Irish Times masthead

Sign up for alerts from The Irish Times

Notification wireframe

Just click on “Allow Notifications” on the message appearing on your browser to activate them.

bell-slash

We will send you a quick reminder in the future, in case you change your mind.

  • Search
  • Newsletters
  • Crossword
  • Notices
  • Help Centre
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Sign In
The Irish Times
Thu, Jan 27, 2022
  • The Irish Times
  • News
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Life & Style
  • Culture
  • More
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • Executive Jobs
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Sign In
  • Culture
  • Books
  • Book Reviews
  • Books Podcast
  • Poetry
  • Hennessy NIW
  • IT Books
  • Fighting Words
All Culture
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Books Podcast
    • Poetry
    • Hennessy NIW
    • IT Books
    • Fighting Words
  • Film
    • Film Reviews
    • Cannes Film Festival
  • Music
    • Album Reviews
    • Classical
  • Stage
    • Dublin Theatre Festival
  • Art & Design
  • TV, Radio, Web
  • Photography
    • Summer Pix
  • Tuarascáil
  • Heritage
    • Century
    • Vote 100
    • 1916
  • Specials
    • Ireland's Heritage
    • 1921: Truce and Treaty
    • IT Irish Theatre Awards
  • Podcasts
    • The Book Club
Caoilinn Hughes at the An Post Irish book awards in 2018 in Dublin. Photograph: Phillip Massey/Getty Images Comfort and Joy: a new story for Christmas by Caoilinn Hughes
  • Caoilinn Hughes

Despite glad tidings, all is not sweetness and light at a festive gathering of old friends

Lucy Caldwell introduces her award-winning story, All the People Were Mean and Bad Lucy Caldwell introduces her award-winning story, All the People Were Mean and Bad
  • Martin Doyle & Lucy Caldwell

Author discusses BBC National Short Story Award’s influence and WWII Belfast novel

Funeral, a new short story by Robert Sheehan Funeral, a new short story by Robert Sheehan
  • Robert Sheehan

In this story from the actor’s debut collection, Disappearing Act, a man acts up at a funeral

Poetic justice, a new short story by Moya Roddy Poetic justice, a new short story by Moya Roddy
  • Moya Roddy

A young woman attends Cúirt and court in the same day and suffers the consequences

An Múinteoir (The Schoolteacher), a new short story by Paula McGrath An Múinteoir (The Schoolteacher), a new short story by Paula McGrath
  • Paula McGrath

A teacher faces a test during the pandemic in this short story by Paula McGrath

When They Were Up, They Were Up – A new short story by Jan Carson When They Were Up, They Were Up – A new short story by Jan Carson
  • Jan Carson

Belfast may be changing, but Jonty is determined to fly the flag for tradition. Then things take a turn

Portobello – A new short story by Mitzie Murphy Portobello – A new short story by Mitzie Murphy
  • Mitzie Murphy

Would It Kill You to Bury My Father? – A new short story by Lisa McInerney Would It Kill You to Bury My Father? – A new short story by Lisa McInerney
  • Lisa McInerney

‘There was a fierce whack of entitlement off it, the problem ... being that I didn’t belong to anyone’

Summer fiction: Nostalgie, a new short story by Wendy Erskine Summer fiction: Nostalgie, a new short story by Wendy Erskine
  • Wendy Erskine

The email came from someone in Northern Ireland. Was he available to sing at parties?

The Hill of Himself, a new short story by Aidan O’Donoghue The Hill of Himself, a new short story by Aidan O’Donoghue
  • Aidan O’Donoghue

A young homeless man swaps the streets of Galway city for a dream home in the country

I Told You Not To Fly So High: 2021 ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award winning story I Told You Not To Fly So High: 2021 ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award winning story
  • DM O'Connor

A new story by David Morgan O’Connor

The Host, a new short story by Deirdre Sullivan The Host, a new short story by Deirdre Sullivan
  • Deirdre Sullivan

A ghost story from the author’s debut collection I Want to Know That I Will Be Okay

Roddy Doyle’s Nurse – an exclusive new short story Roddy Doyle’s Nurse – an exclusive new short story
  • Roddy Doyle

‘The zip on a body bag. It’s not like any zip she’s heard before’

Design No. 108, a short story by Adrian Duncan Design No. 108, a short story by Adrian Duncan
  • Adrian Duncan

Taken from Midfield Dynamo, several variations of a far from blissful bungalow home

2021 Cúirt New Writing Prize: Antoine Solomon Takes a Job 2021 Cúirt New Writing Prize: Antoine Solomon Takes a Job
  • David Morgan O'Connor

Judge Colin Barrett praised story’s ‘formally inventive, effervescent and mischievous’ take on race and cultural dislocation

Negative, a short story by William Wall Negative, a short story by William Wall
  • William Wall

An elderly man faces being tested for Covid in this award-winning writer’s story

Hungry: a new short story by Alice Ash Hungry: a new short story by Alice Ash
  • Alice Ash

A slightly disturbing tale from Paradise Block, Alice Ash’s debut collection

Links and Hooks or a Lack Thereof: A new short story by Lisa McInerney Links and Hooks or a Lack Thereof: A new short story by Lisa McInerney
  • Lisa McInerney

It is nine days before Christmas, and on Oliver Plunkett Street two women are window-shopping

Burning the bed: a short story by Patrick Chapman Burning the bed: a short story by Patrick Chapman
  • Patrick Chapman

Caroline and Stephen mark the end of their relationship by burning their bed on the beach

Snow Globe: A new short story by Danielle McLaughlin Snow Globe: A new short story by Danielle McLaughlin
  • Danielle McLaughlin

A harassed artist’s installation critiquing the Irish property market causes a bit of a storm

The Little Statue: Christmas at the Cross Part II The Little Statue: Christmas at the Cross Part II
  • Maeve Murphy

A victim of domestic violence copes with a difficult Christmas in London

How to Build a Space Rocket by Roisín O’Donnell How to Build a Space Rocket by Roisín O’Donnell
  • Roisín O’Donnell

The An Post Irish Book Awards Short Story of the Year for 2018

Rent and Bills by Emma Flynn: Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition winner Rent and Bills by Emma Flynn: Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition winner
  • Emma Flynn

A young woman reflects on the price she pays for her relationship with a wealthy man

Waiting, a new short story by Mel O’Doherty Waiting, a new short story by Mel O’Doherty
  • Mel O’Doherty

Longlisted for the Sunday Times Short Story Award, a tale of bullying and parental love

The Cage, a short story by Tony Wright The Cage, a short story by Tony Wright

A tale of alienation and isolation by the former guitarist of ASIWYFA

Cupcake’s Story, by Jac Shreeves-Lee Cupcake’s Story, by Jac Shreeves-Lee
  • Jac Shreeves-Lee

From her debut collection, Broadwater, a story about the immigrant experience in London

Viscera, a new short story by Dearbhaile Houston Viscera, a new short story by Dearbhaile Houston
  • Dearbhaile Houston

A trip to Athens forces a woman to confront the truth about her relationship

The Translator’s Funeral, a new short story by Rónán Hession The Translator’s Funeral, a new short story by Rónán Hession
  • Rónán Hession

Part of the New Irish Writing series

Family News, a short story by Naoise Dolan Family News, a short story by Naoise Dolan
  • Naoise Dolan

A woman must move in with her sister and niece in this new work by the Exciting Times author

An Encounter, a new short story by Niamh Campbell An Encounter, a new short story by Niamh Campbell
  • Niamh Campbell

Summer Fiction: A story by the winner of the 2020 Sunday Times Audible award and author of This Happy

Grace Jones by Irenosen Okojie, winner of AKO Caine Prize for African Writing Grace Jones by Irenosen Okojie, winner of AKO Caine Prize for African Writing
  • Irenosen Okojie

Sidra lost her family to a fire. Years later, she works as a Grace Jones impersonator

Who’s-Dead McCarthy, a new short story by Kevin Barry Who’s-Dead McCarthy, a new short story by Kevin Barry
  • Kevin Barry

12 Stories of Christmas, day 9: ‘Con McCarthy was our connoisseur of death. He was its most knowing expert’

The Lost Generation, a short story by Rosemary Jenkinson The Lost Generation, a short story by Rosemary Jenkinson
  • Rosemary Jenkinson

Past and present collide at a school reunion when a woman meets up with a lost love

Away Game, a story by John O’Donnell Away Game, a story by John O’Donnell
  • John O'Donnell

Getting caught out on a trip away forces a man to think of home

Hills like Hemingway’s, a short story by Lauren Foley Hills like Hemingway’s, a short story by Lauren Foley
  • Lauren Foley

A ferry full of Irish women crosses the Irish Sea

You've read Cat Person, now read this Irish bad-sex short story You've read Cat Person, now read this Irish bad-sex short story
  • Louise Nealon

'What Feminism Is': the 2017 Séan Ó Faoláin Competition winning piece by Louise Nealon

Home, Sisters: Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition 2019 winner Home, Sisters: Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition 2019 winner
  • Emma Devlin

Emma Devlin’s story was chosen by judge Sara Baume

Settling, a short story by Jan Carson Settling, a short story by Jan Carson
  • Jan Carson

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 11: From The Glass Shore: Short Stories by Woman Writers from the North of Ireland

Garlic Fingers by EM Reapy Garlic Fingers by EM Reapy

Ten stories have been selected for the shortlist in our short story competition, Legends of the Fall. We will publish two per day this week and reveal the winner on Friday

The Cold God of Bad Luck, a short story by Colin Barrett The Cold God of Bad Luck, a short story by Colin Barrett
  • Colin Barrett

This tale of a consumingly selfish person and her family’s very Irish kind of purgatory is from The Broken Spiral anthology in aid of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

Let’s Go Kill Ourselves, a short story by Colin Barrett Let’s Go Kill Ourselves, a short story by Colin Barrett
  • Colin Barrett

Taken from ‘Stinging Fly Stories’, an anthology edited by Sarah Gilmartin and Declan Meade to mark 20 years of The Stinging Fly. It launches in Dublin tonight

Malachi dreams in a cupboard, a short story by June Caldwell Malachi dreams in a cupboard, a short story by June Caldwell
  • June Caldwell

Room Little Darker author’s contribution to Doire Press’s Galway Stories: 2020 anthology

What good is love?, a short story by Jill Crawford What good is love?, a short story by Jill Crawford
  • Jill Crawford

An old friend coming to stay spells trouble for a couple’s fragile relationship

The Lexicon of Babies, a short story by Sinéad Gleeson The Lexicon of Babies, a short story by Sinéad Gleeson
  • Sinéad Gleeson

A parable on parenthood by the author of the award-winning essay collection, Constellations

The Palace, a short story by Cathy Sweeney The Palace, a short story by Cathy Sweeney
  • Cathy Sweeney

A sickness is spreading in the kingdom as a couple’s relationship comes under strain

Natterbean, a short story by June Caldwell Natterbean, a short story by June Caldwell

Book Club: From ‘Room Little Darker’, a Dublin taxi driver handles a tricky fare

The Lamb by Andrea Carter: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year The Lamb by Andrea Carter: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year
  • Andrea Carter

A short story from Counterparts (Stinging Fly) by the author of the Inishowen Mysteries

Balloon Animals by Laura-Blaise McDowell: on Writing.ie Short Story of the Year shortlist Balloon Animals by Laura-Blaise McDowell: on Writing.ie Short Story of the Year shortlist
  • Laura-Blaise McDowell

This story was first published in Still Worlds Turning, published by No Alibis Press

Mother, May I by Amy Gaffney: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year Mother, May I by Amy Gaffney: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year
  • Amy Gaffney

A graduate of UCD’s creative writing MA, Amy Gaffney co-edited The HCE Review

A Real Woman by Orla McAlinden: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year A Real Woman by Orla McAlinden: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year

The story was first published in the author’s short story collection, Full of Grace

Sparing the Heather by Louise Kennedy: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year Sparing the Heather by Louise Kennedy: shortlisted for Writing.ie Short Story of the Year
  • Louise Kennedy

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 8: Bloomsbury will publish her debut collection, The End of the World is a Cul de Sac, in 2021

Parrot by Nicole Flattery: Writing.ie Short Story of the Year winner Parrot by Nicole Flattery: Writing.ie Short Story of the Year winner
  • Nicole Flattery

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 1: A short story by award-winning author of Show Them A Good Time

Deus Absconditus, a short story by Mary Costello Deus Absconditus, a short story by Mary Costello
  • Mary Costello

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 6: By the award-winning author of Academy Street, The China Factory and The River Capture

Transatlantic Railroad, a short story by Mary M Burke Transatlantic Railroad, a short story by Mary M Burke

12 Stories of Christmas, Day 4: In the lead-up to the 1992 abortion referendum, a pregnant Irish student is shipped off to the States to give birth and have her baby adopted

Locksmiths, a short story by Wendy Erskine Locksmiths, a short story by Wendy Erskine
  • Wendy Erskine

Three women connected by blood are divided by more than just a generation gap

Yan Ge short story: Looking for the Japanese Yan Ge short story: Looking for the Japanese
  • Yan Ge

12 stories of Christmas, Day 5: a story about a missing boy conjures up memories

Scenes from an Empty Attic, by Rosemary Jenkinson Scenes from an Empty Attic, by Rosemary Jenkinson
  • Rosemary Jenkinson

12 Stories of Christmas: Day 2 – from the collection Aphrodite’s Kiss

At the Dungeon, a short story by Danielle McLaughlin At the Dungeon, a short story by Danielle McLaughlin
  • Danielle McLaughlin

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 4: A trip to a London tourist attraction proves disturbing in unexpected ways

Nothing to Declare, a short story by John Boyne Nothing to Declare, a short story by John Boyne
  • John Boyne

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 8: An old resentments boil over when two brothers from the same litter meet again by chance

Berlin, a short story by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne Berlin, a short story by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
  • Eilis Ni Dhuibhne

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 7: A young Irish couple get an unexpected – and unrequested – extra member for their family

Storks, a short story by Nuala O’Connor Storks, a short story by Nuala O’Connor
  • Nuala O'Connor

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 6: Caitríona needs a holiday break with her partner, but her past catches up with her. Illustration by Jane Webster

Mountainy Men, a short story by Martina Evans Mountainy Men, a short story by Martina Evans
  • Martina Evans

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 5:Two children fend for themselves when their father takes to the drink and their mother to the bed

The Possibility of Snow, a short story by Louise Nealon The Possibility of Snow, a short story by Louise Nealon
  • Louise Nealon

12 Stories of Christmas, day 12: A love story by the winner of the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition

Day after day, a short story by Ruth McKee Day after day, a short story by Ruth McKee
  • Ruth McKee

‘It’s a love letter and a dying letter. He has surpassed himself’

Summer fiction: A City of the Past, by Kathleen MacMahon Summer fiction: A City of the Past, by Kathleen MacMahon
  • Kathleen MacMahon

A new short story by Kathleen MacMahon, author of This Is How it Ends and The Long, Hot Summer

Two Damsons, a short story by P Kearney Byrne Two Damsons, a short story by P Kearney Byrne
  • P Kearney Byrne

P Kearney Byrne has twice been longlisted for the Sunday Times Short Story Award and is working on a novel and a collection of short stories

‘The Little Black’, a short story by John Connell ‘The Little Black’, a short story by John Connell
  • John Connell

‘The vet was an elderly man and had a stale, spent smell about him’

Same same but different, a short story by Anne Hayden Same same but different, a short story by Anne Hayden
  • Anne Hayden

A young woman, bereft since the death of her twin, tries to forge a new, singular identity

‘Psychobabble’ by Caoilinn Hughes, winner of The Moth Short Story Prize 2018 ‘Psychobabble’ by Caoilinn Hughes, winner of The Moth Short Story Prize 2018
  • Caoilinn Hughes

Judge Kevin Barry: ‘It’s both poignant and very funny, emotional yet sardonic’

‘Postcards are a Thing of the Past’ by Tracey Slaughter, The Moth Short Story Prize runner-up ‘Postcards are a Thing of the Past’ by Tracey Slaughter, The Moth Short Story Prize runner-up
  • Tracey Slaughter

Judge Kevin Barry: ‘It could be described almost as a kind of erotic travelogue’

‘Standard Deviation’ by Caoilinn Hughes: third place in The Moth short story prize ‘Standard Deviation’ by Caoilinn Hughes: third place in The Moth short story prize
  • Caoilinn Hughes

Kevin Barry: ‘the story of an odd encounter, it feels very close-in but it’s mysterious too’

All Bones, a short story by Mia Gallagher All Bones, a short story by Mia Gallagher
  • Mia Gallagher

Taken from her new collection ‘Shift’, a slowly developing portrait of a photographer

Buck Mad, a short story by P Kearney Byrne Buck Mad, a short story by P Kearney Byrne
  • P Kearney Byrne

Longlisted for Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award: a frank tale of a gay relationship by an award-winning Irish writer

The Boat, a short story by John Connell The Boat, a short story by John Connell
  • John Connell

This story set during the War of Independence was inspired by a true-life incident from the author’s home village

Lipstick, a short story by Meghan Helms Lipstick, a short story by Meghan Helms
  • Meghan Helms

Out of Ireland summer fiction series: a mother dealing with drought and a missing son

The Great Blue Open, a short story by Ethel Rohan The Great Blue Open, a short story by Ethel Rohan
  • Ethel Rohan

The latest instalment in the Out of Ireland summer fiction series

Mum’s the Word: A short story by Philip MacCann Mum’s the Word: A short story by Philip MacCann
  • Philip MacCann

The latest instalment in our summer fiction series Out of Ireland

Eternity, a short story by Arja Kajermo Eternity, a short story by Arja Kajermo
  • Arja Kajermo

The Out of Ireland summer fiction series continues

Split or Steal (I give that you might give): a short story by Giovanni Frazzetto Split or Steal (I give that you might give): a short story by Giovanni Frazzetto
  • Giovanni Frazzetto

Out of Ireland summer fiction: this is the third of eight short stories in our series

Anakana Schofield short story: Strawberry Plants and Cabbages Anakana Schofield short story: Strawberry Plants and Cabbages
  • Anakana Schofield

Out of Ireland summer fiction: The world turns inwards on a girl and her mother

Exterior Paint, a short story by Kit de Waal Exterior Paint, a short story by Kit de Waal
  • Kit de Waal

Malcolm X inspires a West Indian to declare his love. This story is taken from Protest: Stories of Resistance, in which 20 authors re-imagine key moments of British protest

The art of revenge, a short story by Martin Malone The art of revenge, a short story by Martin Malone
  • Martin Malone

Love, hatred, compassion and cruelty interplay in this story from ‘This Cruel Station’

The Collectors, a short story by Jaki McCarrick The Collectors, a short story by Jaki McCarrick
  • Jaki McCarrick

An unusual relationship develops between a kidnapper and his victim

Tell Me Something About Your Wife Tell Me Something About Your Wife
  • Karen Perry

12 Tales for Christmas - Day 12: A new short story by Karen Perry, whose fourth novel is Can You Keep a Secret?

Boxing Day, a short story by David Park Boxing Day, a short story by David Park
  • David Park

12 Tales for Christmas - Day 6: A father drives his son to visit his mother by the sea on the day after Christmas

Yellow, a flash fiction by Nuala O’Connor Yellow, a flash fiction by Nuala O’Connor

A couple strives for a child

Mr Salary – a short story by Sally Rooney Mr Salary – a short story by Sally Rooney
  • Sally Rooney

Mr Salary was shortlisted for the Sunday Times EFG short story award

Yan Ge short story: The writer who lives in a suitcase Yan Ge short story: The writer who lives in a suitcase
  • Yan Ge

A short story by one of China’s most promising writers, who now lives in Dublin. A young woman’s retreat from her polluted city takes a surreal turn

The Boatman, a short story by Billy O’Callaghan The Boatman, a short story by Billy O’Callaghan
  • Billy O'Callaghan

The 2016 Costa Short Story Award runner-up by Cork author, whose debut novel The Dead House is due out in May

Dirty Little Fishes, a short story by Jess Kidd Dirty Little Fishes, a short story by Jess Kidd
  • Jess Kidd

12 Tales for Christmas - Day 9: A young Irish girl in London accompanies her mother on visits to a dying woman in this Costa Short Story Award winning tale

Reprisal, a short story by Helena Mulkerns Reprisal, a short story by Helena Mulkerns
  • Helena Mulkerns

Taken from her debut collection, Ferenji, this powerful and evocative story set in Kabul captures the tension of working in a war zone

Cold Cards, a short story by Gene Kerrigan Cold Cards, a short story by Gene Kerrigan
  • Gene Kerrigan

This story is from Trouble Is Our Business: New Stories by Irish Crime Writers. Kerrigan is a leading journalist and won the UK Crime Writers Association award in 2012

Poison, a short story by Lucy Caldwell Poison, a short story by Lucy Caldwell
  • Lucy Caldwell

Taken from the Belfast author’s acclaimed debut collection, Multitudes, it is a tale of master and pupil, transgression and guilt

What I did on my summer holidays, by Paul McVeigh What I did on my summer holidays, by Paul McVeigh
  • Paul McVeigh

The short story written 15 years ago that was the genesis for The Good Son, July’s Irish Times Book Club choice

Paper and Ashes, a short story by William Wall Paper and Ashes, a short story by William Wall
  • William Wall

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 10: A bereaved woman with an urn encounters a tramp after she is mugged

World Refugee Day: The Lorry Driver’s Tale, as told to Chris Cleave World Refugee Day: The Lorry Driver’s Tale, as told to Chris Cleave
  • Chris Cleave

‘If immigration is a horror film then Calais is the scene where the zombies are massing.’ A celebrity journalist goes along for the ride with a lorry driver but all is not as it seems

Grace, a short story by Sam Coll Grace, a short story by Sam Coll

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 3: A cover version of James Joyce’s short story from the collection Dubliners 100

Anus – Black Sun, a short story by Rob Doyle Anus – Black Sun, a short story by Rob Doyle

In this extract from This is the Ritual, viewing an unusual porn film is transmuted into an intimation of sublime geometry, astronomy, black holes and galaxy clusters

Cyprus Avenue, a short story by Lucy Caldwell Cyprus Avenue, a short story by Lucy Caldwell
  • Lucy Caldwell

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9: An exile’s difficult annual return home to Belfast for Christmas this year proves different

How to Learn Irish in Seventeen Steps, by Roisín O’Donnell How to Learn Irish in Seventeen Steps, by Roisín O’Donnell
  • Roisín O’Donnell

12 Stories of Christmas - Day 12: A short story from Wild Quiet, Roisín O’Donnell’s debut collection

Subscriber Only

Brian O’Driscoll spoke to Ross O'Carroll-Kelly creator Paul Howard about his sporting life. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty The Irish Times Winter Nights Festival: Paul Howard meets a rugby great
French writer and linguist Hervé Le Tellier describes his 2020 Prix Goncourt-winning novel as a ‘thought experiment’. Photograph: Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier, translated by Adriana Hunter
Gamers in an online realm can operate under an internal moral code but, should this become our main form of existence, the value to humanity becomes more obscure. Photograph: Getty images Virtual reality promises a guilt-free life: All the more reason to be wary of it

Short stories

Caoilinn Hughes at the An Post Irish book awards in 2018 in Dublin. Photograph: Phillip Massey/Getty Images Comfort and Joy: a new story for Christmas by Caoilinn Hughes
Lucy Caldwell: “The greatest gift ever is the peace and time to write. I am halfway through my third collection, and this gives me the clarity, space and time to finish it.” Photograph: Debbie Taussig Lucy Caldwell introduces her award-winning story, All the People Were Mean and Bad
Robert Sheehan. Photograph: DWGH Funeral, a new short story by Robert Sheehan

The Books Podcast

The Irish Times Books Podcast - Darran Anderson, author of Inventory The Irish Times Books Podcast - Darran Anderson, author of Inventory 33:48
The Irish Times Books Podcast The best crime fiction of 2019 The Irish Times Books Podcast The best crime fiction of 2019 40:49
The Irish Times Books Podcast Remembering Maeve Binchy The Irish Times Books Podcast Remembering Maeve Binchy 35:01
The Irish Times Books Podcast Danielle McLaughlin The Irish Times Books Podcast Danielle McLaughlin 33:47

The Book Club

Weekly

See a sample

Sign up to the Irish Times books newsletter for features, podcasts and more

Sign up

Fighting Words 2020 Roddy Doyle introduces head-turning young Irish writing
 

Most Read in Culture

1 Fintan O’Toole: ‘I think Ireland is fantastic. I actually think we are one of the luckiest countries in the world.’ Photograph: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images Fintan O’Toole: ‘I can’t vote for Sinn Féin because I remember too much’

2 Home-makeover telly would be dreary beyond comprehension if everything went to plan, and Katie Price’s new show is no different. Photograph: Channel 4 Katie Price morphs into Dermot Bannon with hair extensions and a barbie tracksuit

3 Neil Young and Joe Rogan: Spotify has refused to take down the popular podcast. Photomontage: Getty Images Spotify removes Neil Young music after dispute over Joe Rogan’s Covid claims

4 Brian O’Driscoll spoke to Ross O'Carroll-Kelly creator Paul Howard about his sporting life. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty The Irish Times Winter Nights Festival: Paul Howard meets a rugby great

5 Helen McCrory and Damian Lewis in 2015. Lewis publicly paid tribute to his wife at a theatre event in London. Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage ‘The sun rises’: Damian Lewis pays tribute to Helen McCrory with Derek Mahon poem

Real news has value SUBSCRIBE

Book reviews

French writer and linguist Hervé Le Tellier describes his 2020 Prix Goncourt-winning novel as a ‘thought experiment’. Photograph: Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier, translated by Adriana Hunter
Honorée Fanonne Jeffers engages with important ideas, theories and literature The Love Songs of WEB Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers: The black heart of America
Author Wendy Mitchell’s work has ensured that people living with dementia are included, consulted and listened to when it comes to considering how society approaches an illness which touches so many of us What I Wish People Knew About Dementia: An engaging and hopeful read
Frank McDonald the historian and journalist is replaced by McDonald the crusader for a better Dublin, in his new book. Photograph: AFP via Getty Eoin Ó Broin: I want to live in Frank McDonald’s Dublin
Composers Nikolai Myaskovsky and Aram Khachaturian, 1933. Photograph: Getty Images Nikolay Myaskovsky: A Composer and his Times – A life story of riveting interest

New poetry

Eleanor Hooker Spoor
Poet Enda Wyley. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh Poem of the week: Daughter by Enda Wyley
Ron Carey Morning: Rathfarnham
Shelved: a selection of books by Irish women writers. Might some of these names figure in the final 12?
Women writers Putting Irish women writers back in the picture
 
Roddy Doyle’s Fighting Words Celebrating 10 years of young Irish writing
 

Brought to Book

Thomas Enger: I would love to pick the brain of the Bible’s author about how to get away with all those completely unrealistic scenes and still sell millions ‘Writing is a good way to process what’s going on in your own life’
Kate Hamer: I find Edna O’Brien an absolutely extraordinary writer – her work is so lucid and accomplished it’s almost like she’s recasting a vision. Photograph: Mei Williams Kate Hamer Q&A: ‘Write the story that is burning inside you’

  • Subscribe

    • Why Subscribe?
    • Subscription Bundles
    • Subscription Help Centre
    • Gift Subscriptions

  • Support

    • My Account
    • Help Centre
    • Contact Us

  • Irish Times products & services

    • Home Delivery
    • Page Sales
    • Photo Sales
    • Newsletters
    • Discount Codes
    • ePaper
    • Crosswords
    • Newspaper Archive
    • Article Archive
    • eBooks

  • About us

    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • The Irish Times Trust
    • Careers

  • Our partners

    • Rewarding Times
    • MyHome.ie
    • Top 1000
    • The Gloss
    • Recruit Ireland
    • Irish Times Training
Subscribe
  • Why Subscribe?
  • Subscription Bundles
  • Subscription Help Centre
  • Gift Subscriptions
Support
  • My Account
  • Help Centre
  • Contact Us
About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • The Irish Times Trust
  • Careers
Irish Times Products & Services
  • ePaper
  • Crosswords
  • Newspaper Archive
  • Article Archive
  • eBooks
  • Home Delivery
  • Page Sales
  • Photo Sales
  • Newsletters
  • Discount Codes
Follow us
Download the app
Download on the App Store Download on Google Play
  • Our Partners
  • Rewarding Times
  • MyHome.ie
  • Top 1000
  • The Gloss
  • Recruit Ireland
  • Irish Times Training
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Information
  • Cookie Settings
  • Community Standards
  • Copyright
© 2018 THE IRISH TIMES

Sign In

Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?
Subscribe
Need some help ?

  • Digital Subscriptions FAQs
  • Subscriber Only Articles
  • The ePaper
  • Subscriber Rewards
  • Subscriber Tour
  • Breaking news app
  • My Account
  • eBooks
  • Email Newsletters
  • Crossword Club
  • Newspaper Archive
  • Sign Out
SUBSCRIBE

Thu 27/1/2022
  • News
    • Climate
    • Coronavirus
    • Ireland
    • World
    • Politics
    • Crime & Law
    • Health
    • Education
    • Subscriber Only
    • ePaper
    • Brexit
  • Sport
    • Gaelic Games
    • Soccer
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Other Sports
    • Women in Sport
    • Comment
  • Business
    • The Economy
    • Your Money
    • Companies
    • Technology
    • Work
    • Commercial Property
    • Comment
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Columnists
    • An Irishman's Diary
    • Opinion & Analysis
    • Martyn Turner
  • Life & Style
    • Food & Drink
    • Homes & Property
    • Health & Family
    • People
    • Travel
    • Motors
    • Fashion
    • Abroad
  • Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • Music
    • Stage
    • Art & Design
    • TV, Radio, Web
    • Tuarascáil
    • Heritage
  • More
    • You are what you read
    • eBooks
    • Offers
    • Jobs
    • Family Notices
    • Competitions
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • Confronting Coronavirus
    • Inside Politics
    • The Women's Podcast
    • Inside Business
    • Added Time
    • World View
    • Back to Yours
    • The Irish Times Book Club
  • Executive Jobs
  • Crosswords
  • Notices
  • Help Centre
  • Newsletters
Forgot Password?

Invalid email or password.

Not an Irish Times subscriber? Subscribe
  • Digital Subscriptions FAQs Frequently asked questions about your digital subscription
  • Subscriber Only Articles Specially selected and available only to our subscribers
  • Subscriber Rewards Exclusive offers, discounts and invitations
  • Subscriber Tour Explore the features of your subscription
  • Crossword Club Digital Simplex and Crosaire crosswords
  • Newspaper Archive 150 years of Irish Times journalism
  • My Account Manage your account
  • eBooks Carefully curated selections of Irish Times writing
  • Email Newsletters Sign up to get the stories you want delivered to your inbox
  • The ePaper An exact digital replica of the printed paper
  • Breaking news app Our Apple and Android apps to read on the go
  • Sign Out

Update Payment Details

Unfortunately USERNAME we were unable to process your last payment. Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription.