Solace - Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book of the Year 2011

Solace, the debut novel of Longford author Belinda McKeon, has been voted the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book of the Year for 2011. The public were asked to vote for their favourite title from the list of ten category winners announced at the recent Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2011 and Solace, which was named as Sunday Independent Best Irish Newcomer of the Year at the awards, topped the poll. Belinda McKeon was born in Ireland in 1979 and grew up on a farm in Co. Longford. She studied English and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin (BA) and University College, Dublin (MLitt). She lives in Brooklyn, New York and in Ireland. Madeleine Keane, Literary Editor with the Sunday Independent, which sponsored the Newcomer of the Year category, added: “I’m absolutely delighted that Solace has won this important award which is richly deserves. Belinda McKeon’s novel is a beautifully wrought, assured and intensely moving debut. I look forward to more from this exciting new writer.” For further information see www.irishbookawards.ie