Double Nomination at Irish Book Awards for Ballycastle Author

BALLYCASTLE children’s author illustrator, Paddy Donnelly, has been shortlisted for two separate awards at the prestigious An Post Irish Book Awards 2026 including‘Author/Illustrator of the Year’.

“I’m blown away to be nominated for Author/Illustrator of the Year alongside five of Ireland’s best authors and illustrators. It’s quite hard to believe.” said Donnelly.

Donnelly also appears twice in the Children’s Book of the Year (Junior) category, with his RathlinIsland inspired tale - The Upside-Down Lighthouse being featured, as well as his recent collaboration with celebrated author Catherine Doyle, The Starmaker.

At the 2024 awards, Donnelly took home the Children’s Book of the Year (Junior) for his picture book, The Golden Hare, which also was based on Rathlin. Now living in Belgium, Donnelly commented on how inspirational it was growing up on the North Coast.

“When I think about it, I’m extremely lucky to have grown up in Ballycastle. I was surrounded by an incredible landscape, just brimming with stories waiting to be told. We have myths and legends galore on the North Coast and I see it as a real privilege to keep adding to them.”

The Upside-Down Lighthouse follows Meara and Grandad on their latest adventure as they discover a mysterious, foggy island, way out at sea. And on this island stands a lighthouse - an upside-down lighthouse.

On this island, birds swim and fish fly. Stars shine during the day and waterfalls fall upwards! Grandad and Meara discover the magic of looking at the world upside- down on this topsy-turvy island full of wonders.

This series of picture books featuring Meara and her Grandad are always inspired by peculiar things from Donnelly’s home, and this one is no exception.

West Lighthouse is commonly known as The Upside-Down Lighthouse. It is Ireland’s only upside-down lighthouse with its tower built right into the rugged cliff face, while the light is peculiarly located at the bottom of the tower.

The reason for this is to allow the light to penetrate the low-lying fog which can surround the island.

In addition to the Children’s category nomination, Donnelly was delighted to make the shortlist for the coveted Author of the Year award (which in 2026 has been updated to include illustrators).

“The change to include illustrators in the Author of the Year category this year is such a welcome one. In Ireland we have such a wealth of artists and illustrators for picture books and graphic novels, that it’s great to see them be included.”

Donnelly is no stranger to awards, with recent wins for his books at the LAI Biennial Book Awards, Indie Book Awards, Ghradam Réics Carló, KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards and four times being nominated for the coveted Carnegie Medal for Illustration.

To date, Donnelly has published 34 books for children including The Vanishing Lake, The Golden Hare, Fox Son Tailers, Badger Books, The Starmaker, The Upside-Down Lighthouse and The Island of the Bees.