Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award goes to Grainne O'Hare for 'Thirst Trap'

Thirst Trap by Gráinne O'Hare won the 2026 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award at the opening night of the 55th anniversary of Listowel Writers' Week. The festival was opened by Miriam O'Callaghan, with Colm Tóibín in attendance. The novel was selected from a shortlist of current Irish fiction and was praised for intelligence, emotional precision, and a distinctive voice. The award carries a €20,000 prize and is presented annually as part of Ireland’s oldest literary and arts festival. The shortlist included Conversation with the Sea, The Wardrobe Department, Ordinary Saints, and The Boy from the Sea. The award was adjudicated by Nicola Sturgeon and Andrew O'Hagan.

"Thirst Trap was selected from a shortlist that reflected the depth and variety of current Irish fiction. Judges praised the novel for its intelligence, emotional precision and distinctive voice."

"“Congratulations to Gráinne O'Hare on winning the 2026 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award for Thirst Trap,” said Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kerry. “It is especially encouraging to see such a distinctive new voice emerge, continuing the remarkable tradition of Irish authors celebrated through Listowel Writers' Week. All this year's nominees were outstanding, and as Kerry marks 30 years of sponsoring this award, we are proud to support original Irish voices and the enduring impact of Irish storytelling,” said Ms Keogh."

"The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award is recognised as one of Ireland's most significant literary honours and carries a prize fund of €20,000. Presented annually as part of Ireland's oldest literary and arts festival, the award continues to celebrate exceptional Irish fiction and the enduring strength of the novel form in Irish writing."

"This year's shortlist also included Conversation with the Sea by Hugo Hamilton, The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey, Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoilchoin and The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr. The award was adjudicated by former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and acclaimed novelist and essayist Andrew O'Hagan."

Read at Irish Independent