A strong year for Irish writing is reflected in the expansion of the shortlists in several categories of the 2026 An Post Irish Book Awards from six to eight titles.<\/p>\n
Debutant author Djamel White, longlisted for the Booker Prize<\/a> for his literary crime thriller, All Them Dogs<\/a>, has been shortlisted for Novel of the Year alongside some of the biggest names in Irish fiction: Maggie O\u2019Farrell for Land<\/a>; Sebastian Barry for The Newer World<\/a>; Donal Ryan for Where Are the Kings<\/a>; John Boyne for The Weight of Angels<\/a>; Louise Kennedy for Stations<\/a>; Kathleen MacMahon for Other People\u2019s Lives<\/a>; and Jan Carson for Few and Far Between<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sin\u00e9ad McCorry, chairperson of the awards, said: \u201cThis year\u2019s An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist is a wonderful reflection of the depth and diversity of talent across Irish writing. As we celebrate the awards\u2019 21st anniversary, it is fantastic to see such a strong mix of established and new writers represented across the categories, alongside the publishers, illustrators and booksellers who play such an important role in bringing these stories to readers.\u201d<\/p>\n Biography of the Year is another highly competitive category. Vincent Browne\u2019s long-awaited Charles Haughey: Glory, Greed and Guns<\/a> is up against another former Fianna F\u00e1il Taoiseach, Se\u00e1n Lemass: The Lost Memoir<\/a>, edited by Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy. Two late literary titans also feature: John McGahern: A Writing Life<\/a> by Frank Shovlin and No One Tells You: The Last Years of Edna O\u2019Brien<\/a> by her son, Carlo G\u00e9bler. As well as two very different writers\u2019 memoirs, Home Economics: A Memoir<\/a> by Caitr\u00edona Lally and A Bigger Life<\/a> by Louise O\u2019Neill, the shortlist also features Talk to Joe: Life, Liveline and Me by broadcaster Joe Duffy; and Not the Perfect Victim<\/a> by Nikita Hand with Kathryn Rogers.<\/p>\n Djamel White is also in the running for Newcomer of the Year, along with three journalists turned authors, Tanya Sweeney for Esther is Now Following You<\/a>; Jen Bray for The Lies Between Us; and Ruth McKee for Wild Iris<\/a>. Also in contention are Neil Tully for The Visit<\/a>; Colin Morgan for The Ballad of Ronan McCoy<\/a>; Jessamine O\u2019Connor for Somewhere<\/a>; and Edie May Hand for Dirtpickers<\/a>. <\/p>\n The History Book of the Year category features three books about the struggle for Irish independence, The Plot Against Ireland<\/a> by Myles Dungan; A Rebel and a Traitor<\/a> by Rory Carroll; and Catalpa by Michael B. Barry; alongside The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census<\/a>, edited by Orlaith McBride and John Gibney; A History of Ireland in 100 Stamps by Max Barrett; and The Fallen: The Magdalene Laundries and Ireland\u2019s Legacy of Silence<\/a> by Louise Brangan.<\/p>\n Four very powerful books by women are competing for Non-Fiction Book of the Year \u2013 Said the Dead<\/a> by Doireann N\u00ed Ghr\u00edofa; The Most Normal Woman: Essays on Appearances<\/a> by Rois\u00edn Kiberd; Opening Night<\/a> by Sara Baume; and This is Also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World<\/a> by Irish Times journalist Sally Hayden \u2013 alongside A Sheepdog Named Oscar by Dara Waldron and A Hosting: Interviews with Irish Writers 1991\u20132026<\/a> by Martin Doyle, Books Editor of The Irish Times.<\/p>\n Two Irish Times columnists are competing for Popular Fiction Book of the Year \u2013 Paul Howard with A Nation Once Again<\/a> and Emer McLysaght, along with Sarah Breen, for Our Deadly Summer<\/a>. They are up against Ardal O\u2019Hanlon for A Plot to Die For<\/a>; Cecelia Ahern for Love Unlocked; Lucy Kennedy with The Mini Breakers; Anna Carey for Love Scene<\/a>; Vicki Notaro for Anywhere But Here; and Andrew O\u2019Connor with The Expectation.<\/p>\n The Sports Book of the Year shortlist features memoirs by athlete Ciara Mageean; rugby players Peter O\u2019Mahony and Simon Zebo; footballer James McClean; sportswriter Vincent Hogan; and Arthur James O\u2019Dea\u2019s profile of GAA legends, Mackey and Ring.<\/p>\n The crime fiction category is also very competitive this year, featuring the latest books by Liz Nugent, Jane Casey, Steve Cavanagh, Andrea Mara, Edel Coffey, Tana French, Jo Spain and Michelle McDonagh.<\/p>\n