These were Seascraper by Benjamin Wood for the fiction award, Death Of An Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry for the non-fiction award, and My Soul, A Shining Tree by Jamila Gavin for the children’s fiction award. Hornby said he believed A Family Matter would be “read and thought about for years to come.”“It is both readable and intelligent, and it offers hope and consolation,” he added. The Nero Book Awards were established by coffee house group Caffe Nero in 2023 in partnership with The Booksellers Association and Brunel University of London. Caffe Nero founder and chief executive Gerry Ford said: “As the Nero Book Awards continue to grow, it becomes even harder to pick the Nero Gold Prize winner. “These awards were established to discover the best talent being published in the UK and Ireland, and Claire Lynch is a great example of this.

Government current spending up by 7pc so far this year – faster than predicted in Budget 2026Simon Harris had promised to limit annual increase to 6pcTánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris. Photo: Gareth ChaneyJohn Burns Yesterday at 17:39Current expenditure increased by 7pc in the first two months of the year, according to the latest Exchequer returns.

Emotional scenes in Dublin Airport as the first commercial flight back from Middle East to Dublin landedThere was relief and tearful reunions at Dublin airport as the first flight from Dubai touched down since the recent crisis in the Middle East. There are to be further direct flights from the Middle East landing in Dublin on Thursday, and a government charter plane later this week. Anna Callaghan from Donegal was overcome to be surprised by her mother having travelled from the north west to Dublin Airport to see her. “Dublin is the most beautiful city in the world.”Gina Quinn from Dublin described hearing a national alarm in the middle of the night which woke them all up. Alex Anderson, a French-American who lives in Frankfurt, described “huge relief” and said it was very emotional to land in Dublin.

EU milk production is expected to decline by around 5% between 2025 and 2030, prompting Irish processors to enter what they are describing as a "period of managed transition". For Ireland, as a major global dairy exporter, maintaining competitiveness will be critical. Also speaking at the meeting, agriculture minister Martin Heydon highlighted the importance of the CAP in the context of food security. ICOS Dairy Committee chair Eamonn McEnteggart concluded that the Irish dairy industry is entering a period of "managed transition". While global dairy demand remains strong, particularly in growth markets outside Europe, future success will depend on efficiency, environmental credibility and strategic collaboration across the value chain, he explained.

Alejandro Garnacho singled out as 'upset' Chelsea star proves Liam Rosenior bang onChelsea star Alejandro Garnacho was singled out by Liam Rosenior following the Blues' victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League and received some enthusiastic praiseView 2 Images Alejandro Garnacho impressed (Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Liam Rosenior was full of praise for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho following the Blues' win over Aston Villa. ‌Chelsea boss Rosenior emphasised that his charge had been disappointed not to play of late and lauded Garnacho's efforts in training. ‌“He’s outstanding. He was outstanding," Rosenior said. Liam Rosenior sends Robert Sanchez clear message as Chelsea keeper dropped vs Aston Villa READ MORE :FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!

Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..TonightPeriods of rain. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.

But the Manchester United captain then put a free-kick onto the head of Casemiro to make it 1-1 in the ninth minute of added time. View 5 Images United struggled to break Newcastle down (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)‌4. View 5 Images Manchester United were frustrated at Newcastle (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)‌5. Enter William Osula - who has been a regular substitute but little more for Howe this season. Content cannot be displayed without consentJoin our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

‌The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it has received a report an explosion off the coast of Kuwait on Wednesday, March 4. ‌UKMTO said the Master of an anchored tanker reported witnessing and hearing a large explosion then seeing a small craft leave the vicinity in south-east Mubarak Al-Kabeer in Kuwait late on Wednesday, March 4, as the Middle East war rages on. ‌Israel and the US hit Iran in joint strikes on several key sites on Saturday, February 28. ‌"There is oil in the water coming from a cargo tank which could have some environmental impact," UKMTO said in a warning. Article continues belowThe maritime operation said vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

A losing bidder for a contract to provide surveys for the retrofitting of hundreds of thousands of properties throughout Ireland has lost a challenge to the awarding of the €75m contract. The contract, which is awarded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is set to last up to five years. The SEAI disputed KSN's claims and opposed the challenge to the awarding of the contract. SEAI was also entitled to conclude that Abtran had adequately explained its costs and proposed resources, he said. The evidence did not establish that there was a clear error by SEAI in accepting that Abtran could perform the contract with the resources proposed, he said.

War dead: Mourners dig graves for children killed in a US-Israel strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province on March 3rd. Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel, while Iranian drones have also hit countries across the Middle East. Hizbullah, an Iranian-backed militia, fired missiles into Israel in the early days of the war, and by Wednesday Israeli forces entered Lebanon. Irish Times contributor Mark Weiss in Jerusalem explains how the US and Israel are looking for different outcomes from this war. And Shashank Joshi, defence editor with The Economist, explores how the war might end – and when – and why the Kurds might be drawn in to war.

KNVB Cup semi-final: AZ Alkmaar 2 Telstar 1Troy Parrott may have to appeal to the Dutch equivalent of the Dubious Goals Committee for his 30th goal this season after he helped AZ Alkmaar reach the Cup final again. Four minutes later, the 24-year-old looked to have got the final touch after goalkeeper Ronald Koeman junior was left floundering from a corner. While Parrott was credited with the goal by the stadium announcer, some external outlets designated it another own-goal, this time to Neville Ogidi Nwankwo. Parrott scored in last year’s KNVB final but ended up on the losing side against Go Ahead Eagles. AZ travel to PSV on Saturday before they meet Sparta Prague in the Conference League last-16, either side of meeting Heracles in the league.

Brian FlynnOffaly man appointed to Just Transition CommissionAn Offaly man has been appointed to the Just Transition Commission for a three-year term. Brian Flynn is a director and Chair of An Síolán, a community development company in west Offaly repurposing major buildings to meet evolving economic and social needs. He is replacing another Offaly man, Seamus Boland, on the commission. The Just Transition Commission, chaired by Ali Sheridan, plays a key role in advising and supporting the Government to ensure that the move to a climate neutral economy is fair and benefits everyone. The appointment of Mr Flynn as an independent expert will provide particular focus on rural and community development, the Government said.

Eddie Howe revealed Newcastle's match winner Will Osula scored an identical goal in training on Tuesday after asking to do extra shooting practice. The 22-year-old forward scored a 90th-minute winner to beat Manchester United as 10-man Newcastle produced arguably their performance of the season to triumph 2-1. Afterwards Newcastle manager Howe said: 'Will wanted 10 more balls after training yesterday and he scored eight out of ten of them just like that. It emerged on Tuesday night that Osula once won a skills tournament at United as an 11-year-old in 2014. pic.twitter.com/v29MkclfK8 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 8, 2014Osula eventually joined Sheffield United's academy.

A teenage girl who lost both her legs in a freak farming accident and undergone over 60 operations will be the focus of a special 'Stand4Féile' jersey day appeal in her native west Cork. Féile defied predictions in being able to make a temporary trip home to Allihies to spend Christmas with her family. She was airlifted to Cork University Hospital (CUH) in the aftermath of the accident. Now, the sports-obsessed teen will be the focus of a special jersey day across primary and secondary schools in Cork and Kerry - with the event aimed at showing local solidarity with her and her family. Schools can register for the upcoming jersey day at https://gaacork.ie/stand4feile/

Plymouth seafood restaurant shuts leaving huge debtsEatery closes after five years at the Royal William YardView 3 Images The Hook and Line, seafood restaurant at the Royal William Yard has now closed (Image: William Telford)A top Plymouth seafood restaurant closed leaving huge debts including cash owed to staff and an unpaid Covid loan. ‌The Hook and Line shut at the Royal William Yard late last year and now the company which ran it has collapsed into liquidation with creditors owed more than £355,000. ‌The Hook and Line Plymouth Ltd’s statement of affairs shows it owes more than £20,000 to its former staff and more than £128,000 in unpaid tax. In March 2024 Hook and Line’s RWY restaurant was hit with a hygiene rating of just two, following an inspection. The Hook and Line Plymouth Ltd’s most recent set of published accounts, for 2023, showed a deficit of £116,423 on its profit and loss account.