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The winners of the 2011 awards are:

Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year

Inaugurated in 2000,The Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year counts among its distinguished winners the late John McGahern, Colum McCann, John Banville and last year's winner Emma Donoghue for Room.

Winner
Mistaken by Neil Jordan
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Neil Jordan's long-awaited new novel offers imaginative entertainment of the highest order.

Nominated
The Cold Eye of Heaven by Christine Dwyer Hickey
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Farley, an elderly man, finds himself lying paralysed, and his mind begins to move back into his past.

City of Bohane by Kevin Barry
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Eagerly awaited by fans of his award-winning short stories.

Solace by Belinda McKeon
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Solace tells the story of a father and son thrown together by tragedy; one clinging to the old country and one plunging into the new.

On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry
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Spanning nearly seven decades, On Canaan’s Side is a novel of memory, war, family-ties and love.

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright
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A beautifully-observed novel of family tensions and adultery.


The Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year

One of the mainstays of the Irish book-trade, Argosy book wholesalers joined the first expansion of the Irish Book Awards in 2006. Previous winners include Stepping Stones, by Dennis O'Driscoll and Seamus Heaney, and last year's winner A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall by Neil Richardson.

Winner
Easy Meals by Rachel Allen
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Bestselling TV cook Rachel Allen shares her ultimate fast and easy family recipes.

Nominated
Moscow, December 25, 1991 by Conor O’Clery
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A compelling account of the fall of the Soviet Union, built around one day.

Anglo Republic: Inside the Bank that Broke Ireland by Simon Carswell
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The first full account of the Anglo Irish Bank disaster.

Circles around the Sun by Molly McCloskey
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A work of extraordinary intensity and drama from a wonderfully gifted writer.

How Ireland Really Went Bust by Matt Cooper
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The definitive account of the tumultuous events that led to Ireland going broke.

Just Joe: My Autobiography by Joe Duffy
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A deeply felt memoir which goes behind the public face of Joe Duffy to reveal a complex, passionate man.


The Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year - Jnr

We are delighted to welcome Specsavers as the new sponsors of the Children's Category. Specsavers are already at the heart of the UK book industry and they represent a valuable addition to the IBA sponsors' roster.

Winner
The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge
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A picture book about overcoming loneliness from an exciting new Irish talent.

Nominated
Adam's World of Wonders by Benji Bennett
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The latest in a series of Adam's Amazing Adventures.

Sally Go Round the Stars by Sarah Webb and Steve McCarthy, with Claire Ranson
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A marvelous collection of rhymes to delight any child.

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
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A hilarious book with a wonderful surprise ending.

Marco Moves In by Gerry Boland
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The story of a rather remarkable grizzly bear.


The Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year - Snr

We are delighted to welcome Specsavers as the new sponsors of the Children's Category. Specsavers are already at the heart of the UK book industry and they represent a valuable addition to the IBA sponsors' roster.

Winner
The Real Rebecca by Anna Carey
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A fresh and original debut novel.

Nominated
Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer by Derek Landy
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The sixth instalment in the historic, hysterical and horrific Skulduggery Pleasant series.

And For Your Information . . . by Denise Deegan
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Strandbrook College: new term, new beginnings?

Arthur Quinn and the World Serpent by Alan Early
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Something wicked has awoken under the streets of Dublin ...

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood by Darren Shan
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The question is – how far can Larten go… alone?


Sunday Independent Best Irish Newcomer of the Year

This award was created to reward the most promising first-time author published in Ireland in any given year. The award is unrestricted by genre and previous winners include Gisele Scanlon for The Goddess Guide and Ronan O'Brien for Confessions of a Fallen Angel.

Winner
Solace by Belinda McKeon
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Solace tells the story of a father and son thrown together by tragedy.

Nominated
Salty Baby by Orla Tinsley
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Salty Baby is deeply personal, at times shocking, always honest, and ultimately hopeful.

The Tenderloin by John Butler
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The story of a young man’s struggle for self-definition, told with humour and lyricism.

The Better Half by Sarah Harte
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How do you find yourself when you're just someone else's better half?

The Lingerie Designer by Siobhan McKenna
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Winner of 'Write a Bestseller' on TV3's The Morning Show.

My Dad was nearly James Bond by Des Bishop
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The book is a funny, wise and unforgettable story of a father, a son and what really matters.


The International Education Services Best Irish-Published Book of the Year

International Education Services Ltd transferred their sponsorship form the Best Newcomer category to the Best Irish-Published category in 2010.

Winner
Connemara by Tim Robinson
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The conclusion to Tim Robinson's extraordinary Connemara trilogy.

Nominated
Revolution by Padraig Óg Ó Ruairc
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A photographic history of revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923.

The Other Ireland by Mary Jones
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The Other Ireland provides an invaluable insight into Irish history.

Catherine’s Family Kitchen by Catherine Fulvio
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Includes over 100 mouth-watering recipes that all the family will love.

Make Bake Love by Lilly Higgins
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The first cookbook from a successful and enthusiastic food blogger.

Gorgeous to Go by Aisling McDermott
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A companion to the best-selling Beaut.ie Guide to Gorgeous.


The Irish Sports Book of the Year

Club Energise Sport have relinquished their sponsorship of the sports category. No replacement sponsor has been appointed as yet.

Winner
Inside the Peloton by Nicolas Roche
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A professional cyclist tells the true story of life on the Tour.

Nominated
Walk On: My Life in Red by Ronnie Whelan & Tommy Conlon
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Ronnie Whelan tells the story of the good and the bad times at the club, as well as his international career with Ireland.

My Autobiography by AP McCoy
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This powerfully honest autobiography looks at life at the very top in National Hunt racing.

A Parish Far From Home by Philip O’Connor
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An account of one year in the life of one player and one club in one country, 'far from home'.

Joking Apart: My Autobiography by Donncha O’Callaghan
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A direct, honest and revealing autobiography by one of Ireland's most popular sports people.

Engage: The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson by Paul Kimmage
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One fateful day, a life changed forever.


The John Murray Show Listeners' Choice Award

The John Murray Show Listeners' Choice Award has replaced the Ryan Tubridy version but we are delighted that our close relationship with RTE is being maintained and look forward to many more years of the Listeners' Choice Award.

Winner
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
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A new way of looking at feminism from one of our funniest writers.

Nominated
How the Light Gets In by Mary McEvoy
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A journey through depression by one of Ireland's best-loved actresses.

The Club by Christy O’Connor
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"To understand Ireland, you have to understand the GAA. To understand the GAA, you have to read this book. A masterpiece."

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
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Winner of the Pulitzer prize for Fiction 2011.

My Dad Was Nearly James Bond by Des Bishop
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A funny, wise and unforgettable story of a father, a son and what really matters.

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick de Witt
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An inventive and strange and beautifully controlled piece of fiction.


The Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year

Easons have been in the vanguard of promoting Irish popular fiction for decades. Previous winners include Anita Notaro, Marian Keyes and Ross O'Carroll-Kelly.

Winner
All For You by Sheila O’Flanagan
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The new fabulously addictive read from the No. 1 bestselling author.

Nominated
NAMA Mia! by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly
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It was no country for young men. Or women ...

Love and Marriage by Patricia Scanlan
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The concluding third book in this moving series.

The Pink Ladies Club by Emma Hannigan
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Third novel by self-confessed chocoholic Emma Hannigan.

Me and My Sisters by Sinéad Moriarty
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The seventh novel by bestselling author Sinéad Moriarty.

The Time of my Life by Cecelia Ahern
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Lucy Silchester has an appointment with her life – and she’s going to have to keep it.


Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award

The Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award has proved an enormous popular success. Last year's winner was Gene Kerrigan's Dark Times in the City.

Winner
Bloodland by Alan Glynn
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Alan Glynn’s follow-up to Winterland is another crime novel of and for our times.

Nominated
Taboo by Casey Hill
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Californian forensic investigator Reilly Steel has arrived in Ireland to drag the Irish crime lab into the 21st century.

Absolute Zero Cool by Declan Burke
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Absolute Zero Cool is a post-modern take on the crime thriller genre.

A Death in Summer by Benjamin Black
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The fourth book in a series of literary crime novels set in atmospheric 1950s Dublin.

The Reckoning by Jane Casey
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The new psychological thriller, featuring Maeve Kerrigan, from the bestselling author of The Missing

The Bloody Meadow by William Ryan
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The Bloody Meadow is a sequel to one of last year's most impressive crime fiction debuts.


Bord Gais
  • National Book Tokens
  • Sunday Independent