Cork’s Norton and Ronayne in the hunt for An Post literary award

Two Cork authors are among nominees in the running for the prestigious An Post ‘Irish Book of the Year’ award.

Bandon native, Graham Norton, and Cobh native, Seán Ronayne, are both included in the six-person nominee lineup for their works, Frankie and Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging.

Mr Norton’s fiction novel Frankie follows a woman named Frankie Powell, who has spent her life on the edges, observing others but never being a leading character.

From conservative 1940s Ireland, to the vibrant art scene of 1960s New York, the book details how Frankie’s life unfolds in fragments shared with her young Irish carer, Damian.

Inspiring

Mr Ronayne’s Nature Boy is an inspiring memoir of self-discovery, passion, and the healing power of nature.

Growing up, Ronayne found solace in the woods, learning to identify birds and plants with his father and grandfather, and despite being labelled ‘nature boy’ by his peers, his love for ornithology blossomed into a fruitful career.

In 2021, he embarked on an ambitious journey to sound-record all of Ireland’s regularly occurring bird species, showcasing both the beauty of birds and the urgent need to protect their habitats.

Other titles up for the winning title include Donal Ryan’s Heart, Be at Peace; Eilish Fisher’s Fia and the Last Snow Deer; Jane Casey’s A Stranger in the Family; and Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Reilly’s Obsessed: The Autobiography.

Incredible

“Six incredible titles are in the running for the prestigious An Post Irish Book of the Year [award],” Larry Mac Hale, chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards said.

“Celebrating the very best of Irish writing, these books highlight the diversity and talent that define Ireland’s incredible literary landscape.

"From captivating fiction and compelling memories, to crime and a beautifully illustrated children’s book, this year’s top six books reflect the remarkable range of voices and stories that have captured the heart and imagination of Irish readers this year.

“I would like to congratulate all the nominees on their success and wish them the very best of luck.”

The winner will be revealed during a one-hour special on RTÉ One, hosted by Oliver Callan, on Thursday, December 19 at 10.15pm.