For nearly three decades, the best-selling and highly acclaimed NEW IRISH ARCHITECTURE series has been compre­hensively docu­menting the best of contemporary Irish architecture through the buildings and projects featured in the annual AAI AWARDS for Excellence in Architectural Design.

Entries are judged by a panel of five Irish and international assessors, offering a unique critical appraisal of contemporary Irish architecture. Each volume of New Irish Architecture carries copious drawings and photographs, architects' descriptions and the assessors' comments on every awarded and commended scheme. Volumes from no. 16 onwards also carry a keynote essay by the international critic on that year's jury. The series was established for the AAI by Gandon Editions in 1986. In 2001 (with volume 16), a new, much-expanded and more book-like octavo-format was adopted, allowing more coverage that before. Small numbers of some earlier volumes are still available (contact Gandon for details).

The keynote essay in vol. 18 is "Building by Numbers - Political aspects of architecture" by Deyan Sudjic.

The Award-winning buildings featured are: Ussher Library, Trinity College Dublin, by McCullough Mulvin and and KMD Architecture (which was awarded the highest accolade, the Downes Bronze Medal); Baldoyle Library & Public Area Office, Co Dublin, by FKL; Urban Institute Ireland, University College Dublin by Grafton Architects; Square House, South County Dublin by McCullough Mulvin; Letterkenny Area Office, Co Donegal by Antoin Mac Gabhann Architects; Leinster House Press Reception Room by O'Donnell + Tuomey; Social Housing, Galbally, Co Limerick by O'Donnell + Tuomey. A further 8 commended projects are also featured.