IMPAC award for Kevin Barry

Limerick author Kevin Barry has won the world’s most valuable literary prize, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, for his first novel City of Bohane. Books are nominated for the award by public libraries around the globe. Commenting on his win, Kevin Barry said: "The fact that this award originates with the libraries is what makes it very special for me – libraries are where we learn that we can live our lives through books."

"I’m thrilled to see an Irish author of such immense talent take home this year’s award. City of Bohane is a vivid, atmospheric portrayal of a city in the West of Ireland set in the future but mired in the past. The highly original cast of characters are at once flamboyant and malevolent, speaking in a vernacular like no other," said the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Patron of the Award, Naoise Ó Muirí, as Barry was presented with his cheque for €100,000.  Kevin Barry is the third Irish author to win the prize. It was awarded to Colm Tóibín in 2006 for The Master and to Colum McCann in 2011 for Let the Great World Spin.