THE Southside
rugby legend and bestselling author, Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, will be among a rank
of literary talents hoping to win in this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book
Awards.
The comedy
character will feature alongside a host of renowned Irish authors such as
Cecilia Ahern, Des Bishop and Darren Shan.
The awards,
which are now in their sixth year, will take place on November 17, with the
outcome of the competition resting in the hands of the public.
Seamus Heaney
will also be honoured for his contribution to Irish literature with a Lifetime
Achievement Award.
For the first
time since its establishment, the highlights of the results night will be aired
on RTE on Thursday, November 24.
The competition
is one of the biggest celebrations of Irish writing and many of Ireland’s most
celebrated and best loved authors are featured.
The winner of
this year’s awards will win a prize fund of
?¬5,000 worth of free electricity.
John Treacy,
the chairman of the Bord Energy Irish Book Awards, said:
“As a literary nation
Ireland has few equals. We in the trade
know how tremendously lucky we are to have so many great writers working on
this island. We may also count ourselves fortunate to be doing business in a
nation of avid readers. Even in these hard times, our industry continues to
produce books of the highest quality and the awards are a celebration of all
these happy circumstances.
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David Kirwan,
managing director at Bord Gáis Energy, added:
“The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book
Awards is a wonderful celebration of the very best of Irish writing both at
home and abroad.
“This year’s
shortlist is a tribute to the talent and excellence which exists in Irish
writing today. Reading is a pastime enjoyed by many people in Ireland and we
are delighted to support and celebrate all those who contribute to the
industry.
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The public has
been urged to cast their votes via the Irish Book Awards website
www.irishbookawards.ie