For such a small island, Ireland has made a disproportionate contribution to world literature, especially in the short story form. Ask anyone familiar with the genre and I’m sure they can name at least one famous story by an Irish author. But what of the present (and future) state of the Irish short story, or Irish fiction in general? Which new writers have the temerity to cut turf on a sacred bog of rich literary history containing the likes of Joyce, Wilde, Trevor and McGahern, and can show a command of the narrative form and lyrical sweep of their poetic predecessors? I’m always on the lookout for work by new and emerging Irish writers, something fresh and novel that mines new territory. Fortunately, I’ve not been dismayed, and in fact have been quite surprised at the quality of what I’ve discovered.

Picking my favorite stories from this eclectic group has been a Literary Crogah Patrick. There’s such a wealth of good writing. But after much reading and pondering I’ve come up with this list of the best stories from five authors whose work I felt could be distinguished from the others. Although you probably haven’t heard of these writers, there’s a good chance you will. Rest assured, Irish writing is in grand fettle and flourishing ahead into the 21st century. 

• “Breakfast Wine” and “Nights at the Gin Palace” by Kevin Barry
from There Are Little Kingdoms
These two stories are taken from the Limerick-born Barry’s first collection, recently published by The Stinging Fly Press, which was the 2007 winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. Having grown up amongst a shameless family of drinkers, I’m a sucker for bar and drinking stories. “Breakfast Wine” is full of isolation, separation, alcoholism and an endless day of hanging around a bar, all in just a few pages. In “Nights at the Gin Palace,” a depressed father has conversations with his deceased wife, drinks his life away and lets his historic home fall into disrepair while his wacky daughter knocks down the walls and dreams about turning it into a hotel. There are some truly grand things in this collection, and it’s clearly the best of what I’ve recently discovered.

• “Stitching Time” and “Queen of All Ireland” by Nuala Ní Chonchúir
from To the World of Men, Welcome and Divas! New Irish Women’s Writing
Look for some big things to come from Galway’s Ní Chonchúir. She has such a diversity of work and can say so much in just a few words that it’s obvious she’s also an award-winning poet. Her stories are filled with very astute observations, some humorous, some sad. “Stitching Time,” a story of a lonely country girl who finds love in Dublin, is a prime example of her skill and was shortlisted for both the Molly Keane and the Bill Naughton Awards. “Queen of All Ireland” beautifully captures a child’s voice and perspective. Her work can be found in To the World of Men, Welcome, and Divas! New Irish Women’s Writing, both published by Arlen House.

• “In The Neighbourhood” by Philip Ó Ceallaigh
from Notes from a Turkish Whorehouse
I’m not always one for grim and pessimistic tales, and the collection from which this story is taken, published by Penguin Ireland, is full of them. However, the longest story in the lot — “In the Neighbourhood,” which follows characters who live in a decaying building in post-Ceausescu Romania — is one of the most atmospheric tales I’ve read in quite some time. The stories in this collection all take place not in Ireland but in Romania, and the writing is so polished it’s hard to believe it’s a debut collection. Like Joyce and Beckett, Ó Ceallaigh is an expatriate Irishman, living in Bucharest, and only turned to writing after a succession of even worse-paying jobs in Ireland, Spain, Russia, Kosovo and the US.

• “A Genuine Woman” by Mary O’Donnell
from Storm Over Belfast
Although O’Donnell is better known for her award-winning poetry, the lovely lady from Monaghan writes some marvelous phrases in her short stories. “A Genuine Woman” is a gorgeous story about a married woman’s love affair coming to an abrupt end when a German plane bombs the creamery in which her lover is working. Storm Over Belfast, her new collection, will be published later this year by New Island Books.

• “Headwound" by Keith Ridgway
from Standard Time
Ridgway is the most accomplished of the new breed of Irish writers. This story, from his collection Standard Time, published by Faber & Faber, made me shiver at the end, when I found I had been sharing the view of a man who may or may not have just tried to kill his young son. This sense of uncertainty and mystery permeates many stories in the excellent collection. Also, see his first-rate novel, The Long Falling, about a meek woman in rural Ireland who lives in fear of her husband because he blames her for the death of one son and the homosexuality of the other.

So there you have it. Five Irish authors you’ve probably not heard of whose books are worth seeking out. And if that’s not enough, check out All Good Things Begin, published by Off Centre, a collection of stories and poetry by 42 brilliant new Irish writers.

Slainte, and may the craic be mighty for you this St. Paddy’s Day!