Award archive

Book of the Year Award Winner: Ellen Ryan and Shona Shirley Macdonald for Girls Who Slay Monsters

Honour Award for Fiction Winner: Maggie O'Farrell for The Boy Who Lost His Spark

Honour Award for Illustration Winner: Steve McCarthy for The Wilderness

Eilís Dillon Award Winner: Alex Dunne for The Book of Secrets

The Judges’ Special Award Winner: Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and Paddy Donnelly for An Slipéar Gloine

The Junior Juries’ Award Winner: Ellen Ryan and Shona Shirley Macdonald for Girls Who Slay Monsters

Also shortlisted:

• One & Everything, written and illustrated by Sam Winston (Walker Books).

• Be Wild, Little One, written by debut author Olivia Hope and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus (Bloomsbury Children's Books).

• Run for Your Life, written by Jane Mitchell (Little Island Books).

• The Lost Girl King, written by Catherine Doyle (Bloomsbury Children's Books).

• Truth Be Told, written by Derry-based writer and peace-worker, Sue Divin (Macmillan Children's Books).

Book of the Year Award Winner: C.G. Moore for Gut Feelings

Honour Award for Fiction Winner: Pádraig Kenny for The Shadows of Rookhaven

Honour Award for Illustration Winner: Lauren O’Hara for Frindleswylde

Eilís Dillon Award Winner: Flora Delargy for Rescuing Titanic: A True Story of Quiet Bravery in the North Atlantic

The Judges’ Special Award Winner: Adiba Jaigirdar for The Henna Wars

The Junior Juries’ Award Winner: Adiba Jaigirdar for The Henna Wars

Also shortlisted:

• Cluasa Capaill ar an Rí written by Bridget Bhreathnach and illustrated by Shona Shirley Macdonald
• Not My Problem written by Ciara Smyth
• The Summer I Robbed a Bank written by David O'Doherty and illustrated by Chris Judge
• There's a Ghost in this House written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
• Maybe … written and illustrated by Chris Haughton

The Book of the Year Award: Savage Her Reply written by Deirdre Sullivan and illustrated by Karen Vaughan

The Junior Juries' Award: The Falling in Love Montage written by Ciara Smyth

Eilís Dillon Award: Why the Moon Travels written by Oein DeBhairduin illustrated by Leanne McDonagh

Honour Award for Fiction: The Monsters of Rookhaven written by Pádraig Kenny illustrated by Edward Bettison

Honour Award for Illustration: The Haunted Lake written and illustrated by P.J. Lynch

The Judges' Special Award: Why the Moon Travels written by Oein DeBhairduin illustrated by Leanne McDonagh

KPMG Reading Hero Award 2021: Dean Porter, Co. Donegal

Other shortlistees:

• Hope against Hope written by Sheena Wilkinson 
• Míp written by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly 
• The Boldness of Betty written by Anna Carey 

Book of the Year Award: Nóinín le Máire Zepf

Eilís Dillon Award: Mór agus Muilc maisithe ag Kim Sharkey

Honour Award for Fiction: Toffee by Sarah Crossan

Honour Award for Illustration: The Tide illustrated by Ashling Lindsay

Judges' Special Award: The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

Other shortlistees:

• All The Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
• Madame Badobedah written by Sophie Dahl and illustrated by Lauren O’Hara
• The Hug written by Eoin McLaughlin and illustrated by Polly Dunbar
• The Star-Spun Web by Sinéad O’Hart
• Scúnc agus Smúirín scríofa ag Muireann Ní Chíobháin agus maisithe ag Paddy Donnelly  

Book of the Year Award: Flying Tips for Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain

Children's Choice Award: Flying Tips for Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain

Eilís Dillon Award: Flying Tips for Flightless Birds by Kelly McCaughrain

Honour Award for Fiction: The Weight of a Thousand Feathers by Brian Conaghan

Honour Award for Illustration: Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals illustrated by Aga Grandowicz

Judges' Special Award: The Great Irish Weather Book written by Joanna Donnelly and illustrated by Fuchsia MacAree

Other shortlistees:

• Beag Bídeach scríofa ag Sadhbh Devlin ages maisithe ag Róisín Hahessy
• Between Tick and Tock written by Louise Greig and illustrated by Ashling Lindsay
• Mucking About by John Chambers
• The Pooka Party by Shona Shirley Macdonald
• Tin by Pádraig Kenny
• Tuesdays are Just as Bad by Cethan Leahy

Book of the Year Award: Tangleweed and Brine written by Deirdre Sullivan and illustrated by Karen Vaughan

Children's Choice Award: Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

Eilís Dillon Award: The Space Between by Meg Grehan

Honour Award for Fiction: Star by Star by Sheena Wilkinson

Honour Award for Illustration: Chocolate Cake illustrated by Kevin Waldron

Judges' Special Award: Illegal written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and illustrated by Giovanni Rigano

Other shortlistees:

• A Dangerous Crossing by Jane Mitchell
• A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea compiled by Sarah Webb and illustrated by Steve McCarthy
• Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest written by Julian Gough and illustrated by Jim Field

Book of the Year Award: Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton

Children's Choice Award: The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

Eilís Dillon Award: The Ministry of Strange, Unusual and Impossible Things by Paul Gamble

Honour Award for Fiction: Needlework by Deirdre Sullivan

Honour Award for Illustration: Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton

Judges' Special Award: Bliain na nAmhrán scríofa ag Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin agus maisithe ag Jennifer Farley, Brian Fitzgerald, Tarsila Krüse agus Christina O’Donovan

Other shortlistees:

• Anna Liza and the Happy Practice written by Eoin Colfer
• Billy Button, Telegram Boy illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
• Historopedia written by John Burke and illustrated by Fatti Burke
• Óró na Circíní agus Scéalta Eile Ón Afraic athinste ag Gabriel Rosenstock agus maisithe ag Brian Fitzgerald
• Plain Jane by Kim Hood

Book of the Year Award: One by Sarah Crossan

Children's Choice Award: One by Sarah Crossan

Eilís Dillon Award: Irelandopedia written by John Burke and illustrated by Fatti Burke 

Honour Award for Fiction: Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

Honour Award for Illustration: Gulliver illustrated by Lauren O'Neill

Judges' Special Award: Irelandopedia written by John Burke and illustrated by Fatti Burke 

Other shortlistees:

• Imaginary Fred written by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers 
• Ná Gabh ar Scoil scríofa ag Máire Zepf agus maisithe ag Tarsila Krüse
• The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne
• The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
• The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde

Book of the Year Award: Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

Children's Choice Award: Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

Eilís Dillon Award: Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill

Honour Award for Fiction: Daideo by Áine Ní Ghlinn

Honour Award for Illustration: Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

Judges' Special Award: Haiku Más é do thoil é! scríofa ag Gabriel Rosenstock agus maisithe ag Brian Fitzgerald

Other shortlistees:

• Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan
• Beyond the Stars compiled by Sarah Webb
• Primperfect by Deirdre Sullivan
• The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
• When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan

Book of the Year Award: Hagwitch by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Children's Choice Award: The Day The Crayons Quit written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Honour Award for Fiction: Hagwitch by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Honour Award for Illustration: Mysterious Traveller written by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham and illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Judges' Special Award: The Sleeping Baobab Tree by Paula Leyden

Other shortlistees:

• Heart Shaped by Siobhán Parkinson
• Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of the Dead Men by Derek Landy
• Too Many Ponies by Sheena Wilkinson
• Warp: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer

Book of the Year Award: Grounded by Sheena Wilkinson

Children's Choice Award: Grounded by Sheena Wilkinson

Eilís Dillon Award: The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

Honour Award for Fiction: Dark Warning by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Honour Award for Illustration: This Moose Belongs To Me by Oliver Jeffers

Judges' Special Award: Hóng by Anna Heussaff

Other shortlistees:

• The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket written by John Boyne and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
• Na Laochra is Lú scríofa ag Laoise Ní Cléirigh agus maisithe ag Steve Simpson
• Spellbound written by Siobhán Parkinson and illustrated by Olwyn Whelan
• Mise agus an Dragún scríofa ag Patricia Forde agus maisithe ag Steve Simpson
• Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

Book of the Year Award: Into the Grey by Celine Kiernan

Children's Choice Award: Into the Grey by Celine Kiernan

Eilís Dillon Award: The Butterfly Heart by Paula Leyden

Honour Award for Fiction: Maitríósce by Siobhán Parkinson

Honour Award for Illustration: Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

Judges' Special Award: My Dad is Ten Years Old: And It's Pure Weird by Mark O'Sullivan

Other shortlistees:

• A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle
• Bruised by Siobhán Parkinson
• Ó Chrann go Crann scríofa ag Caitríona Hastings agus maisithe ag Andrew Whitson
• Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll by Derek Keilty

Book of the Year Award: A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

Children's Choice Award: Taking Flight by Sheena Wilkinson

Eilís Dillon Award:  A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

Honour Award for Fiction: Taking Flight by Sheena Wilkinson

Honour Award for Illustration: Mac Rí Éireann maisithe ag Andrew Whitson

Judges' Special Award: The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

Other shortlistees:

• Dancing in the Dark by P.R. Prendergast
• Prim Improper by Deirdre Sullivan
• The Lunatic's Curse by F.E. Higgins
• The Owl and the Pussycat illustrated by by Kevin Waldron
• Tiny Little Fly written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Kevin Waldron
• Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers

Book of the Year Award: There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Children's Choice Award: Chalkline by Jane Mitchell

Eilís Dillon Award: The Third Pig Detective Agency by Bob Burke

Honour Award for Fiction: Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd

Honour Award for Illustration: There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Other shortlistees:

• An Gréasaí Bróg agus na Síoga scríofa ag Catríona Hastings agus maisithe ag Andrew Whitson
• Colm & the Lazarus Key by Kieran Mark Crowley
• Gluaiseacht le Alan Titley
• Lincoln and His Boys written by Rosemary Wells and illustrated by P.J. Lynch
• The Eyeball Collector by F.E. Higgins
• The Gates by John Connolly

Book of the Year Award: Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

Eilís Dillon Award: Anila's Journey by Mary Finn

Honour Award for Fiction: Creature of the Night by by Kate Thompson

Honour Award for Illustration: The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers

Judges' Special Award: Highway Robbery by Kate Thompson

Other shortlistees:

• Airman by Eoin Colfer
• An Phleist Mhór scríofa ag Susan Edwards agus Ré Ó Laighléis agus maisithe ag Emily Colenso
• Brionglóidí le Aine Ní Ghlinn agus Carol Betera
• Her Mother's Face written by Roddy Doyle and illustrated by Freya Blackwood
• The Gift of the Magi written by O. Henry and illustrated by  PJ Lynch

Book of the Year Award: The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

Eilís Dillon Award: The Thing with Finn by Tom Kelly

Honour Award: The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins

Honour Award: The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers

Honour Award: Wilderness by Roddy Doyle

Other shortlistees:

• Discover Art (at the Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane) by Jessica O'Donnell
• Gaiscíoch na Beilte Uaine scríofa ag Caitríona Nic Sheáin agus maisithe ag Andrew Whitson
• The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
• The Last of the High Kings by Kate Thompson
• Titanic 2020 by Colin Bateman

Book of the Year Award: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Eilís Dillon Award: A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd

Honour Award: The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Honour Award: Hurlamaboc le Éilís Ní Dhuibhne

Honour Award: Something Invisible by Siobhán Parkinson

Other shortlistees:

• A Christmas Carol illustrated by P.J. Lynch
• Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer
• An Táin le Colmán Ó Raghallaigh
• The Fourth Hourseman by Kate Thompson
• The Palace of Laughter by Jon Berkeley

Book of the Year Award: The New Policeman by Kate Thompson

Eilís Dillon Award: Snake's Elbow by Deirdre Madden

Honour Award: A Horse Called El Dorado by Kevin Kiely

Honour Award: Penny the Pencil written by Eileen O'Hely and illustrated by Nicky Phelan

Honour Award: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Other shortlistees:

• Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
• Bill & Fred? by John Quinn
• Bríona ag Brionglóideach scríofa ag Dairíne Ní Dhonnchú agus maisithe ag Maria Murray
• Fancy That! written by Gillian Lobel and illustrated by Adrienne Geoghegan
• Under Fragile Stone by Oisín McGann

Book of the Year Award: Annan Water by Kate Thompson

Eilís Dillon Award: An Bhó Riabhach scríofa ag Siobhán Ní Shítigh agus maisithe ag Seán Seosamh Mac an tSíthigh

Merit Award: How to Catch A Star by Oliver Jeffers

Merit Award: The Gods and Their Machines by Oisín McGann

Merit Award: Something Beginning with P illustrated by Alan Clarke, Corinna Askin and Emma Byrne

Other shortlistees:

• Goimh agus Scéalta Eile le Ré Ó Laighléis
• Love my Enemy by Kate MacLachlan
• The Star Child illustrated by Olwyn Whelan
• You're All My Favourites written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram

Book of the Year Award: Wings Over Delft by Aubrey Flegg

Eilís Dillon Award: Amach le Alan Titley

Merit Award: Origins by Kate Thompson

Merit Award: You Can Do It Sam illustrated by Anita Jeram

Merit Award: The Ravenous Beast by Niamh Sharkey

Other shortlistees:

• August '44 by Carlo Gébler
• I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy
• Kathleen the Celtic Knot by Siobhán Parkinson
• The Bee-Man of Orn written by Frank R. Stockton and illustrated by P.J. Lynch
• The Little Owl and the Star by Mary Murphy

Book of the Year Award: The Alchemist's Apprentice by Kate Thompson AND You, Me, and the Big Blue Sea by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Joint Winners)

Eilís Dillon Award: Gyrfalcon by Grace Wells

Merit Award: War Children by Gerard Whelan

Merit Award: Fox by Matthew Sweeney

Merit Award: An Tóraíocht scríofa ag Colmán Ó Raghaillaigh agus maisithe ag The Cartoon Saloon

Other shortlistees:

• Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
• The Love Bean by Siobhán Parkinson
• Who is Jesse Flood? by Malachy Doyle

Book of the Year Award: The Beguilers by Kate Thompson

Eilís Dillon Award: Adam's Starling by Gillian Perdue

Merit Award: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Merit Award: Caught on a Train by Carlo Gébler

Merit Award: An Sclábhaí scríofa ag Colmán Ó Raghallaigh agus maisithe ag The Cartoon Saloon

Other shortlistees:

• Give it to Joe! written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Katherine McEwen
• Ignis written by Gina Wilson and illustrated by PJ Lynch
• I'm A Tiger Too by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
• The Stretford Enders Away by Trevor J. Colgan
• This Will Take Forever by Austin McQuinn

Book of the Year Award: Izzy and Skunk by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Eilís Dillon Award: The Lost Orchard by Patrick Deeley

Merit Award: The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

Merit Award: Dirt Tracks by Martina Murphy

Merit Award: The Orchard Book of Ghostly Stories written by Martin Waddell

Other shortlistees:

• An Bóthar Fada le Michael Mullen
• Call of the Whales by Siobhán Parkinson
• Fowl Deeds by Jim Halligan and John Newman 
• Tales From Old Ireland written by Malachy Doyle and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
• This is the Tree: A Story of the Baobab written by Miriam Moss and illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway

Book of the Year Award: Faraway Home by Marilyn Taylor

Eilís Dillon Award: Fierce Milly written by Marilyn McLaughlin

Merit Award: Fierce Milly written by by Marilyn McLaughlin

Merit Award: Silent Stones by Mark O'Sullivan

Merit Award: Siúlóid Bhreá le Mary Arrigan

Other shortlistees:

• Benny and Babe by Eoin Colfer
• Is Anybody Listening? by Larry O'Loughlin
• Jack and the Beanstalk written by Richard Walker and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
• The Crowlings by Louise Lawrence
• Out of Nowhere by Gerard Whelan
• Páidín Mháire Mhuigín scríofa ag Gabriel Rosenstóck agus maisithe ag Piet Sluis

Book of the Year Award: Tales of Wisdom and Wonder illustrated by Niamh Sharkey

Eilís Dillon Award: Dea-Scéala le Catríona Hastings

Merit Award: An Rógaire agus an Scáil scríofa ag Gabriel Rosenstock agus maisithe ag Piet Slius

Merit Award: The Long March by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Merit Award: The Moon King by Siobhán Parkinson

Other shortlistees:

• All the Way From China written by Pat Boran and illustrated by Stewart Curry
• Bert's Wonderful News written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Brita Granström
• Please Be Quiet! by Mary Murphy
• Ride a Pale Horse by Tom McCaughren
• The Gigantic Turnip written by Aleksei Tolstoy and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey

Book of the Year Award: Dream Invader by Gerard Whelan

Eilís Dillon Award: It's a Jungle Out There by Ed Miliano

Merit Award: Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe) by Siobhán Parkinson

Merit Award: The Hungry Wind by Sonibhe Lally

Merit Award: When Jessie Came Across the Sea illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Other shortlistees:

• Angels Without Wings by Mark O'Sullivan
• Jimmy's Leprechaun Trap written by Dan Kissane and illustrated by Angela Clarke
• The Gobán Saor written by Larry O'Loughlin and illustrated by John Leonard
• Exploring the World of Colmcille: Also Known as Columba written by Mairéad Ashe FitzGerald and illustrated by Stephen Hall
• White Lies by Mark O'Sullivan

Book of the Year Award: Sisters... No Way! by Siobhán Parkinson

Eilís Dillon Award: The Guns of Easter by Gerard Whelan

Merit Award: The Guns of Easter by Gerard Whelan

Merit Award: The Lantern Moon by Maeve Friel

Merit Award: An Eala Dhubh le Cliodna Cussen agus Cormac Ó Snodaigh

Other shortlistees:

• Drochlá Ruairí scríofa ag Colmán Ó Raghallaigh agus maisithe ag Anne Marie Carroll
• Gafa le Ré Ó Laighléis
• More than a Match by Mark O'Sullivan
• Róisín ar Strae le Colmán Ó Raghallaigh agus Aoife Ní Raghallaigh
• The Eagle Tree written by Dan Kissane and illustrated by Aileen Johnston
• The King of Ireland's Son illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Book of the Year Award: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Eilís Dillon Award: Lockie and Dadge by Frank Murphy

Merit Award: Hannah or Pink Balloons by Mary Beckett

Merit Award: Sceoin Sa Bhoireann le Ré Ó Laighléis

Merit Award: Lockie and Dadge by Frank Murphy

Other shortlistees:

• All Shining in the Spring written by Siobhán Parkinson and illustrated by Donald Teskey
• John Joe and the Big Hen written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Paul Howard
• Naomh Pádraig agus Crom Dubh scríofa ag Gabriel Rosenstock agus maisithe ag Piet Sluis
• Safe Harbour by Marita Conlon-McKenna
• The Last Thesaurus written by Paul Muldoon and illustrated by Rodney Rigby
• The Trout in the Turnhole written by Benedict Kiely and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey

Book of the Year Award: Blaeberry Sunday by Elizabeth O'Hara

Eilís Dillon Award: Melody for Nora by Mark O'Sullivan

Merit Award: Catkin illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Merit Award: Goodbye, Summer, Goodbye by Rose Doyle

Merit Award: Ecstasy agus Scéalta Eile le Ré Ó Laighéis

Other shortlistees:

• Distant Voices by Maeve Friel
• In Search of Liberty Tree by Tom McCaughren
• Melody for Nora by Mark O'Sullivan
• Switchers by Kate Thompson

Book of the Year Award: The Blue Horse by Marita Conlon-McKenna

Best Book in Historical Fiction: Strongbow by Morgan Llywelyn

Best Book in Teenage Fiction: Put a Saddle on the Pig by Sam McBratney

Best Book Information Book: Tamall sa Chistin scríofa ag Máirín Uí Chomáin

Book of the Year Award: The Summer of Lily and Esme by John Quinn

Best Book in : The Secret of the Ruby Ring by Yvonne Mac Grory

Best Book in : The Sleeping Giant by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Best Book (Historical): Wildflower Girl by Marita Conlon-McKenna

Other shortlistees:

• Circling the Triangle by Margrit Cruickshank
• East O' The Sun and West O' The Moon illustrated by P.J. Lynch
• Juliet's Story by William Trevor

Book of the Year Award: The Island of Ghosts by Eilís Dillon

Best Book for Young Readers: Grandma's Bill written by Martin Waddell

Best Emerging Author: Brian Boru by Morgan Llywelyn

Illustrations: Fairy Tales of Ireland illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Book of the Decade Award: 

Best Book for Fiction: Run with the Wind; Run to Earth; Run Swift, Run Free by Tom McCaughren

Best Information Book: Exploring the Book of Kells: Brendan the Navigator written by Dr George Otto Simms

Best Book for Young Readers: Grandma's Bill written by Martin Waddell

Best Irish Language Book: An Chanáil le Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick