An Post Bookshop of the Year Search Begins
The prestigious search for the An Post Bookshop of the Year for 2024 has officially kicked off, marking the fourth consecutive year of this esteemed category in the An Post Irish Book Awards. This annual literary event aims to celebrate and promote Irish writing to a diverse audience of readers. The ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category recognizes the essential role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in assisting their communities in discovering and enjoying their preferred titles.
In the past, notable winners of the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ award include Kennys Bookshop and Art Gallery in Galway, Bridge Street Books in Wicklow, and Halfway Up the Stairs in Greystones. These bookshops have demonstrated excellence in their commitment to serving their local communities and promoting Irish literature.
Nominations and Selection Process
Bookshop enthusiasts and supporters can participate in the selection process by nominating their favorite bookshop through the official An Post website at https://www.anpost.com/bookshopoftheyear. Nominations can also be submitted by scanning the QR code displayed on posters within the preferred bookshop. By sharing the reasons for their choice, voters will have the opportunity to win one of three €100 One4all vouchers.
The deadline for nominations for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category is set for midnight on Monday, 23rd September. Following the submission phase, a longlist of 12 bookshops will be determined based on online votes, with the judges then inviting these selected bookshops to provide a written submission. Mystery shoppers will also visit the 12 shops to evaluate their offerings and customer experience as part of the judging process.
Announcement of Winners and Awards Ceremony
After the initial selection process, a shortlist of six bookshops will be finalized for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category, with the official announcement scheduled for 24th October. The overall winner will be honored with a trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony on 27th November at the Convention Centre Dublin. In addition to the trophy, the winning bookshop will receive a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.
As the An Post Irish Book Awards enters its 19th year, the event continues to serve as a platform for celebrating and promoting Irish writing to a diverse audience of readers. This initiative brings together a passionate community of readers, authors, booksellers, publishers, and librarians to recognize the outstanding contributions of new and established Irish writing talent.
Importance of Bookshops in Communities
Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, emphasized the crucial role that bookshops play in communities across Ireland, serving as significant cultural and social spaces for many individuals. The introduction of the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category was intended to honor the valuable contributions of bookshops and booksellers to their local areas and the broader Irish book industry. Mac Hale encouraged everyone to support and vote for their favorite local bookshop in this category.
Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, highlighted the central role that Irish bookshops hold within communities, underscoring their essential contribution to Ireland’s literary landscape. Behan praised booksellers for their dedication to fostering a love of reading, particularly in championing Irish books and writers. She expressed delight in the opportunity provided by the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category for voters to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of their local bookshops in connecting books with readers.
In conclusion, the An Post Bookshop of the Year award serves as a commendable initiative that recognizes and honors the invaluable contributions of bookshops and booksellers in promoting Irish literature and fostering a love of reading within communities. Through this award, the outstanding efforts and dedication of bookshops across Ireland are celebrated, further highlighting the importance of these cultural institutions in enriching the literary landscape of the country.