Patrick McCabe (novelist) facts for kids

Patrick McCabe (born March 27, 1955) is an Irish writer. He is known for his novels that often explore serious themes and are set in modern Ireland. McCabe has been nominated twice for the important Booker Prize. His books The Butcher Boy (1992) and Breakfast on Pluto (1998) were both made into movies.

About Patrick McCabe

Patrick McCabe was born in Clones, County Monaghan, a town in Ireland. He still lives in Clones with his wife, Margot Quinn, who is an artist. They have two daughters named Katie and Ellen.

When he was 17, McCabe moved to London and worked as a teacher. After he started to become a successful writer, he moved back to Ireland.

McCabe's Writing Career

Patrick McCabe has written many books for adults. Two of his most famous novels are The Butcher Boy (published in 1992) and Breakfast on Pluto (published in 1998). Both of these books were chosen as finalists for the prestigious Booker Prize.

He has also written a book for children called The Adventures of Shay Mouse. Some of his plays for radio have been broadcast by RTÉ in Ireland and BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom. In 1999, he released a collection of short stories called Mondo Desperado.

Books and Plays

McCabe adapted his novel The Butcher Boy into a play called Frank Pig Says Hello. This play was first performed at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1992.

His 2001 novel, Emerald Germs of Ireland, is an unusual comedy. Another book, Winterwood, published in 2006, won the Hughes & Hughes/Irish Independent Irish Novel of the Year award in 2007.

In 2009, he published The Holy City. His 2010 novel, The Stray Sod Country, was described as a unique folk tale. It tells the story of a generation passing away.

Film Adaptations and Other Projects

The famous director and novelist Neil Jordan has turned two of McCabe's novels into films. These are The Butcher Boy and Breakfast on Pluto.

In 2008, a play written by McCabe, called Appointment in Limbo, was performed for the first time. This happened at Galway's Town Hall Theatre.

Patrick McCabe also helped organize the Flatlake Festival. This was a music festival that used to be held every year. He worked on this festival with film director Kevin Allen.

List of Patrick McCabe's Books

• The Adventures of Shay Mouse (1985)
• Music on Clinton Street (1986)
• Carn (1989)
• The Butcher Boy (1992)
• The Dead School (1995)
• Breakfast on Pluto (1998)
• Mondo Desperado (1999)
• Emerald Germs of Ireland (2001)
• Call Me the Breeze (2003)
• Winterwood (2006)
• The Holy City (2009)
• The Stray Sod Country (2010)
• Hello and Goodbye (2013) (This book contains two shorter novels: Hello Mr. Bones and Goodbye Mr. Rat)
• The Big Yaroo (2019)
• Poguemahone (2022)
• St. Patrick's Day Forever (Radio play) (2024)