Cork author shortlisted for top Irish language children's book award

A Cork author has been shortlisted for a prestigious national children’s book award for her story about a lamb who needs a haircut.

Muireann Ní Chíobháin, a Cork city native, has been shortlisted for this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.

RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea announced the 10 shortlisted titles at a ceremony in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.

The Irish language story, Bearradh Gruaige d’Eoinín, is published by Futa Futa and tells the story of Eoinín, a little lamb who needs a haircut.

Like many young children, Eoinín is nervous about going to the hairdresser and asks for some support from his readers.

Lead writer

Ms Ní Chíobháin is the creator and lead writer of many RTÉjr series such as Dig In Diner, and Mr Mender and The Chummyjiggers.

She is currently the Dublin City University (DCU) Irish language writer in residence and has published other titles such as Murphy’s Law and the picture books Scúnc agus Smúirín and Gealach agus Grian.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said that in the 35th year of the only Irish awards dedicated to celebrating books created for children, the calibre of writing and illustration continued to improve.

“Our dedicated panel of judges outdid last year’s record, reading a total of 169 titles from Irish or Ireland-based writers and illustrators,” she said.

“After whittling those down to an initial longlist of 19 books, this shortlist represents the best books for children and young people and showcases the rich diversity of titles published in Ireland or by Irish artists.”

The shortlisted books include three début titles, two Irish language titles, and two titles from former Laureate na nÓg. 

These will compete for six awards at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards ceremony, held on May 19 as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin.

Categories include the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award, as well as honours for fiction and illustration and the Junior Juries’ Award, which will be decided by young readers across the island of Ireland.