Hannigan's final novel hits number one in Ireland

Emma Hannigan’s final novel has reached number one in the Irish adult fiction charts after just three days of sales.

Hannigan passed away on 3rd March last year after suffering from cancer, sending acknowledgements to her editor for a final “life-affirming” final book just days earlier.

Published on 28th February 2019 to coincide with Hannigan's birthday, The Gift of Friends (Hachette Ireland) has sold 1,801 copies earning €26,706, according to Nielsen BookScan.

Hannigan was the author of 13 novels, with four reaching number one on the Irish bestseller lists. Her 12th, Letters to My Daughters (Headline), hit the top spot fuelled by an author campaign backed by the likes of Marian Keyes. It went on to become one of Ireland’s bestselling novels of 2018, spending five weeks at the number one spot and 22 weeks in the top ten.

At the same time, Hannigan succeeded in her ambition to fundraise €100,000 for Breast Cancer Ireland, a charity she was ambassador for. The total eventually climbed to €135,000.

Hachette Ireland editorial director Ciara Doorley said: “We are so proud of Emma going straight to the top of the bestseller list. This is her fourth number one bestseller which is incredible and to see Emma’s readers embrace her final book like this is emotional for all of us. Emma was determined that she give her readers one final book and she’s done everyone proud.”