Tuesday 27th January 2009 – Sebastian Barry has been announced as winner of the 2008 Costa Book of the Year for his novel ‘The Secret Scripture’ at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel in central London. 

Recent winners of the Book of the Year include A.L. Kennedy (2007), Stef Penney (2006), Hilary Spurling (2005), Andrea Levy (2004), Mark Haddon (2003), Philip Pullman, Seamus Heaney and the late Ted Hughes.

Sebastian Barry beats Michelle Magorian for ‘Just Henry’; Sadie Jones for ‘The Outcast’ ; Adam Foulds for ‘The Broken Word’ ; Diana Athill for ‘Somewhere Towards The End’  for the overall award.

The winning author was chosen by a judging panel including actress Rosamund Pike, comedian and actor Alexander Armstrong, writer and actress Pauline McLynn and journalist, writer and broadcaster Michael Buerk.  The panel was chaired by columnist and broadcaster Matthew Parris.  Sebastian Barry received a cash prize of £25,000.

Originally established in 1971 by Whitbread Plc, Costa announced its takeover of the sponsorship of the UK's most prestigious book prize in 2006. The Awards recognise the most enjoyable books of the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland.