New Literary Stars to the fore as Listowel Writers’ Week announce Shortlist for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021. 

The exciting rise of a new generation of Irish novelists is reflected in the shortlist for the 2021 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award which is revealed today. Two first-time novelists are among the five writers shortlisted for the prestigious award – one of the most sought-after accolades in Irish writing, with a shared prize fund of €17,000. More than 50 novels were submitted for this year’s award and adjudicators Rachel Cusk and Richard Skinner were given the arduous task of whittling these down to a shortlist of five on behalf of Listowel Writers’ Week.

The strength of Irish fiction writing is reflected in the submitted works, with established names competing with the younger brigade for the €15,000 prize for the overall winner. The five shortlisted novels are:

‘This Happy’ by Niamh Campbell

‘Threshold’ by Rob Doyle

‘A Sabbatical in Leipzig’ by Adrian Duncan

‘Words to Shape my Name’ by Laura McKenna

‘Bina’ by Anakana Schofield

Speaking about the adjudication process, author Richard Skinner said: “We judges were thrilled to see the variety and quality of this year’s entries for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Prize. There were many novels that impressed us but we feel these five shortlisted novels were the standouts this year for the experiment and playfulness they showed towards form and for their unique statements. Each one contained great beauty and originality – a rare combination these days.”

Announcing the shortlist, Catherine Moylan, Chairperson of Listowel Writers’ Week, stated: “Listowel Writers’ Week has always been a festival where emerging writers are encouraged and welcomed. It is wonderful to see two debut novelists (Niamh Campbell and Laura McKenna) amongst this year’s shortlist. We are delighted to be able to continue to celebrate Irish literature and as always, we are most grateful to our sponsors, Kerry Group, for helping us continue this important literary award.”

The overall winner of the €15,000 prize will be announced on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021. Speaking of their sponsorship, now in its 26^th year, Kerry Group’s Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications, Catherine Keogh said: “We are delighted to continue our support of Listowel Writer’s Week. In the last year the role and value of books has never been more appreciated as writers bring us to new worlds and new experiences while our own movement has been so curtailed. Congratulations to all of the authors who have been shortlisted and I very much look forward to hearing who will be announced the winner in June.”

Click to view the video: Shortlist for Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021.

The full list of competition winners at Listowel Writers’ Week will be announced on June 2^nd on www.writersweek.ie.

Pigott Poetry Prize Award 2021

Details of all competition prize recipients will be announced at our virtual Awards Ceremony on June 2nd. Thank you to each creative writer who entered our 2021 Competitions. Best wishes to all!

This year, our sponsors provided their wonderful sponsorship support once again … thank you again! Sponsors include:

• Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2021. Total prize fund €17,000, kindly sponsored by Kerry Group PLC.
• Pigott Poetry Prize Award 2021. Total prize fund €14,000, kindly sponsored by Mark Pigott KBE & the Pigott Family.
• Nilsson Local Heritage Writing Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,400, kindly sponsored by the Nilsson Family.
• Bryan MacMahon Short Story Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Aspire Technology Ltd – Bill Walsh.
• Duais Foras na Gaeilge Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge.
• Writing in Prisons Award 2021. Total prize fund €2,700, kindly sponsored by the Irish Prison Service, the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas & the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
• Creative Writing for Adults with Special Needs Award 2021. Total prize fund €1,000, kindly sponsored by Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors.
• Poetry Collection Award 2021. Total prize fund €2,500, kindly sponsored by Tim Costelloe, Profile Development, in memory of Joni Costelloe.