Mike Philpott
@mikephilpott.bsky.social
Writer and PR consultant. Ex-BBC News. Hennessy Award winner. Novel Purblind available at www.wordforward.co.uk
Today’s antidote to the hatred and negativity in the world. www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Saved by a stranger: The 100-year-old Irish man in London
Michael Hopkins was let down by the Irish system as a child and the British system as an elderly bachelor. Then he met a photographer at a bus stop
www.irishtimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Today’s antidote to the hatred and negativity in the world. www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Excited to reveal our next #DromoreBookFestival guests! Wed 6th May will see Miriam O’Callaghan chatting about her memoir & broadcasting career. On Fri 8th May, we welcome the best-selling author of 19 books, Cecelia Ahern. Two incredible guests, two unmissable events. Save the dates!
February 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Excited to reveal our next #DromoreBookFestival guests! Wed 6th May will see Miriam O’Callaghan chatting about her memoir & broadcasting career. On Fri 8th May, we welcome the best-selling author of 19 books, Cecelia Ahern. Two incredible guests, two unmissable events. Save the dates!
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Yeah come along!
Wendy Erskine @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social will join us for a Book Club event to discuss her debut novel 'The Benefactors' on Thursday, the 19th of February. To register, please go to: launch.dcu.ie/3O6M8pl @dculibrary.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Yeah come along!
The great cartoonist does it again.
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
The great cartoonist does it again.
Reposted by Mike Philpott
📣Guest announcements 📣
I'm delighted to start revealing guests for Dromore Book Festival with two of my favourite Irish writers!
LIZ NUGENT @liznugent.bsky.social on Sat 9 May 2026 and CLAIRE KEEGAN on Sun 10 May 2026!
More reveals and ticket releases this week, but in the meantime, save the dates!
I'm delighted to start revealing guests for Dromore Book Festival with two of my favourite Irish writers!
LIZ NUGENT @liznugent.bsky.social on Sat 9 May 2026 and CLAIRE KEEGAN on Sun 10 May 2026!
More reveals and ticket releases this week, but in the meantime, save the dates!
February 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
📣Guest announcements 📣
I'm delighted to start revealing guests for Dromore Book Festival with two of my favourite Irish writers!
LIZ NUGENT @liznugent.bsky.social on Sat 9 May 2026 and CLAIRE KEEGAN on Sun 10 May 2026!
More reveals and ticket releases this week, but in the meantime, save the dates!
I'm delighted to start revealing guests for Dromore Book Festival with two of my favourite Irish writers!
LIZ NUGENT @liznugent.bsky.social on Sat 9 May 2026 and CLAIRE KEEGAN on Sun 10 May 2026!
More reveals and ticket releases this week, but in the meantime, save the dates!
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Last May was bookish bliss… so I'm doing it again! (Am I mad? Possibly 🙈) Plans are brewing, authors incoming & green t-shirts at the ready. Watch this space for confirmed guests over the next week or so and, most importantly, save 4th–10th May!
#DromoreBookFestival
#DromoreBookFestival
January 22, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Last May was bookish bliss… so I'm doing it again! (Am I mad? Possibly 🙈) Plans are brewing, authors incoming & green t-shirts at the ready. Watch this space for confirmed guests over the next week or so and, most importantly, save 4th–10th May!
#DromoreBookFestival
#DromoreBookFestival
Reposted by Mike Philpott
I really enjoyed doing this.
Please do listen in on Sunday (or listen back afterwards) to hear me discuss Leonard and Hungry Paul with James Naughtie and a roomful of readers with interesting questions.
Please do listen in on Sunday (or listen back afterwards) to hear me discuss Leonard and Hungry Paul with James Naughtie and a roomful of readers with interesting questions.
A cracking start to the year.
@ronanhession.bsky.socialwill be speaking to James Naughtie on BBC Radio 4 - Book Club.
Sunday 4th January at 4pm.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Marvelous.
@thebookseller.com
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@ronanhession.bsky.socialwill be speaking to James Naughtie on BBC Radio 4 - Book Club.
Sunday 4th January at 4pm.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Marvelous.
@thebookseller.com
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
BBC Radio 4 - Bookclub, Rónán Hession
Rónán Hession takes questions on his debut novel, Leonard and Hungry Paul.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I really enjoyed doing this.
Please do listen in on Sunday (or listen back afterwards) to hear me discuss Leonard and Hungry Paul with James Naughtie and a roomful of readers with interesting questions.
Please do listen in on Sunday (or listen back afterwards) to hear me discuss Leonard and Hungry Paul with James Naughtie and a roomful of readers with interesting questions.
Christmas Morning 1949. True story by Sylvia Seymour Akin, read by Paul Auster. Your antidote to the negativity in the world. edcyphers.com/2014/12/17/c...
Christmas Morning, 1949
Novelist Paul Auster reads a story written by Sylvia Seymour Akin about a special Christmas. (Source: NPR All Things Considered)
edcyphers.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Christmas Morning 1949. True story by Sylvia Seymour Akin, read by Paul Auster. Your antidote to the negativity in the world. edcyphers.com/2014/12/17/c...
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Wait, what? My son’s friend, traveling in China, is staying at a hotel chain called ‘James Joyce Coffetel’, and instead of a Gideon Bible, they leave a copy of Ulysses by the bedside.
December 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Wait, what? My son’s friend, traveling in China, is staying at a hotel chain called ‘James Joyce Coffetel’, and instead of a Gideon Bible, they leave a copy of Ulysses by the bedside.
Huge thanks to @markcarruthers7.bsky.social and Colin Davidson for being such entertaining and inspiring guests at tonight’s @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social event in Dromore Cathedral. Lovely to see so many people there - and to hear their very positive reactions afterwards. #TwelvePaintings
December 2, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Huge thanks to @markcarruthers7.bsky.social and Colin Davidson for being such entertaining and inspiring guests at tonight’s @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social event in Dromore Cathedral. Lovely to see so many people there - and to hear their very positive reactions afterwards. #TwelvePaintings
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Dromore Cathedral is the beautiful venue for our event with Colin Davidson, @markcarruthers7.bsky.social, and @mikephilpott.bsky.social tomorrow evening at 7.30pm ♥️
December 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Dromore Cathedral is the beautiful venue for our event with Colin Davidson, @markcarruthers7.bsky.social, and @mikephilpott.bsky.social tomorrow evening at 7.30pm ♥️
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Thanks to @stubailie.bsky.social for coming along last night to entertain us with tales from the music world over the past 40 years. Everyone really enjoyed it! Thanks, as ever, to @mikephilpott.bsky.social for hosting. You can pick up all of Stuart's books in-store now!
November 27, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thanks to @stubailie.bsky.social for coming along last night to entertain us with tales from the music world over the past 40 years. Everyone really enjoyed it! Thanks, as ever, to @mikephilpott.bsky.social for hosting. You can pick up all of Stuart's books in-store now!
So sorry to learn of the death of lovely Charlie Warmington. The first producer I worked with on my first day at the BBC, and one of the good guys.
November 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
So sorry to learn of the death of lovely Charlie Warmington. The first producer I worked with on my first day at the BBC, and one of the good guys.
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Yup it is.
The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine is Waterstones Irish Book of the Year
The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine is Waterstones Irish Book of the Year
Books newsletter: a wrap of the latest news and preview of tomorrow’s pages
www.irishtimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Yup it is.
Grandson James makes his (brief) TV debut tonight in the wonderful Trespasses on Channel 4. Here he is on set with his dad Adam, First Assistant Director. If you listen carefully you might hear my voice as a newsreader, too.
November 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Grandson James makes his (brief) TV debut tonight in the wonderful Trespasses on Channel 4. Here he is on set with his dad Adam, First Assistant Director. If you listen carefully you might hear my voice as a newsreader, too.
@junec.bsky.social Hi June, just got the email containing your Personal Anthology. I’ve read a few (such as Bullet in the Brain and Fox 8) but thanks for introducing me to the others.
October 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
@junec.bsky.social Hi June, just got the email containing your Personal Anthology. I’ve read a few (such as Bullet in the Brain and Fox 8) but thanks for introducing me to the others.
I’ll be in conversation with Mark Carruthers and Colin Davidson on Dec 2, courtesy of @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social
Really looking forward to this very special event. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Really looking forward to this very special event. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
October 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I’ll be in conversation with Mark Carruthers and Colin Davidson on Dec 2, courtesy of @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social
Really looking forward to this very special event. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Really looking forward to this very special event. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Reposted by Mike Philpott
We had a wonderful evening with #IrishBookWeek ambassador @sheilawriter.bsky.social last night. Sheila chatted openly and warmly with @mikephilpott.bsky.social
and spent time signing and posing for photos with her army of fans! It was just lovely to be in her company ♥️
and spent time signing and posing for photos with her army of fans! It was just lovely to be in her company ♥️
October 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM
We had a wonderful evening with #IrishBookWeek ambassador @sheilawriter.bsky.social last night. Sheila chatted openly and warmly with @mikephilpott.bsky.social
and spent time signing and posing for photos with her army of fans! It was just lovely to be in her company ♥️
and spent time signing and posing for photos with her army of fans! It was just lovely to be in her company ♥️
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Tomorrow evening, an actual legend of Irish fiction will be in Dromore! Join us for an evening with @sheilawriter.bsky.social chatting with @mikephilpott.bsky.social. Plus, I've just remembered that tomorrow is my birthday so you absolutely must come along!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
October 22, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Tomorrow evening, an actual legend of Irish fiction will be in Dromore! Join us for an evening with @sheilawriter.bsky.social chatting with @mikephilpott.bsky.social. Plus, I've just remembered that tomorrow is my birthday so you absolutely must come along!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Can we take a moment to talk about our event with @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social...
Everyone was absolutely enthralled and could have sat until morning listening to Wendy chat to @mikephilpott.bsky.social about her work, her influences, and what's next. When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Wendy!
Everyone was absolutely enthralled and could have sat until morning listening to Wendy chat to @mikephilpott.bsky.social about her work, her influences, and what's next. When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Wendy!
October 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Can we take a moment to talk about our event with @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social...
Everyone was absolutely enthralled and could have sat until morning listening to Wendy chat to @mikephilpott.bsky.social about her work, her influences, and what's next. When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Wendy!
Everyone was absolutely enthralled and could have sat until morning listening to Wendy chat to @mikephilpott.bsky.social about her work, her influences, and what's next. When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Wendy!
What a magnificent evening’s conversation with the wonderful @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social organised by @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social One of those guests you just feel lucky to have met.
October 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
What a magnificent evening’s conversation with the wonderful @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social organised by @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social One of those guests you just feel lucky to have met.
@ronanhession.bsky.social Hi Rónán, just watched the first three episodes of Leonard and Hungry Paul. What beautiful, slow-paced, heartfelt television. Nothing will ever top the book, but they’ve certainly done it justice.
October 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
@ronanhession.bsky.social Hi Rónán, just watched the first three episodes of Leonard and Hungry Paul. What beautiful, slow-paced, heartfelt television. Nothing will ever top the book, but they’ve certainly done it justice.
Reposted by Mike Philpott
I will again say that my favourite way of telling someone to fuck off in French (often chanted to opposition crowds at football games) is rentre chez toi, ta mère a fait des gaufres. It means "go back home, your mother made you waffles"
October 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I will again say that my favourite way of telling someone to fuck off in French (often chanted to opposition crowds at football games) is rentre chez toi, ta mère a fait des gaufres. It means "go back home, your mother made you waffles"
Watch out for this in a couple of months’ time. One of the Guardian’s autumn TV highlights. @louisekennedy.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Watch out for this in a couple of months’ time. One of the Guardian’s autumn TV highlights. @louisekennedy.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Philpott
Another autumn event added! On Mon 6th Oct, it will be a real pleasure to welcomeStephen Travers (Miami Showband)to Dromore to chat with @mikephilpott.bsky.social about his new book, The Bass Player. This will be one not to be missed!
Tickets 👇
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Tickets 👇
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
August 22, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Another autumn event added! On Mon 6th Oct, it will be a real pleasure to welcomeStephen Travers (Miami Showband)to Dromore to chat with @mikephilpott.bsky.social about his new book, The Bass Player. This will be one not to be missed!
Tickets 👇
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Tickets 👇
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...