Books of the year 2025: Authors and critics pick their favourites
Roisín O’Donnell’s Nesting, Helen Garner’s How to End a Story and Liadan Ní Chuinn’s Every One Still Here are among the year’s top choices
John Banville
I’m always surprised at the whiff of condescension that greets historical novels
Historical fiction is a broad church, spanning detective fiction, romance, family sagas, war stories, feminist polemics, political thrillers and more
Derek Mahon: A True Note – an anniversary appreciation by John Banville
The Belfast-born poet, who died five years ago, left us a precious legacy of transcendent beauty, vigour, wit and profundity
Irish Book Awards: Brenda Fricker, Leo Varadkar, Manchán Magan and Andy Farrell shortlisted
Awards ‘remain the cornerstone of Ireland’s literary calendar’ and will be held on November 27th in Dublin
Venetian Vespers by John Banville: An intricate thriller and a slyly fashioned work of art
Is this a Banvillean supreme fiction as of old, or a luxury entertainment of the Benjamin Black school? Why not both?
John Banville: ‘You cannot censor me. They would try it now with all this wokeist nonsense’
The author on his latest novel, Venetian Vespers, how Graham Greene treated him ‘very badly’, and his support for Israelis
Colm Tóibín: ‘I am much less sociable now, as I don’t drink any more’
For the author of A Long Winter and Ship in Full Sail, inspiration often comes subliminally. But he has also brought his inner self to the surface through therapy
Sinn Féin may reject commemorating the Normans, but there are some suspiciously Saxon names in its ranks
Take a look at centuries of Irish revolutionaries and you’ll find links to Norman history
Seán Rocks: Ireland has lost one of its great cultural champions
Late broadcaster’s easy wit and big-hearted spirit belied a lifelong devotion to our rich culture
The best books for summer 2025: our critics’ top picks
Sarah Moss, Joseph O’Connor, Wendy Erskine, John Banville, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and other authors and reviewers choose their top reads for the holidays
Event guide: Olivia Rodrigo, Van Morrison, and the other best things to do in Ireland this week
Ireland event guide June 21st-27th: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way this week
Event guide: Pulp, Beyond the Pale, Cork Midsummer and other best things to do in Ireland this week
Ireland event guide for the week June 7th–13th, 2025: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way
Event Guide: Forbidden Fruit, Swell Season and the other best things to do in Ireland this week
Ireland event guide May 31st-June 6th: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way this week
Donald Trump’s expansionary plans: first we take Greenland, then we take Ballsbridge
Plus: US multinationals lobby for docklands voting rights for staff; John Banville’s bedroom antics; and a Seanad hopeful’s Tommy Cooper impression
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices