What a wonderful night at Dublin’s Double Tree Hilton at the Irish Book Awards! The great and the good of Irish publishing and bookselling gathered for the glamorous and glitzy annual celebration of Ireland’s Books of the Year.
I was very honoured as Rebel Sisters was on the shortlist for the Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year. The award on the night went to TV’s Graham Norton as expected, but I’m so proud of my book and so pleased that it has been enjoyed by so many readers and book clubs here in Ireland and in the UK and the USA.
My daughter, Fiona, accompanied me and we had a brilliant night at the Transworld table with my publishers Larry Finlay and Bill Scott Kerr, with the wonderful Jilly Cooper entrancing us all. Jilly received the very special Bord Gais Energy International Recognition Award for her significant contribution to the Irish book trade over the years and for entertaining so many readers with her books. Acclaimed Irish Poet and writer John Montague received the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award. It was lovely to chat with author Donal Ryan and his wife Anne-Marie who were also on our table.
Great to meet up with so many friends and writers at this very special night that celebrates literature and authors!
Marita Conlon-McKenna 