Not all fantasy fans dream of distant realms and far off lands, with alternative worlds brimming with magic and monsters, but a lot of yiz do! Today we’ll explore 9 great fantasy books, including some classics, some brand new books, and a few books that have helped to define the fantasy genre. Some of these will be familiar to the public at large, having launched their authors and characters to international fame. And some have even found their way onto the silver screen, gaming consoles and onto popular streaming services; making their authors very wealthy people indeed – now that’s a ..read more

Oh My God, What A Complete Blog! The Aisling series: A love letter to Irish womanhood If you're not familiar with the Aisling series of books by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, then you're missing out on a treat. These books are a hilarious, heartwarming, and relatable ode to Irish womanhood. The series follows the adventures of Aisling O'Shea, a 30-something woman living in Ballygobbard, a fictional town in Ireland. Aisling is a bit of a disaster magnet, but she's always got a positive attitude and a heart of gold. The books are full of laugh-out-loud moments, as Aisling navigates her love li ..read more

Dublin has played host to many revolutionaries over the years. George Bernard Shaw said, “The heart of an Irishman is nothing but his imagination”, and it isn’t hard to see how many Irish people, forced to live under UK control, could easily imagine a better life for their fellow citizens. It always makes me smile when I think about the coat of arms of our great city, . Below the shield on a scroll is the city's motto, Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas, which translates as "the obedience of the citizens produces a happy city".  In this article, we’ll take a look at what we call ..read more

Paul Lynch on Prophet Song  Sometime in the late 1990s, I read Herman Hesse’s 1927 novel Steppenwolf and was awed by a passage that prophesied the great destruction coming to Europe. Harry Haller, that book’s antihero, observed with a cold eye the public unrest in Germany, the fragmentation of its politics, the racism and xenophobia that was parading openly on the streets. In youthful fancy, I wondered about the thrill of being alive during such times. The 1990s, after all, seemed hopelessly dull, and political unrest an impossibility. We were living in a time when “history” had come to a ..read more

  The Booker Prize, now known as the Booker Prize for Fiction, is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world. Established in 1969, it is awarded annually to the best original novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. The award aims to celebrate and promote excellence in fiction writing by showcasing exceptional literary achievements. The Booker holds significant cultural value for writers and the literary community. Winning, being shortlisted, or indeed longlisted for the prize can elevate an author's profile and bring their work to a much la ..read more

  A guide through 40 of Ireland's greatest writers, all lists are controversial so please feel free to contact us if we've missed someone! James Joyce was a synthesiser, trying to bring in as much as he could. I am an analyser, trying to leave out as much as I can. Samuel Beckett The Irish have a way with words! In this blog let us welcome you to the enchanting world of Irish literature - where the imagination thrives, emotions resonate, and stories unfold. Join us on a literary journey across the Emerald Isle with the works of remarkable Irish authors guiding you through the rich history ..read more

Caroline Grace Cassidy is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for her work as an actor, author, creative director, film company founder, screenwriter and panelist … I am exhausted just typing her list of many hats! She is also married with children, funny and engaging on social media, runs a book club and is developing projects for tv and screen … as well as just finishing the manuscript for her tenth novel!   With a captivating presence and a deep understanding of storytelling, Cassidy has carved a niche for herself in both the publishing and performing arts worlds ..read more

Born in Dublin, Felicity Hayes-McCoy graduated from UCD in the 1970s with a degree in English and Irish, before heading to the UK where she built a successful career as an actor and writer, working in theatre, radio, tv, and digital media. Her first books were actually children’s stories published in 2008 for O’Briens’ Panda Legends – Finn's Thumb and The Riddle – I actually remember my own children reading these!  From there she went onto non-fiction, such as ‘Enough is Plenty’ and then in 2016 she began publishing her gorgeous Finfarren Series.     Known for her vivid portraya ..read more

  Summer is the perfect time to relax, unwind, and immerse ourselves in captivating stories that transport us to different worlds. As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, it's time to curate a list of delightful writers who can accompany us on your adventures. In this blog post, we celebrate some of the Queens of Irish Popular Fiction - their novels are the epitome of feel-good summer reading, filled with warmth, humor, and compelling narratives, even when times are tough and bad things happen, there is resillence and optimism woven through and I for one am immensely grateful ..read more

  Being a dad is usually a thankless task … sorry it is a challenging yet rewarding experience that adds greatly to the quality of your life! As a dad, you are responsible for providing for your family, being a role model, and creating lasting memories with them … or rather you need to not seriously maim them, poison them, encourage them to do dangerous things “for the craic”, or teach them to fart when you pull their finger and most importantly, remember that it isn’t ‘babysitting’ when it is minding your own children!   Seriously though, if you are reader or your father is a reader ..read more