Eoin Purcell
Slow coming but worth the wait
One of the successful developments in Irish Publishing recently has been the evolution of a truly national and truly useful book awards. The Irish Book Awards were held last night in Dublin and the winners were:
- Novel of the Year: ‘Winterwood’ by Patrick McCabe.
Popular Fiction Book of the Year: ‘Should Have Got Off At Sydney Parade’ by Paul Howard.
Tubridy Show Listeners’ Choice Award: ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne.
Sports Book of the Year: ‘Back From The Brink’ by Paul McGrath.
Newcomer of the Year Award: ‘The Goddess Guide’ by Gisele Scanlon.
Non-Fiction Book of the Year: ‘Connemara’ by Tim Robinson.
Irish Published Book of the Year: ‘Lifelines, New and Collected’ edited by Niall MacMonagle.
Children’s Book of the Year:
(Junior) ‘The Incredible Book-Eating Boy’ by Oliver Jeffers; (Senior) ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne.
Special Award For Distinguished Contribution to Irish Children’s Book Illustration: artist PJ Lynch.
Lifetime Achievement Award: posthumously awarded to John McGahern for his distinguished contribution to Irish literature.
Now they have yet to add a press release to their website (seems like a bit of an oversight) but at least there was some press coverage today which is always nice. It is also very encouraging that at last there is some broadcast support with the Tubirdy Award. Its no Oprah or Richard & Judy but at least it is something!
Enjoying improvements today
Eoin
Eoin Purcell's Blog 
Re Irish Book Awards
Now Eoin finally something I can talk about as I’m actually reading “Winterwood” as I write and while I ‘m enjoying it didn’t as good as pluto but much better than th butcher boy or whatever it was called.
I must admit that I really enjoyed “Should have got…” very enjoyable book.
“The boy in the pink..” was actually launched from my local book shop and I have a personally signed copy too put thought it was a bit childish but having said that I thought that the ending was superb.
And the Paul McGrath book I couldn’t let down [nice 2C my old friend Kevin Moran was wdely quoted]
So speaking as a Sean Citizen I thought it a good selection, didn’t see any “Nonsuch” but there’s always next year especially with that Cricket new book that you were going to forward
Slan Tamaill
Paddy P.
Paddy,
You have me there! I’ll send it asap!
Thanks for the comment!
Eoin
PS Hopefully next year there will be lots of Mercier Press books in teh winning list! They came very close this time!
Eoin
Eoin Mercier Press?? have you changed name or job or should I know the relevance of Mercier Press ?? or am I being stupid??
Paddy P
Love your jelopy by the way
Thanks paddy! I love the car too! Blathnaid drew it for me!
My bad!
I am moving to Cork and srarting with Mercier in April!
Eoin
Eoin 2 questions have you started in Mercier yet ?? and I do trust you realise that by moving to Cork your father has turned 5 times in his grate with the embarasment of it ..Cork.. I mean could you not have gone to the moon or somewhere more acceptable.
I however am not that biast so ” ar mhaithe le a maith go n’eireann leat lesh” and by the way my address has’nt changed if you happen to pass on the occasional……
Slan Tamaill
Paddy P.