Mayo author featured in ‘Best Irish Books of 2025’

Mayo author Kevin Moran’s book, ‘The Doomsday Club’ is featured in this year’s Children’s Books Ireland reading guide, titled ‘The Best Irish Books of 2025’. The guide is set to launch on September 15, and showcases Irish and Irish-based artists across fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, verse as well as other categories.

‘The Doomsday Club’ is Castlebar man Kevin Moran’s debut children’s novel.

Speaking on the launch of the new reading guide, Elaina Ryan, Children’s Books Ireland CEO says that the guide should help to inspire a love of reading in children and young people. She added that: “From débuts to our Laureates na nÓg, ‘The Best Irish Books of 2025’ celebrates the wealth of talent on the island of Ireland. As well as the 100 featured books, an additional 100 are also recommended to inspire further reading.”

The Children’s Books Ireland CEO also expressed her delight for the inclusion of a Mayo author as well as those who recently made Ireland their home: “We’re so proud to include a Mayo artist in this reading guide. We believe it’s essential to champion the hard-working authors and illustrators from across the island, as well as those who have made their home here, creating art for children and young people and enriching our proud literary culture.”

READ NEXT:“There is always tomorrow” - Mayo councillors make mental health appeal

This year’s reading guide is a celebration of Irish authors and illustrators, published in 2025. With titles from well-known artists including, Alan Nolan, Leon Diop and Sadhbh Rosenstock.

Illustration work is too recognised, like Linda Fährlin’s commissioned cover image.

Speaking of her recent work ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Irish Lighthouses’ which was shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2025 Linda Fährlin said: “This cover is inspired by the sea. I was thinking that Children’s Books Ireland has collected a diverse treasure trove of the best titles for children and young people to enjoy, so of course, each animal or character has their own favourite book too! As a Champion of Reading I have seen the importance of presenting children with a wide range of books to choose from, as they are more motivated to read titles reflecting their own passions and interests.”

‘The Best Irish Books of 2025’ reading guide is available in participating bookshops and libraries nationwide, with digital copies available for free download from www.childrensbooksireland.ie.