It's been 10 years since Paul McVeigh’s debut novel The Good Son hit bookshelves, its funny, touching tale of misfit schoolboy Mickey Donnelly’s determination to escape Troubles-plagued Ardoyne earning the author The Polari First Novel Prize and The McCrea Literary Award.
Since then he has edited a trio of short story and written a hit play, Big Man, which won an Irish Times Theatre Award when it was staged at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre in 2022. Now he returns to print with I Hear You a collection of short stories which were originally commissioned and broadcast by BBC Radio Four - he talks to RTÉ Arena above.
Belfast, Armagh, Dublin, Limerick, London and Carrickfergus. March events for 'I Hear You' from Salt Books. Join me and @WednesdayErskin, Tony Flynn, Tricia Fleming, Donal Ryan, @cathygalvin1, @KitdeWaal and @JoZebedee to celebrate. @northbelfast100 @WordFactoryUK pic.twitter.com/In1DlggDOo
— Paul McVeigh Writer (@paul_mc_veigh) February 14, 2025
The collection includes a series of ten interlinked stories called The Circus which introduce a colourful selection of characters from the north Belfast streets, whose varied lives intersect thanks to a local talent competition. Their stories are told with McVeigh’s trademark warmth, wit and humour.
I Hear You is out now via Salt Publishing. Listen to more from RTÉ Arena here
