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The BORD GÁIS Energy Irish Book Award winners were announced last night.Authors Roddy Doyle, Darina Allen, Paul Howard and Michael Harding were among the winners in the various categories.Children’s writers Benji Bennett and Derek Landy, newcomer Niamh Boyce, crime writer Louise Philips, sports writer David Walsh, short story writer Billy O’ Callaghan and Fintan O’Toole were also honoured at the gala ceremony held in Dublin.Esteemed novelist John Banville (left, image source) was presented with the 'Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award 2013' by actress Sinéad Cusack for his contribution to Irish literature, and a tribute to the late Seamus Heaney was screened during the ceremony which featured accolades from former US President Bill Clinton and Edna O’ Brien.The winners in the various categories were:RTÉ Radio 1’s The John Murray Show Listeners’ Choice Award: 'Staring at Lakes' by Michael HardingThe Eason Novel of the Year: 'The Guts' by Roddy DoyleThe Books Are My Bag Best Irish-published Book of the Year: 'A History Of Ireland in 100 Objects' by Fintan O’TooleThe International Education Services Ltd Popular Fiction Book of the Year: 'Downturn Abbey' by Ross O’Carroll KellyThe Ireland AM Crime Fiction Book of the Year: 'The Doll's House' by Louise Philips    The Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year: 'The Herbalist' by Niamh BoyceThe Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year Jnr.: 'When You Were Born' by Benji BennettThe Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year Snr: 'Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men' by Derek LandyThe RTÉ Television Sports Book of the Year 'Seven Deadly Sins' by David WalshThe Avonmore Cookbook of the Year: '30 Years of Ballymaloe' by Darina AllenThe Bord Gáis Energy Bookshop of the Year: The Clifden Bookshop, Clifden, Co. GalwayThe Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award: John Banville    

       Ireland's 'glitterati' came out in force last night at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards Ceremony in the Concert Hall of the RDS. In a night when Seamus Heaney received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by fellow poet Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, it would be easier to say who wasn't there, than who was - even former US President Bill Clinton appeared in a pre-recorded tribute to 'one of the world's favourite poets'.The Irish Book Award winners are voted on by the public and the various categories were hotly contested. All winning and shortlisted books are available to borrow from Dublin City Public Libraries. Winners on the night were;Neil Jordan, for his novel Mistaken (Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year)Belinda McKeown, for her novel Solace (Sunday Independent Best Irish Newcomer of the Year)Sheila O'Flanagan, for her novel All for You (Easons Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year)Alan Glynn, for his novel Bloodland (Ireland AM Irish Crime Fiction Book of the Year)Tim Robinson, for Connemara (International Education Services Best Irish Published Book of the Year)Caitlyn Moran, for How to be a Woman (RTE John Murray Show Listener's Choice)Rachel Allen, for Easy Meals (Argosy Irish Non-fiction Book of the Year)Nicholas Roche, for Inside the Peloton (Irish Sports Book of the Year)Chris Judge, for his picturebook The Lonely Beast (Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year: Junior)Anna Carey, for her novel The Real Rebecca (Specsavers Irish Children's Book of the Year: Senior)A full list of all the short listed titles is still available on the Irish Book Awards website.