REVEALED: Tipperary authors nominated for Irish Book Awards
Marie Gleeson and Donal Ryan have been nominated for awards this year
The shortlist for the 2026 An Post Irish Book Awards has been unveiled, featuring a diverse and exciting mix of exceptional writing from both new and established writers and illustrators across 19 categories.
Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion Irish writing, bringing the work of Irish authors and illustrators to the widest possible audience.
Each year, the Awards bring together a passionate community of readers, authors, illustrators, booksellers, publishers and librarians to celebrate the breadth and quality of Irish writing, recognising both established voices and the exciting new talent shaping the literary landscape.
This year, the Awards will once again celebrate the books, writers and illustrators that have captivated readers across the country, culminating in the announcement of the An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2026.
Tipperary has its fair share of representation at this year’s awards, with both Donal Ryan and Marie Gleeson nominated for awards, with Gleeson nominated for the Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award, for her book ‘Be Like the Sea’, and Ryan nominated for Eason Novel of the Year for his book ‘Where Are the Kings’.
There are 19 categories, covering a range of genres including Novel of the Year, Best Irish-Published, Children’s (Junior and Senior), History, Newcomer, Lifestyle, Crime Fiction, Biography, Popular Fiction, Non-Fiction, Sports, Teen and Young Adult and Irish Language.
The ‘Best Short Story’ and ‘Best Poetry’ award categories will continue their successful partnership with the Irish Independent’s New Irish Writing competition, which was introduced in 2024. All eight shortlisted writers in both categories will receive a special Irish Book Awards package of support at the Irish Writers Centre to help the writers develop their careers through a combination of mentoring, courses and membership at the Centre.
The public are now being invited to have their say and vote for their favourite books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website http://anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens.
Voting opens at 7:00pm on Thursday, 22nd October and closes at 6:00pm on Friday, 13th November.
Meanwhile, a one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 10th December, giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six finalists and the books competing for the coveted title of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2026’. The programme will culminate in the reveal of this year's overall winner.
Sinéad McCorry, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says: “This year’s 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’ 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.
We’re particularly pleased to continue our partnership with the Irish Independent through the Best Short Story and Best Poetry categories. Creating opportunities for emerging voices is an important part of the Awards, and we’re delighted that all shortlisted writers in both categories will receive a special package of supports at the Irish Writers Centre to help them develop their writing and take the next step in their careers.
The An Post Irish Book Awards have become a much-loved fixture in Ireland’s literary calendar, and we look forward to coming together on the 1st December to celebrate this year’s outstanding books and writers.”
Fergal Leamy, CEO of An Post, says: “Congratulations to all the writers, publishers, illustrators and book sellers who have made the 2026 shortlist, giving us the best possible Recommended Reading list for readers of all ages and interests this year. There’s a wealth of well-established and emerging new Irish writers to enjoy and celebrate. I am looking forward to reading from the shortlist ahead of the awards and would encourage everyone to get busy reading and voting.”