In 1984 The Reading Association of Ireland's Executive Committee, set up a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Bridie Quinn, (Our Lady's College of Education Carysfort) to oversee the administration of an award for children's literature in Ireland. The executive committee had for a number of years, felt that the then fledgling children's publishing industry in Ireland needed the support of such an award but it took Bridie Quinn's vision to see this aspiration become a reality.
The RAI Book Award was instigated the following year in 1985 with the primary objective of encouraging the publication of quality children's books in Ireland. It was the first such award in Ireland, and was presented for a book written by an Irish author and published in Ireland. Because of the small number of books published annually at the time, it was felt that the award should be presented on a biennial basis.
That sub-committee set up by RAI in 1984 looked at the criteria for book awards in other countries, particularly from sister associations within the International Reading Association. After much deliberation the subcommittee recommended a set of criteria, which would be furnished, to Irish publishers. These were adopted and the RAI Book Award was launched at the association's annual conference in 1985.