O’Keeffe’s ‘The Visitors’ Makes Irish Novel of the Year Shortlist

The Visitors by Patrick O’Keeffe has been named to the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2015 Shortlist.

O’Keeffe is Assistant Professor of English at Ohio University, where he teaches creative writing fiction.

Following a tremendous response to a call for submissions to the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award 2015, which is for a published novel by an Irish author, Kerry Group announced the shortlist:

• City of Dis by David Butler
• Blue is the Night by Eoin McNamee
• The Closet of Savage Mementos by Nuala Ní Chonchúir
• The Visitors by Patrick O’Keeffe
• The Diary of Mary Travers by Eibhear Walshe

The adjudicators Eileen Battersby and Gerald Dawe now have the task of selecting the winner, who will be presented with a cheque for €15,000 at the Opening Night of Listowel Writers’ Week on Wednesday, May 27.

Patrick O’Keefe

“This prestigious award, now in its 20^th year, continues to attract books of exceptional merit from a myriad of accomplished and aspiring Irish writers,” said Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs with the Kerry Group. “With five outstanding novels featured on this year’s shortlist, it is evident that Ireland’s literary tradition goes from strength to strength….This year’s shortlist showcases a rich and diverse selection of Irish writing.”