Meet the Writers 2023

Here you find listings of the writers who are appearing at our 2023 festival. Click on any writer to see their full biography. The writers appear alphabetically.
Billy O'Callaghan

Billy O’Callaghan

Cork, Fiction, Irish Writing, Novel

Billy O’Callaghan is the author of the critically acclaimed novel My Coney Island Baby, which has been translated into nine…

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Rory O'Connell

Rory O’Connell

Cork, Food Writing, Irish Writing

Rory O’Connell co-founded Ballymaloe Cookery School with his sister Darina Allen in 1983. He is the author of three very important…

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Keira O'Connell

Keira O’Connell

Interpreter

Keira O’Connell is a freelance Irish Sign Language interpreter based in Cork. She studied ISL interpreting at the Centre for…

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Maureen O'Connor

Maureen O’Connor

Cork, Environment, Irish Writing, Non-Fiction

Maureen O’Connor lectures in the Department of English in University College Cork. She is the author of The Female and the…

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Paul O'Donoghue

Paul O’Donoghue

Interviewer

Paul O’Donoghue is from Bantry. A long-time member and coordinator of Bantry Writers Group, he has hosted the Open Mic…

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Thomas O'Donovan

Thomas O’Donovan

Irish Writing, New & Emerging Writing, West Cork, Young Writer Delegate

Thomas O’Donovan is a musician and writer from Castletownbere, County Cork. He is enduring his Leaving Certificate this June and…

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Owen O'Neill

Owen O’Neill

Comedy, Irish Writing, Poetry

Owen O’Neill is the winner of two Fringe Firsts at the Edinburgh Festival, best actor at off Broadway Irish Festival…

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Deirdre O'Shaughnessy

Deirdre O’Shaughnessy

Interviewer

Deirdre O’Shaughnessy is News Editor of the Irish Examiner. She has worked in and contributed to TV, radio and newspapers…

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Sara O’Donovan

Sara O’Donovan

Cork, Debut, Fiction, Irish Writing, Novel, West Cork, West Cork

Sara O’Donovan spent her early years in England, brought up in the worlds of horse racing and show jumping. She…

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Meet the Writers 2023

Arts Council - funding literature
Fáilte Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way
CCC Library & Arts Service
Cork County Council
Pure Cork
Creative Places West Cork Islands
RTÉ Supporting The Arts
Maritime Hotel