‘Thirst Trap’ Wins Kerry Group Irish Novel Of The Year Award At Listowel Writers Week

LISTOWEL Writers’ Week has announced the winner of Ireland’s longest running and most respected literary prize for fiction, as the award marks 30 years of Kerry Group sponsorship.

Gráinne O’Hare’s ‘Thirst Trap’ has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award at the opening night of the 55th anniversary of Listowel Writers’ Week.

The festival was officially opened by award-winning Irish broadcast journalist and television presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, with acclaimed novelist Colm Tóibín among those in attendance.

Continued below…

Set against the pressures and contradictions of contemporary life, Thirst Trap was selected from a shortlist that reflected the depth and variety of current Irish fiction. Judges praised the novel for its intelligence, emotional precision and distinctive voice.

“Congratulations to Gráinne O’Hare on winning the 2026 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award for Thirst Trap,” said Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kerry. “It is especially encouraging to see such a distinctive new voice emerge, continuing the remarkable tradition of Irish authors celebrated through Listowel Writers’ Week. All this year’s nominees were outstanding, and as Kerry marks 30 years of sponsoring this award, we are proud to support original Irish voices and the enduring impact of Irish storytelling.”

The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award is recognised as one of Ireland’s most significant literary honours and carries a prize fund of €20,000.

Presented annually as part of Ireland’s oldest literary and arts festival, the award continues to celebrate exceptional Irish fiction and the enduring strength of the novel form in Irish writing.

The award was adjudicated by former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and acclaimed novelist and essayist Andrew O’Hagan.

Chairman of Listowel Writers’ Week, Ned O’Sullivan, said: “The Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award has, over many years, become an important part of Ireland’s literary landscape, recognising fiction that challenges, moves and endures. This year carries added significance as we mark 30 years of Kerry Group sponsorship, a partnership that has sustained one of the country’s most respected literary prizes while remaining rooted here in Listowel. We warmly congratulate Gráinne O’Hare on a novel of remarkable intelligence, wit and insight.”

Over the coming days, the festival programme will feature public interviews, theatre, poetry, music, children’s events, creative workshops and literary discussions across venues throughout the town.