Limerick Literary Festival announces 2023 shortlist

Three powerful debut books have been selected for this year’s Kate O’Brien Award, which will be presented at the Limerick Literary Festival.

This year’s selection includes How To Gut A Fish by Shelia Armstrong, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop by Olivia Fitzsimons, and Ruth & Pen by Emilia Pine.

Sponsored by Denise and Bill Whelan, the Kate O’Brien Award is given to the best debut novel or short story collection written by an Irish female writer.

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Presented on the Sunday of the festival, the award will see the shortlisted writers talk about and read from their books. This year, the judges are committee member Marie Hackett, writer and critic Niall MacMonagle, poet committee member Vivienne McKechnie, writer and Children's book buyer for O'Mahony's Bookshop Grainne O'Brien, as well as novelist and UL lecturer Donal Ryan. 

Established in 1984, The Limerick Literary Festival celebrates the life and works of Limerick-born writer, Kate O’Brien. A mix of both discourse and discussion, the festival attracts prominent participants nationally and internationally.

The 2023 edition will include an interview with Bill Whelan, who will discuss his memoir, The Road to Riverdance. Other guests will include Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Donal Ryan, Maylis Besserie, Sean Hewitt, Claire-Louise Bennett and Casy King.

From February 24 to 26, Limerick Literary Festival will take place at No.2 Pery Square and the Belltable.