Nominations Window
June 2021

Nominations for the Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022-2024 were sought based on the published criteria from 3 June to 25 June 2021.

We invited nominations from:

• County Libraries

• Booksellers (via the Booksellers’ Association)

• Arts Council funded organisations with a literary interest

• National Cultural Institutions

• University Creative Writing Residency Partners

We received 39 submissions from bookshops, county libraries, arts organisations, National Cultural Institutions and University Creative Writing Residency partners. 23 writers were nominated through this process. Eight additional nominations were submitted by the Shortlisting Panel. These were writers who the panellist believed, in his or her expert opinion, met the criteria to a sufficient extent that they should be considered for the shortlist.

A total of 31 individual writers were presented to the shortlisting panel for consideration.

Shortlisting Panel
July 2021

An external expert shortlisting panel was convened in July 2021. This was chaired by Kevin Rafter (Chair of the Arts Council). The shortlisting committee members were:

• Jackie Lynham, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature

• John Self, Book critic and fiction reviewer

• Maria Dickenson, Managing Director, Dubray Books

• Mary Reynolds, County Librarian, Longford

• Niall Mac Monagle, Poetry critic and editor

The shortlisting panel were asked to use their expertise and knowledge to assess the nominees in line with the published criteria for the Laureate for Irish Fiction. The criteria stipulates that the Laureate should possess the following qualities:

• A significant contribution to prose fiction in Ireland and internationally.

• An internationally recognised body of high quality literary writing

• A commitment to connecting with readers.

• A demonstrated commitment to engaging with the public, the media and the wider arts sector.

• Based on these criteria, the panel established a shortlist of 8 names.

Liaising with shortlisted writers
July 2021

The Council wrote to all shortlisted writers, outlining key aspects of the honour and associated responsibilities, and asked writers to confirm whether or not they would accept the position if offered. Of the 8 writers shortlisted, 4 chose to put themselves forward for consideration.

Selection of Laureate for Irish Fiction
September 2021

The final selection of the Laureate for Irish Fiction was made by an international selection panel based on the published criteria for selection. You can read more about the 2022-2024 Laureate International Selection Panel here.

Planning for Laureateship
October–December 2021

The Arts Council and the selected Laureate will meet to outline the shape and priorities of the first six months of the Laureate’s term.

Announcement of Laureate for Irish Fiction

The third Laureate for Irish Fiction will be announced in January 2022.