Winner of Dublin Literary Award 2026
Dublin City Council announces Gliff by Ali Smith as winner of the 2026 Dublin Literary Award.
On Thursday 21st May Scottish author, Ali Smith was announced as winner of the 2026 Dublin Literary Award sponsored by Dublin City Council, for the novel Gliff published by Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House. The Dublin Literary Award is presented annually to promote excellence in world literature.
The Award, now in its 31st year, is the largest prize for a single novel published in English. Uniquely, the Award receives its nominations from public libraries around the world and recognises both writers and translators.
Lord Mayor of Dublin and Patron of the Award, Councillor Ray McAdam made the announcement and Deputy Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Anthony Flynn presented the prize to the winning author at a special ceremony during the International Literature Festival Dublin in Merrion Square Park. Anna Burns, who won the Dublin Literary Award in 2020 delivered a keynote speech to the invited audience.
Commenting on the novel, Councillor Ray McAdam said:
“
Through the eyes of two young protagonists navigating an increasingly authoritarian society, we are reminded that courage is not always loud, but it is always consequential.
Winner Ali Smith stated:
“
What a thrill. What a homecoming for my book, a book very much about who and what makes a home for those who find themselves out in the world looking for exactly that.
I still can't quite believe my luck.
Ali Smith will appear at the International Literature Festival Dublin, for an in-depth conversation about the novel with Belinda McKeon, tomorrow evening (Friday 22nd May) at 6pm in Merrion Square Park
About Gliff, by Ali Smith
‘Once upon a time, not very far from now, two children come home to find a line of wet red paint round the outside of their house . . .’
So begins the freewheeling and urgent new novel from Ali Smith – the story of two young people and a horse called Gliff, on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse.
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