Another historic achievement for the Irish-language at the Irish Book Awards 2026

Five books named on the Love Leabhar Gaeilge award shortlist, Irish-language fiction book of the year, for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2026

An Post Irish Book Awards announced their shortlists, at a special event in the General Post Office in Dublin Thursday 22 October. This year, the Irish Book Awards are celebrating 21 years on the scene.

There are five (5) Irish language fiction books in the running for the Love Leabhar Gaeilge award this year, which is sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge. Foras na Gaeilge has been supporting the Irish language book category since 2018 through Love Leabhar Gaeilge. Love Leabhar Gaeilge promotes Irish language books all over Ireland amongst readers, in bookshops, online and through resources and events for anyone who has any interest in Irish language books.

The shortlist for the Love Leabhar Gaeilge Irish language book of the year award is as follows:

  • Faraor Géar nár Cailleadh Mé, by Micheál Ó Conghaile and published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht
  • Rúnaí an Aire, by Brian Ó Tiomáin and published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht
  • Eoghan Béal, by Darach Ó Scolaí, illustrated by Alé Mercado and published by Leabhar Breac
  • An Cláirseoir, by Diarmuid Johnson and published by Leabhar Breac
  • Sí by Seán Ó Muireagáin and published by Éabhlóid

For the second time ever in the history of the Irish Book Awards, an Irish language book has been named on a shortlist in one of the main categories of the awards. ‘An Peata is Fearr’ by Patricia Forde, illustrated by Phillip Cullen and published by Futa Fata is on the shortlist for Book of the Year for Children (Junior). 

This is a significant achievement for Irish language literature and it is important recognition of the quality and creativity of Irish language books that are being published for children in Ireland. This nomination shows that Irish language books deserve a place amongst the best children’s books in the country, and it creates a brilliant opportunity to place Irish language literature front and centre for a wider group of readers.

The public voting is open for all categories and you can cast your votes for your favourite books at www.anpostirishbookawards.ie.

For the Love Leabhar Gaeilge Irish language fiction book of the year award, the judging panel has the final say in this category.

The winners of all categories will be announced at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards event, which will take place in the Dublin Convention Centre on the 1st of December.

Find more information about the books on the Love Leabhar Gaeilge Irish language fiction book of the year award 2026 shortlist at LoveLeabharGaeilge.ie