Mayo’s Sally Rooney longlisted for 2026 Dublin Literary Award

Mayo native Sally Rooney has been longlisted for the 2026 Dublin Literary Award, as organisers revealed the 20 novels in contention for one of the world’s most lucrative literary prizes.

The Castlebar writer’s latest novel, Intermezzo, is among the titles nominated for the €100,000 award, alongside fellow Irish author Niamh Ní Mhaoleoin and her debut novel Ordinary Saints. Rooney’s book was nominated by Redbridge Central Library and Liverpool Libraries in the UK, while Ní Mhaoleoin’s was put forward by Libraries Northern Ireland.

Sponsored by Dublin City Council, the award celebrates 31 years of excellence in world literature and remains the world’s most valuable annual prize for a single work of fiction published in English. The winner receives €100,000. In the case of a translated work, the author is awarded €75,000, with €25,000 going to the translator.

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Uniquely, nominations for the Dublin Literary Award are submitted by librarians and readers from a global network of library systems, reflecting a broad and democratic literary perspective.

“At the heart of this award are libraries and their readers dotted across the world unified through a culturally rich reading experience,” said Dublin City Librarian Mairéad Owens, highlighting the central role of libraries.

Commenting on the announcement, Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, said readers would be “delighted to get stuck into the 20 novels featured on the longlist,” noting the diverse themes explored, from war and coming-of-age to family drama and dark humour.

The shortlist for the 2026 Dublin Literary Award will be announced on Tuesday, April 7.

The 31st winner will then be revealed on Thursday, May 21, by the Lord Mayor as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin, which is also funded by Dublin City Council.