The Arts Council extends its warmest congratulations to Kevin Barry on the news that he has been shortlisted for the 2011 Costa First Novel Award.
Following the announcement, Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council said: "Kevin Barry is a terrifically talented and inventive writer. City of Bohane, his first novel, highlights his gifts for voice, story and character, as well as his incredible technical abilities with language and style. Kevin Barry is one of the most exciting writers to emerge from Ireland over the last number of years, and it is wonderful to see his work honoured in this way."