Dublin-born author Niall Williams has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2025 for his novel Time of the Child. The award was presented during the opening night of Listowel Writers’ Week at the Listowel Arms Hotel.
Set in 1960s Ireland, Time of the Child delves into poignant themes surrounding childhood trauma, and the complex relationships between Church and State. Williams’ work was selected from a highly competitive shortlist featuring acclaimed writers including Christine Dwyer Hickey, Joseph O’Connor, Colm Tóibín, and Donal Ryan.
Now in its 31st year, the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year remains one of Ireland’s most esteemed literary honours, celebrating outstanding Irish fiction. The prize carries a total fund of €22,000, with €20,000 awarded to the winner and €500 presented to each shortlisted author. Kerry Group has maintained a long-standing sponsorship, supporting Irish literary excellence through Ireland’s oldest literary and arts festival.
This year’s judging panel comprised acclaimed authors Carol Drinkwater and Paul McVeigh, who reviewed over 50 submissions before selecting Williams’ novel. Ms. Drinkwater praised Williams’ writing as “exciting” and “exquisite,” likening the experience of reading to “sitting in a magnificent cathedral listening to a great soprano.” She added, “It is a novel full of compassion. The characters are so vulnerable, they tear you apart.”
Reflecting on her decision, Ms. Drinkwater remarked, “I still picture myself in that doctor’s surgery. I hear the child crying; I can smell the newly washed nappies. I long for these people, that father and daughter, to be given the miracle they so crave. Ireland truly is a treasure chest of brilliant modern novelists.”
Co-judge Paul McVeigh acknowledged the challenge of choosing a winner from such high-quality entries. “Any of the shortlisted books could have won, but Time of the Child rose to the top. I don’t remember the last time a book made me stop so frequently to savour a sentence. Niall Williams is an extraordinary writer and a worthy recipient of the award.”
Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Kerry Group, praised the ongoing partnership with Listowel Writers’ Week, highlighting the annual reminder of Ireland’s position as a leader on the global literary stage. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Niall Williams on this well-deserved recognition,” she said.
The award ceremony marked the official launch of Listowel Writers’ Week 2025, a major literary festival running until June 1st. The festival features an array of events including readings, panel discussions, workshops, and performances with some of Ireland’s most celebrated writers.
Time of the Child (2024) is published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
