Irish Literary Times
@irishlittimes.bsky.social
Promoting Irish writers and writing - maintained by Gerard Beirne
@gerardbeirne.bsky.social
@gerardbeirne.bsky.social
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Found the playlist I made around the time A Shock came out, and put it on Tidal. Extraordinary how long ago that was, and how weird that time, how scrambled. Strange years. I should be dead.
Going to do one for Dooneen soon. It's the only reason I write to be honest - to do the playlists.
Going to do one for Dooneen soon. It's the only reason I write to be honest - to do the playlists.
A Shock // a playlist
Playlist - A Shock // a playlist - 11 items
tidal.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Found the playlist I made around the time A Shock came out, and put it on Tidal. Extraordinary how long ago that was, and how weird that time, how scrambled. Strange years. I should be dead.
Going to do one for Dooneen soon. It's the only reason I write to be honest - to do the playlists.
Going to do one for Dooneen soon. It's the only reason I write to be honest - to do the playlists.
—Gilda, are you decent?
—Me? [long pause] Sure. I'm decent.
—Me? [long pause] Sure. I'm decent.
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
—Gilda, are you decent?
—Me? [long pause] Sure. I'm decent.
—Me? [long pause] Sure. I'm decent.
We approve the opening sentence to the novel, The Lone Wolf, by Vance:
"It must have been Bourke who first said that even if you knew your way about Paris you had to lose it in order to find it to Troyon's. But then Bourke was proud to be Irish."
"It must have been Bourke who first said that even if you knew your way about Paris you had to lose it in order to find it to Troyon's. But then Bourke was proud to be Irish."
The Lone Wolf (USA, 1924). It is a mystery film written and directed by Stanner E. V. Taylor based on a story by Louis Joseph Vance. This marked the final film of star Dorothy Dalton.
Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wik...
#silentfilm #classicfilm #cinema #film #movie
Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wik...
#silentfilm #classicfilm #cinema #film #movie
January 6, 2026 at 1:08 AM
We approve the opening sentence to the novel, The Lone Wolf, by Vance:
"It must have been Bourke who first said that even if you knew your way about Paris you had to lose it in order to find it to Troyon's. But then Bourke was proud to be Irish."
"It must have been Bourke who first said that even if you knew your way about Paris you had to lose it in order to find it to Troyon's. But then Bourke was proud to be Irish."
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Gotta start the year the way you mean to finish. I.e. I sent off a few poems (punk poems) as an act of revolution.
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Gotta start the year the way you mean to finish. I.e. I sent off a few poems (punk poems) as an act of revolution.
I have always loved the story behind this book.
So who wrote The Gadfly? Ethel Voynich, née Ethel Boole www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
Clodagh Finn: Time to celebrate the first Irishwoman to sell books by the million
Ethel Lilian Boole, author of the international bestseller 'The Gadfly', was born in Cork, even if the city doesn’t make enough of that glorious connection
www.irishexaminer.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 AM
I have always loved the story behind this book.
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
First short story of 2026 accepted for publication. I’m really hoping this is the year that wants to say yes, rather than, I’m sorry it’s not for us.
January 5, 2026 at 6:14 PM
First short story of 2026 accepted for publication. I’m really hoping this is the year that wants to say yes, rather than, I’m sorry it’s not for us.
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Sth. Sligo Subset, Nth. West Ireland
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Sth. Sligo Subset, Nth. West Ireland
The beautiful and mystic Knocknashee (Cnoc na Sí – Hill of the Fairies) - one of Ireland’s largest Bronze Age hillforts. Well worth a wander to the top. (Thanks to @renebatt.bsky.social for the photo!)
January 6, 2026 at 12:23 AM
The beautiful and mystic Knocknashee (Cnoc na Sí – Hill of the Fairies) - one of Ireland’s largest Bronze Age hillforts. Well worth a wander to the top. (Thanks to @renebatt.bsky.social for the photo!)
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Booked out apparently. I guess that's good.
Lots of great writing courses coming up at the Irish Writers Centre @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social in the New Year including this one fro yours truly:
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/the-...
irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/the-...
The Contemporary American Short Story with Gerard Beirne - Irish Writers Centre
6-week online course exploring the American short story with Gerard Beirne. Starts Wednesday 28 January 2026, 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
irishwriterscentre.ie
January 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Booked out apparently. I guess that's good.
Deadline approaching!
The deadline for applications to our Ten by Ten workshop is tomorrow, Tuesday 6th January at 5pm Irish time.
Make sure to read the submission guidelines and get your application in before the deadline. @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
stingingfly.org/the-ten-by-t...
Make sure to read the submission guidelines and get your application in before the deadline. @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social
stingingfly.org/the-ten-by-t...
January 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Deadline approaching!
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Want to be the first to know about upcoming courses, events and opportunities? Why not sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about everything going on at the Irish Writers Centre.
mailchi.mp/irishwriters...
mailchi.mp/irishwriters...
January 5, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Want to be the first to know about upcoming courses, events and opportunities? Why not sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about everything going on at the Irish Writers Centre.
mailchi.mp/irishwriters...
mailchi.mp/irishwriters...
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
I am one of the mentors on this programme.
* DEADLINE EXTENDED *
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 National Mentoring Programme until Friday 16 January, at 5pm.
This is an opportunity open to all writers across the island of Ireland.
For all the information you need, check out our site: irishwriterscentre.ie/national-men...
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 National Mentoring Programme until Friday 16 January, at 5pm.
This is an opportunity open to all writers across the island of Ireland.
For all the information you need, check out our site: irishwriterscentre.ie/national-men...
January 5, 2026 at 10:14 AM
I am one of the mentors on this programme.
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
The first BBC Radio 4 Bookclub of the year was a great chat with Leonard and Hungry Paul author Ronan Hession - listen again here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... @ronanhession.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The first BBC Radio 4 Bookclub of the year was a great chat with Leonard and Hungry Paul author Ronan Hession - listen again here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... @ronanhession.bsky.social
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
✒️ 5-day writers' residency in Birr, Co Offaly - deadline for applications 26th Jan offalycoco.submit.com//show/264
Offaly County Council
Apply Now
offalycoco.submit.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:54 PM
✒️ 5-day writers' residency in Birr, Co Offaly - deadline for applications 26th Jan offalycoco.submit.com//show/264
Brilliant news. Congrats to @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social and @ronanhession.bsky.social. What a partnership!
Delighted to announce that we will be publishing
_Richard Heart Julianne_
By @ronanhession.bsky.social
Spring/Summer 2027.
‘In Richard Heart Julianne we enter the mindstream of Richard on his last day as he reflects on his life, his home city and his failed marriage to Julianne.'
Brilliant!
_Richard Heart Julianne_
By @ronanhession.bsky.social
Spring/Summer 2027.
‘In Richard Heart Julianne we enter the mindstream of Richard on his last day as he reflects on his life, his home city and his failed marriage to Julianne.'
Brilliant!
January 5, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Brilliant news. Congrats to @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social and @ronanhession.bsky.social. What a partnership!
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
✒️ Poetry Ireland Review (issue 148, theme of 'home') is open for submissions until 28th Feb
@poetryireland.bsky.social
www.poetryireland.ie/writers/subm...
@poetryireland.bsky.social
www.poetryireland.ie/writers/subm...
Submissions to Poetry Ireland Review | Poetry Ireland
Find out how to submit your work to Poetry Ireland Review.
www.poetryireland.ie
January 5, 2026 at 2:52 PM
✒️ Poetry Ireland Review (issue 148, theme of 'home') is open for submissions until 28th Feb
@poetryireland.bsky.social
www.poetryireland.ie/writers/subm...
@poetryireland.bsky.social
www.poetryireland.ie/writers/subm...
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Delighted that my next novel Richard Heart Julianne will be coming out on the mighty @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social next year.
Hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it.
Hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it.
Delighted to announce that we will be publishing
_Richard Heart Julianne_
By @ronanhession.bsky.social
Spring/Summer 2027.
‘In Richard Heart Julianne we enter the mindstream of Richard on his last day as he reflects on his life, his home city and his failed marriage to Julianne.'
Brilliant!
_Richard Heart Julianne_
By @ronanhession.bsky.social
Spring/Summer 2027.
‘In Richard Heart Julianne we enter the mindstream of Richard on his last day as he reflects on his life, his home city and his failed marriage to Julianne.'
Brilliant!
January 5, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Delighted that my next novel Richard Heart Julianne will be coming out on the mighty @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social next year.
Hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it.
Hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it.
"Let's go."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"We're waiting for Godot."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"We're waiting for Godot."
January 5, 2026 at 1:06 AM
"Let's go."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"We're waiting for Godot."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"We're waiting for Godot."
Remembering John O’Donohue, who died on 4 January 2008.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
For which your soul was eternally made.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
For which your soul was eternally made.
January 5, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Remembering John O’Donohue, who died on 4 January 2008.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
For which your soul was eternally made.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
For which your soul was eternally made.
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
Going offline to meet some book deadlines in the next 6 months. Will be back on later in the spring to publicise upcoming workshops and New Arcana readings. If you need me, email is best as I won't see DMs. Happy new year all ✨️
January 4, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Going offline to meet some book deadlines in the next 6 months. Will be back on later in the spring to publicise upcoming workshops and New Arcana readings. If you need me, email is best as I won't see DMs. Happy new year all ✨️
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
If anyone wants to read along with me this year, am reading all of Hilary Mantel and Flannery O’Connor in chronological order (roughly 2 books per month) The reading order is up on my blog www.jancarson.co.uk and I’ll be using hashtags #MyYearWithFOC and #MyYearWithHM
January 4, 2026 at 10:47 PM
If anyone wants to read along with me this year, am reading all of Hilary Mantel and Flannery O’Connor in chronological order (roughly 2 books per month) The reading order is up on my blog www.jancarson.co.uk and I’ll be using hashtags #MyYearWithFOC and #MyYearWithHM
Reposted by Irish Literary Times
I am pleased to report on the return of rear flap photos where the author is looking at the camera and appears pleased to see you. Welcome back!
January 4, 2026 at 8:35 PM
I am pleased to report on the return of rear flap photos where the author is looking at the camera and appears pleased to see you. Welcome back!
Yes.
January 4, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Yes.
"Any superannuated writer will tell you – I’m one – that years after the end of any writing class or programme, it isn’t the most promising writers who are still working, still publishing books, it’s the most bullheaded." @elizmccrack.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
Dreaming of writing your novel this year? Rip up all the rules!
After 35 years of teaching fiction writing, the prize-winning author shares her wisdom. First tip? Don’t write what you know…
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:34 PM
"Any superannuated writer will tell you – I’m one – that years after the end of any writing class or programme, it isn’t the most promising writers who are still working, still publishing books, it’s the most bullheaded." @elizmccrack.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...