Transworld Ireland, an imprint of the Random House Group, officially launched in Dublin

Transworld Ireland was officially launched on Wednesday evening, when over 200 people gathered for a lively celebration at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.

Notable guests at the event included former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, whose autobiography will be published in October 2009 – a major acquisition announced by publisher Eoin McHugh on the night.

In his speech, Eoin also drew attention to highlights of Transworld Ireland’s schedule for this autumn, which include an autobiography by rugby star Ronan O’Gara, and the first ever biography of our new Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.

The party enjoyed fantastic support from Eoin’s former colleagues across the Irish book trade. Other guests included bestselling authors Patricia Scanlan, John Boyne, Anita Notaro, Marita Conlon-McKenna and Claudia Carroll, as well as new and upcoming authors like Amanda Hearty and Amanda Brunker.

Transworld Ireland is an ambitious and vibrant new imprint, dedicated to sourcing and publishing the best of Irish fiction and non-fiction.

For further information, please contact: Aislinn Casey on +44 20 8231 6712 or e-mail a.casey@transworld-publishers.co.uk

Transworld Ireland to publish Ronan O’Gara’s autobiography

The autobiography of Irish rugby star Ronan O’Gara will be published by Transworld Ireland this October.

Ronan O’Gara’s contribution to Irish and international rugby cannot be underestimated – he is quite simply one of the greatest sportsmen that Ireland has ever produced.

Born in San Diego, California, and brought up in Cork, Ronan O’Gara was a star player at Presentation Brothers College, University College Cork and Cork Constitution, before becoming a key member of the Munster team and the Irish national squad. Since making his international debut in 2000, O'Gara has gone on to win more than 80 international caps and scored 827 points for Ireland, making him the leading points scorer in Irish rugby history. He has scored more points than any other player in the history of the Heineken Cup – 943 to date, a figure that is almost 250 points clear of his nearest rival. He is among the top ten all-time points scorers in the world; won the Triple Crown with Ireland in 2004, 2006 and 2007; and was a member of the British & Irish Lions touring teams in both 2001 and 2005.
 
Yet, as in any sporting career, there have been setbacks as well, most notably Ireland's disappointing performance in last year’s Rugby World Cup. In his autobiography, for the first time, O'Gara will answer the critics, revealing his feelings as a series of flat performances sent the Irish crashing out of the championship, while he faced a series of front-page allegations about his private life.

In this candid, illuminating autobiography, O'Gara tells the story of his many on-field successes, culminating in the glorious year of 2006, when his tactical prowess and determination helped guide Ireland to the Triple Crown, and then Munster to a memorable Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.  Bringing O’Gara’s story right up to date, it includes Ireland’s 2008 Six Nations campaign, when he was named Irish captain for the first time in his career – a much-deserved recognition of his achievements for both Ireland and Munster, and of his status within the Irish squad.

Ronan O’Gara’s autobiography was acquired by Transworld Ireland from Jonathan Harris at Luxton Harris and will be published in October 2008.

Eoin McHugh, publisher at Transworld Ireland, says:

‘We are very excited to be publishing Ronan O’Gara’s autobiography. Ronan is a passionate and proud representative of his country and this is the unforgettable story of one of the world’s most talented rugby players at the very top of his game.’

For further information, please contact Aislinn Casey on +44 20 8231 6712 or e-mail a.casey@transworld-publishers.co.uk

Transworld author triumphs at Irish Book Awards

Anita Notaro emerged triumphant at the Irish Book Awards, which took place last night in Dublin.

Take A Look At Me Now by Anita Notaro was declared winner of the Galaxy Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year.

Anita Notaro was shortlisted alongside some of the most acclaimed authors of popular fiction in Ireland today, such as Sheila O’Flanagan and Ross O’Carroll-Kelly.

Anita Notaro’s victory in the popular fiction category was especially significant as it was decided by a public vote, and Take A Look At Me Now is currently at No. 1 in the Irish paperback bestsellers list.

Anita Notaro said “I never imagined that I would have a No.1 bestseller but to have achieved that and to win Book of the Year in the same week is a dream come true.  I am absolutely delighted.”

The Irish Book Awards are the highest accolade granted by the Irish book industry and winners were announced at a gala dinner last night in Dublin’s Mansion House. The ceremony included a touching tribute, made by former Arts Minister Michael D. Higgins, to the late John O’Donohue, bestselling Transworld author who died last year.

For further information, please contact Aislinn Casey on +44 20 8231 6712 or e-mail a.casey@transworld-publishers.co.uk

Anita Notaro shortlisted for Irish Book Award

Take a Look at Me Now by Anita Notaro has been shortlisted for the Galaxy Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year in this year’s Irish Book Awards. The shortlist of just six books was announced on 5th March and includes some of the most renowned authors of popular fiction in Ireland today, such as Sheila O’Flanagan and Ross O’Carroll-Kelly.

Anita Notaro is a TV producer, journalist and director, who worked for RTÉ for eighteen years. She has directed the Eurovision Song Contest and the Irish General Election, as well as programmes for the BBC and Channel 4. Take a Look at Me Now is her fourth novel, which was published to great critical acclaim in October 2007 and went on to reach number three in the Irish Book Charts.

The Irish Book Awards were established in 2006 with the aim of promoting and celebrating excellence in Irish writing. The winner of the Galaxy Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year will be decided by a public vote and will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on 24th March.

To register your vote for Take a Look at Me Now, by Anita Notaro, visit www.irishbookawards.ie.

For further information, please contact Aislinn Casey on +44 20 8231 6712 or e-mail a.casey@transworld-publishers.co.uk

27th February 2008

Transworld Ireland’s first title goes straight to number one

Patricia Scanlan’s latest novel, Forgive and Forget, has gone straight to number one in the Irish Book Charts just days after publication. Not only is this Transworld Ireland’s first number one, but Forgive and Forget is also the first title to be published under the Transworld Ireland imprint, which was established last year.

Eoin McHugh, publisher at Transworld Ireland, says:

‘We are thrilled with Patricia’s success, and it’s all the more special considering that Forgive and Forget is the first title ever to be published on the Transworld Ireland list. We’re off to a great start and I’m very confident that this is just the first of many success stories. We’re building a fantastic list of authors and the forthcoming months should see us establish ourselves as a major force in Irish publishing.’

For further information, please contact Aislinn Casey on +44 20 8231 6712 or e-mail a.casey@transworld-publishers.co.uk