James Patterson

James Conor Patterson is a writer from Newry, Co. Down. His debut poetry collection 'bandit country' (Picador, 2022) was recently nominated for the TS Eliot Award and the John Pollard International Poetry Prize.

Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown

What A Complete Unknown misses about Bob Dylan, the poet

"I'm seeing your world of people and things," Bob Dylan sings on Song to Woody. "Your paupers and peasants and princes and kings."

Opinion and Analysis • 17 Feb 25

Book Of The Week: Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell

Much has been made in recent years about the rise of the so-called 'Issues Novel' in Ireland.

Book Of The Week • 28 Jan 25

Banshee is one of the many literary publications in the thriving Irish scene

The revolution in Irish literary journals

One of the most frustrating things about trying to break into the writing game is having to listen to the advice of people who have already made it.

Books • 31 Dec 24

Sally Rooney's fourth novel was arguably the publishing event of 2024

The top 10 books of 2024, from Intermezzo to Wild Houses & beyond

Last week, we gave you 10 outstanding books you may have missed in 2024. This week, it's the big one...

Best Of 2024 • 21 Dec 24

Have you read Jan Carson's Quickly, While They Still Have Horses?

10 outstanding books you may have missed in 2024

Before our final rundown of the year's best books, we wanted to give a flavour of some of this year's most outstanding releases which, for one reason or another, didn't quite garner the attention they deserved.

Best Of 2024 • 11 Dec 24

How a poetry debut from an Irish indie publisher made a splash

A debut poetry collection from an independent Irish publisher looks set to sweep the boards at this year's TS Eliot Prize ceremony, writes James Patterson.

Books • 02 Dec 24

Trinity College has renamed its library after poet Eavan Boland

Why Ireland's women writers are finally receiving their due

The recent renaming of Trinity's George Berkeley Library in honour of the late, great poet Eavan Boland is undoubtedly a good thing, but if we want to rewrite the Irish literary canon to be more inclusive of women, we have much more work to do.

Opinion and Analysis • 23 Nov 24