Sebastian Barry

About the Author

Sebastian Barry was born in Dublin to the renowned Irish actress Joan O’Hara. He studied English and Latin at Trinity College, where he was made an honorary fellow in 2022. Along with his novels, Barry has written in a variety of formats; along with his first novel, Macker’s Garden (1982), Barry also got his start as a writer through his plays The Pentagonal Dream, The Engine of Owl-Life, and Boss Grady’s Boys, the latter of which premiered at the famous Abbey Theatre. Barry’s novels gained more attention when his 2005 novel A Long Long Way was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Since then, he has steadily developed a reputation as one of Ireland’s landmark novelists. He currently lives in Wicklow County with his wife, Alison Deegan.

LitCharts guides for works by Sebastian Barry

Explore LitCharts literature guides for works by Sebastian Barry. Each guide includes a full summary, detailed analysis, and helpful resources for studying Sebastian Barry's writing.

A Long Long Way

Willie Dunne is born in Dublin, Ireland, in the winter of 1896. His happy and peaceful childhood is marred by his mother’s death in 1908 and his father’s disappointment that Willie won’t ever reach... view guide

Old God’s Time

Tom Kettle is a retired detective who, for the past nine months, has been enjoying a life of peace and solitude in the seaside town of Dalkey, Ireland, where he lives in a flat owned by the wealthy... view guide