Irish Book Awards shortlist maps the breadth of Irish writing
Nineteen categories bring together Maggie O’Farrell, Colm Tóibín, Louise Kennedy and new voices. Public voting remains open until 13 November.
The An Post Irish Book Awards unveiled their 2026 shortlist on 22 October, spanning 19 categories and inviting readers to take part. Novel of the Year contenders include Maggie O’Farrell’s Land, Louise Kennedy’s Stations, Donal Ryan’s Where Are the Kings and Sebastian Barry’s The Newer World. The programme also covers history, biography, nonfiction, crime, poetry, short stories, children’s books, Irish-language writing and Bookshop of the Year. Public voting, which opened on 22 October, closes on 13 November; winners will be announced on 1 December at Dublin’s Convention Centre. The overall prize will then be featured in an RTÉ One special on 10 December, turning the shortlist into a national route through reading, discussion and the diversity of contemporary Irish publishing.