35 Cork books of the year: Top Leeside-related titles in fiction, sport, history and other genres
Donncha O'Callaghan, Eoghan Daltun and Seán Ronayne, and Graham Norton are among those who've been involved in Cork-related books this year.
The multi-talented Ahakista resident returns with his fifth book, in which the titular protagonist recounts the story of her eventful life to her carer Damien. We follow the young orphan Frances Howe as she leaves a sham marriage in West Cork for London, eventually becoming part of the bohemian art scene in New York. Winner of Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the recent An Post Irish Book Awards.
Another West Cork-inspired story, which weaves themes of identity and belonging with an absorbing time-hopping story. Set in the 1980s, it features English-born Marlo, who moves to Glengarriff after inheriting a cottage there. When he bonds with a non-verbal boy, an ancient tragedy is revealed.
This book from Ballydehob-based author O’Donnell blends fact and fiction to enthralling effect. The protagonist, Peter Woulfe, is an alchemist based on the real-life figure of the same name, born in Ennis in 1727. The action begins in Georgian London with Woulfe searching for a mysterious illustrated book, before jumping back to his childhood spent in the shadow of Mount Gabriel.
Another book based on a true story, and also by an author with Ballydehob links, this novel is inspired by Alice Kyteler, the first Irishwoman convicted of witchcraft in Ireland. In this imaginative retelling, the ruthless Alice takes over her father’s money-lending business, acquiring and dispatching numerous husbands along the way before standing trial.
Barry spent many of his formative years as a writer in Cork, and a period spent in a caravan on the Beara Peninsula provided the inspiration for his latest novel, which he describes as his "western with Cork accents". Inspired by the men who travelled from Beara to Butte, Montana, to work in the mines, it is a triumphant tour de force delivered in Barry’s inimitable style.
Two of the best-known works by Castletownshend residents Edith Somerville and Violet Martin have been reissued, featuring a preface by UCC English professor Claire Connolly. The entertaining exploits of Major Yeates and Flurry Knox await a lucky new generation of readers, while the themes of are as resonant as ever.
The Turner’s Cross author released the second instalment of his fantasy trilogy. is told from the perspective of a middle-aged warrior whose dragon-slaying days look behind him.
The fourth in a series of place-themed short fiction anthologies published by Doire Press, this features stories set in Cork City and county by writers who live or have lived in Cork including Kevin Barry, Martina Evans, Danielle McLaughlin and William Wall.
Detective Garda Tim Collins returns in the third instalment of this compelling and skilfully realised crime series set in Cork City. Collins' attempts to bring justice to a marginalised community resurrects some disturbing memories of his past, when he was himself at the wrong end of a Garda investigation. Cork readers will enjoy spotting the real-life locations, from the Long Valley to Café Paradiso.
This dark and weighty psychological thriller from the Cobh author and former solider poses the question, would you know a serial killer if you met one? It centres on Grace Murphy, a barista at a Cork café, who is out for revenge having experienced appalling abuse in childhood, along with her sister, Amber. But, naturally, things are not as they appear.
Medical scientist turned writer Teahan follows up her debut novel Go Seek with this devilishly plotted novel. The set-up — new residents stir things up in a picture-perfect suburban neighbourhood — seems straightforward at first but Cork-based Teahan keeps readers guessing to the very end.
This book completes the Nohoval-based author’s Cork crime trilogy featuring Anna Clarke, a clerical officer in a Cork garda station. On leave from work, she takes on a cold case as the Gallagher crime family continue their reign of terror.
The bestsellers keep coming for the writer who grew up in Carrigaline, and in her latest, there’s something nasty lurking very close to home. Mara once again gives the reader goosebumps galore in this atmospheric thriller.
Deserved winner of the History Book of the Year at the recent Irish Book awards, this is another impressive publication from the ‘Atlas’ series published by Cork University Press. Not just for history buffs, the hefty tome includes the first-ever listing of Civil War fatalities and explorations of themes including propaganda, gender, trauma, and class.
A deep dive into a host of fascinating characters with links to the Beara Peninsula, featuring interviews with everyone from Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan to the first female O’Sullivan Beare Clan Chieftain, Kelly Sullivan of Waterloo, Iowa. Included also are essays on creator of the Gaia Theory, James Lovelock; and astronaut and oceanographer Kathryn D Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space.
More Beara history in this comprehensive account of the legendary West Cork dynasty in the 16th and 17th centuries, which is the culmination of almost 40 years' research by the author.
Written in 1989, the former UCC history professor’s book, , transcended the halls of academe to become a bestseller. This collection of essays, featuring contributions by a dozen leading historians, pays tribute to the highly esteemed historian and former senator and surveys his influential work.
An entertaining survey of the island in Cobh harbour latterly known as the site of a prison which housed infamous criminals including notorious crime boss The General and now a popular tourist attraction. Crotty reveals a remarkable history that echoes down the centuries, back to when it was a monastic outpost.
A hugely informative and necessary introduction to the extraordinary stories of the brave Irish men and women who joined the Resistance, including Sr Kate McCarthy from Drimoleague and Captain John Keany, born in the RIC barracks in Clonakilty. Read on to discover the stuff of Hollywood movies.
An impressively comprehensive overview of a festival which has been an integral part of the Cork music scene since 1979 featuring programmes, posters, photographs and the recollections of those involved.
A series of essays covering the latter years of the legendary guitarist’s career including his “comeback” show at the Cork Opera House in 1987, his 1988 Irish Tour and his involvement with major Irish events and festivals, such as Lisdoonvarna, Self Aid, Temple Bar Blues Festival, Lark by the Lee and the equally wonderfully named Rock on the Lough.
Photographer Joe Healy, formerly of the , showcases some of his extensive photographic archive of life in Cork in this brilliantly collated collection. His images offer a valuable insight into city life from the ’80s on, from both a photographic perspective and as a valuable document of social history.
Daltun bought his own smallholding on the Beara Peninsula in Cork in 2009 with the aim of rewilding it, a journey recounted in his previous book, the bestselling . He continues to highlight the plight of the dwindling Irish rainforest in this book of stunning photographs, taken throughout the country last year.
The West Cork-based artist gives an insight into her creative process in this intriguing book featuring sketchbook drawings, a full-colour section on paintings, and descriptions of how she works.
The Cork writer follows up her successful debut novel , with this wonderfully atmospheric tale. All is not right at the world’s creepiest school, but will Rosella come to the rescue?
There’s plenty of festive fun and games in the latest instalment of this hugely popular series, as everyone’s favourite disaster-prone Cork girl literally brings the house down.
The former rugby player ventures into children’s fiction, and this time it’s the parent who’s the problem, as dad’s birthday surprise for mum doesn’t quite go to plan.
The space-loving boy from Killeagh who brought us the virtual hug introduces us to Viking elf Farron who is tasked with saving Christmas. Published in conjunction with Waterford’s Winterval Festival, proceeds will go to help paediatric patients in University Hospital Waterford.
Another evocative and contemplative collection of stories from the Innishannon writer, pondering home and what it means to her. Individual reflections with a universal resonance.
Named after the ‘spaghetti bowl’ of streets on Cork’s northside where Creedon and his family have lived and traded for generations, this delightful series of essays and stories covers subjects from the local cornerboys to the Eurovision.
Another representative from the talented Cork family, this time the RTÉ broadcaster, who brings his significant storytelling skills to bear as he delves into his memories of growing up between the city and country.
A gripping and tragic family history that highlights the cruel and inhuman treatment of unmarried mothers in Ireland. Wills, a cultural historian born and raised in England, explores her own family links to the mother and baby home in Bessborough, Cork.
From a Corkonian poet exiled in the capital to a Waterfordian poet exiled in Cork, this book is an eclectic collection of 50 years of work by McCarthy.
He had a tragically short life but as the creator of Boolean algebra, the foundation of modern computing, George Boole left the world an invaluable legacy. This book chronicles how he rose from poverty to become a professor at Queen's College Cork, now UCC, and also tells the story of his marriage to the educationalist Mary Everest and the remarkable achievements of his five daughters. Geoffrey Hinton, George Boole's great-grandson, recently became the 2024 Nobel Laureate in Physics.
The Cobh ornithologist recalls how his love of birds and their sounds kept him on track as a child and following a near-death experience in his teens. Along the way, we hear about his autism diagnosis as an adult, and his passion to spread the message on the importance of saving what’s left of the natural world.
A new and revised edition of the book first published in 1977 featuring a sequence of poems by another one of Ireland’s finest poets about her native city, accompanied by exquisitely detailed drawings of a disappeared world.
“I never left it; I just live elsewhere.” There may be no greater expression of Corkhood than this quote from Dorgan, who has lived in Dublin for many years. This collection of poetry, selected as this year’s One City, One Book, is a typically assured and vivid evocation of the poet’s early years in his native city.
