By Rebecca Crockett
SIX Donegal writers and Booksellers have been shortlisted at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024.
Molly Nic Céile, Proinsias Mac a’Bhaird, Alan Murrin, Cathal Ó Searcaigh and Michelle Nic Pháidín are nominated in writing categories such as Irish language, fiction, non-fiction and industry.
Now in its 19th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 27th November.
Little Acorns
Also nominated is Greencastle native, Jenni Doherty who was shortlisted for Bookshop of the Year 2024 for her Derry-based business Little Acorn’s Bookstore. She told Donegal News it was a special honour to be nominated alongside so many from home.
She said: “I’m over the moon to make it into the shortlist of six for the An Post Irish Book Awards for Bookshop of the Year and delighted that we are from all over Ireland.
“It is such a privilege to be among such stellar bookshops, some whom I have visited and know personally and others whom I look forward to meeting for the first time at the awards ceremony in Dublin on 27 November.
“To reach the longlist from the public vote initially was triumph enough so to make it into the shortlist is a real gift and a huge honour.”
Jenni has been a huge supporter of local authors including fellow nominee Molly Nic Céile, author of Gaeilge i Mo Chroí – Irish In My Heart: Your Guide to Loving and Living the Irish Language.
The Letterkenny local is nominated for Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year and in September her book launch was held in Little Acorns Book Store.
Gaeltacht
Donegal’s thriving Gaeltacht is a strong contender in this year’s awards as three out of the six nominees in The Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana category hail from the county.
Cathal Ó Searcaigh from Gortahork is nominated for Saighdiúir, the first novel in the Irish language about the First World War. Meanwhile, former Donegal Democrat Journalist and Gaoth Dobhair native, Michelle Nic Pháidín, is nominated for her first book of short stories, Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile.
Michelle Nic Pháidín visiting fellow nominee Little Acorns Bookstore in Derry.
Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird is nominated for Flaitheas, a story that takes a glimpse at the humanity of Colmcille. The Árainn Mhór writer told Donegal News: “I’m delighted to have been nominated for this year’s An Post awards. Donegal has a long Gaelic literary tradition from the time of Colm Cille and Adhamhnán through to Manus Ó Domhnaill, the Four Masters, muintir Mhic Grianna right up to the present day.
“It is a great honour to be part of that continuum, along with the other terrific writers that have been nominated.”
Killybeg’s Alan Murrin’s debut novel The Coast Road was called “immaculately crafted” by The Guardian and has now been nominated for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year.
The public are now being asked to have their say and cast their votes for the best books of the year on the An Post Irish Book Awards website.
All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens vouchers. Voters may cast their votes from 8pm on 24th October until voting closes on the 14th November at 5pm.
To vote for your favourites visit anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote, or watch RTÉ One on 19th December for a special programme on the winners.
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