A history of Ireland in 100 words shortlisted for Irish Book Award

We're delighted to have been shortlisted for 'best Irish-published book of the year' at the 2019 An Post Irish Book Awards. Congratulations to our authors Greg, Máire, Sharon and our illustrator Joe!

The shortlist was unveiled yesterday evening, 24 October, in the GPO, where authors, publishers, booksellers and book lovers came together to celebrate some of the finest Irish writing of 2019. 93 titles, including our A history of Ireland in 100 words, have been selected by an ​industry panel of leading booksellers and librarians. The winners are decided by an online web-poll divided into two constituencies, a public vote and a specialist vote, weighted equally and combined to produce the winners. If you also think that A history of Ireland in 100 words is the best Irish-published title of 2019, then VOTE for it! Voting closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 13 November.

A history of Ireland in 100 words tells a history of our country by looking at the development of 100 medieval Irish words drawn from the Royal Irish Academy’s Dictionary of the Irish Language. Words tell stories and encapsulate histories and this book captures aspects of Ireland’s changing history by examining the changing meaning of 100 key words. The book is aimed at a general readership and no prior knowledge of the Irish language is required to delve into the fascinating insights it provides. The book is divided into themes, including writing and literature; food and feasting; technology and science; mind and body. Readers can explore words relating to particular concepts, dipping in and out where they please.

Look inside!