Shortlists Announced for the 2026 Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards

The shortlists for the Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Awards were announced by An tOireachtas, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge. The awards consist of three categories – Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adults), Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Children) and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book of the Year for publications translated into Irish).

Nineteen (19) books in total have been shortlisted this year – seven (7) in the category, ‘Irish-Language Book of the Year for Adults’; five (7) in the Children’s Book category and seven (7) in the category for translated works.

The 10 Publishing Houses shortlisted include Barzaz; Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Dalen Éireann; Éabhlóid; Futa Fata; JM Agency Publishing & Design; LeabhairCOMHAR; Leabhar Breac; Mayo Book Press; and Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne. One self-published book has also been shortlisted. Full details of works are available below.

“The works shortlisted for this year’s Publishing Awards exemplify the very highest standards,” said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, Chief Executive of An tOireachtas. “I congratulate the publishers who have brought these works to market. It is clear that the utmost care has been devoted to every publication at every stage—from meticulous editing and artistic design to the polished final presentation—resulting in beautiful Irish-language books to will attract new readers.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, 30th September 2026, in the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, in Galway. A collective prize fund of €17,000 will be awarded.

Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin Shortlist

  • SCÉAL MUIRÍ MHUIGH EO by Breandán Mac Conamhna, published by Mayo Book Press
  • MAINISTIR NA FEOLA by Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha, published by Barzaz
  • MAITH THÚ A MHICÍ by Micí Sheáin Néill Ó Baoill, published by Éabhlóid
  • GEARÓID WILLIE Ó FÁTHARTA: MO SCÉAL FHÉIN by Gearóid Willie Ó Fátharta, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht
  • TOM A’ BHUNGALÓ: TOMÁS MAC GIOLLA BHRÍGHDE, 1923-2013 by Noel Ó Gallchóir, self-published
  • AN CLÁIRSEOIR by Diarmuid Johnson, published by Leabhar Breac
  • LEABHAR SHEÁIN NA CILLE by Seadhan Mac an tSionnaigh, published by Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne

Gradam Réics Carló Shortlist

  • KATIE AGUS AN PACÁISTE RÚNDA by Éadaoin Ní Dhomhnaill, published by LeabhairCOMHAR
  • AN SEOL ATÁ FÚT by Annemarie Nugent, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht
  • INIS MARA 3 by Tristan Rosenstock and illustrated by Mark Wickham, published by LeabhairCOMHAR
  • PUISÍN NA mBRÓG by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, published by Futa Fata
  • NA BRÓGA PEILE AGUS SCÉALTA EILE by Seosamh Céitinn, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht

Gradam de Bhaldraithe Shortlist

  • HEARTSTOPPER 3 by Alice Oseman and translated by Eoin McEvoy, published by Futa Fata
  • LÚISCÍN: AN CAITÍN IS CRAICEÁILTE AR DOMHAN by Jamie Smart and translated by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn, published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht
  • AN SAOL SONA by David Foenkinos and translated by Máirín Ní Mhárta, published by Barzaz
  • LIA! 1: AN DIALANN RÚNDA le Julien Neel agus aistrithe ag Meadhbh Ní Eadhra, published by Dalen Éireann
  • GRUAIG ÁINE by Eoin Colfer and translated by Sadhbh Devlin, published by Futa Fata
  • SCAIRT NA SAMHNA: ÁINE SA NEIDÍN by Hazel Mulqueen and translated by Catherine Woods, published by JM Agency, Publishing & Design
  • LÚCÁS LÚFAR: JESSE JAMES, ROPAIRE by Moris & Goscinny and translated by Antain Mac Lochlainn, published by Dalen Éireann