Enniscorthy-born writer Colm Tóibín received the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his central role in Irish cultural life for over three decades, with award-winning works including The Heather Blazing (Encore Award), The Master (International Dublin Literary Award) and Brooklyn (Costa Novel Award), at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards, held in the Convention Centre, Dublin, last night.

Speaking at the launch, David McRedmond, CEO of sponsors An Post, said: “I’m delighted that my good friend, the great writer Colm Tóibín, has been recognised with this lifetime achievement award. An Post and Irish booksellers both share a desire to act for the common good, and a healthy fascination with people and place. These awards celebrate this so very well.”

More than 115,000 votes were cast by the public to select the winners, and readers are invited to vote for their overall An Post Irish Book of the Year at anpostirishbookawards.ie. The winner will be announced in January. Last year’s winner was Emilie Pine for Notes to Self. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Miriam O’Callaghan and Evelyn O’Rourke, and highlights will be broadcast on RTÉ One at 11.15 pm on Saturday.