Kellie Harrington and Charlie Bird were among the Dublin stars honoured at Wednesday night's An Post Book Awards 2022.
Veteran RTE journalist Charlie Bird's emotional biography 'Time and Tide' won in the Dubray Biography of the Year category. Meanwhile, Dublin boxer and gold medalist Kellie Harrington's self-titled book 'Kellie' took home the Eason Sports Book of the Year in Association with Ireland AM award.
Richie Sadlier, Sally Hayden, John Boyne, John Creedon and Marian Keyes were also among the big winners on the night, with Anne Enright also receiving the the ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’. This year's An Post Book Awards 2022 ceremony took place in the Convention Centre in Dublin.
Read more: Missy Keating unrecognisable after 'off the chart' transformation
First awarded in 2006, the An Post Irish Book Awards celebrate and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, said: “Books represent the best of us as a nation. An Post is very proud to be associated with the Irish Book Awards.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate such great writers, illustrators, poets and bookshops from across the island. I congratulate the winners and all those who were shortlisted.”
Here's everything you need to know about Kellie Harrington and Charlie Bird's new books and where to find them.
'Time and Tide' by Charlie Bird with Ray Cooke
Former RTE journalist Charlie Bird's poignant autobiography book 'Time and Tide' which chronicles his brave battle with motor neurone disease and his career as a journalist was released on October 13, 2022. Charlie has also raised over €1.6 million to date for the suicide awareness group Pieta House through his famous Climb with Charlie initiative.
The blurb for the book, which is available to buy at Eason and other bookshops, reads: "A poignant and introspective memoir from Irish journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird.
"In 2021, Charlie Bird was diagnosed with motor neurone disease - a man whose voice was so synonymous with his career faced losing it completely. Yet knowing he had just a short time left with family and friends, what emerged was a great sense of resilience and motivation to take advantage of every moment.
"Here, Charlie reflects on his life and phenomenal broadcast career through the lens of his diagnosis, as he ponders the big questions and takes stock of the small moments that we so often overlook. Written over the course of 2022 as his health deteriorated, with the help of long-time friend and fellow journalist Ray Burke, this is a candid and unforgettable story about the triumph of the human spirit and, ultimately, what it means to be alive."
'Time and Tide' is available to buy at Eason for €15.99 and Dunnes Stores for €15.99.
'Kellie' by Kellie Harrington and Roddy Doyle
Olympic boxer Kellie Harrington recently won the Eason Sports Book of the Year prize for her memoir 'Kellie' which she wrote with Roddy Doyle. The inspirational book covers the Dublin star's humble beginnings and international stardom at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The blurb for the book on Eason reads: "Kellie Harrington grew up in Dublin's north inner city and was in danger of going down the wrong path in life before she discovered boxing. Her local boxing club was all-male and initially wouldn't let her join, but she persisted.
"Her development into an elite boxer was confirmed with medals at the 2016 and 2018 world championships, and crowned with a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Meanwhile, Kellie won the hearts of the Irish public through her sparkling personality. Working with Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, Kellie will tell the story of her sometimes troubled childhood, her unlikely rise to greatness, and her continuing commitment to living a normal life - which in her case has involved deciding to stay amateur as a boxer and keeping her job as part of the household/domestic staff team at a psychiatric hospital. "
Dublin native Kellie recently said that sitting down to write her memoir with acclaimed author Roddy Doyle was a 'rollercoaster of emotion' and she thanked the top author for all his help. 'Kellie' was released in shops on October 27 and it can be found at Eason for €19.99.
READ NEXT:
Families of Stardust fire victims vow to continue fight as inquest set for April
Public warned to keep away from sick or dead birds as second case of Avian flu confirmed in Ireland
East Wall protests postponed as Minister Roderic O'Gorman to meet with residents
Charlie Bird gives heartbreaking update on his health amid battle with Motor Neurone Disease
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
