Dubray is proud to sponsor the Irish Book Awards Biography of the Year category. This year’s shortlist offers a fantastic array of life stories, covering themes such as nature, religion, war, poetry, and the experience of growing up in Irish society. Vote for your favourite here.

John Creedon’s This Boy’s Heart is a warm and witty look at his Cork childhood that will delight his many fans. In Leaning on Gates, Seamus O’Rourke continues his memoirs of young adulthood in Leitrim, capturing the excitement of discovering alcohol, music, and low-level romance. Nature Boy by Sean Ronayne, inspired by the documentary Birdsong, charts his lyrical journey to record the song of every bird species in Ireland—a quest that takes him to all corners of the country and reveals nature's healing power.

In American Mother, Colm McCann tells the powerful story of Diane Foley, as she struggles to come to terms with her son James' death at the hands of ISIS, while also seeking to preserve his memory and connect with his killer. Finding Mangan by Bridget Hourican, praised by John Banville as “the perfect biographer,” unravels the life of Ireland’s most enigmatic poet, restoring his place in the national consciousness. Finally, Well Holy God by Patsy McGarry spans a remarkable career as the Irish Times’ religious correspondent, covering significant events such as clerical abuse scandals, the tragedies of the Mother and Baby Homes, and lighter moments, including the perils of traveling with a pope.

View all this year's shortlisted books here.