Internationally acclaimed author named Cork Person of the Month for April
Internationally acclaimed author named Cork Person of the Month for April
Critically acclaimed Douglas-based author Billy O’Callaghan has been honoured with the April Cork Person of the Month Award. The author is a recipient of multiple Bord Gáis Energy Book Awards, and has previously been shortlisted for the Costa Short Story Award.
O’Callaghan’s books have achieved international acclaim, and have been translated into a dozen languages. Speaking about the author, Booker Prize winning author John Banville said “[Billy] richly reserves an international reputation. The writer is the real thing. He is one of the finest writers in the tradition of John McGahern and Brian Friel.”
Billy’s latest novel, Life Sentences, published by Jonathan Cape earlier this year, is based on three generations of his own family, who were blighted by famine, war and loss. Amongst its fans are best-selling author Anne Griffin, and RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy.
Speaking about Billy’s success, awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said, “Billy is a low profile gem in our midst, and probably better known outside Cork than within! His work has achieved rave reviews from top literature luminaries Robert Olen Butler, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and New York Times bestselling author John Boyne. We’re excited to celebrate Billy’s national and international success with the April Cork Person of the Month Award.”
Billy O’Callaghan’s name now goes forward for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch on January 21st, 2022.