Awards gala honours Binchy

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

The Dublin-born writer, who turned 70 this year, was presented with the accolade at a gala dinner at the Mansion House in Dublin. The ceremony saw a number of awards presented on the night, with Room by Emma Donoghue named as the Irish Novel of the Year.

The book tells the story of Jack and Ma, who live in a locked room that measures 11 foot by 11. When he turns five, Jack starts to ask questions, and his mother reveals to him that there is a world outside.

A Coward If I Return, A Hero If I Fall by Neil Richardson was named Non-Fiction Book of the Year. It tells the stories of just some of the 200,000 Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds who fought in the First World War.

The accolade of Sports Book of the Year went to Irish soccer legend, turned RTÉ pundit, John Giles for his autobiography, A Football Man.

Derek Landy, whose book Skulduggery Pleasant won a nationwide public poll to find the Irish Book of the Decade last summer, was also presented with an accolade.

Tom Owens, trading director of Eason and chairman of the Irish Book Awards, said the ceremony offered the opportunity to celebrate and honour Ireland’s best literary talent.

“This year’s winning authors illustrate the diversity and vibrancy of the Irish book world, and each book is an outstanding literary achievement in its own right,” he said.

“As a country, we should be incredibly proud of these authors and the wealth of homegrown talent we have on offer.”