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.

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

Roddy Doyle reurns to his character Paula Spencer in his new book

How Roddy Doyle beat the sequel slump with Paula Spencer's return

Sequels to well-known books can be tricky...

Books • 20 Oct 24

What Seamus Heaney's letters tell us about his life and poetry

When considering an oeuvre as vast as Seamus Heaney's, what correspondences seem to offer is a tantalising glimpse behind the curated persona.

Books • 02 Oct

The heart of Kevin Barry, and a western 25 years in the making

Several months have passed since the publication of Kevin Barry's fourth novel The Heart in Winter and the dust is still settling...

Books • 06 Oct 24

Colin Barrett made this year's Booker Prize longlist with his book Wild Houses

Why are there no Irish authors on this year's Booker shortlist?

After the success of Irish authors at last year's Booker Prize, this year's committee seems to have passed over several deserving Irish entries. Why is that?

Opinion and Analysis • 25 Sep 24

Sally Rooney returns to bookshelves this month with her new novel

The rise and rise of Sally Rooney, and the literary event of 2024

Whatever else may be true about Sally Rooney, the fact of her success throughout her career has been a thorn in the side for all the wrong people.

Books • 15 Sep 24

Book Of The Day: The Heart In Winter by Kevin Barry

Reading Kevin Barry is like hanging out with a fun relative at a lavish family wedding; one you're happy to have been pulled aside to listen to, despite the revels and capers all around...

Books • 18 Jul 24

Book Of The Day: Devotion by Mícheál McCann

One of the most frustrating things about contemporary attitudes to the Confessional lyric is the expectation that it should be wholly autobiographical.

Books • 03 Jul 24

Book Of The Week: Openings by Lucy Caldwell

The Carver-esque story titles that make up Lucy Caldwell's new collection belie the lyricism at work in the author's short story canon.

Book Of The Week • 11 Jun 24