Irish Debut Novelists | Roisín O’Donnell, Garrett Carr & Louise Hegarty

Ireland has always produced powerful and inventive writers – from reinventors of the form such as James Joyce to barrier-breaking Edna O’Brien and lyrical geniuses Sebastian Barry and Colm Toibin. In recent years, a new generation of novelists has come to the fore – Sally Rooney, Paul Murray and Colin Barrett among them. We’re delighted to play host to three of the brightest debuts of the year from the island of Ireland. 

Nesting, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision to escape from a controlling marriage, taking her young daughters on a journey of reinvention. Set against the backdrop of Dublin’s broken housing system, this is a poignant story about motherhood, independence, and finding safety in unexpected places.

The Boy from the Sea takes us to the rugged coast of Donegal, where a mysterious baby found on the beach is adopted by fisherman Ambrose. Over two decades, this story unfolds through the eyes of a tight-knit community, exploring the boy’s search for identity, the complexities of family, and the impact of place.

In Fair Play, friends gather for a murder mystery party. As the night goes on, they drink too much and play games. Relationships are forged, consolidated or frayed. Someone kisses someone they shouldn’t, someone else’s heart is broken. In the morning, everyone wakes up – except Benjamin.
This is a locked-room mystery, and everyone is a suspect. As Abigail attempts to fathom her brother’s unexpected death in a world that has been turned upside down, she begins to wonder whether perhaps the true mystery might have been his life . . .

Join us to explore the depth and diversity of Ireland’s new generation of writers, tackling themes of identity, community, and the human experience.

Selected by and in conversation with Alex Clark.