Authors
Adams, Gerry
President of Sinn Féin and TD for Louth, Gerry Adams has been a published writer since 1982. His books have won critical acclaim in many quarters and have been widely translated. His writings range from local history and reminiscence to politics and short stories, and they include the fullest and most authoritative exposition of modern Irish republicanism. (more)Aggs, Patrice
Patrice Aggs was born and brought up in the United States, but now lives in West Sussex, England. She has illustrated over thirty-five picture books for children. In the early 1980s she was part of the team which produced the animated film The Snowman.
Patrice is currently writing picture books, illustrating and printmaking. (more)
Agnew, Sheila
Sheila Agnew was born in New York and grew up in Dublin with her sister and two brothers. They liked to pretend to be the children in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Although Sheila couldn’t quite make it to Narnia, she set out to experience what she could of this world. (more)
Allison, James
James Allison is from London and is a professional writer. Demon From the Deep End is his first book for children.
Anderson, Brendan
Brendan Anderson was born in Belfast in December 1945. He has worked in print for thirty-five years – first as a compositor, then as a proofreader, a typesetter and page make-up artist. Selected by an enlightened editor at the Irish News to be trained as a journalist in 1989, he became senior reporter and security writer for that paper within two years. He has covered all the big stories of the Irish troubles, and interviewed and questioned all of the major players. (more)Arrigan, Mary
Mary Arrigan is an award-winning writer of fiction for children and teenagers. She has been shortlisted for the Readers Association Award, the Bisto Award and the White Raven Award.
Ashe FitzGerald, Mairéad
Mairéad Ashe FitzGerald grew up in County Clare. She is a graduate of NUI Galway and University College Dublin where she studied Archaeology. Mairéad taught Irish and History before working in publishing for many years. Being invited by OBP to write books allows her to indulge her passion for research into Ireland's history, archaeology and literature.
Barrett, Betty
Betty Barrett is an experienced Dublin tour guide with extensive knowledge of the city, its history and attractions.Barrett, Philip
Philip Barrett is an illustrator, designer and comic artist originally from Co. Donegal and currently living in Dublin. He has been self-publishing comics since 2001, including writing and drawing 9 issues of his catch-all title 'Matter' and contributing to numerous anthologies. In 2010 the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry published Philip's 'best-of' collection 'The Human in Me'. (more)
Begley, Philomena
Multi-award-winning singer Philomena Begley is an Irish country star whose international career in show business spans fifty-five years. Philomena lives in Galbally, County Tyrone with her husband, Tom, and she is a proud mother of three and a grandmother of five. When not entertaining the masses, Philomena enjoys spending time with her family, following Tyrone GAA and baking.
Behan, Brendan
Brendan Behan was born in Dublin in 1923. In 1954 his play, The Quare Fellow, was accepted for production by the Pike Theatre in Dublin. Another play, The Hostage, and his autobiographical Borstal Boy make him an international name. Brendan Behan died in 1964.Benjaminse, Paul
Paul Benjaminse is an award winning cartographer and author. He lives in Amsterdam.
Bermingham, Ann
Ann Bermingham has worked in many different areas throughout her career, but this is the first time that she has added writer to that list. She has previously worked as a teacher, a journalist and a librarian. She now works as a counsellor in a women’s refuge in Coolock, County Dublin. She is married with four children.Blackwood, Gary
Gary Blackwood has written novels for young readers including Wild Timothy, Beyond the Door and The Dying Sun. His involvement in the theatre, both as a playwright and as an amateur actor, goes back a long way ... though not quite to Shakespeare's day. Gary lives with his wife and two children on an acre of land surrounded by cow pastures outside Carthage, Missouri.Boland, Brendan
Born in 1961, Brendan Boland is originally from Dundalk, Co Louth. Today he lives with his wife and childhood sweetheart Martina in the UK, where he works with a multinational media group. In 1975 he disclosed to a priest that he had been abused by Fr Brendan Smyth. He became embroiled in a secret church inquiry that he thought would put a stop to Smyth’s abuse. (more)
Boland, Gerry
Born in Dublin, Gerry Boland is a writer, teacher and committed environmentalist.
Bolger, Muriel
Muriel Bolger is an experienced travel writer and magazine editor.Dr. Bourke, Edward J.
Edward J. Bourke is a scientist working at Diageo St James’s Gate Global Beer Technical Centre.
He has an abiding interest in industrial history, especially relating to Ireland, and has published several books on shipwrecks around the Irish coast.
His fascination with the Guinness brewery began at an early age as both his parents and grandparents owned pubs in Dublin.Bowie, Sarah
Sarah Bowie is an illustrator, author and cartoonist who lives in Dublin. She is a founder member of The Comics Lab and her work has been published in a range of books, comics and magazines. Sarah Bowie's first picture book, Let's See Ireland, was published in Spring 2016.
Doctor Boylan, Peter
Dr Peter Boylan, MAO, FRCPI, FRCOG, is a retired consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist. He practiced at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin, where he was Master from 1991 to 1998.
Boyne, Sean
Sean Boyne is a journalist and author. He retired in 2009 as Political Correspondent of the Sunday World, one of Ireland’s major newspapers.
Bradley, Gerry
GERRY BRADLEY was an IRA operator all of his adult life, from 1970 until the ceasefire in 1994, carrying out shootings, bombings and raids.
Brady Dawson, Brianóg
Brianóg Brady Dawson is a primary school teacher from County Sligo. She now lives in Dublin with her husband and two children.
Her first book, Granny's Teeth, became a No.1 Bestseller, and was now followed by seven more stories about the mischievous Danny who always ends up in trouble, even when he's trying to be good!
Brandt, Beate
Beate Brandt has a translation degree from the University of Saarbrücken. She moved to Ireland in 1994, where she set up a localisation company with her partner in 2002. She lives and works in Ireland and Germany.
Brenock, Michael
Michael Brenock grew up in Mitchelstown, County Cork, in a market gardening family. In his early career as a horticulturist, he worked on various local authority schemes designed to encourage home gardening and self-sufficiency, until the demise of such schemes in the 1970s. He also worked at Teagasc developing commercial vegetable growing. (more)
Broderick, Marian
Marian Broderick is a writer and editor who lives and works in London. She is second-generation Irish; her parents are from Limerick and Donegal. She spent every summer of her childhood in Ireland and has developed strong links with the place and the people. Wild Irish Women: Extraordinary Lives from History proved hugely popular and Marian furthered her research to bring the reader more wild Irish women in this volume.
Browne, Elena
Elena Browne has worked in the book industry for many years and is now working in publishing. She loves books and dogs so has decided to combine the two in Take the Lead. Elena lives in Dublin but travels the country selling books.
Browne, Juanita
Juanita Browne, a Zoology graduate with an MA in Media Studies, has almost 20 years’ experience across television, radio, magazines, books, and newspapers. She works on natural history documentaries for television, including the multi-award-winning ‘Secret Life of the Shannon’ and ‘On a River in Ireland’, ‘Wild Cities’ and ‘Wild Ireland’. (more)
Bruen, Ken
Ken Bruen (born 1951) is an Irish writer of hard-boiled and noir crime fiction. His books have been widely translated and adapted for the screen. He lives in Galway.Bugler, Sheila
Sheila Bugler grew up in the west of Ireland. After studying Psychology at University College Galway, she left Ireland and worked in Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland and Argentina before finally settling in London, where she lives with her husband Sean, and their children, Luke and Ruby.
In 2008, she was one of four writers to be offered a place on the Arts Council-funded Apprenticeships in Fiction programme – a mentoring scheme designed to nurture emerging writers in the UK and Ireland. (more)
Burlington, Marie
MARIE BURLINGTON illustrated Trouble for Tuffy in the O'Brien FLYERS series. Helpful Hannah was the first book she both wrote and illustrated herself. Marie is also the author and illustrator of Dear Me!Busuttil, Conor
Conor Busuttil is a children’s picture book illustrator and passionate doodler. His most recent works include projects for the Blue Peter "Here be Dragons" competition, the exhibition and trail for Kew Gardens and working with Hampton Court Palace to bring their history to life for children. (more)
Byrne, Bob
Bob Byrne is a comic book artist and designer who lives in Dublin. His comics have appeared in dozens of publications throughout the world.
Robots Don't Cry! is his first book for children.
Byrne, Emma
Emma Byrne is a graphic designer and artist. She is a graduate of Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design. She has won numerous awards for her design including The IDI (Irish Design Institute) Graduate Designer of the Year, the IDI Promotional Literature Award for her work on Brown Morning, and a Children’s Books Ireland Bisto Merit Award for her work on Something Beginning With P: New Poems from Irish Poets. (more)
Cahill, Joe
Joe Cahill was a lifelong and high-ranking member of the IRA.
Caren, David
David Caren is a regular contributor on fatherhood and men’s health issues for print, web and radio. David is dad to three wonderful and welcoming distractions.
Carey, Anna
ANNA CAREY is a journalist and author from Dublin who has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent and many other publications. Anna’s first book, The Real Rebecca, was published in 2011, and went on to win the Senior Children’s Book prize at the Irish Book Awards. Rebecca returned in the critically acclaimed Rebecca’s Rules, Rebecca Rocks and Rebecca is Always Right. (more)
Carson, Emily
Emily Carson is a freelance writer and festival organiser. She has worked for the James Joyce Centre as the Marketing Manager for the Bloomsday Festival. This is her first book.
Carthy, Shane
Born in 1994, Shane Carthy lives in the seaside town of Portmarnock in north Dublin. He has played Gaelic football at the very highest level, representing Dublin at Minor, U21 and Senior levels, and collecting five All Ireland medals to date. When he’s not playing football, Shane spends most of his time with family and friends and travels the length and breadth of the country sharing his experiences with mental health.
Cartoon Saloon,
Cartoon Saloon is a Kilkenny-based animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey in 1999. They are best-known for their Academy Award-nominated feature-length animations The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, but have also done a wide range of television programmes and some lovely illustration work for O'Brien Press books.
Cashman, Seamus
Seamus Cashman established Wolfhound Press Ltd in 1974 as a literary and cultural publishing house, and as publisher until 2001 won an international reputation for the press, earning many design, publishing and children's book awards over the years. A former teacher and book editor, his own published works include two co-edited and lasting volumes, Irish Poems for Young People and Proverbs and Sayings of Ireland. (more)
Clarke, Howard
Howard Clarke, a director of The Medieval Trust, the parent body of Dublinia Ltd, has published extensively on the history of medieval Dublin and the Viking Age in general.
Clarke, Judith
Judith Clarke was born and educated in Sydney and now lives in Melbourne with her husband and son. She has worked as a teacher, librarian and lecturer, and has also published novels for younger readers and short stories and poetry in magazines.Her three Al Capsella novels and her collection of stories The Boy on the Lake were first published in Australia with great success, and later in America. (more)
Clarke, Kathleen
Kathleen Clarke was a political activist and wife of Tom Clarke, the first signatory of the Easter 1916 Proclamation. She knew and worked with many of the major figures in modern Irish history, like Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins, Padraig Pearse and James Connolly.Cleary, Catherine
CATHERINE CLEARY is a journalist, author and broadcaster. She began her career as a reporter with The Irish Times in 1994 and became security correspondent of The Sunday Tribune. She met Alice Leahy in the 1990s while reporting on social issues around crime and poverty. Catherine’s publications include: Life Sentence, Murder Victims and their Families (2004) and A Month of Somedays, How One Woman made the most of Now (2012). (more)
Clerkin, Malachy
Malachy Clerkin is the chief sportswriter of the Sunday Tribune where he has worked since winning a sportswriting competition organised and overseen by his co-author Gerard Siggins in 1999.
He has been assured by his co-author that there was more than one entrant, but has yet to see documentary proof that this was the case.
He has covered every conceivable sporting event for the Tribune, from Olympic Games to World Cups in soccer and rugby.Cole, Paddy
From his first performance in his native Castleblayney at age twelve, billed as ‘Ireland’s youngest saxophone player’, Paddy Cole been playing on stages around the world for almost seventy years.
With The Capitol Showband, The Big 8 to The Paddy Cole Band, he has played with Irish legends such as Brendan Bowyer, Dickie Rock, Joe Dolan and Twink, and has more recently been a regular highlight of the Cork Jazz Festival. (more)Colfer, Eoin
EOIN COLFER is the one of the world's favourite children's authors, and has written the international bestselling Artemis Fowl books. A former schoolteacher, Eoin lives in Wexford with his wife Jackie and sons Finn and Seán. He has worked in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy, as well as in Ireland. (more)
Collins, Lorcan
Lorcan Collins is founder of the 1916 Walking Tour of Dublin and, with Conor Kostick, wrote The Easter Rising: A Guide to Dublin in 1916. He lectures on Easter 1916 in the United States, and is a regular contributor to radio, television and historical journals. (more)
Collins, Stephen
STEPHEN COLLINS is political editor of the Sunday Tribune and is a frequent contributor to radio and television programmes on political matters. He has written several books, including The Haughey Files and Spring and the Labour Story. His latest book, The Power Game, charting the rise and fall and rise again of the Fianna Fáil party, is a bestseller.Colton, Nicola
Nicola Colton is an illustrator based in Dublin. Her style is playful and colourful and very much influenced by folktales/folk art, scenes in nature and children’s picture books.
Her website is www.nicolacolton.com.
Comerford, Kathleen
KATHLEEN COMERFORD has been preparing drivers for driving test success since 1999. She trained at the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and worked for several years with the IAM in Ireland. Kathleen trained fleet drivers in risk assessment and has worked with the Irish School of Excellence in running driver education programmes for transition year students.
Conlin, Stephen
Stephen Conlin was born in County Armagh, studied in Dublin and Belfast, and now divides his time between England and the Czech Republic. An early interest in historic buildings led to exhibitions and illustration work, including several postage stamp issues for An Post. He regularly carries out commissions for conservation bodies such as the National Trust in the UK, Historic Environment Scotland, English Heritage and Country Life magazine. (more)
Conlon-McKenna, Marita
Born in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown, Marita went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Mount Anville, later working in the family business, the bank, and a travel agency. She has four children with her husband James, and they live in the Stillorgan area of Dublin.
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. (more)
Connolly, Kevin
Kevin Connolly grew up in Bailieborough, Co Cavan. In 1982, he opened the Winding Stair Bookshop and Café in Dublin, and in 1995, a second branch in Sligo. After a decade in the US, he has now returned to live in Sligo.
Connolly, Tom
Tom Connolly was born in Charleville, County Cork, in 1934, the eighth member of a family of thirteen. His father and grandfather were both policemen. He joined the Garda Síochána in 1955, and retired in 1994, having risen to the rank of Detective Superintendent. He has been commended on many occasions for his impartiality and conscientiousness in conducting investigations, and was awarded the Gold Scott Medal for valour in 1975. (more)
Connor, Michael
Michael Connor is a school teacher who lives in Limerick.
Cooney, John
John Cooney is a journalist and broadcaster based in Dublin. He is a visiting Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen and Director of the Humbert Summer School in County Mayo. A former Religious Affairs correspondent with the Irish Times, he is author of The Crozier and The Dáil, Church-State in Ireland 1922-1986.Corcoran, Helen
Helen Corcoran grew up in Cork, Ireland, dreaming of scheming queens and dashing lady knights. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, she worked as a bookseller for over a decade. She lives in Dublin, writing fantasy novels and haunting coffee shops in search of the perfect latte.
Corcoran, Kevin
KEVIN CORCORAN has an intimate knowledge and love of the Irish landscape. An environmental biologist, he has studied the West of Ireland both professionally and as a rambler, and lectures on Ecology and Environmental Studies. Operating a private nature reserve, he is tirelessly involved in the repair and creation of natural habitats, for both educational and preservation purposes. (more)Corcoran, Rachel
Rachel Corcoran is a freelance illustrator and designer from Dublin, Ireland. A member of Illustrators Ireland, Rachel's work appears in children's books and book cover illustrations. Rachel also runs her online shop where she sells her earth-kind illustrated greeting cards and prints. When Rachel is not illustrating, she loves to bake with her helper Billie the cat, garden with her outdoor cat Socks, and read books that are set in times long ago.
Corrigan, Vawn
Dublin-based writer Vawn Corrigan is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Vawn's writing on Irish craft has been published in the Irish Arts Review, Irish Antiques Journal, Ireland of the Welcomes and the international textiles magazine Selvedge. She is also a contributor to RTÉ radio's Sunday Miscellany. Vawn enjoys collaborations which document the social history of living craft traditions.
Crosbie, Paddy
Paddy Crosbie was born in Dublin in 1913, educated at St Paul's CBS, St Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra and University College, Dublin. He was the famous creator of such radio and television programmes as The School Around the Corner, Back to School, Tug O'Words and Paddy's Playground, and made frequent appearances on The Late Late Show. (more)
Cruise O'Brien, Máire
An established Irish language author, Máire has published many highly acclaimed volumes of verse, articles, short stories and translations.
Cullen, Frank
Dr Frank Cullen is Head of School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology in the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Cunningham, Mark
A devoted Horslips fan since his early teens, Mark Cunningham first interviewed the band in 1995, for Hot Press magazine. Later, he created the souvenir brochures for the band’s reunion tours, and produced videos for their general promotion.
Mark’s early career was focused on work as a bass guitarist, composer and producer. (more)
Cunningham, Noel
TV personality and hotelier Noel Cunningham has always had a passion about manners and etiquette. Noel has a long and distinguished career in Hotel Catering and Tourism. He has worked on some of the great ocean-going liners and is well acquainted with the grand hotels of the world. He has always been of the opinion that the well-mannered young person, aware of the social niceties, and well versed in the requirements of proper etiquette, will have the perfect head start in life! He has met film stars and royalty, politicians and primates, and the wonderful Joe Soaps. (more)
Dr. Curran, Robert
No one is sure where Bob Curran comes from. Tradition says that one moment he wasn’t there and the next moment he was in County Down. He has, however, held various jobs – including gravedigger, hospital porter, civil servant and teacher – has studied History and Education at the New University of Ulster, and has received a Ph.D. (more)
Currie, Austin
AUSTIN CURRIE first came to prominence as one of the most articulate and powerful Civil Rights activists in the Northern Ireland of the 1960s, where his most famous stand was the unheard-of occupation of a council house in Caledon, County Tyrone, in a protest against the sectarian bias in social housing allocations. (more)Curtin, Judi
Judi Curtin is the best-selling author of the ‘Alice and Megan’ series, the 'Eva' series. several other books. Judi's new series, beginning with Time After Time, is about Beth and Molly, accidental time-travelling best friends. Judi Curtin won the Irish Book Award Senior 2017 for Stand By Me.
D'Arcy, Gordon
Gordon D'Arcy is an artist inspired by nature. He has been he has been drawing and painting since childhood. Birds are the main theme but he also depicts plants, animals and landscapes and other nature themes stimulated by travels in Europe, Africa and America. His works include commissions for public art work for Local Authorities and communities. (more)
Dagg, Stephanie
Stephanie Dagg lives in West Cork and works as an editor. She has her own website with games, chat and talk about children's books.Daly, Gerry
GERRY DALY is a children’s author and illustrator living by the beautiful sea in Dublin. He hasn’t seen any whales from his window, but saw many off the coast of West Cork. His previous books include the best-selling Where Are You, Puffling? and Wee Donkey’s Treasure Hunt, both written by Erika McGann and also published by The O’Brien Press. (more)
Davison, Stephen
STEPHEN DAVISON is a photographer with Pacemaker, Belfast. A road-racing enthusiast, he has followed the career of Joey Dunlop for many years, producing award-winning pics for specialist magazines, newspapers and TV. His website is at stephendavison.photoshelter.com/index
de Paor, Louis
LOUIS DE PAOR is one of the most celebrated poets of the Irish language. A former editor of the acclaimed Irish language journal Innti (founded by Michael Davitt, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Liam Ó Muirthile and Gabriel Rosenstock), he is now the Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at the National University of Ireland, Galway. (more)Deeley, Patrick
Patrick Deeley is a teacher and poet. He has three books of poems to his name from Dedalus Press, with a fourth due next year. He also runs a workshop in Ballyfermot, specialising in children's poetry. Originally from Loughrea, County Galway, he has spent more than half his life teaching in Dublin.
Dent, Sarah
Sarah Dent is archaeological curator and education officer at Dublinia
Dillon, Paddy
Paddy Dillon is a freelance outdoor writer specialising in Ireland and Britain. He is the author of many articles and guidebooks including The National Trails of Britain and Ireland, The Mountains of Ireland, The Irish Coast to Coast Walk, Exploring the North of Ireland, and Exploring the South of Ireland. (more)
Donohue, David
David Donohue has enjoyed a wide and varied career in music and film. Born in Carlow in 1961, he left Ireland in the mid-eighties for New York. There he became the US correspondent for Hot Press Magazine, interviewing among others, James Brown, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, David Bowie, John Cage etc.David went on to produce two highly acclaimed music documentaries: Put Blood in the Music, a quirky look at the New York downtown music scene of the late eighties, and Words for the Dying, which won the 'best documentary' award at the 1991 Ontorio film festival. (more)
Donovan, Anna
Anna Donovan, a former teacher, lives in Dublin and is the author of several books for young people.Doody, Noreen
Dr Noreen Doody is a writer and academic who has published extensively on W.B. Yeats and Oscar Wilde. She is a senior lecturer in English Literature and the former head of the Department of English at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. She currently teaches on the MA programme in Children’s Literature in the School of English, Dublin City University.
Doolan, Catherine
Catherine Doolan is a primary teacher in a small rural school in Co Offaly. She teaches 9-12 year olds. Catherine is married with three young children. Bad Hair Day, Panda No. 22, is her first book.Dooley, Sheila
Sheila Dooley is the curator and educational officer in Dublinia, where she has played an innovative role in developing ground-breaking narratives of Viking Dublin for world-wide audiences.
Doorley, Tom
Once a teacher in St Columba's, and then a freelance journalist and TV celebrity food critic, TOM DOORLEY now writes a popular restaurant column for The Irish Times. He also hosts a Saturday evening programme on RTÉ Radio 1 called ‘Food Talk’. This is his first book.Dowling, Audrey
Audrey Dowling is a French artist and illustrator living in County Kilkenny. She initially pursued a career in the fashion industry in Paris but somehow ended up in the Irish countryside. Her surroundings inspire her work, as well as folklore from all cultures, fairy tales and vintage imagery. Her universe is colourful and narrative, often praised as graceful and poetic.
Doyle, Colm
Colm Doyle graduated in architecture from Dundee University and practised in London with the award-winning Paul Davis & Partners before establishing DMVF Architects in 2005. As an RIAI Grade 3 conservation architect, Colm has a passion for integrating contemporary architecture within historic environments.
Doyle, Evan
Evan Doyle opened his first restaurant in Clifden, County Galway, in 1985, and followed this with the original Strawberry Tree Restaurant in Killarney, County Kerry, in 1988. In 1999, together with his two brothers, Evan opened The BrookLodge Hotel in Macreddin Village, County Wicklow and it is here that today’s Strawberry Tree restaurant showcases artisan and locally produced organic foods. (more)
Doyle, Malachy
Malachy Doyle grew up in Ireland, studied in England, brought up his children in Wales, and has now come back to live in Ireland again. He is the author of many popular picture books, retold folk tales and a number of novels for older readers, including the critically-acclaimed Georgie and Who is Jesse Flood?Duffy, Marie
Born in Dublin’s south inner city, Marie Duffy first found fame in the 1960s, dancing on entertainment shows on the newly launched Teilifís Éireann. She went on to become one of Ireland’s foremost dancing teachers – at Inis Ealga and her own Marie Duffy Irish Dance School – mentoring world champions and some of the performers from the original Riverdance line. (more)
Duggan, Barry
Barry Duggan began his career in journalism when Limerick was hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons.As Mid-Western correspondent with Independent Newspapers, he is well placed to witness and chronicle a decade of Limerick’s troubles.
Dunne, Bernard
Bernard Dunne was born and raised in Neilstown, west Dublin, the place he still calls home. The son of Olympic boxer Brendan Dunne, he competed in his first boxing match at six years old, and spent the next twenty-three years training and perfecting his craft. Narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2000 Olympics, Bernard went on to a hugely successful professional career, with twenty-eight wins from thirty fights. (more)
Ekin, Des
Des Ekin is a retired journalist and the author of four books. Born in County Down, Northern Ireland, he began his career as a reporter. After spending several years covering the Ulster Troubles, he rose to become Deputy Editor of the Belfast Sunday News before moving to his current home in Dublin. (more)
Evans, Glyn
Glyn Evans is a microbiologist with a passion for animal welfare and environmental conservation. Together with his partner and two sons, he lives on a farm in County Meath. It’s important to him that his sons grow up with animals around them and can learn about protecting nature. Wanting to share their love of animals with other children and adults, the family opened their farm to the public. (more)
Fahy, Bernadette
Bernadette Fahy spent much of her childhood in Goldenbridge Orphanage. Now she is a therapist specialising in helping people overcome a childhood in care.
Fallon, Donal
DONAL FALLON is a lecturer and historian based in Dublin. Co-founder of the popular social history website ‘Come Here To Me’, his previous publications include The Pillar: The Life and After Life of the Nelson Pillar (New Island, 2014). He is currently completing a PhD on republican commemoration and memory in 1930s Ireland.
Falvey, Pat
Pat Falvey is an Irish adventurer and mountaineer who has led expeditions to many parts of the world, including Everest, Antarctica, Greenland and West Papua New Guinea. He has twice been to each of the highest peaks on the seven continents. An author, motivational speaker and film maker, he is the executive producer of The Summit (Image Now Films and Pat Falvey Productions, 2012) which portrays on screen the story told in this book. (more)
Farley, Jennifer
Jennifer Farley is an author and illustrator from Dublin. Her artwork is bright, colourful and a little bit humourous. Jennifer has illustrated several books for other authors, and has written and illustrated three books herself, including Island of Adventures, and her latest book, Scout's Best Day Ever.
In 2019, she illustrated Shooting For The Stars, written by Dr. (more)
Farrelly, John
John Farrelly was born and raised in a village just outside Newry, Co. Down. After dropping out of art college because all he wanted to do was write stories and draw pictures, he became a freelance caricature artist. He always did a full day's work - he just spread it over the whole week. Finally, after a three-day siege, where no one was injured and all hostages were released, The O'Brien Press let him write stories and draw pictures.
Feeney, Brian
Brian Feeney, a political columnist with the Irish News, is a leading nationalist commentator and frequent broadcaster on Northern Ireland affairs. He was an SDLP councillor for sixteen years. He is co-author of Lost Lives: the story of the men, women and children killed in the Northern Ireland troubles. (more)Feeney, Tatyana
Tatyana Feeney grew up in North Carolina, where she spent much of her childhood reading and drawing. This developed into a love of art and particularly illustrations in children's books, so she gave up her ambition to be a fire girl and studied Art History and Illustration.
Tatyana now lives in Trim with her husband and two children. (more)
Fitzgerald, Nita
Nita Fitzgerald is a primary school teacher who remembers feeling really big when she could finally reach the handle on the kitchen door. Now she can open all the doors in her house in Waterford, where she lives with her husband and two children.Fitzpatrick, Marie-Louise
MARIE-LOUISE FITZPATRICK is one of Ireland’s most celebrated children’s book authors and illustrators. She has been awarded the prestigious Bisto/CBI Book of the Year Award three times: for There in 2010, You, Me and the Big Blue Sea in 2003, and Izzy and Skunk in 2001. She is also the author and illustrator of I’m a Tiger Too and I am I. (more)
Fitzpatrick, Tom
TOM FITZPATRICK is a primary-school teacher. He is GAA Games Manager in Dublin Teacher Training Colleges and is based in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. A Clareman, he is also secretary of Cumann na mBunscol, Áth Cliath, the organisation that promotes a love of gaelic sport and athletics among primary-school pupils.Flegg, Aubrey
Aubrey Flegg was born in Dublin. His early childhood was spent in County Sligo, Ireland. He went to school in Dublin and later in England. After a spell with a mountain rescue team in Scotland, he returned to Ireland to study geology at Trinity College. He then did geological research in Kenya, before joining the Geological Survey of Ireland in 1968. (more)Flood, John
John Flood studied architecture at DIT, Bolton Street and worked on award-winning projects with de Blacam & Meagher Architects before founding DMVF Architects. John has experience in bar, restaurant and office design as well as residential projects and holds an RIAI accreditation in sustainability.
Fogarty, Raymond
Raymond Fogarty is a professional drone pilot, videographer and photographer based in the south of Ireland. His unique aerial images of the landscapes and scenes from the skies above Ireland are highly acclaimed and have garnered significant attention, both nationally and internationally. (more)
Fogarty (decd.), Weeshie
One of Ireland's best-known sports broadcasters, Weeshie Fogarty was a true sports fan. An All Ireland winning player for Kerry, and referee at the highest level, he also represented Ireland at all levels in basketball. His Terrace Talk programme on Radio Kerry had a fanatical following. Weeshie died in 2018.
Foley, Michael
Originally from Killavullen, Co Cork, Michael Foley has written Kings of September, winner of the 2007 BoyleSports Irish Sportsbook of the year. He also ghostwrote Harte: Presence Is the Only Thing, the autobiography of Tyrone gaelic football manager Mickey Harte, shortlisted for the 2009 William Hill Irish Sportsbook of the Year. (more)
Fox, Woody
Woody Fox has been a children’s illustrator for 30 years specialising in all things animal related and anything funny. He’s worked for most of the major publishers in Britain as well as many abroad and also had successful cards ranges and clothes designs.
He also has been a willow sculptor for the last 12 years, again specialising in animals which are his passion: you can see his scuptures at www.woodyfoxwillow.co.uk. (more)
Gallagher, Brian
BRIAN GALLAGHER was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries.
Brian is the author of four adult novels, and his other books of historical fiction for young readers are One Good Turn and Friend or Foe – both set in Dublin in 1916; Stormclouds, which takes place in Northern Ireland during the turbulent summer of 1969; Secrets and Shadows, a spy novel that begins with the North Strand bombings during the Second World War; Taking Sides, about the Irish Civil War; Across the Divide, set during the 1913 Lockout, Arrivals, a time-slip novel set between modern and early-twentieth-century Ontario, and Pawns, set during Ireland’s War of Independence. (more)
Gallagher, Mary
Mary Gallagher lives in Dublin and previously worked for Enterprise Ireland. She has a B.A. and M.A. in Modern Irish History and a Certificate in Genealogy from University College Dublin.
Gallimore, Andrew
Andrew Gallimore was educated at the University of Wales College of Cardiff and the University of Oxford where he was part of the Reuter Foundation Fellowship Programme for International Journalism. A former print journalist, he became a television reporter working on several news and current affairs programmes in the United Kingdom. (more)
Galvin, Tom
TOM GALVIN went to Poland in 1994 to live and teach in a Polish state school for five years. He later worked as a journalist for The Warsaw Voice and Radio Polonia in Warsaw. He now works for the Evening Herald, on the Polski Herald supplement and as books editor. (more)
Gerstein, Mordicai
Mordicai Gerstein is the author and illustrator of more than thirty books for young readers, among them picture books, biblical retellings, alphabets, and works of fiction.He was awarded the 2004 Caldecott Medal for The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, called 'a tour de force' by the San Francisco Chronicle, a 'milestone' by the Boston Globe, and a 'breathtaking homage to extraordinary buildings and a remarkable man' by Kirkus Reviews.
Mordicai Gerstein lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Gibney, John
John Gibney has a PhD in History from Trinity College, Dublin. He is the author of Ireland and the Popish Plot (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008) and of a number of articles on various aspects of Irish history for BBC Northern Ireland, Éire-Ireland, Field Day Review, Irish Historical Studies. (more)
Gilligan, Ann Louise
ANN LOUISE GILLIGAN, PhD was appointed to the staff of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, in 1976, and has worked in the area of teacher education at undergraduate and post-graduate level for the past thirty years. She established and directed its Educational Disadvantage Centre, and has lectured and published on the philosophy of the imagination, philosophies of difference and educational equality. (more)Gilligan, Robbie
Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin. He has written academic books on the topics of Irish Child Care Services and Child Development. This is his first book with O’Brien Press.Gilly,
Gilly is a writer, director, designer and animator. He graduated from IADT in 2000 and started working as freelance graphic designer. He worked as lead designer and animator on the award-winning short The Carpenter and His Clumsy Wife which won a special mention at the Venice Film Festival and won the best short comedy at the LA Film Festival. (more)
Gilmore, Tom
Tom Gilmore is a journalist, author and broadcaster with The Tuam Herald and Galway Bay FM. He was recently honoured for his outstanding contribution to country music presented by Big Tom himself. Tom Gilmore has been writing about country music for over 30 years. Big Tom said of Tom Gilmore:
"Tom and myself go back a long long way. (more)
Gleason, Trevis
Trevis L. Gleason is been an award-winning writer, culinarian, consultant and instructor. His memoir, Chef Interrupted, won the Prestige Award of the International Jury at the Gourmand International World Cookbook Awards, and Dingle Dinners represented Ireland in the 2018 World Cookbook Awards. (more)
Gliori, Debi
Debi Gliori was born in Glasgow and studied at the Edinburgh College of Art. Her Mr Bear series has received many awards and she continues to add to it with new titles. Debi is a full-time writer and illustrator and lives just outside Edinburgh with her four children.Gogarty, Brian
Brian Gogarty lives in Co. Derry. He has worked as the manager for a credit union. The books in the Shamrock Sean series are his first.
Goodfellow, Damien
Damien Goodfellow is an artist and writer and lives in Galway. Damien's first graphic novel, Brian Boru - Ireland's Warrior King, was published in 2011
Granville, Gary
Gary Granville is Professor of Education in the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. He was formerly Assistant Chief Executive in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Originally a teacher in Dublin schools, he worked on innovative education projects in the Curriculum Development Unit in Dublin. (more)
Gregory, Jarlath
Jarlath Gregory is from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, and currently lives in Stoneybatter, Dublin. He is the author of Snapshots (2001), G.A.A.Y One Hundred Ways to Love a Beautiful Loser (2005), and The Organised Criminal (2015). He has also worked as a bookseller in Chapters Bookstore, and written for Attitude, Esquire and GCN magazines. (more)
Griffin, Matt
Matthew Griffin was born in Dublin and now lives in Ennis. He has garnered a reputation as one of the most eclectic graphic artists in contemporary illustration, collecting awards and accolades for his work in publishing, advertising and, in particular, the field of poster art. His passion for visual design was always married to one for writing. (more)
Grimason, Darryl
'Born to fish and forced to work', Darryl Grimason is a TV reporter and presenter for BBC Northern Ireland. A native of County Armagh, he lives in Dollingstown with his wife Karen and two daughters. He has presented two popular television series about fishing, Coast to Coast and the award-winning Big Six.Grogan, Jerry
JERRY GROGAN comes from Caherciveen, County Kerry, and is a primary-school teacher in Donaghmede, Dublin. He is the National PRO for Cumann na mBunscol, and a frequent contributor to, and editor of, GAA publications. He is a keen amateur sports photographer.Gyalje Sherpa, Pemba
Pemba Gyalje Sherpa was born in northern Nepal and grew up in the shadow of Mount Everest. His experience as a professional mountain guide has taken him to the Alps and Himalaya, including to the summit of Everest on seven occasions. He is an IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA-certified mountain guide since 2009 and is an expert in alpine rescue and climbing. (more)
Halligan, Jim
Jim Halligan is a teacher and talented author of books for children, including (with John Newman) Fowl Play, Round the Bend, Fowl Deeds (nominated for a Bisto Award) and Seeing Red. He started making up stories in school to entertain the children in his class and ‘to stop himself from going insane’.
Hannigan, Dave
Dave Hannigan is a sports columnist with The Sunday Tribune, the Evening Echo and New York’s Irish Echo.He is the author of three previous books and is also an adjunct professor of history at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island.
Harbison, Peter
Dr Peter Harbison is honorary academic editor of the Royal Irish Academy, Professor of Archaeology at the Royal Hibernian Academy, and an honorary fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. He studied archaeology at UCD and the University of Marburg and was editor of
Ireland of the Welcomes for nine years. (more)Harkin, Greg
Greg Harkin is the Belfast journalist who broke the Stakeknife story.
Hayden, Edward
EDWARD HAYDEN works in Dunbrody Country House where he teaches in the Dunbrody Cookery School. Edward also teaches adult education courses in Waterford Institute of Technology and regularly lectures in Ryeland House Cookery School, Inish Beg Estate cookery school and An Grianan, ICA Adult Education Centre. (more)
Hayes, Tadhg
Tadhg Hayes lives and works in Kerry, one of the richest sources of 'the Gab' in the country.Hayes-McCoy, Felicity
Felicity Hayes-McCoy has written television dramas, radio soap operas, features, documentaries, plays and screenplays, as well as books on fairytales, myths and legends.Healy, Shay
SHAY HEALY is an author, songwriter, TV producer and presenter. His RTÉ 1 pet series, Beastly Behaviour, was a big hit with audiences old and young. He also released a CD of animal songs, Havananimal Week. Shay is best known as the writer of ‘What’s Another Year’, which won the Eurovision Song Contest for Johnny Logan in 1980.
Heaney, Nicola
Nicola Heaney was born and raised in Derry. After studying in Scotland, she moved to England where she taught English Literature to teenagers for over a decade before deciding to focus on her writing. Her poetry has been published in a number of journals across the UK and Ireland.
Heaney, Peter
Peter Heaney was a primary school teacher and story teller in his native Derry for more than 40 years. He believed that story-telling could create a rich world for children to explore and learn from. During his teaching career, exchanges with other story tellers provided many opportunities to share stories with children from Moscow to Kentucky.
Heatherington, Emma
Emma Heatherington is a bestselling author from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. Her novels include the UK Top Ten Amazon Kindle hit The Legacy of Lucy Harte (HarperImpulse, HarperCollins, 2017) which is also translated internationally. Emma has also penned three stage musicals and over sixty educational short films and plays. (more)
Hendrick, Dave
Dublin native Dave Hendrick's previous work includes The Symptoms (Zuda) and Short Sharp Schlocks. He is currently working on a number of projects including a Pearl Jam comic book anthology and other graphic novels. For more www.davehendrick.com
Hennelly, Regina
Regina Hennelly is a journalist and writes for The Examiner and The Irish Independent. She has reported extensively on the Barr tribunal which was set up to investigate the Abbeylara shooting.Herron, Anne Marie
Anne Marie Herron is the principal of a large primary school. She presents a weekly radio review programme on children's books.Hick, Gillian
Gillian Hick was born in Dublin and has practised as a vet both in Dublin and in Wicklow for the many years. She also works for the Irish Blue Cross. She lives in Co. Wicklow, where she has her own practice, with her husband, three children, and a large assortment of four-legged companions.
Holland, Anne
Anne Holland was a successful amateur rider who once rode at Aintree on Grand National day. She has written many books on horse-racing including Steeplechasing: A Celebration, The Grand National: The Irish At Aintree and All in the Blood.
Hood, Kim
KIM HOOD grew up in British Columbia, Canada. After earning degrees in psychology, history and education, she wandered through a few countries before making the west coast of Ireland home.
Her eclectic work experience in education, therapy and community services has presented endless opportunity to observe a world of interesting characters. (more)Hourican, Bridget
Bridget is of mixed Irish-Palestinian heritage, born in Belfast, grew up in Brussels, spent a few years living in Budapest, and is now based in Dublin. As a journalist she has contributed to Time Out and The Irish Times, among other publications. Bridget also has a big interest in travel and history, and has worked on some major projects including the Atlas of Irish History and the Dictionary of Irish Bibliography.Howard, Paul
Paul Howard helps Ross O'Carroll-Kelly to write his autobiographical series, largely because Ross can't really write, roysh? Find out more at rossocarrollkelly.com.
He is also the author of the bestselling prison expose, The Joy, and co-author of Celtic Warrior, the autobiography of boxer Steve Collins. (more)
Hughes, Brian
Born in Dublin, Brian Hughes studied in NUI Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin.
Hughes, Harry
Harry Hughes, author of a number of local history books, lives in Westport, County Mayo. He is chairman of the Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee and chairman of the Croagh Patrick Famine Memorial Committee and is a member of the Croagh Patrick Millennium Park Committee. The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee organised the FÁS sponsored archaeological survey of Croagh Patrick and its environs. (more)
Hunt, Gerry
Gerry Hunt worked for twenty-five years as an architect, eighteen of them with the IDA. In 1986 he left architecture and began drawing political cartoons. From this, he moved on to drawing entire comics ... his first, self-produced, comic was a rhyming, Spanish-language work that he gave away to friends. (more)
Jancar, Drago
Drago Jancar, born in Maribor in 1948, is a novelist, short story writer, essayist and playwright. His works have been translated into many European languages, and his plays have enjoyed a number of foreign productions.In 1974 he was taken into custody over alleged propaganda, and he was active in the democratization of his native country as President of the Slovenian PEN Centre between 1987 and 1991. (more)
Prof. Jeffares, A. Norman
Born in Dublin in 1920, he was educated at the High School, Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin (of which he was an Honorary Fellow); he was also a Research Fellow of Royal Holloway, University of London and of Oriel College, Oxford. He taught in University College Dublin (Classics); in Holland and Edinburgh (English) and held Chairs (English) in Adelaide, Leeds and Stirling. (more)
Jess, Mervyn
Mervin Jess is a BBC NI Journalist.
He has reported extensively on Northern Ireland in general and Drumcree in particular.Dr. Johnston, Ruth
Ruth Johnson, the current city archaeologist for Dublin City Council, is a former curator of Dublinia and an internationally recognised expert on the Viking Age.
Joyce, Bob
Bob Joyce is a grand-nephew of James Joyce, and is on the board of the James Joyce Centre in Dublin.
Joyce, James
James Joyce (1882–1941) is regarded as one of the most influential and important authors of the twentieth century. After graduating from University College Dublin, Joyce went to Paris. During World War One, Joyce and Barnacle, and their two children, Giorgio and Lucia, moved to Zurich where Joyce began Ulysses. (more)
Judge, Chris
Chris Judge is an award winning author and illustrator from Dublin. His picture books include The Lonely Beast series, The Great Explorer and TiN. He is the author of Brian and the Vikings and Brian and the Giant. Chris illustrated Roddy Doyle’s children’s book Brilliant and collaborated with comedian David O’Doherty on the smash hit, Danger is Everywhere!
Keane, John B
John Brendan Keane, who died in his native Listowel in 2002, remains one of Ireland’s most popular writers. He was the author of many awardwinning books and plays, including Big Maggie, Sive, The Year of the Hiker, Sharon's Grave and his masterpiece, The Field.
Kelly, Deirdre
Deirdre Kelly was a radical environmental activist and a founder member of the Living City Group. She was involved with many campaigns to save Dublin’s architectural heritage.Kelly, Michael
Michael Kelly is a freelance contributor to The Irish Times. He writes columns including ‘My Big Week’ and ‘What’s On’ for the Irish Times Magazine, ‘A New Life’ in the Health supplement and ‘The Irishman’s Diary’. His column ‘Giving Up’ in the Irish Times Magazine saw him forsake each week some of the essentials of modern life electricity, mobile phone, shaving, coffee etc. (more)
Kelly, Owen
The late Owen Kelly was one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved humorists, known predominantly for his two long-running columns for The Irish News – Kelly’s World and The Saturday Column. He was the author of two volumes of autobiography (Tales Out of School and Hens’ Teeth), two volumes of Ulster humour (Kelly’s Country and Kelly’s World) and a wealth of newspaper, radio and magazine work. (more)
Kelly, Valerie
Valerie Kelly is a Paediatric Dietician at Temple Street Children's Hospital.
Kelters, Seamus
SEAMUS KELTERS is an Assistant News Editor with BBC Northern Ireland. He is the co-author of Lost Lives. The stories of the Men, Women and Children who died in the Northern Ireland Troubles for which he and his fellow editors were awarded the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Prize for its contribution to reconciliation.Dr. Kenna, Shane
Shane Kenna was a Doctor of modern Irish history with an interest in late Victorian and Edwardian Irish nationalism. He was a regular speaker at international academic conferences, a media presence with Newstalk Radio, Near FM, BBC Radio 4 and published author who wrote for Irish Academic Press, The O'Brien Press, History Ireland, the BBC History Magazine and Kilmainham Tales.
Shane lectured at Trinity College, Dublin and Saor Ollscoil na hÉireann University and also designed modules on Irish history for the American College, Arcadia University, as well as organising and managing several courses on Modern History.
He died in February 2017.
Kennedy, John
John Kennedy, a chartered accountant, is also a poet, novelist and author of the best-selling Sixty Short Puzzles series. Many of his works have appeared in newspapers, magazines, anthologies and on live radio broadcasts. He has won several chess titles and competed for Ireland at the European Management Championships. (more)Kennedy, Niamh
Niamh Kennedy grew up with Sandymount Strand and its surrounds as her playground. The iconic Poolbeg Chimneys formed a backdrop to her childhood and will forever signify home to her. Niamh is a keen walker and occasional cyclist and in the undertaking of this project has relished the opportunity to explore, by both modes, all that Dublin Bay has to offer.
Kennedy, Seán
Seán Kennedy EFIAP is a well-known Dublin photographer with a particular interest in street and landscape photography. He is an active member and past president of the Dublin Camera Club. His work has attained international recognition from the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (AFIAP), a worldwide organisation representing photographic art. (more)
Kerrigan, Jo
Jo Kerrigan grew up amid the wild beauties of West Cork; after working in the UK as writer, academic and journalist, she returned home to the place she loved best. She now writes regularly for a range of publications, including The Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo as well as international magazines, and operates a very popular online weblog.
Kiely, Kevin
Kevin Kiely has had several collections of poetry published, had plays broadcast on RTE and is engaged in literary journalism and editing. He has received Literature Bursary Awards from the Irish Arts Council, and is Honorary Fellow in Writing with the University of Iowa. This is his first book for young readers.Kiernan, Celine
Celine Kiernan is an Irish author of fantasy novels for young adults. She is best known for The Moorehawke Trilogy. Her fourth book, Into the Grey, won both the CBI Book of the Year Award and the CBI Children's Choice Award in 2012. It won the 2013 Readers' Association of Ireland Award for best book. (more)
Kingston, Mary
Mary Kingston is a presenter with RTE's Den TV and for the last five years she has been sharing her Fantastic Far-Flung Facts For Fun with us on Sunday's 'Disney Club'. In this time, she has travelled to over 55 countries from Bangledesh to Madagascar and Cambodia.Kinsella, Thomas
Thomas Kinsella is one of Ireland's most respected and well-loved poets. Born in Inchicore in 1928, he is also known for his translations and editorial work.Kirwan, Gary
In January 2011 Gary Kirwan was morbidly obese, weighing over 41 stone. With the help of Today FM’s Ray Darcy Show, he has so far lost 13 stone, finished the Dublin City Marathon and was able to return to college, currently studying Management and Marketing in Limerick Institute of Technology.Klaus, Gustav
H Gustav Klaus holds the Chair of British Literature at the University of Rostock. He has taught and lectured in many countries including Australia, Britain, Denmark, France and Spain. He takes special interest in the 'little' tradition of working-class and socialist writing. His first major book was a study of another Spanish volunteer, Christopher Caudwell. (more)Kohn, Roger
Born in York in 1951, Roger Kohn studied with Rowan Gillespie at York School of Art in 1969. After earning a first class honours degree from Chelsea School of Art, he boarded a tramp steamer to South America. He was arrested and interrogated on three occasions for insurgency and abuse of the Argentine authorities. (more)Kostick, Conor
Conor Kostick is a writer and historian living in Dublin. As a novelist he was awarded the Farmleigh writer's residency for the summer of 2010 and a place on the nominees list for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2012 and 2013. At their 2009 awards, the Reading Association of Ireland gave him the Special Merit Award ‘in recognition of his significant contribution to writing for children in Ireland’. (more)
Krieger, Carsten
Carsten Krieger's unique images of the Irish landscape are highly acclaimed and he is the author of several books of his spectacular landscape photography. His photographs have also been published in magazines and calendars and he exhibits in Ireland and abroad on a regular basis.
Krüse, Tarsila
Tarsila Krüse is a Brazilian-born children’s book illustrator. Her début picture book Ná Gabh ar Scoil! (Futa Fata) was shortlisted for The CBI Book of The Year Awards 2016 and her second book, Bliain na nAmhrán (Futa Fata) is the winner of the CBI Judges' Special Merit Award 2017. (more)
Lanigan, Susan
In 2003, Susan Lanigan graduated from a Masters in Creative Writing in NUI Galway. Since then, she has had short stories published in The Stinging Fly, Southword, The Sunday Tribune, the Irish Independent, Nature, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Mayo News. (more)
Lavelle, Des
Des Lavelle of Valentia, County Kerry, is a man of marine passions, and the beautiful Skellig Islands are listed ahead of the rest. A seaman, photographer, diving instructor and author, he – with his venerable boat, the Béal Bocht – has guided many thousands of visitors to the Skelligs. (more)
Leahy, Alice
Alice Leahy is Director of Services of the Alice Leahy Trust. She was Co-Founder & Director of TRUST from 1975 – December 2015. The Alice Leahy Trust remains a non-judgemental, befriending, social and health service for people who are homeless.
Alice produced with two others “The Homeless Experience” a training module she co-facilitated for voluntary/community and statutory groups in Dublin. (more)
Leavy, Una
Una Leavy has written many books for children. She works as a primary school teacher in County Mayo.Una Leavy was born in Charlestown, Co. Mayo. She has been writing since early childhood. A primary school teacher by profession, she is married to Lorcán and they have six children. Her writing includes poetry, articles and short stories which have been published in various magazines and periodicals. (more)
Lennon, Tom
Tom Lennon's fiction is noted for its understanding of gay politics in modern society and for the sympathetic and honest treatment of the characters it depicts.Linder, Seth
Seth Linder is a journalist, author and scriptwriter who lives in Northern Ireland. He has worked on numerous projects exploring the heritage, history and culture of Northern Ireland, including Belfast City Hall’s centenary exhibition and the award-winning ‘Belfast Bred’ dramatized food tour of the city, produced by Kabosh Theatre. (more)
Lisson, Deborah
Deborah Lisson is a well-known author of young adult fiction, living in Banbury, Australia. Her passion for the story of Red Hugh led her to research this book in Ireland. Her novel The Devil's Own won the Western Australia Premier's Award for Children’s Fiction and was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award in 1991; her book, A Place of Safety, won the Western Australia Premier's Award for Children's Literature in 1997.Deborah's latest book, Truth Seeker, was published by O'Brien Press in October 2001.
Litton, Helen
Helen Litton is the author of six illustrated history books, and of two volumes in The O’Brien Press Sixteen Lives series, Edward Daly and Thomas Clarke. She is the editor of Revolutionary Woman, the autobiography of Kathleen Clarke. Helen is married, with two children and two grandchildren, and lives in Dublin.
Llywelyn, Morgan
Historian and novelist Morgan Llywelyn was born in New York City, but after the death of her husband and parents in 1985 returned to Ireland to take up citizenship in the land of her grandparents and make her permanent home there.
After making the shortlist for the United States Olympic Team in Dressage in 1975, but not making the team itself, she turned to writing historical novels exploring her Celtic roots. (more)
Long, Ruth Frances
RUTH FRANCES LONG is a lifelong fan of fantasy and romance. She studied English Literature, History of Religions, and Celtic Civilisation in college and now works in a specialised library of rare and unusual books. But they don’t talk to her that often.
Lowe, John
John Lowe is a personal and corporate finance expert offering independent financial advice and popularly known as the Money Doctor (www.moneydoctors.ie). He is a Fellow of The Institute of Bankers, an Accredited Product Adviser (APA), a Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) and a Chartered Director (CDir). (more)
Luke, Eric
Born in Dalkey, south County Dublin, Eric Luke has always had a passion for photography. He joined the Irish Press Group as a staff photographer in 1973, following a brief stint working in the darkrooms as a photographic printer. Seventeen years later, in 1990, he moved to the Irish Times, covering major news and feature stories both at home and abroad, including two World Cups, five Olympic Games, and assignments in Somalia, Kenya, India, Sydney, Washington and London. (more)
Lynch, PJ
P. J. Lynch is the current Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s Children’s Laureate. He has worked as a book illustrator since the 1980s. Millions of his books have been sold around the world and he has won many awards. His next book will be “Patrick and the President” written by Ryan Tubridy. In recent years PJ has designed posters for Opera Ireland and the Abbey Theatre as well as several sets of stamps for An Post. (more)
Lyons, Fergus
Fergus Lyons is an artist and lives in the hills of County Sligo. He exhibits his work frequently.
Mac a'Bháird, Natasha
Natasha Mac a’Bháird is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of the bestselling wedding planning guide, The Irish Bride’s Survival Guide and her latest book is The Irish Bridesmaid's Guide. Her first two children’s books, Missing Ellen and Olanna’s Big Day, were both chosen for the White Ravens Collection. (more)
Mac Uistin, Liam
Liam Mac Uistin was a well-known author and playwright. His versions of ancient Irish stories and legends have been published in the Irish language by An Gúm. His plays for stage, television and radio have been produced in many European countries and in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. His television play The Glory and the Dream won the Radio Telefís Éireann award. (more)
Macdonald, Shona Shirley
Shona Shirley Macdonald is an artist based in Co. Waterford, though she is originally from Aberdeenshire in Scotland. She studied Visual Communication at Edinburgh College of Art, specialising in stop-motion animation, and after graduating she began her career as a freelance artist. Her illustration projects range from publications of poetry and fiction, to concept artwork for theatre and computer games. (more)
MacSwiney Brugha, Maire
Máire is the daughter of Terence MacSwiney, one of the greatest figures in Ireland's history, and Muriel, a member of the wealthy Murphy distillery family. Her fascinating life which dragged her from Cork to Germany, and then back to the gaeltacht where, as a teenager, she learned Irish before re-learning English. (more)MacThomáis, Éamonn
Éamonn MacThomáis (13 January 1927–16 August 2002) was an author, broadcaster, historian, Irish Republican, advocate of the Irish Language and lecturer. He presented his own series on Dublin on RTÉ during the 1970s and was well known for guided tours and lectures of his beloved Dublin. (more)
Madden, Martine
Martine Madden was born in Limerick, worked in Dublin and later moved to the United Arab Emirates with her husband John. The stories recounted to her by the Armenian diaspora there prompted her interest in Armenian history and formed the basis of the novel Anyush. Martine returned to Ireland in 1990 and now lives in the Midlands with her husband and five children.
Maguire, Neven
One of Ireland's premier chefs, Neven Maguire was born and reared in Blacklion, County Caven, where he runs MacNean House and Restaurant. He has written many cookery books and appeared regularly on television and radio both at home and internationally.
Maher, Laura Ruth
Laura Ruth Maher is a Montessori Teacher from Dublin. She has completed a Degree and Masters in Early Education, her research focusing mainly on storytelling and the importance of rhyme for early literacy development. Laura has always had a great love for Irish myths and legends and is delighted that they can now be shared with a younger audience, her son included! She currently lives in Warwickshire, England, If her head is not stuck in her books she can usually be found running or enjoying a cup of tea and a sneaky biscuit or ten with her family.
Mahoney, Donny
Donny Mahoney is a writer and journalist. He was born in America and has lived in Ireland since 2004. He is one of the co-founders of the website Balls.ie, where he works today.
Manning, Mary
Mary Manning first spoke about her experiences on the Sean Moncreiff radio show, speaking anonymously as "Catherine". Overcoming incredible hardship she has emerged with the strength to carry on and share her story, as well as striving to see justice done.
Mansfield, Creina
Creina Mansfield was born in Bristol in 1949. She studied literature at Cambridge and became a teacher of English at secondary school level. She lived in Dublin for a number of years and is now living in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England with her husband and two teenage sons.Her first book, Fairchild was published in Hong Kong. (more)
Massey, Eithne
Eithne Massey has written many books for both adults and children, mainly based on the legends of Ireland. Her adaptation of the award-winning movie The Secret of Kells is set in the time of the early Viking raids; The Silver Stag of Bunratty and Where the Stones Sing are set in Norman Ireland; and Blood Brother, Swan Sister at the time of the Battle of Clontarf. (more)
McAfee, Pat
Pat McAfee is a stone mason and lectures widely, both in Ireland and abroad, on all aspects of stonework. You can visit his own website here.McBratney, Sam
Sam McBratney sums up his post-war childhood as short trousers, Fair Isle jumper, the 11 plus and grammar school. He taught at a secondary school himself for a while and was a primary school teacher.
Sam wrote many books for children and young adults, published internationally, and is probably best-known for Guess How Much I Love You. In 1993 he won a BISTO Award for Put a Saddle on the Pig, published by Methuen, and also received the Bass Ireland Arts Prize. (more)
McCafferty, Kate
Kate McCafferty was born in the United States and received her Ph.D. in English. Since then she has taught English in colleges all over the world. She has published, essays, poems and short fiction pieces in a number of publications. She lives in Ireland.McCann, Sean
Sean McCann was a distinguished author and journalist. He wrote more than 25 books covering a wide range of subjects ranging from roses to Irish history and sport. His main hobby was rose growing, for which he was awarded many international prizes. He lived in Dublin and was the father of prize-winning author Colum McCann.
McCarthy, Justine
JUSTINE MCCARTHY is an award-winning journalist with The Sunday Times and a frequent broadcaster. She is also the author of Mary McAleese: The Outsider.
McCarthy, Steve
Steve McCarthy is a Dublin-born art maker and obsessive picture-builder. With a keen interest in colour and character, Steve has managed to sneak his singular style into many forms, from Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar-nominated feature film Song of the Sea to children’s books and projects for brands worldwide. (more)
McCaughren, Tom
Tom McCaughren has written fifteen books for children and young adults. His award winning 'Run with the Wind' series has been translated into twenty languages including German, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, French, Dutch, Danish and Latvian.
McClean, Donn
DONN McCLEAN is a sports writer, specialising in horse racing. He has written for many publications, and is currently the main features writer on horse racing for The Sunday Times in Ireland and The Irish Field. He is also the author of four racing biographies and is a regular analyst on TV and radio. (more)
McConville, Rory
Rory McConville has been working in the comic book industry since he was sixteen. In that time he has written for DC Comics, Newbold Enterprises, Shadowline Comics and Fan-Atic Press. He currently studies English and History at University College Cork.
McCoole, Sinead
SINÉAD MCCOOLE is a well-known historian and the author of a number of books on women and history. Sinéad has also scripted a series of short films, Women of 1916, for RTÉ. She currently works as a historical and picture researcher, and an exhibition curator.
McDermott, Brian
Brian McDermott is an award-winning chef and food consultant who is passionate about sharing his love of food with others. As a host, presenter and demonstrator, he is one of the most sought-after chefs on the Irish food-festival circuit. He is the chef-proprietor of the Foyle Hotel by Chef Brian McDermott in Moville, County Donegal, which is also home to his cookery school. (more)
McDonnell, Vincent
Vincent McDonnell is an award-winning author of books for adults and young readers. Born in County Mayo, he worked in England for a number of years. He now lives in County Cork with his wife and son.He has previously written two adult novels and four novels for children. The Broken Commandment, his first novel for adults, was published after a recommendation by Graham Greene and won the GPA First Fiction Award in 1989. (more)
McEneaney, Eamonn
Eamonn McEneany is Waterford's city historian and the Director of the Waterford Treasures Museum. The Waterford Treasures Museum has won several awards, both for the quality of the exhibits and the way in which the displays bring the historic objects to life in imaginative and unexpected ways.McGann, Erika
Erika McGann grew up in Drogheda, County Louth, and now lives in Dublin. She is the author of a number of children’s books, including the winner of the Waverton Good Read Children’s Prize 2014, The Demon Notebook, the first in her magical series about Grace and her four friends. Other books in the series are: The Broken Spell, The Watching Wood and The Midnight Carnival. (more)
McGann, Kunak
Kunak McGann grew up in Drogheda back in the days when electronic tablets were unheard of (she can still remember the excitement when the family got a ZX Spectrum – Luna Crabs, anyone?) and playing out on the street was the most fun kids could imagine. Eventually, she had to grow up and get a proper job. (more)
McGann, Oisín
Oisín McGann studied art at Ballyfermot Senior College and Dún Laoghaire School of Art and Design, and went on to work in illustration, design and film animation. He moved to London in 1998, where he eventually found work as an art director and copy writer for an advertising agency. He now lives in Meath and works as an author, freelance illustrator and artist. (more)
McGoldrick, Sean
Sean McGoldrick is a sports journalist for the Sunday World. He was shortlisted for Sports Journalist of the Year at the Bord Gáis Energy National Media Awards 2009.
McGuinness, Áine
Áine Mc Guinness is from a small village on the East coast of Ireland. An early love for art led her to study animation at the National Film School of Ireland where she graduated with a degree in 2007. She worked as an animator until 2010 before starting her career as an illustrator. Her work is often inspired by childhood memories and nature and mainly combines digital and watercolour painting. (more)
McGuinness, Frank
Frank McGuinness is Professor of Creative Writing in University College Dublin. A world-renowned playwright, his first great stage hit was the highly acclaimed ‘Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme’. He is also a highly skilled adapter of plays by writers such as Ibsen, Sophocles, Brecht, and writer of several film scripts, including Dancing at Lughnasa, and he has published several anthologies of poetry.
McGuire, Eamon
Described by the CIA as 'the chief technical officer' of the IRA, Eamon McGuire was involved in undercover activity for over twenty years. He is the only person ever extradited from the Republic to the USA for political activities.
McHale, Conor
Conor McHale was born in Dublin in 1969. Shortly before leaving school, he decided he would become an archaeologist. This decision caused his father to roar with laughter. It took him over ten years working in Irish archaeology to realise what the joke was. He lives in Dublin with his wife, Susannah, and their son, Oscar. (more)
McPhillips, Fiona
Fiona McPhillips is an author, journalist and interiors fanatic. Having survived a complete home renovation and extension, she was inspired to write down all the tips, tricks and techniques she learned along the way, with a little help from the experts. Fiona lives in her never-quite-finished home in Dublin with her husband, three kids, a dog and two cats.
McQuinn, Anna
Anna McQuinn was born and grew up in County Kerry. She lived in the small town of Castleisland in the heart of Kerry Dairy country and is old enough to remember the old Fair days there - her maternal grandfather used to be a cattle drover and his small restaurant attracted many old friends from up and down the country. (more)
McVeigh, Lisa
Lisa McVeigh studied architecture at Queen’s University, Belfast and worked for Campbell Conroy Hickey Architects in Dublin before setting up DMVF Architects. Lisa specialises in residential projects and has an RIAI accreditation in health and safety and a Grade 3 accreditation in conservation.
Meaney, Roisin
Born in Kerry, with parents from Clare, Roisin Meaney is currently a primary teacher living in Limerick. She is a published author of adult fiction: The Daisy Picker (Tivoli, 2004) and Putting Out the Stars (Tivoli, 2005). Her short story Three Letters was published in Moments (Cle, 2005).Merriman, Brian
Brian Merriman or in Irish Brian Mac Giolla Meidhre (circa 1749 – 27 July 1805) was an Irish language poet and teacher. His single surviving work of substance, the 1000-line long Cúirt An Mheán Oíche (The Midnight Court) is widely regarded as the greatest comic poem in the history of Irish literature.
Mhac an tSaoi, Máire
Probably the leading Irish language poet of the twentieth century, Máire has published many highly acclaimed volumes of verse, articles, short stories and translations.
Michael, Jan
Born in the Yorkshire Dales, Jan Michael spent an idyllic childhood there and in the Seychelles, also living in Lesotho and Pakistan. Since university, she has worked as an editor and literary agent in London, Amsterdam and Yorkshire. She has written thirteen books which have been published in several languages, including the children’s novels Hill of Darkness, The Rock Boy (also performed as children’s opera in Germany), Just Joshua (winner: Dutch Vlag en Wimpel prize), Leaving Home (winner: Dutch Silver Slate Pencil and the Jenny Smelik-IBBY Prize) and Moorside Boy.
Millar, Sam
Sam Millar is a bestselling crime writer and playwright from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has won numerous literary awards and his books have all been critically praised.
His incredible life was explored in RTE's Documentary on One in August 2020: The Seven Million Dollar Man.
Mills, Richard
Richard Mills, born in Provence, moved to West Cork at the age of 16. Since then he has combined the career of press photographer with The Irish Examiner and Evening Echo, with that of keen wildlife photographer, garnering many national and international awards and seeing his images published across the world. (more)
Mitchell, Angus
Angus Mitchell was born in Africa and educated in England. From 1987 to 1992 he lived in Spain where he wrote extensively on Spanish culture, food and cinema and published the widely-acclaimed Spain: Interiors, Gardens, Architecture, Landscape (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1992). From 1992-98 he lived in Brazil where he worked as a film and television correspondent and helped to develop the award-winning historical drama, Carlota Joaquina: Princess of Brazil (1995). (more)
Moller, Linda
Linda Moller is a member of Friends of the Earth, and has spent time as a hill farmer in Wales. She believes that a greener and better world is a realistic goal, and would enhance the lives of both humans and animals. She has written for the Observer and the Guardian. Her film, To Be a Horse, was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival.Moore, Christy
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore (born 7 May 1945) is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of both Planxty and Moving Hearts. His first album, Paddy on the Road (a minor release of 500, although made available again on CD through his website and at gigs in 2010) was recorded with Dominic Behan (brother of Brendan) in 1969. (more)Morrissy, Mary
Mary Morrissy is the author of three novels, Mother of Pearl, The Pretender and The Rising of Bella Casey, and a collection of stories, A Lazy Eye. Her second collection of stories, Prosperity Drive, is forthcoming in 2016.
Mother of Pearl, her first novel, was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award (now Costa) and The Pretender and The Rising of Bella Casey were both nominated for the Dublin Impac International Literary Award. (more)
Mulryan, Peter
Peter Mulryan became interested in the world of food and drink over a decade ago while filming in France and went on to make numerous programmes about cooking and, of course, alcohol. After visiting just about every distillery in Scotland and Ireland, Peter married his Scottish bride on the Isle of Skye last year. (more)
Murphy, Brendan
BRENDAN MURPHY began work as a press photographer in 1974 having previously been a barman and publican in the Falls Road area of west Belfast. In a newspaper career spanning four decades he has won all the major awards in Northern Irish press photography. Brendan’s work has appeared in most of the major Irish newspapers as well as many of the London-based tabloids and broadsheets and several European magazines and newspapers. (more)Murphy, Colin
Colin Murphy is the author of The Most Famous Irish People You’ve Never Heard Of and co-author of the bestselling ‘Feckin’ collection (The O’Brien Press). His début historical novel Boycott (Brandon) was published in 2012 to great acclaim.
Murphy, Frank
Frank Murphy is a retired school principal, living in Cork. His teaching career, which began in Dublin, took him also to north Wexford, and eventually to Cork city.He has written stories, non-fiction pieces and poetry in Irish and English. Most of his work has appeared in school books in Ireland and the UK, with some stories also included in anthologies of children's fiction on both sides of the Atlantic.
Murphy, Joe
Joe Murphy was born in 1979 in Co. Wexford, Ireland. In Enniscorthy Vocational College, he excelled at English, winning several awards and being shortlisted for Young Science Fiction Writer of the Year. Joe studied English at University College Dublin where he received 1st Class Hons and a scholarship to complete a Masters in Early Modern Drama. (more)
Murphy, Judy May
Judymay Murphy (who writes as Judy May for teens) is an International Success Coach, Speaker and Author who coaches thousands of people around the world on how to make their dreams come true. Her series of books for teenage girls are witty, diary-style adventure stories with age-appropriate romances all based on solid coaching practices. (more)Murtagh, Ann
Ann Murtagh spent her first seven years in the Bronx, New York. After a short time in Dublin, her family moved to Kells, Co. Meath. She qualified as a primary teacher and later received an MA in Local History from NUI Maynooth. A member of both Meath Archaeological and Historical Society and Kilkenny Archaeological Society, she has given lectures to both groups. (more)
Navratil, Elisabeth
Elisabeth Navratil's grandfather, Michel Navratil, and her father and uncle, were aboard the Titanic on the night the world's unsinkable ship sank. The story of the tragedy is now very much a part of Elisabeth's own life story. She has realised her dreams of a career in music by becoming an opera director. (more)Ní Dhonnchú, Dairine
Is aisteoir agus múinteoir bunscoile í Dairíne. Tá sí ag obair le Ros na Rún faoi láthair.Dairíne Ní Dhonnchú is an actor and a primary school teacher. She also works on the Irish language soap opera Ros na Rún.
Ní Ghairbhí, Róisín
Dr Róisín Ní Ghairbhí is a lecturer in the Department of Irish, St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University. She is co-editor with Eugene McNulty of Patrick Pearse, Collected Plays/Drámaí an Phiarsaigh (Irish Academic Press, 2013). She has published widely on various aspects of modern Irish literature and culture and is active in various cultural organisations, including the Imram literary festival and Conradh na Gaeilge.
Ní Ghlinn, Aine
Scríbhneoir agus léachtóir í Áine Ní Ghlinn. Tá trí chnuasach filíochta foilsithe aici. Bíonn sí ag scríobh freisin don dráma teilifíse Ros na Rún ar TG4.
Áine Ní Ghlinn is a writer and lecturer. She has published three volumes of poetry. She also writes for the television drama series Ros na Rún on TG4. (more)
Ní Lamhna, Eanna
Éanna Ní Lamhna has a degree in Botany and Mircobiology and a H. Dip in Education from UCD. She is a long-standing member of the panel of experts on RTÉ’s wildlife programme ‘Mooney goes Wild’, and one of the most instantly recognisable voices on Irish radio. Originally from Louth, she now lives in Dublin, since 1967, and has been president of An Taisce since July 2004. (more)
Ní Mhurchú, Caitríona
Is aisteoir í Caitríona agus seo an tarna leabhar atá scríofa aici. Ainmníodh a céad leabhar, Ó Lúibín Lú, do duais Glen Dimplex.
Caitríona Ní Mhurchí is an actor and this is her second book. Her first, Ó Lúibín Lú, was shortlisted for the Glen Dimplex award.
Nolan, Alan
Alan Nolan lives and works in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. He has written and illustrated many books and comics for children and grown-ups, including Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor's Caveman and the Murder Can Be Fatal series.
Norman, Giles
Giles Norman is a photographer renowned for his atmospheric and arresting of black and white images. His extensive body of work ranges from dramatic landscapes to bold abstracts and timeless singular images. Giles has also travelled beyond the wild Irish shores, capturing contemporary scenes from the world’s greatest cities. (more)
Novak, Matt
Matt Novak lives in Clermont, Florida with his wife.O Brolchain, Honor
Honor Ó Brolcháin is a grand-niece of Joseph Plunkett and has access to the family archives and memorabilia. She is also the author of All In The Blood: A Memoir of Geraldine Plunkett Dillon.
Ó Conaill, Séamus
Dublin-based writer, Séamus Ó Conaill teaches in University College Dublin and works for publishers Gill Books. His short fiction has been published in a number of journals, featured on RTÉ Radio, and he has read at many festivals and universities in Ireland, China, Spain and the USA. (more)
Ó hAllmhuráin, Gearóid
Dr Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin is an Irish historian and anthropologist specialising in ethnomusicology and currently lecturing in Concordia University, Montréal, where he holds the Johnson Chair in Québec and Canadian Irish Studies. A leading authority on the history of Irish traditional music, he is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist with several All-Ireland titles on concertina and uilleann pipes to his credit.
Ó Muircheartaigh, Micheál
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, the ‘voice of Gaelic games’, has the record for the longest career as a live match commentator, from 1949 to 2010. His unique style and endless passion for the GAA have kept us enthralled all these years, transmitting the electricity of live matches through
the airwaves.O'Brien, Brendan
Brendan O’Brien reported on Northern Ireland as RTÉ’s senior current affairs reporter beginning in 1974, and he made three major documentaries about the IRA. He won many awards for investigative journalism, including European Journalist of the Year 1998 and the Amnesty International Award 2001. (more)
O'Brien, Eoin
Eoin O’Brien is a songwriter and musician, a writer and illustrator.
He enjoys nothing more than a good old singsong around a kitchen table or a bonfire. He lives with his fantastic wife, two beautiful children and a dog, in historic Glasnevin in north Dublin.O'Brien, Joe
Joe O'Brien lives in Ballyfermot in Dublin with his wife and children. He is the author of nine books featuring Alfie Green, a boy who can talk to plants. For older readers he has written three books about Danny Wilde and his Littlestown Crokes GAA team, Legends' Lair (about Charlie Stubbs and his dreams of becoming a soccer player) and one fantasy novel, Beyond the Cherry Tree. (more)
O'Brien, Mary
Mary O'Brien has set Simplex crosswords for the Irish Times for over 20 years.O'Callaghan, Billy
Billy O'Callaghan was born in Cork in 1974, and is the author of three previous short story collections: In Exile (2008) and In Too Deep (2009), both published by the Mercier Press, and The Things We Lose, the Things We Leave Behind (2013) published by New Island Books, the title story of which earned him the 2013 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award for Short Story of the Year. (more)
O'Callaghan, John
Dr John O’Callaghan lectures in St. Angela’s College, Sligo. His research focuses on twentieth-century Ireland and processes of imperialism and nationalism, the education system, political and military history, sports history, and commemoration. His publications include: Teaching Irish Independence: History in Irish Schools, 1922-72 (Newcastle, 2009); Revolutionary Limerick - The Republican Campaign for Independence in Limerick, 1913-21 (Dublin, 2010); The Battle for Kilmallock (Cork, 2011); Subversive Voices: Narratives of the Occluded Irish Diaspora (Oxford, 2012); Plassey’s Gaels: GAA in the University of Limerick (Cork, 2013)
O'Callaghan, Sean
Sean O'Callaghan was borh in Killavullen, Co Cork in 1918. He was commissioned in the Irish Army in 1936. On leaving the army he baceme a journalist in Fleet St, as well as in Nairobi. He published his first book, The Easter Lily, in 1956, and became a full-time writer. He died as To Hell or Barbados went to press, in August 2000.
O'Carroll, Brendan
International star of multiple BAFTA-award-winning TV series Mrs Brown's Boys and Mrs Brown's Boys: d'Movie, Brendan O’Carroll's story begins very modestly.
The youngest of eleven children, Brendan O’Carroll was born in Dublin’s inner-city in 1955. His mother, Maureen, was a Labour TD (MP) and a huge influence on his life. (more)
O'Connell, Brian
Brian O’Connell is a former chairman of Shannon Heritage, the State company which operates a network of cultural tourism venues, such as Bunratty Castle, in Counties Limerick and Clare. In that role, and as a member of the Hunt Museums Trust, he had the opportunity to observe the economic and cultural legacy that John Hunt left to the region. (more)
O'Connell, Jennie
Jennie O’Connell was born in Galway, and has lived in Wexford, London and New York, before coming back to Galway again and enjoying its particular brand of driving rain, brilliant people, and excellent pubs.
She works as an English teacher, and is a freelance illustrator. She particularly enjoys drawing nostalgic, evocative scenes, and a lot of her work has humour and is recognisably Irish.
Jennie lives in Galway with her two daughters, two cats, and three guinea pigs, who rule the house with a rod of iron.
O'Connor, Christy
CHRISTY O'CONNOR is a freelance journalist based in Ennis, Co. Clare. He formerly worked as sports correspondent in the Dublin newspaper industry. He is also a goalkeeper who played in two All-Ireland club hurling finals and he was a member of the Clare senior hurling panel for four years.O'Connor, Fergal
Fergal O' Connor is an artist and illustrator from Co. Kerry. His work is set within an imaginative, fantastical, and often dark universe inhabited by strange characters and creatures, a sombre world where the amazing and the beautiful lives side by side with the bleak and tragic. He currently works from his home in Kerry where he creates artwork for exhibitions as well as illustrating for books and other publications.
O'Connor, Finbar
Finbar O'Connor is the author of Wolfgran, in the O’Brien Red Flag Series for readers age 8+. He grew up in Finglas, Dublin and went to Trinity College Dublin, where he studied French and English, after which he went to work as a librarian for Dublin City Libraries. He is married and has two daughters, Esmé and Freya. (more)O'Connor, Niamh
Niamh O’Connor is the author of the best-selling book on the life and crimes of Catherine Nevin, The Black Widow. She is also Crime Correspondent with Ireland on Sunday. She has previously worked for The Examiner and RTÉ. Her experience in print journalism is extensive, and she has turned her talent to reporting in several different areas with great flair and precision. (more)
O'Connor, Ulick
Oliver St John Gogarty himself appointed Ulick O'Connor to be his biographer. O'Connor spent six years researching published and unpublished material, as well as collecting the reminiscences of Gogarty's many friends to compose the book.
O'Connor, Valerie
VALERIE O’CONNOR is a cook, food writer and photographer; her column inches can be found in many national newspapers. She teaches classes in traditional cooking skills and has worked in professional kitchens from Brussels to Malaysia. She is a qualified Organic Horticulturalist and blogs about her food adventures at www.valskitchen.com.
O'Dea, Donal
Donal O'Dea is a senior Art Director at one of Ireland’s leading advertising agencies.
O'Doherty, Owen
Owen O’Doherty is an architect who lives in Dublin with his family, including two inventive kids. He has over twenty years’ experience working on all sorts of projects from small buildings to urban regenerations and has also taught urban design and architecture in Dublin and London. For the past nine years he has worked in Dublin City Council. (more)
O'Donnell, Daniel
A true sensation, Daniel has come from Kincasslagh in Donegal to capture the hearts of people throughout the world with his own unique style of music.
O'Donnell, Ruán
RUAN O'DONNELL is head of the History Department at the University of Limerick & the official historian of the Robert Emmet Association. He has written for The Irish Times and several historical publications.
O'Dowd, Niall
Niall O’Dowd is founder and editor of The Irish Voice newspaper and Irish America magazine and creator of irishcentral.com , the global Irish portal site launched in March 2009. He is also the author of Fire in the Morning, a book on the Irish in the World Trade Centre on 9/11. He is a frequent analyst on Irish-American affairs for CNN, for RTE and other radio and TV networks. (more)O'Driscoll, Eileen
Eileen O'Driscoll is a chartered physiotherapist and acupuncturist. She combines her busy Dublin practice with caring for her three children. A 'foodie' with a passion for good ingredients cooked with flair and ingenuity, this is her first book.
O'Keeffe, Padraig
PÁDRAIG O'KEEFE is from Cobh, Co Cork. A former Legionnaire, he is now a security expert who works in the most dangerous parts of the world.
O'Neill, Karl
KARL O’NEILL was born in Armagh, and now lives in Dublin. He is a theatre, radio, and television actor, currently portraying Tim Carney in RTÉ's popular soap 'Fair City'. This Christmas Karl will play the eponymous Wizard of Oz at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. This is to be the last ever production in that historic venue before it is demolished. (more)O'Neill, Lauren
Lauren O’Neill is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Dublin. Originally from Wexford, she moved to Dublin to study in NCAD and stayed. Her work has appeared across a wide variety of areas from advertising campaigns to storybooks and gallery exhibitions. She has illustrated Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, winning the Children’s Books Ireland Merit Award for Illustration, and Blazing a Trail which won the Children's Book of the Year (senior) Irish Book Award in 2018.
www.laurenipsum.ie
O'Rahilly, Helen
Helen O’Rahilly is a television executive, producer and journalist. A Dubliner, she worked at RTÉ before heading for the BBC in London where she’d spend the next 30 years, with a year’s trip home to be the first woman Director of RTÉ Television. As the executive of BBC One, she helped bring back Doctor Who to TV screens while as an investigative journalist she faced an armed Mafia member in Las Vegas, had a Rottweiler set on her and faced down a chain-wielding gangster. (more)
O'Reilly, Brendan
Brendan O’Reilly is an illustrator and senior art director in the world of advertising. He is also the first person to climb every mountain in Ireland over 500 metres, despite being as old as the hills himself. He is married to Bernie, and they have two children, Vincent and Isobel.
O'Reilly, Peter
Peter O'Reilly is the rugby correspondent with the Sunday Times. He has been reporting on rugby since 1995.O'Shea, Joe
Joe O'Shea is a journalist and broadcaster, originally from Cork but living and working in Dublin.
He has been writing for a range of national newspapers and broadcast media since he was 19-years-of age, first as a news reporter and then as a feature writer and columnist. He has also devised and presented TV programmes. (more)
O'Sullivan, Moire
MOIRE O’SULLIVAN is a mountain runner, adventure racer, author and mum. Her company, Happy Out Adventures, brings people onto the trails and mountain slopes, teaching them how to enjoy the outdoors happily and safely. She is the author of Mud, Sweat and Tears, Bump, Bike and Baby: Mummy’s Gone Adventure Racing and The Hound From Hanoi.
O'Toole, Joe
JOE O’TOOLE is an independent senator and President of ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions). A teacher by profession, he was formerly General Secretary of the INTO, Ireland's largest teaching union. He grew up in Dingle, County Kerry.O’Connell, Jamie
Dublin-based writer, Jamie O’Connell teaches in University College Dublin and works in publishing. His short fiction has been published in a number of journals, featured on RTÉ Radio, and he has read at many festivals and universities in Ireland, China, Spain and the USA. His work has been short-listed for the Maeve Binchy Award and the Sky Arts Future’s Fund, and long-listed for BBC Radio 4 Opening Lines Short Story Competition.
Dr. O’Connor, Hubert
Dr Hubert O’Connor was a well-known obstetrician and gynaecologist in Dublin. He played rugby for Ireland and was capped four times. After ten years’ post-graduate education in France and London, he set up his practice in Dublin. He was married to Anne, and they had two children. He spent thirty years researching the history of Barry O’Meara and Napoleon, and lectured on the subject all over the world. (more)
O’Donovan, Marita
In a life of many incarnations, Marita has been a child, scholar, student, teacher, civil servant, mother, and animal enthusiast. She has an abiding interest in Ireland’s history, culture and folklore, is an inveterate scribbler, and likes to read late into the night.
Parkinson, Siobhán
Having grown up in Galway and Donegal, Siobhán Parkinson has lived most of her adult life in her native Dublin. She studied English literature and German at Trinity, and went on to take her doctorate in English literature. She has worked for many years as an editor, a profession that very closely resembles that of writing. (more)
Dr. Patten, Norah
Norah Patten was 11 years of age when she visited NASA on a family trip to the United States. From that moment on she was hooked on all things space! Norah was on a mission: she wanted to learn everything she possibly could about space exploration, rockets, and how she could someday become an astronaut. (more)
Pavloff, Franck
FRANCK PAVLOFF is a psychologist and a specialist in children’s rights. He spent ten years working with community development projects throughout Africa and Asia and another twenty years supporting associations to combat delinquency and drug abuse. His published work includes novels for adults and children as well as two volumes of poetry. (more)Pearson, Peter
Peter Pearson is an historian, conservationist and noted artist with a lifelong commitment to the protection and enhancement of Ireland's architectural heritage. He has attended demolitions of many great houses, rescuing their decorative period features, in the process amassing a vast body of knowledge on the crafts, social and economic history of places throughout Ireland. (more)
Perdue, Gillian
Gillian Perdue is a children's writer and dancing teacher. She previously worked as a primary school teacher for over fifteen years, and has always had a deep love for children's books. Gillian acted as chairperson of the Bisto Book Awards 1999-2000, and she has written resource materials for the use of real books in the classroom. (more)
Pierce, Nicola
Nicola Pierce published her first book for children, Spirit of the Titanic, to rave reviews and five printings within its first twelve months. City of Fate, her second book, transported the reader deep into the Russian city of Stalingrad during World War II. The novel was shortlisted for the Warwickshire School Library Service Award, 2014. (more)
Pike, Charlie
Charlie Pike started his writing career when he lived in Turkey, teaching English to adults and children. When he returned to Ireland he worked as an advertising copywriter and freelance journalist, writing feature articles for Irish newspapers, until an opportunity came along to work for an Internet start-up. (more)
Pizzari, Luca
A freelance cartoonist currently living and working in London, Luca Pizzari fell in love with the art of the Kubert brothers when he was nine and decided he wanted to make comic books for a living straight away. He’s been drawing ever since. Loves Occult and Pulp themes, '60s-'70s sleazy B-series movies and too many superhero comic books. (more)
Potter, Maureen
MAUREEN POTTER, one of Ireland’s best-loved stars, and known to many as the Queen of Comedy, died in April 2004, aged 79. She had a lifelong relationship with the Gaiety Theatre, beginning in 1939, and she is best remembered for her comedy in numerous pantomimes, variety shows and the hugely popular summer revue, Gaels of Laughter.
Power, Frances
Frances Power is an editor, journalist and writer based in Dublin.Prendergast, P.R.
P.R. Prendergast lives in Dublin, where he has worked as a school teacher for twenty-five years. In 2009 his first children’s book The Romanian Builder was published by The O’Brien Press. Dancing in the Dark, published by The O'Brien Press in 2010, was nominated for the 2011 Bisto Children's Book of the Year Award and was awarded the White Raven Label by the International Youth Library at Bologna Book Fair 2011. (more)Sen. Quinn, Feargal
Feargal Quinn founded Superquinn, the Irish supermarket group, in 1960 and was its Managing Director for many years during which it built an international reputation for excellence in customer service. His bestselling book Crowning the Customer (O’Brien Press) is used by multi-national companies as the essential customer care manual. (more)
Ranson, Claire
Claire Ranson was born in England where she completed a degree in English Literature and a Master's in Children's Literature. She has worked with Poetry Ireland and Children's Books Ireland. She now lives in Dublin with her husband and two children.Ray, Jane
Jane Ray's distinctive style has established her as a highly successful artist both for her paintings and her wrapping paper and cards. Increasingly well-known too as an illustrator, her picture books have attracted enormous attention around the world.Reichental, Tomi
Tomi Reichental was born in 1935 in Slovakia. He was sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1944. Tomi has lived in Dublin since 1959 and regularly talks to Irish schools about his wartime experiences.
A documentary about Tomi's attempts to meet one of his jailers, Close to Evil, has been shown on TV and in cinemas throughout the world, and helped again to raise the profile of the Holocaust.
Reynolds, Barry
Dubliner Barry Reynolds is a character designer/concept/visual development artist and illustrator who has worked on the Oscar-nominated, animated movie The Secret of Kells, on Aardman and Sony Pictures Animation’s Arthur Christmas, and on Irish language graphic novels, An Táin and Deirdre agus Mic Uisnigh, where his artwork helped these Irish legends to a new readership. (more)
Richardson, Neil
Neil Richardson studied Philosophy in University College, Dublin, before writing his first book, A Coward If I Return, A Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irishmen in World War I, which won the Argosy Irish Non-Fiction Book of the Year award at the 2010 Irish Book Awards. This was followed by Dark Times, Decent Men: Stories of Irishmen in World War II in 2012, and According to Their Lights: Stories of Irishmen in the British Army, Easter 1916 in 2015. (more)
Riegel, Ralph
Ralph Riegel lives in Cork. He has worked as a journalist for several newspapers including The Cork Examiner, The Evening Echo, The Evening Herald and The Sunday Independent and is the southern correspondent for The Irish Independent. He is also a regular contributor to RTE, BBC and TV3 and to British newspapers including the (London) Independent and The Daily Telegraph.
Robinson, Mary
Mary Robinson was president of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and UN High Commissioner for Human rights from 1997 to 2002. She has had many significant roles in international leadership, focusing on climate justice, human rights and women's rights. Earlier in her career, as a barrister, she represented the protesters occupying Wood Quay, the Viking heart of Dublin, and was instrumental in having it declared a national monument.
Rosenstock, Gabriel
File, fear haiku, úrscéalaí, drámadóir, gearrscéalaí, údar-aistritheoir breis is 160 leabhar, an chuid is mó acu sa Ghaeilge. I measc na ngradam a bronnadh air tá an bonn Tamgha-i-Khidmat ó Rialtas na Pacastáine. Is ball d’Aosdána é.
Rowan, Kate
Kate Rowan is a freelance sports journalist based in Dublin, specialising in features. Kate has travelled widely covering rugby including the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Ireland’s 2012 June to tour to New Zealand and the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia. She regularly wrote features for the Irish Independent online and has worked extensively writing for governing bodies including World Rugby (formerly IRB) and IRFU. (more)
Rowley, Eddie
Eddie Rowley is the Sunday World's showbiz correspondent, covering the local and international music scene since 1983.
Roy, James
James Roy has worked for many years as a paediatric and emergency nurse in various hospitals. In addition to his work with young people in the health setting, he has written several award-winning books for children and teenagers.Ryan, Eimear
Eimear Ryan is from Co. Tipperary and lives in Cork. She writes about sport for the Irish Examiner and is an editor for the literary journal Banshee. Her fiction and essays have appeared in Winter Papers, Granta, The Dublin Review, The Stinging Fly, Town & Country (Faber) and The Long Gaze Back (New Island). (more)
Ryan, Eoin
Eoin is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design with a BA in Visual Communications. He has worked in the Film and Television industry as a writer, designer and animator for clients that include Porsche, Unilever and RyanAir. Eoin's animated film DEMON won best short animation at the 2006 Galway Film Fleadh. (more)
Ryan, Meda
MEDA RYAN, historian and author, is a native of West Cork and now lives in County Clare; she has participated in television and radio documentaries and has had articles published in a wide variety of history magazines and journals, plus national and local newspapers. Her published books include Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter; The Day Michael Collins Was Shot; Liam Lynch: The Real Chief and Michael Collins and the Women Who Spied for Ireland.
Ryan, Paul
The late Paul Ryan was a lover of language, especially slang, and spent many years collecting humorous quotations, sayings, and linguistic ticks and quirks.
Saumande, Juliette
Juliette Saumande is officially obsessed with children’s books: she reads them, writes them, translates them, reviews them, recommends them and has been known to talk about them in her sleep. She is a French writer and translator of children’s books living in Dublin.
Sharkey, Olive
Olive Sharkey comes from a farming family in the Irish midlands. She has worked as an architect's draftsperson, and after her marriage began writing and drawing and contributing to newspapers and magazines. Her other interests include natural history and photography.
Shaw, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Shaw was born in Belfast and lived most of her life in Berlin, where she moved after the Second World War. Well-known as an artist, she wrote and illustrated 23 books for children, many of which have been translated into several languages.Her website (currently in German) is www.artshaw.com.
Sheridan, Bex
Bex Sheridan is an artist, writer and graphic designer with a great love of animals. She is often asked to illustrate animals, from pet portraits to wildlife. As a child, Bex dreamed of having a house filled with animals when she grew up – which is what she now has! She and her husband Jay have their own mini-menagerie: it began with one rabbit and now there are also dogs, birds (of many kinds), a lizard and even a hedgehog!
Sheridan, Michael
Michael Sheridan has combined a career as a journalist with that of theatre director. He has written extensively on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder and the Garda investigation. Michael was also the main screenplay writer for the film When the Sky Falls based on the life and death of journalist Veronica Guerin.
Shiel, Michael
MICHAEL SHIEL was born in Galway and graduated as an engineer from UCG. He began work on one of the first rural schemes in 1947, and claims he was the first registered rural electrification consumer west of the Shannon, at his home near Enniscrone. He later became Commercial/Distribution Director of ESB.Shortt, Pat
Pat Shortt started in comedy when he left Art College. With Jon Kenny he created D’Unbelievables, Ireland’s most popular comedy duo. Together they performed their unique and critically acclaimed brand of comedy in theatres all over Ireland, Great Britain and The United States as well as various countries across Europe. (more)Siggins, Gerard
Gerard Siggins was born in Dublin in 1962. Initially a sports journalist, he worked for many years in the Sunday Tribune, where he became assistant editor. He has written several books about cricket and rugby. His Rugby Spirit series has sold over 65,000 copies and is hugely popular with sports-loving children around the world. (more)
Simms, George Otto
George Otto Simms was born in Dublin in 1910. He took his BA, MA, BD, PhD, and DD degrees at Trinity College, Dublin. Ordained a priest of the Church of Ireland in 1936, he spent his working life in the service of the church and was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1969 until his retirement in 1980. (more)
Sirr, Peter
Peter Sirr lives in Dublin. He is a prize-winning poet as well a critic, essayist and translator. For many years he was Director of the Irish Writers’ Centre and was also editor of the national poetry magazine, Poetry Ireland Review. He has published eight collection of poetry with The Gallery Press, including The Thing Is (2009), winner of The Michael Hartnett Award, and Selected Poems (2004). (more)
Slavin, Michael
Born in 1931, Michael Slavin has been a keen observer of horses since the time they were worked on his family’s farm in Cavan in the thirties and forties. When he moved to Dublin after the War the Horse shows at the RDS became an annual pilgrimage. Even when studying abroad for his Masters in Education he still found ways of finding horse events to attend. (more)Sliney, Will
Will Sliney is an internationally renowned graphic artist, living in Cork. Will works with major US comic publishers on the Star Wars Clone Wars comic book series, and Fearless Defenders for Marvel.
Smith, Michael
Michael Smith is an authority on polar exploration who has appeared on TV and radio and lectured extensively. His books include: An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean; I Am Just Going Outside, a biography of Captain Oates; Polar Crusader about Sir James Wordie; Tom Crean – An Illustrated Life; Great Endeavour – Ireland’s Antarctic Explorers; and Shackleton: By Endurance We Conquer. (more)
Snell, Gordon
Gordon Snell has written many books for children as well as comedy for adults. He lives in Dublin. He was married to the best-selling author Maeve Binchy for many years, before she sadly passed away in 2012.
Somers, Dermot
DERMOT SOMERS, mountaineer, Gaelic scholar, TV presenter, and award-winning writer was born in Roscommon and now lives in Drogheda. He has written and presented over twenty programmes for television on wild landscape, culture, travel and adventure.
Somers, Ian
Ian Somers lives in Dublin and works as a graphic designer.
Stagles, Ray
Ray Stagles was born and brought up in Leyton, east London. He studied at University College London, evacuated to Aberystwyth, and there met his future wife, Joan. They both took Honours degrees in English in 1942. He served as a radar mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm until 1946. After the war he taught in schools in Essex, then became a Head Teacher, first, in 1957, in Shropshire, then, from 1964, in Berkshire. (more)
Stewart, Maddie
MADDIE STEWART lives in Northern Ireland and is also the author of Peg and Clever Daddy.Sweeney, Eamonn
Eamonn Sweeney was born in 1968 in the nearly hurling-free county of Sligo, a deficiency remedied by his hurling-mad father from Kilkenny. He has written on sports for the Irish Examiner for a number of years, and is the author of two novels, The Photograph and Waiting for the Healer, a book on soccer, There's Only One Red Army, and a play, Bruen's Twis. (more)Swift, Jonathan
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), was the author of Gulliver's Travels, one of the world's greatest satirical fantasies. He was Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin from 1713-1745.
Synge, John Millington
Edmund John Millington Synge (16 April 1871 – 24 March 1909) was an Irish playwright, poet, prose writer, travel writer and collector of folklore. He was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival and was one of the co-founders of the Abbey Theatre. He is best known for his play The Playboy of the Western World, which caused riots in Dublin during its opening run at the Abbey Theatre. (more)
Tarrant, Margaret
Margaret Tarrant was a prolific English illustrator that created posters, greeting cards, calendars, postcards and books for fifty years. She was most popular during the 1920’s and 1930’s for her romantic depiction of children, fairies and animals. She died on 28 July 1959.Taylor, Alice
Alice Taylor lives in the village of Innishannon in County Cork, in a house attached to the local supermarket and post office. Since her eldest son has taken over responsibility for the shop, she has been able to devote more time to her writing.
Alice Taylor worked as a telephonist in Killarney and Bandon. (more)
Taylor, Marilyn
Marilyn Taylor was born and educated in England, and has an economics degree from London University. She was a school librarian in a Dublin secondary school for 16 years and a college librarian.
Her first novels for young adults were the Jackie and Kev trilogy, Could This Be Love, I Wondered? (1994), Could I Love a Stranger? and Call Yourself a Friend?. (more)
Todd, Loreto
Loreto Todd is Professor of English at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. Born in Northern Ireland, she attended Queen's University, Belfast where her classmates included poet Seamus Heaney and writer Seamus Deane. She worked in England for many years, and was director of the programme of World English Research at the University of Leeds, England.She has travelled extensively and lectured in Africa, America (North and South), Asia (India and Singapore), Australia (Brisbane and Sydney), the Caribbean and the Pacific (Hawaii, Solomans, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea). (more)
Touher, Patrick
Patrick Touher trained as a Baker Confectioner whilst in Artane Industrial School and worked as such upon leaving the school at age sixteen. Patrick travelled extensively from the sixties through to the early seventies. In 1972 he married his wife Pauline and they had three children together.Treacy, Carol Ann
Carol Ann Treacy is an Irish children’s author, illustrator and graphic designer. She lives in Kilkenny in a very messy house with her husband, two children and a bunch of wild cats; She loves to travel and sometimes wishes she could fly. She thinks geese are great. Honk!
Trevor, William
William Trevor has received world wide acclaim for his novels, short stories and plays and is the winner of many major literary awards. He was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, in 1928, where his father was a bank manager. When he was growing up, the family lived in many different towns in Ireland.Trevor's Ballroom of Romance is well known from its filmed version. (more)
Waddell, Martin
Martin Waddell is one of the most popular and successful authors for children. His books have been published internationally and sell worldwide. They range in age from read-aloud, full-colour picture books for the very young to books for teenage and young adult readers. He has written more than ninety books (some of them under his pseudonym, Catherine Sefton) and has won many awards. (more)Waldron, Robert
Robert Waldron taught at America's first school, founded in 1635: Boston Latin School, where he lectured in English Literature. He is the author of ten books -- two works of fiction, and right non-fiction; of the latter four are books devoted to the work and life of Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton. (more)Walsh, Ged
Ged Walsh has had a lifelong interest in local history, particularly that of the Rathgar/Churchtown area where he lives. A member of the Old Dublin Society since 1970 and of the Rathmines, Ranelagh and Rathgar Historical Society since its foundation in 1996, he has given talks on various topics to several Local History Societies and Active Retirement Associations, mainly in South County Dublin. (more)
Doctor Walsh, Jennifer
Dr. Jennifer Walsh, MB PhD MRCOG FRCPI, is a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at both The National Maternity and Mater Misericordiae University Hospitals in Dublin. She is Subspecialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine with a focus on high-risk obstetric care and prenatal ultrasound.
Walsh, Stephen
Stephen Walsh has a long association with leprechauns. He is the inventor of the emblematic leprechaun costume seen at many public events. He participated in a record breaking gathering of leprechauns which made the Guinness Book of Records in 2011, and he has run several marathons dressed as a leprechaun. (more)
Watson, Philip
Philip Watson spent thirteen years as a coastal conservationist, caring for The Giant's Causeway and other sights on the North Antrim Coast. He is now a freelance writer and naturalist. He has a keen interest in environmental and rural issues and has worked in Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Newfoundland and Wales. (more)
Webb, Sarah
Sarah Webb is a children’s author who combines writing with schools visits, reading and giving workshops at festivals, and teaching creative writing. She has won two Irish Book Awards for her children's books (for A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea and Blazing a Trail), as well as the Children’s Books Ireland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Books, awarded in 2015. (more)
Weir, Liz
LIZ WEIR is a professional storyteller who works with all age groups promoting the traditional art for which Ireland is world famous. A children’s librarian by training, she now travels the world telling stories to adults and children, organising workshops on storytelling, and speaking at courses for parents, teachers and librarians. (more)
Wells, Grace
Grace Wells is a writer and poet. Born in 1968, she grew up in central London. On leaving school, she began working in the film and television industry, ultimately becoming a freelance producer. Fuelled by her lifelong desire to write, and through a roundabout path, she came to Ireland in 1991. She now lives in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary with her two children. (more)Wesson, John
John is based between England and County Kerry, Ireland, with much of his work focused upon the land and seascapes of the emerald isle. John's subject matter is much varied, preferring inspiring locations and original subjects to the contemporary, often clichéd images seen. His quest for unique images has lead him into every corner of Kerry, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Skelligs, to some of its oldest abandoned buildings. (more)
Whelan, Fergus
Fergus Whelan has worked for thirty years in the trade union movement and has been an officer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions since 1995.Whelan, Gerard
Gerard Whelan was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and a multiple award-winner. His first novel, The Guns of Easter, won the Eilís Dillon Memorial Award for first-time writers. (more)
White, Maureen
Maureen White is a playwright, teacher at the Gaiety School of Acting and dramaturg for Rough Magic Theatre Company. This is her first novel for young adults.
White Lennon, Biddy
Biddy White Lennon was a noted cook and personality, familiar to many people as Maggie from The Riordans. She was a founder member and Chairwoman of the Irish Food Writers Guild as well as editor and food writer of Irish Home Diary and wrote regularly for Food and Wine Magazine. (more)
Wickham, Mark
Mark Wickham is an award winning illustrator and designer from West Cork. His personal and commercial work has been published and exhibited internationally. He recently made a 100ft floating sculpture that glowed in the dark.
Will, Gavin
Gavin Will owns Boulder Publications, a book publishing firm in Newfoundland, Canada, that specializes in non-fiction. Previously, he worked as a business journalist, writing for Reuters, Bloomberg News, the Globe and Mail, and several oil industry publications.
With a lifelong love for history, his interest in transatlantic aviation was piqued by the central role Newfoundland played during the pioneer years of aviation, when such well known pilots as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh visited its shores during the 1920s and 1930s.
Williams, Paul
Paul Williams is author of the best-selling crime boss exposé, The General, made into a major award-winning movie directed by John Boorman. Crime correspondent with The Sunday World, and a qualified criminologist, Paul Williams is acknowledged as an authority on the Irish criminal underworld. (more)Woods, Una
Úna Woods is an illustrator and author who lives in Dublin. She loves making illustrations for children, and her work has been published in books, magazines and websites.
She loves working with bright colours and patterns in her illustrations. She grew up in Clontarf, very close to where Bram Stoker was born.
Wyley, Enda
ENDA WYLEY is a teacher and poet, and has had several books published.Wynne, Megan
Megan is a writer and fully qualified teacher. She has taught at secondary and primary level. She has also worked as a supervisor of trainee teachers in university.
In 2007 Megan founded her creative school to combine her love of writing and teaching. Her aim is to inspire and build confidence in children. (more)
Wyse Jackson ( dec'd), John
John Wyse Jackson was born in Kilkenny in 1953, and educated in Dublin. His previous works on Oscar Wilde are Aristotle at Afternoon Tea: the Rare Oscar Wilde and Wilde about St Louis, an account of Oscar’s two days in the American city in 1882. Other books, either solo or in collaboration, include Myles Before Myles: a Selection of the Earlier Writings of Flann O’Brien, James Joyce's Dubliners: An Annotated and Illustrated Edition, Phenolphthalein: A Fictional Quest for the Eighth Plot, John Stanislaus Joyce: The Life of James Joyce’s Father, Flann O’Brien at War, We All Want to Change the World: A Life of John Lennon, Dublin: Poetry of Place and, with the Ulster artist Hector McDonnell, Ireland’s Other Poetry: Anonymous to Zozimus, Ulster’s Other Poetry and Dublin’s Other Poetry. (more)
Yeats, W. B.
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms.
Zapico, Alfonso
Alfonso Zapico is a Spanish graphic novelist. His first book Café Budapest (Astiberri 2008, Timof, 2010) was awarded the Josep Toutain del Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona Prize in 2010. A great artist and researcher, he has spent months in Dublin and other of Joyce’s home.
Dr. Zappone, Katherine
KATHERINE ZAPPONE, PhD is an independent public policy consultant and educator. Appointed by the Minister for Justice, she has served as a Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights Commission since 2001. She taught Practical Theology in Trinity College Dublin, has lectured widely throughout Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States and has written extensively on matters related to ethics, spirituality, equality and human rights. (more)