist for novel of the year:
- Claire Keegan - Small Things Like These
- John Banville - April I Spain
- Kevin Power - White City
- Nuala O'Connor - Nora
- Sally Rooney - Beautiful World, Where Are You
The five shortlisted authors for emerging writer:
- Lisa Harding - Bright Burning Things
- Louise Kennedy - The End of the World is a Cul de Sac
- Rosaleen McDonagh - Unsettled
- Una Mannion - A Crooked Tree
- Victoria Kennefick - Eat Or We Both Starve
The winners were announced as part of the Dalkey Book Festival which takes place this weekend.
