Crannóg Bookshop named as finalist in 'Bookshop of the Year'
There's a strong Cavan presence in the ‘Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2013’ shortlist with nominations for titles by two local writers, and a Cavan Town bookshop has also been listed for 'Bookshop of the Year’.
The Crannóg Bookshop in Cavan Town was founded in 1996 by John McEvoy and his wife Anne Connolly. Since then it has become firmly established in the local community and surrounding hinterland and in 2011 it was awarded the inaugural Bord Gais Energy Irish Bookshop of the Year award.
Staring at Lakes: A Memoir of Love, Melancholy and Magical Thinking by Michael Harding and The Nation’s Favourite Food by renowned chef Neven Maguire have both been shortlisted for the prestigious awards.
Michael Harding’s book is shortlisted in two categories - the ‘Non-Fiction Book of the Year’ and ‘RTÉ Radio 1’s The John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice Award’ - while Neven Maguire is on the shortlist for the ‘Avonmore Cookbook of the Year’.
This year’s ‘Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2013’ shortlist also includes a host of internationally renowned Irish authors including Roddy Doyle, Donal Ryan, Catherine Dunne, Colum McCann, Frank McGuinness and Darina Allen, alongside a wide range of works from Irish political, cultural and sporting figures including Eamon Dunphy, Fintan O’ Toole, Tim Pat Coogan, and sporting legends Johnny Sexton and DJ Carey.New works from Ireland’s much loved fiction writers Patricia Scanlan, Claudia Carroll, Cathy Kelly and newcomer Rachael English are also on the shortlist.
This is the eighth year of the awards, which are dedicated to honouring Irish writers across the entire publishing spectrum. The full shortlist, which is outlined below, was selected from a panel of industry experts. The awards were open to any title published between 1st November 2012 and 31st October 2013.
This year’s awards also includes for the third year running, the category of the ‘Bookshop of the Year Award’, which honours the wonderful work of booksellers throughout Ireland. This year over 10,000 votes were cast by the public for their favourite bookstores.
From today, the public are being asked to cast their vote on the best books via the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards website www.bgeirishbookawards.ie. Votes can be cast until midnight 21 November 2013 and the winners will be announced at a gala event in The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel (formerly The Burlington) on Tuesday, 26 November.
For the third year running, RTÉ Television will be broadcasting the highlights of the ‘Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards’ on RTÉ One on Saturday, November 30. This programme will showcase one of the biggest celebrations of Irish writing with many of Ireland’s most celebrated and loved authors in attendance.
Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Dublin on Tuesday, November 26.