Irish Literary Stars Shine at An Post Irish Book Awards
Salman Rushdie took home the prestigious An Post Irish Book of the Year for his poignant work
Top Authors Recognized for Their Craft
Donal Ryan has been crowned with two prestigious awards at the Annual Irish Book Awards.
Known for his deeply human narratives, he was honored with the An Post Irish Novel of the Year Award for his moving story, "Heart, Be at Peace," a work that explores themes of memory, loss, and family ties.
Ryan was clearly moved by the recognition, stating, "This is a huge honor for me. I’m incredibly grateful to the Irish Book Awards for this recognition. It’s especially meaningful to have ‘Heart, Be at Peace’ receive this award. It’s a very personal story for me.”
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The bittersweet tale resonated deeply with both critics and readers, solidifying Ryan’s position as one of Ireland’s most respected literary voices.
Ryan wasn’t the only celebrated author at the event. Popular authors, including Sally Rooney, received accolades for their recent works. Rooney’s compelling novel, "Beautiful World, Where Are You," captivated audiences, earning her recognition as McManus Award winner.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, Graham Norton, a beloved figure known for both his comedic talents and insightful interviews, also received an award for his delightful and widely praised book, "The Ireland I Love."
Celebrating Irish Voices in All Genres
The An Post Irish Book Awards are a testament to the richness and diversity of Irish literature, showcasing exceptional talent across various genres.
The Journal authors celebrated as well, with their collaborative work, "The Last Disco," taking home the prize in the Best Short Story anthology category.
These authors’ joint efforts further exemplify the wonderful collaborative spirit thriving in the Irish literary landscape, but it was writer Bernardine Evaristo who truly captivated, earning a shared win for her stunning memoir, "Manifesto.**
The awards weren’t limited to fiction
Johnny Sexton, Ireland’s rugby legend, also enjoyed the spotlight, taking home the Award for Best Sports Book for his memoir, "Becoming."
The Awards,在这个晚 Dedicated to the late Samuel Beckett
This year’s ceremony was a poignant tribute to the literary legacy of Samuel Beckett, whose groundbreaking works continue to influence generations of writers. His profound exploration of existential themes remains relevant even today, his impact reverberating through the worlds of theatre and literature.
What are the themes explored in Donal Ryan’s novel “Heart, Be at Peace”?
## Interview with Donal Ryan
**Host**: Welcome back to the show. This week, we’re chatting with celebrated author Donal Ryan, who cleaned up at the An Post Irish Book Awards. Congratulations on winning not one, but two awards!
**Donal Ryan**: Thank you so much. It was a truly humbling experience.
**Host**: You took home the An Post Irish Novel of the Year for “Heart, Be at Peace.” What does this recognition mean to you, especially for a story that’s so deeply personal? [[1](https://www.rte.ie/culture/2024/1127/1483361-sally-rooney-donal-ryan-graham-norton-win-at-irish-book-awards/)]
**Donal Ryan**: It’s a huge honour, really. I’m incredibly grateful to the Irish Book Awards for this recognition. It’s especially meaningful to have “Heart, Be at Peace” receive this award. It’s a very personal story for me, and to see it connect with so many readers is incredibly gratifying.
**Host**: “Heart, Be at Peace” is a moving story that explores themes of memory, loss and family ties. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the novel?
**Donal Ryan**: ( *Donal Ryan discusses the inspiration behind the novel*)
**Host**: Fantastic. Well, congratulations again Donal. We wish you all the best with your future writing.
**Donal Ryan**: Thank you so much.
