Award archive
These awards have been presented annually by Children's Books Ireland since 1990. Known as the Bisto Book of the Year Awards until 2011, the awards were named the Children's Book Ireland Book of the Year Awards until 2020 when a new title sponsor saw the name change to the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards.
Since 1995 the Eilís Dillon Award for a first children's book has been presented (where eligible), in memory of the Irish children's author and former Chair of the Irish Children's Book Trust.
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:
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One & Everything, written and illustrated by Sam Winston (Walker Books).
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Be Wild, Little One, written by debut author Olivia Hope and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus (Bloomsbury Children's Books).
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Run for Your Life, written by Jane Mitchell (Little Island Books).
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The Lost Girl King, written by Catherine Doyle (Bloomsbury Children's Books).
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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