‘What a thrill’: Scottish writer wins €100k Dublin Literary Award

Gliff by Ali Smith is a dystopian novel about two young people and a horse who are on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse

Dublin Literary Award winner Ali Smith. Picture: Sarah Wood

The winner of this year’s Dublin Literary Award, the world’s largest prize for a novel, is Scottish author Ali Smith.

Smith’s winning novel, Gliff, was chosen from a shortlist which included In Late Summer, by Magdalena Blažević, translated from the Croatian by Anđelka Raguž;  Live Fast, by Brigitte Giraud, translated from the French by Cory Stockwell;  Perspectives, by Laurent Binet, translated from the French by Sam Taylor;  The Emperor of Gladness, by Ocean Vuong; and  What I Know About You, by Éric Chacour, translated from the French by Pablo Strauss.

“I couldn't be more amazed and delighted that my novel has come to the surface and won the Dublin Literary Award,” Smith said.

“This is an award prized among writers, who know that the Dublin Literary Award's formation, its ear and eye for what matters most, and its profoundly literary legacy, all make it the best – an award that dares always to be international and that knows the importance of translation – the beating heart of all writing.

“What a thrill. What a homecoming for my book, a book very much about who and what makes a home for those who find themselves out in the world looking for exactly that. I still can't quite believe my luck.” 

Gliff, by Ali Smith, which won the Dublin Literary Award 2026

The award, sponsored by Dublin City Council and presented annually to promote excellence in world literature, is worth €100k for the winning author. It receives its nominations from public libraries around the world and recognises both writers and translators. If the winning book has been translated, the author receives €75,000 and the translator receives €25,000.  

Last year’s winner was  The Adversary, by Michael Crummey, a Canadian author. The last Irish winner was  Milkman, by Anna Burns in 2020. Burns delivered a keynote speech at a special ceremony in which this year’s winner was announced during the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) in Merrion Square Park today.

“At a moment when democracy across the world can too often feel fragile, this novel is a powerful reminder that freedom, dignity and democratic values should never be taken for granted,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam.

Winner Ali Smith has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize four times and Gliff is a dystopian novel about two young people and a horse called Gliff who are on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse.

Smith will appear at the ILFD for an in-depth conversation about the novel with Belinda McKeon, on Friday evening at 6pm in Merrion Square Park.

The ILFD runs from May 15 to 24 in Merrion Square Park.