Martin Doyle
@martindoyle.bsky.social
Books Editor of The Irish Times; author of Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place (Merrion Press)
Pinned
Martin Doyle
@martindoyle.bsky.social
· Dec 23
I have tried to record the toll the Troubles took on my neighbours, the long tail of trauma left beh...
The scale of the Northern conflict, more than 3,700 dead over 30 years in a population of just 1.5 million, is impossible to comprehend. I focused on my own parish
www.irishtimes.com
“Writing Dirty Linen brought me closer to my roots, helped me face almost forgotten fears. The low-level anxiety I lived with may have been all in my head but it wasn’t my imagination. I have sat with the people it actually happened to. They are my tribe.” www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
The Dáil has nothing on the politics of the Irish dancing world 🏆 ✨ very excited that my new book Dirty Dancing is out this April. You can pre-order here
www.dubraybooks.ie/product/dirt...
www.dubraybooks.ie/product/dirt...
January 14, 2026 at 11:50 AM
The Dáil has nothing on the politics of the Irish dancing world 🏆 ✨ very excited that my new book Dirty Dancing is out this April. You can pre-order here
www.dubraybooks.ie/product/dirt...
www.dubraybooks.ie/product/dirt...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Just to say the tickets for this are going so if you’d like to hear Iarla Ó Lionáird sing in the Heaney country, and me talk a little with @neilhegarty.bsky.social about the poet’s late work, we’d be glad to see you in Bellaghy of a Saturday night.
seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Ticketbooth
seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Just to say the tickets for this are going so if you’d like to hear Iarla Ó Lionáird sing in the Heaney country, and me talk a little with @neilhegarty.bsky.social about the poet’s late work, we’d be glad to see you in Bellaghy of a Saturday night.
seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
seamusheaneyhome.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Irish fiction debuts to look forward this year from Neil Tully, Ana Kinsella to Colin Morgan
Irish fiction debuts to look forward this year from Neil Tully, Ana Kinsella to Colin Morgan
‘I’m happy to say that rights have been optioned for TV’: A rich crop of fiction is set to emerge this year
www.irishtimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Irish fiction debuts to look forward this year from Neil Tully, Ana Kinsella to Colin Morgan
I hope some enterprising Irish and/or British publisher will seize the opportunity to publish this award-winning author’s latest novel on this side of the Atlantic.
Megawatty thank you for including my novel Library of Brothel in this gathering of fiction to look forward to in 2026. What a lovely surprise! My supplication is for curious minds. My gratitude and respect to people who have vision and imagination which others may lack. ❤️🌸
The best fiction of 2026 to look forward to: Books from Louise Kennedy, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry, Maggie O’Farrell, Keith Ridgway, Danielle McLaughlin, Louise Nealon, Sarah Gilmartin, Patrick Freyne, Liz Nugent, Jan Carson, Tana French, Kathleen MacMahon & more
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
January 12, 2026 at 7:40 AM
I hope some enterprising Irish and/or British publisher will seize the opportunity to publish this award-winning author’s latest novel on this side of the Atlantic.
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Grateful to see Late Heaney in the rich tapestry of non-fiction books coming out. It should be available the end of the month, with some launches to follow. Thanks as always @martindoyle.bsky.social, whose own book of interviews with writers is out this year too
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Nonfiction books coming in 2026: From a new memoir by Louise O’Neill to Roy Keane’s impact on modern Ireland
Among promising titles are a book about France’s dark side and Jon Ronson’s exploration of multimillionaires searching for meaning in New England
www.irishtimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Grateful to see Late Heaney in the rich tapestry of non-fiction books coming out. It should be available the end of the month, with some launches to follow. Thanks as always @martindoyle.bsky.social, whose own book of interviews with writers is out this year too
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
The best fiction of 2026 to look forward to: Books from Louise Kennedy, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry, Maggie O’Farrell, Keith Ridgway, Danielle McLaughlin, Louise Nealon, Sarah Gilmartin, Patrick Freyne, Liz Nugent, Jan Carson, Tana French, Kathleen MacMahon & more
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
The best fiction of 2026 to look forward to: Books from Louise Kennedy, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry and more
A comprehensive round-up of fiction from Irish and international authors due out this year
www.irishtimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:04 AM
The best fiction of 2026 to look forward to: Books from Louise Kennedy, Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry, Maggie O’Farrell, Keith Ridgway, Danielle McLaughlin, Louise Nealon, Sarah Gilmartin, Patrick Freyne, Liz Nugent, Jan Carson, Tana French, Kathleen MacMahon & more
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
This photo of Pete Shelley by Denis O'Reagan has everything: Punk icon, Belfast and Charlie Witherspoon on the TV.
I love it so much.
I love it so much.
January 10, 2026 at 11:40 PM
This photo of Pete Shelley by Denis O'Reagan has everything: Punk icon, Belfast and Charlie Witherspoon on the TV.
I love it so much.
I love it so much.
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Genuinely honoured to be included in the @irishtimes.com round-up of books to look forward to in 2026. Deepest thanks to @martindoyle.bsky.social. The book, that Sagging Meniscus has made so beautiful, can be pre-ordered at www.thecoastofeverything.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Genuinely honoured to be included in the @irishtimes.com round-up of books to look forward to in 2026. Deepest thanks to @martindoyle.bsky.social. The book, that Sagging Meniscus has made so beautiful, can be pre-ordered at www.thecoastofeverything.com
Nonfiction books coming in 2026: Among promising titles are a book about France’s dark side and Jon Ronson’s exploration of multimillionaires searching for meaning in New England; plus new books by Katriona O’Sullivan, Rory Carroll and Sally Hayden
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Nonfiction books coming in 2026: From the Roy Keane effect to women sharing their unfiltered desires
Among promising titles are a book about France’s dark side and Jon Ronson’s exploration of multimillionaires searching for meaning in New England
www.irishtimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Nonfiction books coming in 2026: Among promising titles are a book about France’s dark side and Jon Ronson’s exploration of multimillionaires searching for meaning in New England; plus new books by Katriona O’Sullivan, Rory Carroll and Sally Hayden
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Thanks @martindoyle.bsky.social for including a mention of Richard Heart Julianne in @irishtimes.com books round-up.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Doolin Writers’ Weekend returns
Books newsletter: a wrap of the latest news and preview of tomorrow’s pages
www.irishtimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Thanks @martindoyle.bsky.social for including a mention of Richard Heart Julianne in @irishtimes.com books round-up.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
'She was long in the body, but strong of limb and rib,
and her muscles moved under the skin
like currents in a bay of the river.
She was swift as the wind or as the summer swallow . . .'
from Sean Jennett's ‘I Was A Labourer’.
Photograph: Chris Killip
and her muscles moved under the skin
like currents in a bay of the river.
She was swift as the wind or as the summer swallow . . .'
from Sean Jennett's ‘I Was A Labourer’.
Photograph: Chris Killip
January 8, 2026 at 8:38 AM
'She was long in the body, but strong of limb and rib,
and her muscles moved under the skin
like currents in a bay of the river.
She was swift as the wind or as the summer swallow . . .'
from Sean Jennett's ‘I Was A Labourer’.
Photograph: Chris Killip
and her muscles moved under the skin
like currents in a bay of the river.
She was swift as the wind or as the summer swallow . . .'
from Sean Jennett's ‘I Was A Labourer’.
Photograph: Chris Killip
Reposted by Martin Doyle
I'll be on Arena on @rteradio1.bsky.social this evening talking to @rickoshea.bsky.social about fiction in translation – reading it, reviewing it and having my own work translated.
Do tune in – show starts at 7pm.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Do tune in – show starts at 7pm.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Arena - RTÉ Radio 1
A look at what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
www.rte.ie
January 7, 2026 at 4:22 PM
I'll be on Arena on @rteradio1.bsky.social this evening talking to @rickoshea.bsky.social about fiction in translation – reading it, reviewing it and having my own work translated.
Do tune in – show starts at 7pm.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Do tune in – show starts at 7pm.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
“Are you serious about this writing business?” Kurt Vonnegut asked Salman Rushdie. “Then you should know that the day is going to come when you won’t have a book to write, and you’re still going to have to write a book.”
I wrote this about when writers stop writing:
I wrote this about when writers stop writing:
Is silence golden? When writers choose to stop
Novelist Julian Barnes’s retirement highlights how rare it is for a writer to choose to fall silent
www.irishtimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
“Are you serious about this writing business?” Kurt Vonnegut asked Salman Rushdie. “Then you should know that the day is going to come when you won’t have a book to write, and you’re still going to have to write a book.”
I wrote this about when writers stop writing:
I wrote this about when writers stop writing:
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Great idea for an article by @john-self.bsky.social Writers who retire from writing, run out of inspiration or just ... stop.
Two others come to mind – Vikram Seth (any sign of A Suitable Girl? – £1m advance paid) and Rohinton Mistry.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Two others come to mind – Vikram Seth (any sign of A Suitable Girl? – £1m advance paid) and Rohinton Mistry.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Is silence golden? When writers choose to stop
Novelist Julian Barnes’s retirement highlights how rare it is for a writer to choose to fall silent
www.irishtimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Great idea for an article by @john-self.bsky.social Writers who retire from writing, run out of inspiration or just ... stop.
Two others come to mind – Vikram Seth (any sign of A Suitable Girl? – £1m advance paid) and Rohinton Mistry.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Two others come to mind – Vikram Seth (any sign of A Suitable Girl? – £1m advance paid) and Rohinton Mistry.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Clare chapel graveyard, Tullylish parish, Co Down
January 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Clare chapel graveyard, Tullylish parish, Co Down
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Thoughts today with the Reavey and O’Dowd families on this sad anniversary. And tomorrow with the Kingsmill families.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the O’Dowd murders, which I wrote about in this 2022 essay. Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place grew out of it and devotes two chapters to it. Honoured to have been invited to the family’s commemoration. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
A ghost estate and an empty grave: ‘I don’t think Northern Ireland was worth one life’
The O’Dowds moved South after three of the family were murdered but some wounds never heal
www.irishtimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Thoughts today with the Reavey and O’Dowd families on this sad anniversary. And tomorrow with the Kingsmill families.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the O’Dowd murders, which I wrote about in this 2022 essay. Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place grew out of it and devotes two chapters to it. Honoured to have been invited to the family’s commemoration. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
A ghost estate and an empty grave: ‘I don’t think Northern Ireland was worth one life’
The O’Dowds moved South after three of the family were murdered but some wounds never heal
www.irishtimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Today is the 50th anniversary of the O’Dowd murders, which I wrote about in this 2022 essay. Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place grew out of it and devotes two chapters to it. Honoured to have been invited to the family’s commemoration. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Thanks to @martindoyle.bsky.social and Mary Miniham @irishtimes.com for taking my piece on heavy coats and ragged people for today’s paper - with a shoutout for new @universitypress.cambridge.org book on #IrishRomanticism #speirgorm
January 3, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Thanks to @martindoyle.bsky.social and Mary Miniham @irishtimes.com for taking my piece on heavy coats and ragged people for today’s paper - with a shoutout for new @universitypress.cambridge.org book on #IrishRomanticism #speirgorm
Reposted by Martin Doyle
After five years of reviewing translated fiction for @irishtimes.com this is my last column. It has been a real privilege and I have loved doing it, but I need to focus on my writing and lighten my workload.
Thanks sincerely to @martindoyle.bsky.social for the opportunity and to all the readers 🙏
Thanks sincerely to @martindoyle.bsky.social for the opportunity and to all the readers 🙏
January 3, 2026 at 11:31 AM
After five years of reviewing translated fiction for @irishtimes.com this is my last column. It has been a real privilege and I have loved doing it, but I need to focus on my writing and lighten my workload.
Thanks sincerely to @martindoyle.bsky.social for the opportunity and to all the readers 🙏
Thanks sincerely to @martindoyle.bsky.social for the opportunity and to all the readers 🙏
‘Some nights I do not sleep’: Families remember 16 sectarian killings in 24 hours in North. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kingsmill, O’Dowd and Reavey murders, I spoke to relatives of the victims, who are angry at the insults added to injury over the years.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
‘Some nights I do not sleep’: Families remember 16 sectarian killings in 24 hours in North
Relatives reflect on 50th anniversary of Kingsmill, O’Dowd and Reavey murders
www.irishtimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:07 AM
‘Some nights I do not sleep’: Families remember 16 sectarian killings in 24 hours in North. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kingsmill, O’Dowd and Reavey murders, I spoke to relatives of the victims, who are angry at the insults added to injury over the years.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
Walter Scott to Maria Edgeworth in 1825 on his adventures in Co. Wicklow and local perceptions of the tribe of poets.
January 1, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Walter Scott to Maria Edgeworth in 1825 on his adventures in Co. Wicklow and local perceptions of the tribe of poets.
Seán Mac Mathúna, award-winning writer in Irish and English, dies aged 89
Writer’s play The Winter Thief, set in Kerry in during the War of Independence, won the Bank of Ireland Award
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Writer’s play The Winter Thief, set in Kerry in during the War of Independence, won the Bank of Ireland Award
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Seán Mac Mathúna, award-winning writer in Irish and English, dies aged 89
Writer’s play The Winter Thief, set in Kerry in during the War of Independence, won the Bank of Ireland Award
www.irishtimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Seán Mac Mathúna, award-winning writer in Irish and English, dies aged 89
Writer’s play The Winter Thief, set in Kerry in during the War of Independence, won the Bank of Ireland Award
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Writer’s play The Winter Thief, set in Kerry in during the War of Independence, won the Bank of Ireland Award
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
The Let Them Theory is Ireland’s bestselling book of 2025.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor are bestselling Irish titles
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor are bestselling Irish titles
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
The Let Them Theory is Ireland’s bestselling book of 2025
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor are bestselling Irish titles
www.irishtimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Let Them Theory is Ireland’s bestselling book of 2025.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor are bestselling Irish titles
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Ghosts of Rome by Joseph O’Connor are bestselling Irish titles
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Doyle
For me… a critical justification of a subscription… as well as the sheer pleasure of it.
“the only Irish media outlet with a network of correspondents around the world, believing as we do in the value of an Irish perspective on world events.”
www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/1...
“the only Irish media outlet with a network of correspondents around the world, believing as we do in the value of an Irish perspective on world events.”
www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/1...
Message from the Editor: We’ve hit a milestone – our journalism is fully funded by subscribers
The Irish Times recently passed an important milestone: revenue generated by subscribers for the first time fully funds our journalism
www.irishtimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
For me… a critical justification of a subscription… as well as the sheer pleasure of it.
“the only Irish media outlet with a network of correspondents around the world, believing as we do in the value of an Irish perspective on world events.”
www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/1...
“the only Irish media outlet with a network of correspondents around the world, believing as we do in the value of an Irish perspective on world events.”
www.irishtimes.com/media/2025/1...