About

Brian Gallagher headshot
Brian Gallagher was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries. He collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell on the musical, Larkin, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, and on Winds of Change for RTE’s Lyric FM. His latest show is Whiskey in the Jar, a musical for which he wrote the book and lyrics, with music by Dave “Doc” O’Connor.

Brian is the author of four crime novels, Invincible, Flight, Payback, and Pursuit.

His first book of historical fiction for young readers was Across the Divide, set in the 1913 Dublin Lockout, followed by Taking Sides, set against the background of the Civil War, Secrets and Shadows, an exciting spy novel that begins with the North Strand bombings during World War II, and Stormclouds, a story set in Northern Ireland during the turbulent summer of 1969.

Friend or Foe tells the story of the Easter Rising through the eyes of boy and a girl who find themselves on opposing sides, while One Good Turn, – (the Irish entry for World Book Day 2016) – deals with the aftermath of the Rising, and is told from the unusual viewpoint of a young looter.

His novel Arrivals follows the fortunes of an Irish family that emigrates to Canada in the 1920s.

His books Pawns and Spies look at the War of Independence through the eyes of three children who have conflicting viewpoints.

Resistance is set in 1943 and explores how life in Ireland might have been under a Nazi occupation, while Winds of Change is set in 1880 and looks at Irish life through the eyes of three young friends during the dramatic events of the Land War.

Millie and the Magical Moon is a picture book that allows the reader to join Millie and Bunny on a magical moon-dance high above the Aran Islands.

The Case of the Vanishing Painting, Brian’s latest book, is the first novel in an exciting new mystery series set in Ireland in 1911.

Brian lives with his family in Dublin.

One comment

  1. Dear Brian. My son Darragh (11years) is a huge fan of your books. He read “Stormclouds” when he borrowed it from our local library earlier this year. Since then he has read “Across the divide” and just loves talking about your wonderful storytelling. He was overawed when you came to visit Kilmallock Library a few weeks ago and his class heard you speak. All he wants his nana to buy him for Christmas is your book “Spies”. Mr English gave him a signed poster of your books and he has it hanging on his bedroom wall. I appreciate how busy you must be but if you could spare a few moments to write a short note to Darragh so that I can insert it in the book, it would honestly mean the world to him.
    Kind regards
    Caroline Fenton
    Ballygillane
    Kilmallock
    Co Limerick

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