The Irish Book Awards are Irish literary awards given annually to books and authors in various categories. It is the only literary award supported by all-Irish bookstores. The primary sponsor is An Post, the state owned postal service in Ireland.
History First awarded in 2006, the Irish Book Awards grew out of the Hughes & Hughes bookstore's Irish Novel of the Year Prize, which was inaugurated in 2003. Since 2007 the Awards have been an independent not-for-profit company funded by sponsorship. Bord Gáis Energy sponsored the awards from 2012 until 2018, when An Post took over sponsorship.
Description As of 2025, there are around 20 awards, some of which are judged by the Irish Literary Academy, and a few by public vote. Three are for books for children and young adults. There is also a lifetime achievement award.
Awards
Current awards Books of the Year Novel of the Year Crime Fiction Book of the Year Popular Fiction Book of the Year Children's Book of the Year, Junior Children's Book of the Year, Senior Teen & Young Adult Book of the Year Non-Fiction Book of the Year Cookbook of the Year Sports Book of the Year Newcomer of the Year Irish Language Book of the Year Lifestyle Book of the Year Biography of the Year Best Irish-published Book of the Year
Other awards Short Story of the Year Poem of the Year The Last Word Listeners' Choice Award New Voices: The An Post Writing Prize Bookshop of the Year Author of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
Previous awards International Recognition Award (last awarded 2020) RTÉ Audience/Listeners' Choice Award (last awarded 2021) Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year (last awarded 2020)
An Post Irish Book of the Year Since 2011, one of the award-winning books has been selected as the overall Irish Book of the Year.
Winners Book of the Year winners are indicated with a blue ribbon ().
2003–2005 (Hughes & Hughes Award / Irish Novel) Inaugurated in 2000 by Hughes & Hughes, the Hughes & Hughes Award ran until 2005 when it merged with the Irish Book Awards and became the Irish Novel category. 2003: That They May Face the Rising Sun by John McGahern 2004: Dancer by Colum McCann 2005: Havoc in its Third Year by Ronan Bennett
2006 +AwardWinnerNovel of the YearThe Sea by John BanvilleNon-Fiction Book of the YearIn the Dark Room by Brian DillonChildren's Book of the YearThe New Policeman by Kate Thompson In subsequent years the Children's Book category was split into two award categories; Junior and Senior.
2007 +AwardWinnerNovel of the YearWinterwood by Patrick McCabeBest Irish Published Book of the YearLifelines: New and Collected by Niall McMonagle (ed.)Non-Fiction Book of the YearConnemara: Listening to the Wind by Tim RobinsonPopular Fiction Book of the YearShould Have Got Off at Sydney Parade by Ross O'Carroll-KellyChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorThe Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver JeffersChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John BoyneSports Book of the YearBack from the Brink by Paul McGrathNewcomer of the YearThe Goddess Guide by Gisele ScanlanRTÉ Audience Choice AwardThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John BoyneLifetime Achievement AwardJohn McGahern
2008 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearThe Gathering by Anne EnrightBest Irish Published Book of the YearJudging Dev by Diarmaid FerriterNon-Fiction Book of the YearJudging Dev by Diarmaid FerriterPopular Fiction Book of the YearTake A Look at Me Now by Anita NotaroChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorThe Story of Ireland by Brendan O'BrienChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorWilderness by Roddy DoyleSports Book of the YearTrevor Brennan: Heart and Soul by Trevor Brennan with Gerry ThornleyNewcomer of the YearWith My Lazy Eye by Julia KellyRTÉ Audience Choice AwardJudging Dev by Diarmaid FerriterLifetime Achievement AwardWilliam Trevor
2009 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearThe Secret Scripture by Sebastian BarryCrime Fiction Book of the YearBlood Runs Cold by Alex BarclayBest Irish Published Book of the YearThe Parish by Alice TaylorNon-Fiction Book of the YearStepping Stones by Seamus Heaney and Dennis O'DriscollPopular Fiction Book of the YearThis Charming Man by Marian KeyesChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorBefore You Sleep by Benji BennettChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorSkulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire by Derek LandySports Book of the YearRonan O'Gara, My Autobiography by Ronan O'GaraNewcomer of the YearConfessions of a Fallen Angel by Ronan O'BrienRTÉ Audience Choice AwardThe Secret Scripture by Sebastian BarryLifetime Achievement AwardEdna O'Brien
2010 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearRoom by Emma DonoghueCrime Fiction Book of the YearDark Times in the City by Gene KerriganBest Irish Published Book of the YearGood Mood Food by Donal SkehanNon-Fiction Book of the YearA Coward If I Return, a Hero If I Fall by Neil RichardsonPopular Fiction Book of the YearThe Oh My God Delusion by Ross O'Carroll-KellyChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorOn the Road with Mavis and Marge by Niamh SharkeyChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorSkulduggery Pleasant: Mortal Coil by Derek LandySports Book of the YearA Football Man: My Autobiography by John GilesNewcomer of the YearJFK in Ireland: Four Days That Changed a President by Ryan TubridyRTÉ Audience Choice AwardCome What May: The Autobiography by Donal Óg CusackLifetime Achievement AwardMaeve Binchy
2011 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearMistaken by Neil JordanCrime Fiction Book of the YearBloodland by Alan GlynnBest Irish Published Book of the YearConnemara: A Little Gaelic Kingdom by Tim RobinsonNon-Fiction Book of the YearEasy Meals by Rachel AllenPopular Fiction Book of the YearAll For You by Sheila O'FlanaganChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorThe Lonely Beast by Chris JudgeChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorThe Real Rebecca by Anna CareySports Book of the YearInside the Peloton by Nicolas RocheNewcomer of the YearSolace by Belinda McKeon ()RTÉ Audience Choice AwardHow to be a Woman by Caitlin MoranBookshop of the YearCrannóg Bookshop, Cavan TownLifetime Achievement AwardSeamus Heaney
2012 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearAncient Light by John BanvilleCrime Fiction Book of the YearBroken Harbour by Tana FrenchBest Irish Published Book of the YearAtlas of the Great Irish Famine by John Crowley, William J. Smyth and Mike MurphyNon-Fiction Book of the YearCountry Girl by Edna O’BrienCookbook of the YearEat Like an Italian by Catherine FulvioPopular Fiction Book of the YearA Week in Winter by Maeve BinchyChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorThis Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver JeffersChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorArtemis Fowl and the Last Guardian by Eoin ColferSports Book of the YearMy Olympic Dream by Katie TaylorNewcomer of the YearThe Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan ()RTÉ Audience Choice AwardJust Mary: My Memoir by Mary O'RourkeBookshop of the YearBridge Street Books, Wicklow TownLifetime Achievement AwardJennifer Johnston
2013 AwardWinnerNovel of the YearThe Guts by Roddy DoyleCrime Fiction Book of the YearThe Doll's House by Louise PhillipsBest Irish Published Book of the YearA History of Ireland in 100 Objects by Fintan O'TooleNon-Fiction Book of the YearStaring at Lakes by Michael Harding ()Cookbook of the Year30 Years of Ballymaloe by Darina AllenPopular Fiction Book of the YearDownturn Abbey by Ross O'Carroll-KellyChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorWhen You Were Born by Benji BennettChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorLast Stand of Dead Men by Derek LandySports Book of the YearSeven Deadly Sins by David WalshNewcomer of the YearThe Herbalist by Niamh BoyceRTÉ Audience Choice AwardStaring at Lakes by Michael Harding ()Short Story of the YearThe Things We Lose The Things We Leave Behind by Billy O'CallaghanBookshop of the YearThe Clifden Bookshop, Clifden, County GalwayLifetime Achievement AwardJohn Banville
2014 The 2014 awards were presented on 26 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Dublin. AwardWinnerNovel of the YearAcademy St by Mary Costello ()Crime Fiction Book of the YearUnravelling Oliver by Liz NugentBest Irish Published Book of the YearDubliners 100 by Thomas MorrisNon-Fiction Book of the YearThe Life and Loves of a He Devil by Graham NortonCookbook of the YearThe Nation’s Favourite Food Fast by Neven MaguirePopular Fiction Book of the YearThe Year I Met You by Cecelia AhernChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorShh! We Have a Plan by Chris HaughtonChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorMoone Boy by Chris O'Dowd and Nick Vincent MurphySports Book of the YearThe Test by Brian O'DriscollNewcomer of the YearOnly Ever Yours by Louise O'NeillRTÉ Audience Choice AwardIt’s All in the Head by Majella O'DonnellShort Story of the YearRest Day by John BoyneInternational Recognition AwardJeffery ArcherLifetime Achievement AwardPaul Durcan
2015 The 2015 awards were presented on 25 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Dublin. AwardWinnerNovel of the YearThe Green Road by Anne EnrightCrime Fiction Book of the YearAfter the Fire by Jane CaseyBest Irish Published Book of the YearThe Long Gaze Back: An Anthology of Irish Women Writers by Sinéad GleesonNon-Fiction Book of the YearChildren of the Rising by Joe DuffyCookbook of the YearThe Virtuous Tart by Susan Jane WhitePopular Fiction Book of the YearThe Way We Were by Sinead MoriartyPopular Non-Fiction Book of the YearMe and My Mate Jeffrey by Niall BreslinChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorImaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer and Oliver JeffersChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorAsking For It by Louise O'Neill ()Sports Book of the YearUntil Victory Always: A Memoir by Jim McGuinnessNewcomer of the YearSpill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara BaumeRTÉ Audience Choice AwardIrelandopedia by Fatti Burke and John BurkeShort Story of the YearA Slanting of the Sun by Donal RyanInternational Recognition AwardBill BrysonLifetime Achievement AwardJ. P. Donleavy
2016 The 2016 awards sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy were presented on 16 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Dublin. The awards ceremony was presented by Keelin Shanley.
On 14 December, Solar Bones by Mike McCormack was named as Ireland's best book of 2016. It was chosen by a public vote from the list of category winners below. AwardWinnerNovel of the YearSolar Bones by Mike McCormack ()Crime Fiction Book of the YearThe Trespasser by Tana FrenchBest Irish Published Book of the YearThe Glass Shore by Sinéad GleesonNon-Fiction Book of the YearI Read The News Today, Oh Boy by Paul HowardCookbook of the YearThe World of The Happy Pear by Stephen Flynn and David FlynnPopular Fiction Book of the YearHolding by Graham NortonPopular Non-Fiction Book of the YearMaking It Up As I Go Along by Marian KeyesChildren's Book of the Year, JuniorPigín of Howth by Kathleen WatkinsChildren's Book of the Year, SeniorKnights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave RuddenSports Book of the YearThe Battle by Paul O'ConnellNewcomer of the YearRed Dirt by E. M. ReapyRTÉ Audience Choice AwardLying in Wait by Liz NugentShort Story of the YearThe Visit by Orla McAlindenPoem of the YearIn Glasnevin by Jane ClarkeInternational Recognition AwardJilly CooperLifetime Achievement AwardJohn Montague
2017 The 2017 awards sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy were presented on 28 November at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin. The awards ceremony was presented by RTÉ's Keelin Shanley and Evelyn O'Rourke.