Latest news with #DonalRyan
Toronto Star
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Donal Ryan's spellbinding sequel in 21 voices continues the saga of a small Irish town
In 2014 Donal Ryan published a novel in the U.S. called 'The Spinning Heart' about a rural Irish town after the 2008 financial collapse. It was narrated by a chorus of voices, one per chapter, and at the center was a good-hearted contractor, Bobby Mahon. Ryan's latest book is a spellbinding sequel, 'Heart, Be at Peace,' that works just fine on its own. It chronicles the changes that have buffeted Nenagh, County Tipperary, in the decade since the recession. Once again, the story is told by 21 townspeople, including one who has died, and Bobby is at the center.
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
‘Heart, Be at Peace' is the perfect title for this Irish gem
Donal Ryan has set his novels chiefly in and around his native Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland, filling them with characters whose stories become the background of subsequent books. 'Heart, Be at Peace,' winner of last year's award for Irish Book of the Year, however, is a sequel. It picks up from his first novel, 'The Spinning Heart,' a short, brilliant work set in the aftermath of the collapse of the property boom of 2008. Set about a decade after that book ended, 'Heart' explores how contemporary problems — social media, drugs — affect this small town. Like its predecessor, the story emerges gradually, as each character contributes a confessional strand to the tangled connections among them.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford woman awarded All-Ireland Scholarship for her heartfelt depiction of the ‘frightening love parents feel for their children'
Kim from Gorey was presented with her award by competition judge and renowned author Donal Ryan at a special awards ceremony in Adare Manor on Tuesday, April 29. Speaking on the competition, Kim said, 'I have always loved writing, and I have been writing since I can remember. I think language and stories have an incredible ability to create connections between people. I entered this competition because I wanted more people to read about my (very ordinary) lived experience. "My piece is about being a parent, and the extraordinary importance of children, and I thought that was a message that people might relate to and connect with.' Sponsored by JP McManus, the competition is now in its fifth year and is open to all members of the All-Ireland Scholarships Alumni Association. This year's competition focused on the short form written word with fiction, non-fiction, op-ed and poetry categories. This year's judging panel included Donal Ryan, Professor Eoin Devereux, Dr Emily Cullen and winner of the 2024 competition, Surnaí Molloy. The judging process was chaired by Professor Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, Head of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick. Kim received the All Ireland Scholarship in 2008 and went on to pursue a BA Hons in English Literature and Classical Civilisation at Trinity College Dublin. She then completed an M Phil in Children's Literature, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, also at Trinity College Dublin. Kim now works as a post-primary teacher in Gorey Community School, where she teaches English and Classical Studies. The judges described Kim's piece as, 'a charming, heartfelt writing style, capturing so much about the frightening love parents feel for their children'. The All Ireland Scholarships, established by JP McManus in 2008, provides financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education. Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded across Ireland. Recipients receive €6,750 per annum in Ireland and £5,500 per annum in Northern Ireland, covering the duration of their undergraduate studies. The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each county.
Irish Independent
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow writer wins creative writing competition with her short story
EmerRose Kealy from Tinahely impressed in the prose category for her short story The Crown. Sponsored by JP McManus, the competition, now in its fifth year, is open to all members of the All-Ireland Scholarships Alumni Association, whose aim is to help recipients of the prestigious award to stay in touch with one another and form bonds, long after they have gone their separate ways in life. This year's competition focused on the short form written word (max 1,000 words) with fiction, non-fiction, op-ed and poetry categories. A poetry category was also added to the competition for the first time this year. EmerRose was presented with the Roger Downer Award by competition judge and renowned author Donal Ryan at a special awards ceremony in Adare Manor on Tuesday, April 29. She was awarded the All Ireland Scholarship in 2017 and went on to study medicine in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI). She graduated from RCSI in May 2022 and is currently training to specialise as a GP with the Irish College of General Practitioners. Speaking about the competition she said: 'I wanted to enter the All Ireland Scholarships Creative Writing Competition because I think it is a wonderful opportunity for All Ireland Scholarships Alumni to share ideas and showcase our varied talents and interests. I have admired the shortlisted entries in previous years and am honoured to have my piece featured as a winner in 2025.' This year's stellar judging panel included Donal Ryan, Professor Eoin Devereux, Dr Emily Cullen and winner of the 2024 competition, Surnaí Molloy. The judging process was chaired by Professor Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, head of creative writing at the University of Limerick. The judges were impressed by EmerRose's winning piece, The Crown describing it as: 'Wonderfully written and instantly engaging with an ability to conjure both poignantly and accurately the atmosphere of a hospice. An outstanding piece.'
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Security is an amazing thing' – Why a nice job in the civil service has become the new cool
Donal Ryan, a celebrated author who's been twice nominated for the Booker Prize, was effusive in his praise of working in the civil service in an interview with The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 last weekend.
