Currently shortlisted for the 2011 Hennessy
Literary Awards.
"The New Irish Writing page was established
in 1968 in The Irish Press by David Marcus, and has
been published in The Sunday Tribune since 1988 [and
now the Irish Independent]. It has become internationally
renowned for picking out future literary stars, and
launched the careers of Patrick McCabe, Neil Jordan,
Dermot Healy, Deirdre Madden, Eilis Ni Duibhne, Frank
McGuinness, Sebastian Barry, Dermot Bolger, Joseph
O’Connor, Colum McCann, Mary O’Donnell,
Mary O’Malley, Vona Groarke, John Boyne, Anne
Enright, Hugo Hamilton, Philip O Ceallaigh and many
other leading Irish writers.
Several hundred short stories are submitted to
New Irish Writing each year: only 12 are published,
one for each month. Making this cut is a considerable
achievement."
Short story that was a prize-winning runner-up (final
20 from 2093 entries) for the Bristol
Short Story Prize(Judges: Bertel
Martin, Joe Berger, Maia Bristol, Helen Hart, Tania
Hershman).
Shortlisted in the Listowel Writers'
Week 2004 Eamon Keane Full-Length Play Competition
(80+ entries)
When it is suggested to Rose that her favourite
superstar, Elvis Presley, is coming to town to perform
in the local hall, she gives it her all to get ready
for this great event. But when her plans to meet and
seduce Elvis get interrupted by her Mozart loving
husband, a washing machine, a local election, and
Mother time herself, she decides she must take matters
into her own hands if she is to fulfil her destiny.
Script available on request.
"An interesting .. clear and strong .. voice
at work." - Soho Theatre Company, London (Script
review)
"Imaginative and energetic, with a confident
handling of character and dialogue." - Royal
Court, London (Script review)
"An engaging piece of theatre, particularly
in its warm characterization and its involving relationships."
- Abbey Theatre, Ireland (Script review)
"We found the writing rich, imaginative
and vibrant. The piece had colour, texture and a strong
dramatic charge." - hampstead theatre, London
(Script review)
: THE BUTCHER
OF FERNS (2004)
A pair of shoes have been found on the banks of the
river Slaney; the local Gardaí delivers the
news to Kitty O’Connor, and her apathetic daughter
Moll. As word spreads fast around town, a local entrepreneur
smells an opportunity to snap up a run-down butcher’s
shop, and turn it into a fast-food outlet. But perhaps
an eagerness to make-a-mint will lead to a downfall
when it comes to dealing with the opaque O’Connor
family, and the Garda Síochana.
Script available on request.
"Themes of family and sexuality are dealt
with in an unusual and fresh way." - Soho Theatre
& Writers' Centre, London (Script review)
"Taut, well structured, and ... engaging
storytelling." - The Bush Theatre, London (Script
review)
"... shows skill in its language and structure."
- Rough Magic Theatre Company, Dublin (Script review)
"... spirited, energetic and entertaining.."
- Royal Court, London (Script review)
: THESE OLD
WALLS (2002)
When Paddy Joe takes on what seems a straightforward
decorating job for George and Annie Westbury, he arranges
a meeting between his brother Johnno and the Westburys
to finalise arrangements. Arrangements are indeed
finalised, but not those that Paddy Joe or George
had in mind, and the consequences could spell a devastating
end to what began as a simple "bit on the side".
Script available on request.
"An engaging and well thought out script.."
- Abbey Theatre, Ireland (Script review)
