McGrath scores with biography at 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.

Ten winners in nine categories were announced at the black-tie gala event in the college’s Banqueting Hall, which was attended by a variety of well-known personalities, including popular fiction writer Cecelia Ahern, Fair City actress and youngest person to have a number one bestseller Ruth Gilligan, columnist David McWilliams and broadcaster Ryan Tubridy.

The overall winners in seven of the nine categories were chosen through a voting process by the newly established Irish Literary Academy; which consisted of a panel of approximately 60 individuals including literature enthusiasts, publishing executives, retailers, literary journalists and previously shortlisted authors.