One County, One Book initiative is launched

As part of its centenary celebrations, Mayo County Library has officially launched On The Way Out by Mayo writer Liam Horan as its selection for the 2026 One County, One Book programme.

The announcement, just one of the initiatives planned for the Library’s 100th birthday, will see the award-winning novel promoted through libraries across the county with a programme of public events, discussions, workshops and reader engagement initiatives.

Copies will be available for borrowing in all fourteen Mayo County Library branches, and readers will be encouraged to add it to their borrowing list. The novel, chosen by Mayo Library’s reading panel for its authentic rural town setting and familiar turns of phrase and character, last year won the prestigious Gerald Griffin Award for First Original Adult Fiction. Judges Joseph O’Connor and Kerry Beth Neville praised the story and the way it navigates ordinary lives “with tenderness, wit, and acuity”.

On The Way Out was launched before a crowd of more than 170 people at Ballinrobe Library in November of last year.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr John Caulfield, welcomed the selection.

“Mayo has a strong and distinctive literary tradition, rooted in storytelling, place and community. On The Way Out is a contemporary contribution to that tradition and we are delighted to see it chosen as this year’s One County, One Book selection during such an important year for Mayo Library Service,” he said.

Mayo County Librarian Austin Vaughan said the novel reflected both the present and the memory of Mayo life.

“One County, One Book is about bringing readers together through a shared experience. On The Way Out reflects a Mayo that is recognisable and current, while also carrying echoes of older ways of life and memory. It is a book grounded in the reality of people and place, and we are very pleased to bring it to readers throughout the county during our centenary year,” he added.

Liam Horan said he was honoured by the selection.

“I’m genuinely touched that On The Way Out has been chosen for the programme. The novel grew out of places and lives that felt familiar to me, so for it now to become part of a county-wide reading initiative in Mayo means a great deal. Libraries matter because they are places where people encounter books, ideas and sometimes even parts of themselves, and it’s a privilege to be part of the library service’s centenary year,” he said.