irish author Archives

Isabella Pollexfen Varley: Artist and Aunt of WB Yeats

June 29, 2022June 3, 2022 by Orna Ross

One thing I love about writing historical fiction is doing the research. I often have to stop myself digging too … Read more

February 15, 2022December 23, 2021 by Orna Ross

In researching the prologue to my Yeats-Gonne series, which is told from the point of view of the fathers of … Read more

February 15, 2022September 4, 2021 by Orna Ross

I’m delighted that After the Rising & Before the Fall (Centenary Edition) was honoured as an award-winning finalist, in the family … Read more

February 15, 2022August 27, 2021 by Orna Ross

Each Friday, I publish an extract from my work in progress, currently Dancing in the Wind, based on a true … Read more

February 15, 2022July 30, 2021 by Orna Ross

The story opens in 1916. The world is at war, Irish freedom fighters have just staged an armed rebellion in … Read more

February 15, 2022July 23, 2021 by Orna Ross

The story opens in 1916. The world is at war, Irish freedom fighters have just staged an armed rebellion in … Read more

February 15, 2022July 21, 2021 by Orna Ross

Like all young women of her class and time, Maud Gonne was raised to have a wide variety of accomplishments—singing, … Read more

February 15, 2022July 9, 2021 by Orna Ross

The story opens in 1916. The world is at war, Irish freedom fighters have just staged an armed rebellion in … Read more

February 15, 2022July 8, 2021 by Orna Ross

The best poetry reading I ever attended took place at the Abbey Theatre in 1992. Reading this Irish Times article … Read more

February 15, 2022July 3, 2021 by Orna Ross

I am a member of the Yeats Society Sligo and horrified to hear from Director Susan O’Keeffe today that its future … Read more

February 15, 2022July 2, 2021 by Orna Ross

The story opens in 1916. The world is at war, Irish freedom fighters have just staged an armed rebellion in … Read more

February 15, 2022June 30, 2021 by Orna Ross

The Guardian recently pondered whether Joe Biden’s quoting of Yeats Easter Rising poem (“a terrible beauty is born) on his … Read more

February 15, 2022June 28, 2021 by Orna Ross

The Irish Times has put together a list of the best fiction about the war of independence, which was reaching … Read more

February 15, 2022June 26, 2021 by Orna Ross

I’ve started a Pinterest board for best Irish historical fiction. Would you be interested in contributing? Check out the board … Read more

February 15, 2022June 25, 2021 by Orna Ross

The story opens in 1916. The world is at war, Irish freedom fighters have just staged an armed rebellion in … Read more