Irish author Kevin Barry congratulated for making Booker Prize longlist

The Booker judges described the Limerick natives novel as a "rogue gem of a novel" and "a work of crime fiction not quite like any other".

Born in Limerick and now living in Sligo, Mr Barry has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2013 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his first novel City of Bohane, and the Goldsmiths Prize for his second novel Beatlebone.

A total of 13 authors made up of eight women and five men are on this year’s Booker Prize longlist.

The shortlist of six will be announced in September and the overall winner, who will receive the prize of £50,000 (€56,0030), will be announced in October.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Joseph Madigan today congratulated Mr Barry on his inclusion on Booker Prize longlist.

The 2019 Booker Prize longlist has been announced. Watch what our judges had to say and read more here: https://t.co/BgLFiyaEbc#BookerPrize2019 #FinestFiction pic.twitter.com/gi1Xx6oe8h

— The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) July 23, 2019

Minister Madigan said:

“I am delighted that a contemporary Irish author such as Kevin Barry has been included in the longlist for such a renowned award.

He has already made significant contributions to the world of literature, with his previous works, City of Bohane and Beatlebone, winning him the Rooney Prize and Goldsmith Prize.

"Such critical acclaim builds further on Ireland’s strong international reputation for literature and attracts significant readerships from around the world.

"Ireland's writers have always been hugely important ambassadors for our country.”

Admirers of Barry's work took to Twitter to congratulate the author following the news.

Whoop 🎉🎉

Thrilled to see #NightBoatToTangier by #KevinBarry ( @canongatebooks ) on the #BookerPrize2019 list

Maurice Hearne and Charlie Redmond...two of my fav #cork men 😊

Here's my recent #BookReview https://t.co/YJFjPaAFzt pic.twitter.com/RXllCl1T23

— Mᴀɪʀᴇ́ᴀᴅ Hᴇᴀʀɴᴇ 📚 (@swirlandthread) July 24, 2019

Internally shouting “gwan Kevin Barry, gwan fucking Limerick,” upon hearing that he’s been shortlisted for the booker prize

— The Blindboy Podcast (@bbboatclub) July 24, 2019

Huge congrats to the amazing Kevin Barry for the #BookerPrize2019 nod. I'll try not fangirl all over him at the @The_JHS tomorrow. @JanCarson7280 you may need a big stick.

— Cat Hogan (@Kittycathogan) July 24, 2019

Dowtcha Kevin Barry boy ! #BookerPrize2019

— john creedon (@johncreedon) July 24, 2019

It feels like ages since we were hanging out with Booker Prize-nominated writer Kevin Barry in the heady days of mid July. #NightBoatToTangier is a joy and we're so excited that Kevin is on the @TheBookerPrizes longlist pic.twitter.com/qyVv8fRFxd

— West Cork Literary Festival (@wcorklitfest) July 24, 2019

On the first page of Kevin Barry’s Night Boat to Tangier and I realise all there is to do is decelerate. And savour every word 👌 pic.twitter.com/l9jHfGlJpK

— Aine Lynch (@ainenilionsigh) July 23, 2019

Comhghairdeas Kevin Barry. Ireland's writers have always been hugely important ambassadors for our country 🇮🇪📖📚@Lit_Ireland #GlobalIreland https://t.co/MIt7nLLW7s

— Josepha Madigan ⚖️✨ (@josephamadigan) July 24, 2019

Delighted to see that Kevin Barry has made the #BookerPrize2019 longlist for his beautiful new book Night Boat to Tangier. We’ve created a podcast for @MyRootsAreShow which will be with you soon, recorded with thanks to the mighty @wcorklitfest. ❤️📚 pic.twitter.com/z06atL0aFx

— Nadine O'Regan (@NadineORegan) July 24, 2019

I walked around Holyhead listening to the audiobook of #nightboattotangier by #kevinbarry it added to the gravity and magic of it, reminding me of a misspent youth including crustyish times in Spain.

— Gar Cox (@garcox) July 22, 2019