Three Irish authors have been shortlisted for the world's richest literary prize.

Colum McCann, Colm Toibin and William Trevor have made it on to the final 10 for the 100,000 euro International Impac Dublin Literary Award selected by libraries worldwide.

Gerry Breen, Lord Mayor of Dublin and patron of the award, praised the strong Irish presence.

"It's a wonderful coincidence that so shortly after Dublin being awarded Unesco City of Literature status, three of the 10 novels on the Impac Dublin Award shortlist should be by Irish authors," he said.

"I wish all the shortlisted authors well and remind Dubliners that the shortlisted novels are all available to borrow from Dublin City public libraries, so there is time to read them all and pick your own favourite."

McCann was nominated for his work Let the Great World Spin, set on the day of the famous Twin Towers high-wire walk by Philippe Petit. Toibin was shortlisted for Brooklyn, his acclaimed tale of a young woman leaving Enniscorthy for America, and Trevor was listed for Love And Summer, a story of the relationship between a restless amateur photographer and a shy young Irish farm wife.

Three Australian authors have also been shortlisted - David Malouf, Craig Silvey and Evie Wyld.

The 10 titles were selected from 162 novels nominated by 166 public libraries in 126 cities and the winner will be announced on June 15.

Nominations were made from Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States.

The other seven on the list are Galore by Canada's Michael Crummey; The Lacuna by US writer Barbara Kingsolver; The Vagrants by Yiyun Li - a Chinese/American author - Ransom by Australian David Malouf; Little Bird of Heaven by American Joyce Carol Oates; Jasper Jones by Australian Craig Silvey; and After The Fire, A Still, Small Voice by Evie Wyld, the third Australian on the list.