Writing

ONE MYSTERY, ONE TOWN

I was delighted to have my novel The Case of the Vanishing painting chosen by Edgeworthstown Library for their One Mystery, One Town project, whereby the whole town read the same book over the course of several weeks

This was a highly imaginative undertaking, lead by librarian Kim Taylor, and teacher Enda Ward.

Students from St Mary’s National School created artwork and book covers inspired by the novel as well as creating fictitious newspaper pages dealing with incidents in the book, while some inventive students even created a board game based on The Case of the Vanishing Painting.

The project was covered by RTE News both on TV and radio on World Book Day and was really successful in making reading into a fun-filled activity.

panel discussion

It was a pleasure to participate at the 2025 Librarians Association of Ireland conference in the Dromoland Inn.

Former RTE news anchor Bryan Dobson chaired a panel discussion entitled How Reading Anchors us as AI reshapes the Creative Landscape.  My fellow panellists were authors Kathleen Mc Mahon and Ashwin Chacko, and with plenty of audience participation, there was a lively and wide-ranging discussion.

writer in residence – decade of centenaries

I was pleased to work with two Meath primary schools, Lismullen NS, Navan and Scoil

Cholmcille Skryne, over a two-month period, to help the children explore the history of the revolutionary period in their local areas. 

The project is an initiative of the Meath County Council Decade of Centenaries programme,and is managed by the County Library service.

The picture shows  l-r Brian Gallagher, Maedhbh Rogan-McGann, Ciarán Mangan, Dympna Herward, Tom French, Cllr Nick Killian, Cathaoirleach of MCC, Barry Lynch DoS, Jackie Maguire CE MCC.

paid in full

Image - Paid in FullDrama on Newstalk recently aired the premiere of “PAID IN FULL”, my radio play that looks at the murder-mystery genre in an Irish setting, with twists, turns, and nothing being quite what it seems.

Written in the style of “DEATHTRAP” and “SLEUTH”, “PAID IN FULL” goes beneath the surface in a small Irish village that seems peaceful and law-abiding. But appearances can be deceptive, and dangerous game-paying is taking place behind closed doors. Who is telling the truth, and who is lying? And more importantly, who is likely to live and who is going to die? With greed, adultery and murder on the menu, a lethal cocktail is served up to the listener.

Can anyone guess what’s going to happen next as the twisting plot leads this way and that? Tune in to the podcast, to hear a top-rate cast immerse themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Starring Aonghus Og McAnally, Sharon Hogan, Mark O’Regan, Mary Murray and Marion O’Dwyer, PAID IN FULL was written and produced by Brian Gallagher.  The programme was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee.

PAID IN FULL can also be listened to as a podcast at http://www.newstalk.com/documentaryonnewstalk