Cork bookshops up for prize

Two Cork bookshops have been longlisted for the Bookshop of the Year category at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards.

Bantry Bookshop in Bantry and Leaf and Bower in Ballincollig are amongst 12 stores around Ireland to make the cut for the annual literary event.

A shortlist of six bookshops will be revealed on 24 October with the overall winner announced at the An Post Irish Book Awards on 27 November where they will receive a prize worth €15,000.

The An Post Bookshop of the Year award acknowledges the role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in their communities.

In making the longlist, An Post asked customers to vote for their favourite bookshops and to explain the reason for their choice.

Mystery shoppers will now visit the 12 bookshops as part of the judging process to establish the shortlist of six.

Dawn Behan, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, said: “Irish bookshops are a vital part of society as they offer a space for discovery and celebration of the written word. Booksellers are at the core of the Irish literary industry, connecting readers with titles they will love and cherish, and it is wonderful to see them getting recognition.”