Waterford people encouraged to choose favourite bookshop

The final call is out for Waterford book lovers to vote for their favourite local bookshop in the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year 2025’. 

The category is now back for the fifth year running in the An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible.

A spokesperson for the competition organisers said the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category acknowledges the vital role played by independent bookshops and local branches of bookshop chains in helping their local communities to find and enjoy their titles of choice.

The public can submit their own personal favourite bookshop online at https://www.anpost.com/bookshopoftheyear and in doing so outline the reason for their choice. 

Readers can also enter by scanning the QR code on posters within their preferred bookshop and following the instructions. 

Everyone who votes will also be entered into a draw to win one of three, €100 One4all vouchers.

Nominations for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will close at midnight on Friday, September 19. 

The 12 bookshops around Ireland that receive the most online votes will then be longlisted and invited by the judges to enter a written submission. 

Mystery shoppers will also visit the 12 shops as part of the judging process.

Following this, a shortlist of six shops will be finalised and the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ will be officially announced in October. 

The overall winner will be presented with their trophy at the An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony on Thursday, November 27, in the Convention Centre Dublin. The winner will receive a trophy along with a prize worth €15,000 from An Post Commerce.

Now in its 20th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. 

The initiative brings together a vast community passionate about books including readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians to recognise the best of new and established Irish writing talent.

Categories in the An Post Irish Book Awards include: Novel of the Year; Children’s (Junior and Senior); Crime Fiction; Popular Fiction; Non-fiction; Sports; Short Story; Poetry; Teen and Young Adult, and Irish Language. 

A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December, culminating in one of the 2025 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’.

Speaking about the awards, Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, said: “Across Ireland, bookshops play a vital role in local communities, serving as cultural and social hubs for people of all ages. We created this category to honour the invaluable impact that bookshops and booksellers have on their local areas and the wider Irish book world."
"We are delighted to be celebrating the fifth anniversary of this award, which is a major milestone and a testament to the incredible bookshops across Ireland," he said.

"We encourage everyone to show their support by voting for their favourite local bookshop in the An Post Bookshop of the Year award.”

Meanwhile, Maria Dickenson, Chair of Bookselling Ireland, said: “Bookshops across Ireland are central to community life - enriching our cultural and literary landscape. Day in and day out, booksellers spark a love of reading and give a platform to Irish authors and stories."

The An Post Bookshop of the Year award is a wonderful way for readers to show their appreciation and celebrate the unique role their local bookshop plays in connecting people with books," she said.

Garrett Bridgeman, Managing Director of An Post Mails & Parcels also commented on the initiative and said: "Booksellers are the heartbeat of Ireland’s literary landscape. The An Post Bookshop of the Year award recognises their dedication and the pivotal role they play in inspiring new generations of readers. Booksellers aren’t just adapting, they’re setting the pace."