Four Waterford writers are among the stellar line-up of Irish literary talent shortlisted for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious celebrations of writing and creativity.
The local authors recognised this year include Rose Keating, John Burke, Sarah Bowie, and Joanne McCarthy, each nominated across different categories that highlight the diversity and vitality of Irish literature in 2025.
Rose Keating has been shortlisted for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year for her debut novel Oddbody (Canongate), a strikingly original story that has earned praise for its wit and emotional insight. John Burke and his co-author Kathi Burke feature in the Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) category with their beautifully illustrated title Animalopedia (Gill Books), which has captured the imagination of young readers across Ireland. Sarah Bowie, who is based in Waterford, has also been nominated in the same category for her lively and inventive book Nina Peanut Epic World Tour Era (Scholastic), a hit with children and parents alike. Meanwhile, Joanne McCarthy has been recognised in the New Irish Writing Best Poetry category for her poems “Minimum Wage”, “South-Eastern Wind” and “Midnight Oil”, lyrical works that reflect her connection to place and people.
The shortlist, announced this week, includes household names such as Catherine Ryan Howard, Joseph O’Connor, Cecelia Ahern, John Banville, Elaine Feeney, and Leo Varadkar, alongside a host of emerging voices from across the country. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, 27th November, while the overall An Post Irish Book of the Year will be revealed in a special RTÉ One programme hosted by Oliver Callan on Thursday, 11th December.
Book lovers can have their say by voting for their favourite shortlisted titles at anpostirishbookawards.ie/vote. Voting remains open until Sunday, 16th November, and all voters will be entered into a draw to win one of five €100 National Book Tokens.
Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said this year’s shortlist highlights “the extraordinary breadth and depth of talent among Irish writers,” while An Post Managing Director Debbie Byrne described the awards as “a celebration of imagination, bold ideas, and the richness of Irish literature that speaks to every kind of reader.”
With four Waterford writers among the nominees, the Déise is firmly on Ireland’s literary map this year.
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