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New Irish Writing’s annual awards are returning for the first time in five years at the An Post Irish Book Awards in November.
The competition has been running since 1968 and has helped launch the careers of a host of Irish literary stars including Colum McCann, Anne Enright, Joseph O’Connor and Claire Keegan. The monthly winners are published on the last Saturday of each month in the Irish Independent Review and on the Irish Independent website.
This year’s winners — one for best short story, one for best poetry — will be chosen by two of New Irish Writing’s most successful and respected alumni, John Boyne and Paula Meehan.
John Boyne, whose bestsellers include The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Heart’s Invisible Furies and Water, said: “Thirty-two years ago, when I was barely out of my teens, my literary career began with the publication of a short story on the New Irish Writing page and I can still recall the thrill of seeing my name and words in print for the first time. Having won the short story prize myself at the Irish Book Awards a few years ago, it will be an honour both to read the stories that have been published during 2024 and to select this year’s winner.”
Paula Meehan, author of poems including The Pattern, My Father Perceived as a Vision of St Francis and The Wounded Child, said: “My first national publication was the poem The Statue of the Virgin at Granard Speaks in New Irish Writing back in the 1980s. It was written as a response to the shocking news of the deaths of Ann Lovett and her baby boy. The poem brought me a deal of attention and scrutiny — not all of it supportive. It was, after all, an heretical poem. A really encouraging letter arrived from Tom Murphy, a playwright I revere and a beautiful soul, praising the poem and urging me to ‘Write more!’. I cherished that note till it was in flitters. It was a moment of comfort in a desolate time.
“It is wonderful that New Irish Writing continues to offer a national platform for emerging work in the Irish Independent. That the Irish Book Awards will this year, for the first time, honour both a poem and a short story from all those published during the year is great news. I am honoured to be part of the poetry judging process.”
Mediahuis Ireland editor-in-chief Cormac Bourke said: “New Irish Writing has been a first real step forward for so many of our finest authors and I am delighted that those who will follow in those footsteps will now be recognised at such a wonderful event. We are very grateful to the An Post Irish Book Awards for supporting future Irish greats.”
Ciaran Carty, New Irish Writing’s editor since 1988, said: “This new award is a continuation of the long-standing tradition of honouring the finest fiction writer and poet whose work appears in New Irish Writing during the year.”
A shortlist of six for each category will be announced on October 24. These will be selected from the monthly winners from November 2023 to October 2024 by Ciaran Carty and associate editor Dermot Bolger. Winners will be announced at the An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony on November 27.
New Irish Writing was previously known as the Hennessy Awards, after its long-time sponsor. This year’s awards are being supported by the Irish Independent and An Post Irish Book Awards. The position of headline sponsor remains open.
The winners for September and October 2024 have already been chosen. To be eligible for next year’s awards, entrants must be Irish or resident in Ireland. Stories should not exceed 2,000 words. Up to four poems may be submitted. Entries to newirishwriting68@gmail.com. Only writers who have yet to publish a book can be considered.