Arts Council Director Orlaith McBride said the agency was delighted to see Sebastian Barry and Brian Conaghan as category winners in the Costa Book Awards.
Sebastian Barry is a writer of tremendous gifts and talents. Days Without End is as compelling as it is moving, as lyrical as it is inventive. Barry's commitment to the craft of writing has long been recognised in Ireland and abroad, and it is a great to see his latest novel win such acclaim.
With humour, authenticity and originality, Brian Conaghan's The Bombs That Brought Us Together is a gift to young readers, tackling tough issues while revelling in the power of voice and story. Conaghan's dedication to the written word and to his audiences has been clear for some time, and it's wonderful to see the judges recognise the power of his writing.
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