Adjudicators Author, Giles Foden and Actress Kate O'Toole had the unenviable task of selecting the winner from this year's acclaimed short-listed novels. Presenting the 2010 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award, Maria Rohan, commented; "Our Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award grows in stature each year. This year's shortlist included five exceptionally gifted Irish writers, each of whom will inevitably continue to contribute to Irish literature on the world scene. Congratulations to John Banville for his outstanding and enriching novel which confirms that Irish fiction is in a very vibrant state."

A complete list of all the winners announced at the opening night of Writers' Week 2010 with guest speaker Judge Bryan MacMahon.

The five shortlisted novels for the 2010 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award were unveiled at the official launch of this year's Listowel Writer's Week. Actress Kate O'Toole and author, Giles Foden adjudicated and chose the final five shortlisted novels for this year's prize fund of €15,000.

The full programme with details of readings, lectures, seminars, book launches, art exhibitions, tours, children's programme, workshops and debates will be available from the 20th April 2010.

Here is a sneak preview of who will be attending the festival:

Robert Lacey • Kate Adie • Christopher Reid • Jennifer Johnston • Tash Aw • Joseph O'Connor • David Mitchell • Gisele Scanlon • Lynn Barber • Eddie Hobbs • John Sharry • Paul Durcan • Anne Haverty • David Mitchell • Dermot Weld • Aifric Campbell • Jane Gardam • Roddy Doyle • Rachel Cusk • Claire Kilroy • Thelma Mansfield • Derek Landy • Julie Beckett • Darren Shan • Jerry Harmon • Niall de Burca • Declan Hughes • Julia Bell • Sheila O'Flanagan • Sean O'Reilly • Terry Prone • Michael Harding • Patricia O'Reilly • Joe Craig

Writers' Week unveiled details of an exciting €30,000 prize fund for their many writing competitions. With over sixteen choices of competitions to choose from novel, poetry, short story, play, journalism, storytelling and children's there is an opportunity for everyone to net a prize. Most notable of the competitions is the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award with a prize of €15,000 for a work of fiction making it the most valuable in the Irish literary calendar. Other writing competitions include The Bryan MacMahon Short Story, Duais Foras Na Gaeilge, the Eamon Keane Play and the Kerry County Council Writing for Youth.

Writers' Week welcomes new patrons and sponsors for its competitions and events. Sponsors benefit from national and internatinal exposure in our Advance Information and Programme promotinal material. Sponsors are also guaranteed high visibility in our PR/Media campaign in the lead-up to and during the Festival.

Should you wish to avail of the opportunity to associate yourself or your company with Ireland's premier literary festival, please contact the Writers' Week office to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

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