Kildare authors make An Post Irish Book Awards curated list
Emer McLysaght from Kill
THREE Kildare authors have been included in a curated list by the The An Post Irish Book Awards featuring 60 of the best books from winners of the competition in the past two decades.
Kildare authors Briana Fitzsimons and Emer McLysaght, as well as illustrator Natalie Byrne, were included in the curated list – celebrating the best of Irish literature over the last 20 years.
Selected through the votes from leading booksellers nationwide, the list comprises 20 Fiction, 20 Non-Fiction and 20 Children’s titles drawn from An Post Irish Book Awards winners since the ceremony first began in 2006.
Books by a wide range of celebrated authors feature on the list, which has been carefully curated to reflect the breadth and impact of Irish writing over the past 20 years. The full list of 60 titles can be found at anpostirishbookawards.ie The public is now invited to vote for their favourite titles from the Top 60 list. Voting opened on Monday, 23rd March and close at 6pm on Monday, 13th April. The final Top 20 Favourite Irish Books of the past 20 years will then be revealed on Sunday, 19th April.
Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw, with a range of prizes on offer, including €100 in National Book Tokens, a selection of books from the list, and tickets to the An Post Irish Book Awards 2026 ceremony.
The awards feature a diverse mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 18 categories, including Novel of the Year, Children’s, History, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Lifestyle, Short Story, Irish Language, Poetry, Newcomer, Teen and Young Adult, Irish Published and Biography.
In addition to category winners, a special honour is presented at the event. The Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the contribution of distinguished Irish writers and poets.
