Friday, October 2, 2026 - Maurice J Casey and John Waddell have jointly won the 2026 Michel Déon Prize for non-fiction, marking the first time the prestigious award has been shared.
Casey was recognised for Hotel Lux: An Intimate History of Communism’s Forgotten Radicals, while Waddell won for The Celtic World: A History. The winners were announced at a ceremony at the Royal Irish Academy on October 1.
The joint award highlights two very different works of Irish non-fiction. Casey’s Hotel Lux, published by Footnote Press, explores the personal lives of communism’s lesser-known radicals, while Waddell’s The Celtic World, published by Four Courts Press, examines the language, origins, art and evidence surrounding the ancient Celts. The judging panel praised both books for the depth and strength of their research.
The €10,000 Michel Déon Prize is awarded to non-fiction writers habitually living on the island of Ireland. The winners were presented with the award by Royal Irish Academy president Professor Daniel Carey and Eugene Downes of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Casey and Waddell are also expected to contribute to the prize’s wider programme, including the Michel Déon Lecture in France in 2027.
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