Why Is Irish Writing So In Vogue Right Now?

Book2Book Monday 10 Aug 2015

In the last decade, a new wave of writers has been challenging traditional conceptions of "Irish literature", their weapon the vibrant experimental fiction being published by Dublin's independent presses. In 2013, the Guardian First Book Award was won by Donal Ryan's polyphonic The Spinning Heart, which was widely rejected before being published by The Lilliput Press in an edition of just 500; in 2014, the same prize went to Colin Barrett's exuberant collection Young Skins. Later this year, UK publishers will publish three impressive debuts originally printed by small Irish presses, by Danielle McLaughlin, Claire-Louise Bennett and Sara Baume, whose Spill Simmer Falter Wither, the subtle tale of "a strange, strange man" and his one-eyed dog, published originally by Dublin's Tramp Press, has just been nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. 
So why is Irish writing now so in vogue?


Telegraph