Nationwide search now underway to find the An Post Bookshop of the Year

The search is officially underway to find the An Post Bookshop of the Year for 2024.

The category is now back for the fourth year running in the An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.

The ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category acknowledges the vital role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in helping their local communities to find and enjoy their titles of choice. Previous winners include Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery, Galway in 2021, Bridge Street Books, Wicklow in 2022, and last year’s winner, Halfway Up the Stairs in Greystones.

Bookshop customers can visit https://www.anpost.com/bookshopoftheyear to submit a nomination for their own personal favourite bookshop and outline the reason for their choice. Readers can also enter by scanning the QR code on posters within their preferred bookshop and following the instructions. Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win 1 of 3 €100 One4all vouchers.

Nominations for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will close at midnight on Monday, 23^rd September. The 12 bookshops around Ireland who receive the most online votes will then be longlisted and invited by the judges to enter a written submission. Mystery shoppers will also visit the 12 shops as part of the judging process.

Following this, a shortlist of six shops will be finalised for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ and they will be officially announced on 24^th October. The overall winner will be presented with their trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony on 27^th November in the Convention Centre Dublin. The winner will receive a trophy along with a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.

Now in its 19^th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. The initiative brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent and 2024 will be no different.

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said “bookshops hold a key place in communities throughout Ireland, acting as important cultural and social spaces for many. We introduced this category to honour the meaningful contribution that bookshops and booksellers make to their local area and the wider Irish book industry. We encourage everyone to support and vote for their favourite local bookshop in the An Post Bookshop of the Year category.

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, said “Irish bookshops are at the heart of our communities, playing a valuable role in Ireland’s literary landscape.  Every day, booksellers use their knowledge and enthusiasm to foster a love of reading, particularly championing Irish books and writers. I’m delighted that the An Post Bookshop of the Year category provides an opportunity for voters to recognise and celebrate the work of their local bookshop, connecting books and readers.”