Six from Donegal shortlisted for An Post Irish Book Awards 2024

The shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024 features a diverse and exciting mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers and bookshops across 20 categories.

Molly Nic Céile, Proinsias Mac a'Bhaird, Alan Murrin, Cathal Ó Searcaigh and Michelle Nic Pháidín are the Donegal hopefuls as the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible, while Little Acorns Bookstore at Great James Street, Derry, owned by Greencastle native Jenni Doherty, has been shortlisted for Bookshop of the Year 2024.

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The An Post Bookshop of the Year category is designed to acknowledge the significant role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in helping their local communities to find and savour the titles of their choice.

The overall winner will be presented with their trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards event at the Convention Centre in Dublin, on November 27. The winner will receive a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.

Jenni took to Facebook to share her excitement saying: “Absolutely delighted and over the North-west moon to announce that Little Acorns Bookstore (Derry) has made it into the An Post Irish Book Awards Bookshop of the Year Shortlist along with Bridge Books, Liber, O'Mahony's Booksellers, @Tales for Tadpoles and The Company of Books! Blown-away and can't wait to meet everyone in Dublin on Wed 27 November.”

Letterkenny native Molly Nic Céile is in the Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year, with Gaeilge i Mo Chroí - Irish In My Heart: Your Guide to Loving and Living the Irish Language.

Proinsias Mac a'Bhaird from Árainn Mhór has been shortlisted for the Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana with Flaitheas.

Alan Murrin is from Killybegs and The Coast Road is in the shakeup for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year.

Cathal Ó Searcaigh from Gortahork, is also in for the Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana, with Saighdiúir

Gaoth Dobhair’s Michelle Nic Pháidín is the third Donegal person in the running for Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana with Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile

To tie in with the announcement of the An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist, the public are now being asked to have their say and cast their votes 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 November 14 at 5pm.

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.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says: “The shortlist for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards is, once again, remarkable, showcasing the immense talent of Irish writers and the strength of our literary community. Each category highlights exceptional writing, with well-deserving authors, publishers, illustrators, and booksellers being recognised.

The An Post Irish Book Awards is a key event in the literary calendar, and it is wonderful to see the growing enthusiasm for this initiative. I would like to wish all the nominees the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating the winners on November 27.”