Billy O'Callaghan

Billy
O’Callaghan

Billy O’Callaghan was born in Cork in 1974, and is the author of three previous short story collections: In Exile (2008) and In Too Deep (2009), both published by the Mercier Press and The Things We Lose, the Things We Leave Behind (2013) published by New Island Books, the title story of which earned him the 2013 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award for Short Story of the Year.

The recipient of literature bursaries from the Arts Council in 2010 and the Cork County Council in 2015 among several other honors, including the Molly Keane Award and the George A. Birmingham Award, his work has been broadcast on RTE Radio One’s Book On One, Sunday Miscellany and the Francis MacManus Awards series. He has also been short-listed on four occasions for the RTE/P.J. O’Connor Award for Radio Drama. Billy won second place in the 2017 Costa Short Story Awards for his story The Boatman. He also contributes regular book reviews to the Irish Examiner.

Billy O’Callaghan was born in Cork in 1974, and is the author of three previous short story collections: In Exile (2008) and In Too Deep (2009), both published by the Mercier Press and The Things We Lose, the Things We Leave Behind (2013) published by New Island Books, the title story of which earned him the 2013 Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award for Short Story of the Year.

The recipient of literature bursaries from the Arts Council in 2010 and the Cork County Council in 2015 among several other honors, including the Molly Keane Award and the George A. Birmingham Award, his work has been broadcast on RTE Radio One’s Book On One, Sunday Miscellany and the Francis MacManus Awards series. He has also been short-listed on four occasions for the RTE/P.J. O’Connor Award for Radio Drama. Billy won second place in the 2017 Costa Short Story Awards for his story The Boatman. He also contributes regular book reviews to the Irish Examiner.

artwork-image

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

RELATED FEATURES

Video January 2 2026

Celebrating 30 Years of the Dublin Literary Award

As we bid a fond farewell to our 30th Anniversary, let's take a lookback at some highlights from past years
News November 19 2025

2026 Nominations Revealed

69 titles have been nominated by 80 libraries from 36 countries for the 2026 Award
News November 19 2025

2026 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2026 Dublin Literary Award
Video May 26 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Winning author Michael Crummey in conversation with Madeleine Keane at the International Literature Festival Dublin.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.