Sally Rooney’s second book Normal People and Donal Ryan’s From A Low and Quiet Sea have been shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award, considered the most prestigious award for a novel open only to British and Irish writers.

Brother and sister Rory O’Connell and Darina Allen recall their childhood Christmas memories with Marjorie Brennan

Cork was a big winner at last night’s Bord Gáis Energy Book Awards, as the critically acclaimed history tome Atlas of the Irish Revolution picked up the Best Irish Published Book of the Year.

Acclaimed author JP Donleavy has passed away at the age of 91.

Diverse and exciting writing talent has been shortlisted across 14 categories for the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.

I celebrated my 31st birthday last week (I know! I think I’m freakishly young looking too) and I was reminded of a birthday from some years ago.

I had occasion to rock up to the Irish Book Awards before Christmas, a good evening in what used to be known as the Burlington, even if it ended long before the usual evening finish, or even morning finish, you’d traditionally associate with the old Burlington.

I am the biggest scaredy-cat in the world. But I understand fear. That is what gives me empathy with my characters.

Valerie O’Connor looks at a list of new books that focus on health and well-being and, most especially, quality food. 

There was huge excitement yesterday as Ireland’s authors gathered at the Bord Gáis Theatre for the announcement of the shortlist for the Irish Book Awards 2015.

Dublin boss Ger Cunningham says Kilkenny’s swathe of retirements have given their competitors in Leinster cause for optimism. The decisions by Tommy Walsh, JJ Delaney, Brian Hogan, David Herity and Aidan Fogarty to step aside means the Cats won’t be as intimidating, believes the Cork native.

After all the months hearing about them, reading about them and buying them, finally, over the last few days, we’re guessing you got round to actually reading some sports books.

 

I’d be lost without music. My taste in music is wide and ever-expanding. 

Emma O’Reilly’s book, The Race To Truth – Blowing The Whistle On Lance Armstrong And Cycling’s Doping Culture, has been short-listed for Sports Book of the Year in the Irish Book Awards.

While the staff of the Irish Examiner wishes to join with the family of Seamus Heaney in mourning his passing, it is also important that he should be celebrated as one of the world’s greatest men of letters.

You’d hardly have noticed but there’s no William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year award this winter.

SATURDAY

Mary Costello

Some of Ireland’s best chefs are stirring things up for the first time in the Irish Book Awards.

A varied programme of unique young audience workshops and events is on the cards for the Storytelling Southeast Festival which is taking place this week in Dungarvan and Tramore.

The worlds of arts, politics and journalism have led tributes to Irish novelist Maeve Binchy, who has died at the age of 72.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has led tributes to popular novelist Maeve Binchy, who has died at the age of 72.

Famed Irish writer Maeve Binchy has lost her battle for life after a short illness, with her loving husband by her side.

PLAYWRIGHT and novelist Belinda McKeon says she has learned most about health from her parents who brought her up on the family farm in Co Longford.

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins will attend tomorrow evening’s qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Estonia as part of a busy first week of official engagements.

Sue Leonard talks to Booker prize winner Anne Enright about her work.

DEAR President,

RENOWNED author Maeve Binchy was last night presented with a lifetime achievement award at the annual Irish Book Awards.

A children’s writer turned one of the newest literary prizes on its head today and beat some of the world’s best sellers to win the Irish Book of the Decade title.

RONAN O’GARA was back on winning form last night when he scooped a prize for his autobiography at the Irish Book Awards.

THE choice of short-listed titles for this year’s Irish Book Awards features an extraordinary mix of authors and the outcome should be extraordinary too, because, for the first time, the public can vote for their favourite books.

DIARMAID FERRITER won an unprecedented three Irish Book Awards with his book, Judging Dev, at the 2008 Irish Book Awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

THE book which last year claimed a senior politician, an airline pilot and a nun had admitted to taking cocaine has been shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards.

PAUL McGrath, John Boyne, Patrick McCabe and Paul Howard, aka Ross O’Carroll Kelly, were among the winners at the prestigious Irish Book Awards 2007 announced at a glittering ceremony in Trinity College last night.

NOVELIST John Banville has scooped another literary award winning the Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year award for his Booker Prize-winning novel The Sea at the inaugural Irish Book Awards last night.

IT MAY seem that there are more literary prizes than great works of literature these days, but a new Irish award looks to have the potential to become a popular and permanent fixture.