At the conclusion of the evening the thoughts of the local experts will be matched against the adjudication of the Booker panel proper, as the library has installed a large screen television to broadcast the deliberations and decision of the national judges.

The Downpatrick panel is the Irish Times literary correspondent Eileen Battersby, novelist and short story writer Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, writer and broadcaster Annie McCartney and Tim Smyth, manager of the Bookshop at Queen’s.

Kevin Quinn, Culture Librarian based at Downpatrick, who will double as master of ceremonies for the evening, recalls last year’s event:

Last year’s Booker evening was a resounding success. A packed house heard a discerning and lively panel give their views and pick their winners from the shortlist. We then played back the televised proceedings on the big screen. The 2001 winner was True History of the Kelly Gang, by Peter Carey which was also the choice of two of the Downpatrick panel.. This year we have assembled a really sparkling panel; the audience should be in for a literary treat.

The bookies’ early favourite for the prestigious award, worth £50,000, was veteran Cork author William Trevor whose novel The story of Lucy Gault involves a child growing up in troubled 1921 Cork who, at eight years old, is parted from her family.

Everyone is welcome to the evening; admission is free and refreshments will be served.

For further information contact:

Branch Library Manager
Downpatrick Library
Market Street
Downpatrick
BT30 6LZ

Notes for editors

 The Booker Prize was established by Booker plc in 1968. The prize aims to reward the best novel of the year, the judges being selected from the country’s leading critics. This year’s winner will be the 34th person to scoop the prize of £50,000.

 The award has been renamed The Man Booker prize this year after its sponsors, City firm The Man Group.

This year’s shortlist is:
 Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Family matters by Rohinton Mistry, Unless by Carol Shields, The story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and Dirt music by Tim Winton

 This year’s judging panel is chaired by writer, critic and broadcaster, Professor Lisa Jardine and comprises David Baddiel, writer and comedian; Russell Celyn Jones, novelist and short story writer; Sally Vickers, novelist and analytical psychologist; and Erica Wagner, Literary Editor of the Times