John McGahern Book Prize

The winner of the John McGahern Prize for debut book of Irish fiction (2021) will read from their work and be presented with their £5,000 prize at this event. Three books have been shortlisted from among 24 entries: James Harpur, The Pathless Country (Liquorice Fish Books); Louise Kennedy, The End of the World is a Cul de Sac (Bloomsbury); and Eimear Ryan, Holding Her Breath (Sandycove). The winner will be chosen by novelist and current Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Colm Tóibín.

Now in its third year, the prize was established by the University's Institute of Irish Studies to promote new Irish fiction and to celebrate the memory of one of Ireland's greatest masters of prose fiction, John McGahern (1934-2006). To find out more about the competition please click here.

We have listened to your feedback and this year we’re offering you the chance to purchase full day or weekend passes for the Liverpool Literary Festival so you can enjoy everything the festival has to offer.

All passes will include reserved seating in the lecture theatre, a free drink at the Waterhouse Café, plus a host of other exclusive VIP benefits.

Cost: Saturday pass £30, Sunday pass £40, Weekend pass £60

Please note, all types of festival passes do not include the launch event on Friday 7th October with Ann Cleeves at the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre.

Click here to book a festival pass

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Victoria Gallery & Museum, Ashton Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom