Ryan’s privilege over Irish Book Award

Local author Donal Ryan has described his winning of the 2020 Novel of the Year award as a privilege and one that he is thankful to the people of north Tipperary for.

The Newtown native’s latest accolade came for his new novel ‘Strange Flowers’ in the An Post Irish Book Awards.

“I was thrilled to win Novel of the Year, especially from such a strong shortlist,” Donal said of the award. “It's a great feeling to win an award that’s voted for by readers - it’s a privilege to think of people going to the trouble of reading anything I’ve written and then voting for it.

“I'll always be in debt to the people of north Tipperary for giving me a voice and for supporting me from the start. I first felt like a ‘real’ writer (whatever that is!) when I was in Nenagh CBS, and had teachers like Deirdre Cahill and Martin Slattery, who could see some potential and urged me not to waste it.

“Thanks again to north Tipp for always making me feel at home.”