Books
Art Imitating Life Imitating Death (2022), In January 2020, Cónal presented a lecture, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death – at the Irish Revolutionary Period Symposium organised by the Swiss Centre of Irish Studies at the University of Zurich and the Zurich James Joyce Foundation. Cónal was inspired to write the lecture following an invitation by descendants of the Donoughmore IRA to visit the safe-house where Major Compton-Smith had been held. It occurred to him that Compton-Smith’s final days may have been the inspiration for O’Connor’s fiction. Creedon’s recollections of that day have been published in several articles. The lecture was first published in its entirety by Studi irlandesi. A Journal of Irish Studies, by Firenze University Press (FUP) at the University of Florence, Italy. Art Imitating Life Imitating Death picked up Gold at the IP Book Awards in the European Non-Fiction Category, and Silver at the IP Book Awards in the Global reference Non-Fiction Category.
Pancho & Lefty Ride Again (2021), a collection of short stories is Cónal’s most recent publication was awarded the prestigious distinction of One City One Book 2022. Pancho & Lefty Ride Again holds the record as the most borrowed ‘adult’ book from Cork City Libraries in 2022.
His novel, Begotten Not Made (2018), has achieved literary award recognition: the Eric Hoffer Award USA 2020, the Bronze Award New Generation Book Award USA 2020, Finalist in the Montaigne [Most Thought-Provoking Book] Award USA 2020, Nominated for the Dublin International Book Award 2020. Book of the Year Irish Examiner. Top Books of the Year – Liveline RTÉ Irish National Radio.
Other books by Cónal Creedon include, Cornerstone (2017), The Immortal Deed of Michael O’Leary (2015), Second City Trilogy (2007), Passion Play (1999) cited as Book of the Year BBC Radio 4, and a collection of short stories Pancho & Lefty Ride Out (1995).
2022 – Art Imitating Life Imitating Death
This anthology includes the text of the essay, radio drama script and a memoir interview hosted by Dr. Conci Mazzullo.
In 2003, Cónal Creedon was commissioned by RTÉ to adapt Guests of the Nation for radio as part of the Frank O’Connor Centenary Celebrations.
“Seduced by a narrative so deeply rooted in a culture, history and landscape so familiar to me, I was captivated by this wartime parable.”
So began his personal journey to the soul of O’Connor’s story. It was a voyage of discovery that led him on a circuitous route to the death of Major Compton-Smith during the Irish War of Independence.
In 2012, Creedon was invited by descendants of the Donoughmore IRA to visit the safe-house where Major Compton-Smith had been held. It occurred to him that Compton-Smith’s final days may have been the inspiration for O’Connor’s fiction. Creedon’s recollections of that day have been published in several articles.
“It was a day where painful memories of generations past were laid bare and in some cases laid to rest.”
In January 2020, Cónal Creedon presented his lecture, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death – An Exploration of Guests Of The Nation by Frank O’Connor at the Irish Revolutionary Period Symposium organised by the Swiss Centre of Irish Studies at the University of Zurich and the Zurich James Joyce Foundation. The lecture was published by Studi irlandesi. A Journal of Irish Studies, by Firenze University Press (FUP) at the University of Florence, Italy.
2021 – Pancho And Lefty Ride Again
Short stories. Published by Irishtown Press Ltd.
This collection of short stories was awarded – One City One Book 2022.
Pancho and Lefty Ride Again – holds the record as the most borrowed, from adult section, book from Cork City Libraries during 2022.
Cónal’s short fiction has been widely anthologised and adapted for stage, film and radio. His short story translations include Chinese and German. Cónal’s short stories gained recognition in:
One City One Book 2022
One-Voice Monologue Awards – BBC
Life Extra Awards – The Irish Examiner
Francis Mac Manus Short Story Awards – RTE
George A. Birmingham Awards
PJ O’Connor Awards – RTE
2018 – Begotten Not Made
A novel published by Irishtown Press Ltd.
Awarded the Eric Hoffer Award for commercial fiction 2020, USA
Bronze Award in NGBA Book Awards 2019, USA
Finalist the Montaigne Award ‘Most Thought-Provoking Book’ 2020, USA
Finalist for the IAN Book Awards 2021, USA
Listed for the Dublin International Book Award 2020, Ireland
Shortlisted for Readers Favourite Book Awards 2018, USA
‘Best Book of the Year’, The Irish Examiner
2017 – Cornerstone
Published by UCC & Cork City Libraries. Anthology of UCC student writing. Edited by Cónal Creedon.
2015 – Immortal Deed Of Michael O’Leary
The History of Ireland from the earliest times when viewed from the half-door of a hillside cottage in Úibh Laoghaire – the tribal land of the O’Leary Clan. Published by Cork City Libraries.
2007 – Second City Trilogy
A trilogy of internationally award-winning stage plays, Commissioned by European Capital of Culture 2005. Productions in China, USA, UK and Ireland.
Awarded Best Director. 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York, 2009
Nominated Best Production. 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York, 2009
Awarded Best Actor. 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York, 2013
Nominated Best Playwright. 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York, 2013
Awarded Best Actor. ICI Federation Drama Festival Awards, 2014
Awarded Best Supporting Actor. ICI Federation Drama Festival Awards, 2014
Awarded Best Production Irish National Play Awards, 2021
Awarded Best Actor Irish National Play Awards, 2021
Awarded Best Director Irish National Play Awards, 2021
1999 – Passion Play
A novel cited as:
Book of the Year – BBC Radio4
Book of the Week – The Irish Examiner
Book on One – RTÉ1 [Irish National Radio]
Book of the Week – RAI [Italian National Radio]
Translated into Italian, Bulgarian with extracts published in Germany, China
1995 – Pancho And Lefty Ride Out
Short stories. pub. The Collins Press. Adapted for stage, film and radio – published and broadcast literary periodicals and anthologies.
Life Extra Short Story Awards – Irish Examiner, Francis Mac Manus Awards – RTE, George A. Birmingham Awards, One-Voice Monologue Awards – BBC, The PJ O’Connor Awards – RTE