There is strong representation from University of Limerick on the An Post Irish Book Awards shortlist.
The An Post Irish Book Awards are Ireland's biggest literary celebration, showcasing a diverse mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 20 categories, championing everything from novels and non-fiction to poetry, short stories and the Irish language.
UL academics Professor Eoin Devereux, Co-director, Centre for The Study of Popular Music and Popular Culture and Professor Donal Ryan, lecturer in creative writing have been shortlisted for awards alongside David O'Neill, a student on the MA Creative Writing course, while Margaret Cahill, who works as a Research Administrator in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, was also nominated.
Professor Devereux is nominated in the New Irish Writing, Best Poetry category for his poem ‘Pravda’, Professor Ryan is nominated for both Author of the Year and novel of the year for ‘Heart, Be At Peace’, while David O'Neill is nominated in the category New Irish Writing, Best Short Story, for his story ‘Everything is in Place’. Margaret Cahill was shortlisted in the Short Story prize for her story ‘Growth’.
Professor Joseph O'Connor, Frank McCourt Chair of UL Creative Writing and Course Director of the Creative Writing MA, said: “UL Creative Writing is a vibrant, collaborative community in which we value one another's strivings and achievements, and learn from our fellow writers and readers. We are immensely proud of Donal's and Eoin's success, and delighted to see the wonderful acknowledgement of David's talent too.”
Professor Sarah Moore, UL Creative Writing, said: “The excellence of the creative writing team at UL and the calibre of our students is reflected again in the strong representation on the Irish Book Awards lists this year. MA student, David O’Neill’s stunning short story has earned a rightful place on this year’s short fiction shortlist, as have the extraordinary work in prose and poetry by our faculty Professors Donal Ryan and Eoin Devereux.”
Professor Eoin Devereux said: “My poem was originally published in New Irish Writing in April. Pravda tells the story of Limerick man Sean Bourke who famously sprang the Russian Spy George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs. It’s an honour to be shortlisted.”
Margaret Cahill added: “My story Growth is about the importance of trees, hedgerows and the natural environment, and their destruction to make way for housing developments. It’s inspired by watching the fields around where I live in Castletroy being filled with new housing estates.”
The An Post Irish Book Awards 2024 winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin’s Convention Centre, Dublin on Wednesday, 27 November.
Voting is open in certain categories – for more details see the Irish Book Awards website.