Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was the Award established?

A: The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award was established by Dublin City, Civic Charter in 1994. It arose from an initiative of Dublin Corporation, the Municipal Government of Dublin City on the instigation of the then Lord Mayor, Alderman Gay Mitchell who commissioned an expert group to consider and report on the feasibility of organising a Dublin Literary Award. The expert group comprised of Chair, Mr. Sean Donlon (of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and GPA), Deirdre Ellis-King, Dublin City Librarian, Professor Augustine Martin of University College Dublin, Senator David Norris, Trinity College Dublin and Colm O'Briain, formerly Director of the Irish Arts Council. Their Report was adopted by the City Council and incorporated into the Report of the Lord Mayor's Commission on Economic Development in Dublin.

Q: What is the Civic Charter?

A: Under the auspices of the Civic Charter "The Right Honorable, The Lord Mayor Alderman and Burgesses of Dublin, .. at its meeting of the 9th May 1994 agreed to establish a prize for literature which would attract national and international interest. To facilitate the organisation of such a prize The Corporation hereby grants a charter to The Trustees for the time being of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award under the patronage of the Right Honorable The Lord Mayor of Dublin and in association with IMPAC. The Charter authorises the Trustees at their absolute discretion to establish a Trust for the advancement of Education and to encourage new works of high literary merit published in the English language and in particular by making an annual Award to be known as the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award..."

Q: Who are the Trustees?

A: The Founding Trustees, under the Chairmanship of Robert Burke, were The Dublin City Manager (ex-officio), Robert Jacobson, Michael Buckley, Pat Donlon and Sean Donlon.

Q: Who organises the award?

A: The current organisers of the award are: Deirdre Ellis-King , Dublin City Librarian (ex-officio), Alan Breen, Dublin City Press Officer (ex-officio), Cathy McKenna, Administrator, Dublin City Libraries, Alastair Smeation, Divisional Librarian, Dublin City Libraries.

Q: Who manages the nomination processes and liaison with publishers?

A: Dublin City Public Libraries manages the entire process of nomination which involves over one hundred public libraries in a unique international library cooperative effort. It also liaises with publishers of nominated works who provide copies for the judging process as a requirement of eligibility.

Q: Who can nominate books for the Award?

A: The nomination process for the Award is unique as nominations are made by libraries in capital and major cities throughout the world. Participating libraries can nominate up to three novels each year for the Award. Libraries interested in participating should contact the organisers for details.

Q: Are the nominations based on popularity of titles issued by public libraries?

A: Titles are nominated on the basis of 'high literary merit' as determined by the nominating library.

Q: How often is it awarded?

A: The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is awarded annually. The first was made in 1996.

Q: What are the rules for nominating a book for the 2010 Award?

A: You may read the rules and conditions for the 2010 Award here. In summary form, in order to be eligible for consideration for the 2010 Award a novel must have been: first published in English between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2008, both dates inclusive, or first published in a language other than English between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2008 and first published in English translation between 1st January 2008and 31st December 2008 (all dates inclusive). Nomination forms and the full rules and conditions for the 2010 Award are sent to all participating libraries and publishers.

Q: How is the longlist of titles arrived at?

A: The longlist, which is announced in October / November of each year, is the full list of all eligible nominated novels submitted by the participating libraries.

Q: Is there a publicly announced shortlist?

A: Yes. The shortlist, up to a maximum of ten titles, chosen by the judges is announced in March / April of each year.

Q: Who are the judges?

A: Both the shortlist and the eventual winner are selected by an international panel of judges which changes each year. Professor Allen Weinstein was the non-voting chair of the panel from 1996 - 2003. Eugene R. Sullivan is the non-voting chair from 2004 to date.

Previous Judges:

2009 Rachel Billington Garbrielle Alioth Vesna Goldsworthy Timothy Taylor James Ryan	2008 Helon Habila Eibhlin Evans Aamer Hussein José Luis de Juan Patricia Dunckler	2007 Hanan Al-Shaykh Carmen Callil Lilian Faschinger Almeida Faria Gerald Dawe
2006 Jane Koustas Mary O'Donnell Andrew O'Hagan Paolo Ruffilli	2005 Jonathan Buckley Agnès Desarthe Rita Ann Higgins Milan Richter Nino Ricci	2004 Anita Desai Shirley Geok-lin Lim John Quinn Knut Ødegård Michèle Roberts
2003 Morgan Llywelyn Deirdre Madden Amritjit Singh Ilan Stavans	2002 Michael Holroyd Jennifer Johnston Steinunn Sigurdardottir Audrey Thomas Jorgé Volpi	2001 Colum McCann Amit Chaudhuri Medbh McGuckian Buchi Emecheta Fred D'Aguiar
2000 Alicia Borinsky David Dabydeen Suzi Feay Josyane Savigneau Colm Toibin	1999 Andre Brink Bodil Malmsten Alberto Manguel Julia O'Faolain Tom Shapcott	1998 Greg Gatenby Margo Glantz Paul Muldoon Marta Tikkanen Al Young
1997 Margaret Drabble Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill Josef Skvorecky Jane Urquhart Shawn Wong	1996 Christopher Hope Lidia Jorge Brendan Kennelly Robert Taylor Luisa Valenzuela

 

Q: What is the prize fund?

A: The prize is €100,000 which is awarded to the author if the book is written in English. If the winning book is in English translation, the author receives €75,000 and the translator, €25,000. The winner also receives a trophy provided by Dublin City Council.

Q: Who are the sponsors?

A: The originating sponsor is Dublin Corporation, the municipal government of Dublin City, Capital City of Ireland. The private sector sponsoring partner is the company, IMPAC, which has an interest in Ireland through the ancestry of its former chairman Dr. James B. Irwin Snr. IMPAC (Improved Management Productivity and Control) is involved in 'productivity improvement' and operates in many countries around the world. The Perpetual Award trophy was sponsored by Waterford Crystal

Q: Previous winners of the Award?
A: