Four authors with Limerick links shortlisted for prestigious book awards

FOUR authors with strong Limerick links have been shortlisted for prestigious awards.

Paul Lynch, Judi Curtin, Dr Mary Ryan and Joseph O’Connor have been shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023.

Limerick native, Paul Lynch, has been shortlisted for his novel Prophet Song (Oneworld) in the Eason Novel of the Year category.

UL lecturer, Joseph O’Connor, has also been nominated in that category, for his novel My Father’s House (Harvill Secker, Penguin Random House). He has also been shortlisted in the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year category.

Limerick-based author Judi Curtin has been shortlisted for her book Sally in the City of Dreams (The O’Brien Press) in the category Eason Novel of the Year.

Bon Secours Hospital endocrinologist, Dr Mary Ryan, has been nominated in the Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year category for ‘It’s Probably Your Hormones’ (Gill Books).

The An Post Irish Book Awards 2023 shortlist features a diverse and exciting mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 19 categories.

Now in its 18th year, the awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year it brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of Irish writing talent.

Categories include Novel of the Year, Children, Cookbook, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Lifestyle, Short Story, Irish language, Poem, Short Story, Newcomer, Teen and Young Adult, Irish Published and Biography.

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 online for the best books of the year here. 

All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Voters may cast their votes from until voting closes on November 9 at 5pm.

Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on December 6, 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 2023’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

Brendan Corbett, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said: "This year’s shortlist, once again, is exceptional and displays the sheer talent of Irish writers and the incredible literary community we have here. Each category features outstanding writing along with truly deserving writers and authors, as well as publishers and booksellers."

 David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, said: "This is a golden time for Irish writing. The An Post Irish Book Awards exist to promote Irish authors, and to connect them to the widest audience. Ireland’s intellectual infrastructure matters as much as the physical, and we congratulate and thank all the shortlisted authors.”