Two Donegal authors shortlisted for An Post Irish Book Awards 2025

Two Donegal authors have been shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. 

Garrett Carr and Mary Shovelin are among those up for an award at the winners' ceremony taking place on Thursday, November 27. 

Killybegs-native Garrett’s novel The Boy from the Sea is on the shortlist for the Eason Irish Novel of the Year. While Mary, who is now based in Brussels, has been shortlisted for her novel That Little Tent of Blue Tent is up for New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent. 

The shortlist features a diverse and exciting mix of exceptional writing from both new and established writers across 19 categories. 

Celebrating its 20th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the 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 2025 will be no different.

The ‘Best Short Story’ and ‘Best Poetry’ award categories will continue their successful partnership with the Irish Independent’s New Irish Writing competition, introduced last year. Formerly known as the Hennessy Literary Awards, New Irish Writing has been a platform for unpublished writers since its establishment in 1968, helping to launch the careers of numerous Irish literary stars, including Colum McCann, Anne Enright, Joseph O’Connor,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, both 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 by Ciaran Carty, Editor of New Irish Writing since 1988, and Associate Editor Dermot Bolger. The overall winners of both categories will be chosen by novelist and screenwriter Eoin McNamee and critically acclaimed poet Enda Wyley.

Along with the trophy, the winners of the Best Short Story and Best Poetry categories will receive a special Irish Book Awards Scholarship at the Irish Writers Centre. This will include a package of support to help develop their writing careers, featuring a combination of mentoring, courses, and membership to the Centre.

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

Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on December 11, 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 2025’, 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 once again highlights the extraordinary breadth and depth of talent among Irish writers. It’s inspiring to see such creativity and passion reflected across every category, with deserving recognition for authors, publishers, illustrators, and booksellers alike.

“We’re particularly excited to continue our partnership with the Irish Independent through the Best Short Story and Poetry categories. It is incredibly important that we support new authors and nurture emerging voices, and we’re delighted that the winners of both these categories will each receive a special Irish Book Awards Scholarship with the Irish Writers Centre - offering mentoring, courses, and membership to help them further their writing journey and careers.”

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The An Post Irish Book Awards remain the cornerstone of Ireland’s literary calendar,  celebrating this year’s winners on 27 November.

“We’re proud to announce the shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025,” Debbie Byrne, Managing Director of Retail at An Post, said. “From exciting new talent to beloved favourites, this year’s shortlist is a celebration of imagination, bold ideas, unforgettable journeys and the richness of Irish literature that speaks to every kind of reader and every aspect of Irish life. Our support for the Irish Book Awards goes far beyond sponsorship; it’s a heartfelt belief in the transformative power of storytelling to light up minds, inspire and connect us and bring great enjoyment. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and happy reading, everyone!”