AUTHORS FROM THE Journal have won a top prize at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards.
The Last Disco – written by Deputy Editor Christine Bohan, Senior Media Producer Nicky Ryan, and Sean Murray of the Irish Examiner (and formerly of this parish) – won The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award.
The book, published by Eriu, delves into the story of the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire – from how the night of the blaze unfolded to the decades-long fight for truth and justice.
When the book was released in August, it received praise from critics for putting “families and survivors centre stage, treating them with compassion and respect, relaying and validating their truth with empathy and humanity”.
The Last Disco has its roots a 2019 award-winning documentary podcast by The Journal.
Also on the shortlist was Conor Niland’s book The Racket (Sandycove, Penguin), which was written in collaboration with The 42′s Gavin Cooney.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in Dublin tonight.
The Journal’s Best Irish-Published Book of the Year was won by Hector Ó hEochagáin (Gill Books) for The Irish Words You Should Know.
The Eason Novel of the Year Award was won by Donal Ryan, while Sally Rooney won The Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year Award.
Author Paul Howard, best known for his Ross O’Carroll Kelly series, was given a Special Recognition Award to acknowledge his contribution to the Irish publishing industry over the past 25 years.
Larry Mac Hale, chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said the event has “firmly become a cornerstone of the Irish literary landscape”.
“This past year has seen an exciting array of Irish books published, showcasing not only the voices of renowned authors, but also introducing fresh, exceptional talent who are enriching Ireland’s literary tradition,” Mac Hale added.
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