Cork a big winner at Bord Gáis Energy Book Awards
The book has been a huge hit since it was published in September and Cork University Press recently took delivery of an extra 14,000 copies after the first print-run sold out within weeks of going on the shelves of bookshops.
Weighing over 5kg, it has been hailed as a landmark publication for its new treatment of topics currently being commemorated and debated as part of the Decade of Centenaries. More than 100 historians and other scholars contributed to the book.
Cartographer Mike Murphy and his co-editors John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, and John Borgonovo — all employees of University College Cork’s geography and history departments — devised and produced a map for almost every day of the year to demonstrate the impact of the events at national, regional, county and local levels.
The awards were presented at a star-studded event in Dublin last night after 50,000 book lovers made their voices heard and voted to select the winners.
Now in its 12th year, the bash was attended by Ireland’s top writers, publishers, booksellers, writers such as Sinéad Moriarty, John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Eoin Colfer, Paul Howard, media personalities Roz Purcell, Ryan Tubridy, Vogue Williams, and Caitríona Perry, food writers Rory O’Connell, Rachel Allen and Neven Maguire, and sports stars Shay Given, Philly McMahon, and Colm Cooper.
Renowned poet Eavan Boland was presented with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award and bestselling children’s author and comedian David Walliams received the Bord Gáis Energy International Recognition Award, which is made to international authors who have contributed substantially to the health of the Irish book-trade.
Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards chairman Larry Mac Hale said the Irish book industry was producing internationally recognised writers.
“Across all genres, every kind of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, we’re seeing brand names at the very top of their game,” said Mr Mac Hale. “What’s even more encouraging is the number of young writers who are breaking through every year. Irish writing is in good hands and I really hope that more and more people will support them by giving books for Christmas this year.”
Managing director of Bord Gáis Energy, Dave Kirwan, said, such is the standard of entry, that being shortlisted was a significant achievement.
“The quality of the shortlisted entries across each of the categories was incredibly high and I hope that this year’s event will inspire those who perhaps didn’t win an award this year to enter again in the coming years,” said Mr Kirwan.
From today, the public can vote for their overall Bord Gáis Energy Book of the Year by going to www.irishbookawards.ie. Voting is open until 12pm, December 15, and anyone who votes is in with the chance of winning €100 in National Book Tokens.
Atlas of the Irish Revolution — John Crowley, Donál Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo
Congratulations to ‘Atlas of the Irish Revolution’ By John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo, the WINNER of the @thejournal_ie BEST IRISH PUBLISHED Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA pic.twitter.com/vt88vKFDbj
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood — Sarah Webb illustrated by Steve Mc Carthy
Congratulations to A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea - Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood By Sarah Webb and illustrated by Steve McCarthy, WINNER of the @book_Tokens Children’s Book of the Year - Junior Award 2017 #BGEIBA @sarahwebbishere @OBrienPress pic.twitter.com/H0V9Wnsy6l
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Stand by Me — Judi Curtin
Congratulations to Judi Curtin, WINNER of the @Book_tokens Children’s Book of the Year - Senior Award 2017 #BGEIBA @judi_curtin @OBrienPress pic.twitter.com/8DRKvyMKN6
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Tangleweed and Brine — Deirdre Sullivan illustrated by Karen Vaughan
Congratulations to 'Tangleweed & Brine' by Deirdre Sullivan and illustrated by Karen Vaughan, WINNER of the @Dept51 by @Easons Teen / Young Adult Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @propermiss @karenmvaughan @LittleIslandBks pic.twitter.com/vrvzWkT2gt
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Midwinter Break — Bernard MacLaverty
The Break — Marian Keyes
Congratulations to ‘The Break’ By Marian Keyes WINNER of the @SpecsaversIE Popular Fiction Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @MarianKeyes @PenguinRHUK @MichaelJBooks pic.twitter.com/0ndfHoWL8A
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
The Therapy House — Julie Parsons
Congratulations to ‘The Therapy House’ By Julie Parsons, WINNER of the @Independent_ie Crime Fiction Book of the Year Award 2017 #BGEIBA @NewIslandBooks pic.twitter.com/cR4bvRH3Aj
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
I Found my Tribe — Ruth Fitzmaurice
Congratulations to Ruth Fitzmaurice and her book ‘I Found My Tribe’ , WINNER of the #SundayIndependent Newcomer of the Year Award 2017 #BGEIBA @ChattoBooks pic.twitter.com/mNSviftAbq
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Wounds: A Memoir of War & Love — Fergal Keane
Congratulations to ‘Wounds: A Memoir of War & Love’ By Fergal Keane, WINNER of the @Onside_Spons Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @WmCollinsBooks pic.twitter.com/t6hwaqbdrj
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Motherfoclóir — Darach Ó Séaghdha
Congratulations to ‘Motherfocloir’ By Darach Ó Séaghdha, WINNER of the @IrelandAMTV3 Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @HoZ_Books @darachos, @Motherfocloir pic.twitter.com/n8hwkErJ20
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
Cook Well, Eat Well — Rory O’ Connell
Congratulations to ‘Cook Well, Eat Well’ By Rory O’Connell the WINNER of the #EUROSPAR Cookbook of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @Gill_Books @rorysfood pic.twitter.com/2Bpsp9Zd3s
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
The Choice — Philly McMahon with Niall Kelly
Congratulations to ‘The Choice’ By Philly McMahon with Niall Kelly, WINNER of the @BordGaisEnergy Sports Book of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA @PhillyMcMahon @Gill_Books @niallkelly pic.twitter.com/jssLJW9ixp
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
he: A novel — John Connolly
Seven Sugar Cubes — Clodagh Beresford Dunne
Congratulations to ‘Seven Sugar Cubes ‘ By Clodagh Beresford Dunne, WINNER of the Listowel @WritersWeek Irish Poem of the Year 2017
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
@cberesforddunne pic.twitter.com/rsV4mYfTNZ
Back to Bones — Christine Dwyer Hickey
Congratulations to ‘Back To Bones ‘ By Christine Dwyer Hickey, WINNER of the @Writing_ie Short Story of the Year 2017 #BGEIBA pic.twitter.com/ZYPkqqPPX8
— An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) November 28, 2017
