Joseph O'Connor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph O'Connor
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O'Connor introducing the Czech translation of one of his books in 2008
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| Born | 20 September 1963 Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation | Novelist, journalist |
| Notable works | Star of the Sea (2002) |
| Spouse | Anne-Marie Casey |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Sinéad O'Connor (sister) |
Joseph Victor O'Connor (born 20 September 1963) is a famous Irish novelist. He is known for his exciting stories and historical novels. His book Star of the Sea, published in 2002, became a huge international bestseller. Before he became a successful author, he worked as a journalist for newspapers and magazines. Joseph O'Connor also often appears on RTÉ, which is Ireland's national broadcaster. He is a member of Aosdána, a special group for Irish artists.
Contents
About Joseph O'Connor
His Early Life
Joseph O'Connor was born in Dublin, Ireland, on September 20, 1963. He is the oldest of five children. His sister is the well-known singer Sinéad O'Connor. Joseph grew up in the Glenageary area, which is in south Dublin. His father, Sean O'Connor, was an engineer who later became a lawyer.
Joseph went to Blackrock College for his education. He then studied at University College Dublin, where he earned a master's degree in Anglo-Irish Literature. He also studied at Oxford University and received another master's degree in screenwriting. In the late 1980s, he traveled to Nicaragua. His experiences there inspired his second novel, Desperadoes.
Becoming a Writer
Joseph O'Connor started his career as a journalist. He wrote for the Sunday Tribune newspaper and Esquire magazine. This work helped him develop his writing skills. He became a regular voice on Drivetime, a news show on RTÉ Radio 1.
His first novel, Cowboys and Indians, was published in 1991. This book was even considered for the Whitbread Prize, a major literary award.
His Books and Plays
Joseph O'Connor is famous for writing many different kinds of stories. He writes novels, short stories, and even plays. His books often explore history and human relationships.
Famous Novels
One of his most famous books is Star of the Sea, which came out in 2002. This historical novel was a huge success. The Economist magazine even called it one of the best books of 2003.
In 2010, he published Ghost Light. This novel tells a story inspired by the life of an actress named Maire O'Neill. It explores her relationship with the Irish playwright John Millington Synge.
His 2019 novel, Shadowplay, was also very popular. It was shortlisted for the Costa Book Prize. Another recent book is My Father's House, published in 2023.
Other Works
Besides novels, Joseph O'Connor has written collections of short stories. These include True Believers and Where Have You Been?. He has also written non-fiction books, like The Secret World of the Irish Male.
He has written several plays for the stage. Some of his plays include Red Roses and Petrol and The Weeping of Angels. He also adapted Daphne du Maurier's novel My Cousin Rachel for the stage.
Awards and Recognition
Joseph O'Connor has received many awards and honors for his writing. He was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize for his novel Cowboys and Indians.
His book Redemption Falls was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award in 2009. Ghost Light was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 2011.
In 2012, he won the Irish PEN Award for his contributions to Irish literature. His novel Shadowplay won the Irish Book Award for Novel in 2019. He has been recognized many times for his historical novels and his storytelling.
Joseph O'Connor has also taught creative writing. He was a visiting professor at Baruch College in New York. In 2014, he became the first Frank McCourt Chair in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Here, he teaches students on the Master of Arts (MA) program in Creative Writing.
His Family Life
Joseph O'Connor is married to Anne-Marie Casey. She is also a writer, working on television and film scripts. They have two sons together. The family has lived in different places, including London and Dublin. They have also spent time in Manhattan when Joseph was working in New York City.
Selected publications
- Cowboys and Indians (1991)
- True Believers (Short Stories)
- Desperadoes (1993)
- The Secret World of the Irish Male (1994)
- The Salesman (1998)
- Inishowen (2000)
- Star of the Sea: Farewell to Old Ireland (2002)
- Redemption Falls (2007)
- Ghost Light (2010)
- Where Have You Been? (2012) (Short Stories)
- The Thrill of It All (2014)
- Shadowplay (2019)
- My Father's House (2023)
Stage plays
- Red Roses and Petrol
- The Weeping of Angels
- My Cousin Rachel – stage adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier novel.
- Handel's Crossing
