ROISÍN O’DONNELL HAS won Novel of the Year for her book Nesting at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards. 

The 20th annual awards ceremony was held this year at the Convention Centre in Dublin, and was attended by many well known Irish writers.

Among the winners of awards were Manchán Magan and illustrator Megan Luddy, Roisín O’Donnell, Joseph O’Connor, Elaine Feeney, Andrew Porter, Sarah Corbett Lynch, Darach Ó Scolaí, Andrea Mara, Kathi and John Burke, Sophie Morris and Cecelia Ahern.

The Journal sponsors the Irish-Published Book of the Year Award, which this year went to the late Manchán Magan for his book Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun), which was illustrated by Megan Luddy.

Chapters Bookstore in Dublin claimed the title of ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ title.

O’Donnell picked up the Eason Novel of the Year Award for Nesting, a story about a woman who flees the family home with two young children (and a third on the way) to escape her husband’s threatening behaviour. The book was also longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025.

The An Post Irish Book Awards has been running since 2006, and aims to celebrate and promote Irish writing. 

As well as the winning entries, former President Michael D Higgins was also presented with the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award.

Higgins has published a significant body of literary works including five poetry collections and several collections of speeches and essays on arts and politics. 

The judging panel included author and columnist Paul Howard, Literary Editor at the Sunday Independent Madeleine Keane, Retail Manager at Waterstones Ireland Sinéad McCorry,  Director of International Trade at An Post Cyril McGrane and Sara Keating, writer, journalist and critic.

The public portion of the vote was sponsored by National Book Tokens.

The Irish Book Awards also unveiled a new trophy inspired by the Celtic goddess Brigid and designed by Irish ceramic artist Ciara O’Keeffe. 

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said: “This year brought an impressive range of Irish books to the shelves, celebrating the work of established authors while also shining a light on remarkable new voices who are adding fresh depth to our literary heritage. We are delighted to offer our warmest congratulations to all of this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards winners.”

The full list of winners is printed below:

Eason Novel of the Year

Nesting – Roisín O’Donnell (Scribner Bools from Simon & Schuster)

TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) – Manchán Magan, illustrated by Megan Luddy (Gill Books)

Irish Book Week Non-Fiction Book of the Year

Deadly Silence: A Sister’s Battle to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of Clodagh and Her Sons by Alan Hawe – Jacqueline Connolly with Kathryn Rogers (Hachette Books Ireland)

Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year

Sophie’s Swaps – Sophie Morris (Gill Books)

Eason Sports Book of the Year

Heart on My Sleeve – Andrew Porter (Eriu)

Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year

Great Irish Wives – Nicola Pierce (The O’Brien Press)

Dubray Biography of the Year

A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing – Sarah Corbett Lynch (Hachette Books Ireland)

The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award

The Ghosts of Rome – Joseph O’Connor (Harvill, Penguin)

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior

Run Home, Little Fox – Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann, illustrated by Shannon Bergin (The O’Brien Press)

Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior

Animalopedia – Kathi and John Burke (Gill Books)

International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy

Solo – Gráinne O’Brien (Little Island Books)

Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana

Bódléar – Darach Ó Scolaí (Leabhar Breac)

New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent

All the Birch Trees Were Waving – Pádhraic Quinn

New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent

‘There’s never a crowd at the poetry section’ – Vincent Barton

Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year

Show Me Where It Hurts – Claire Gleeson (Sceptre, Hachette)

WHSmith Popular Fiction Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM

Paper Heart – Cecelia Ahern (Harper Fiction, HaperCollins)

The Book Centre Crime Fiction Book of the Year in association with The Irish Independent

It Should Have Been You – Andrea Mara (Bantam, Transworld)

Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year

Elaine Feeney

An Post Bookshop of the Year

Chapters Bookstore, Dublin 1