McCabe, Patrick (1955– )

Irish writer. His best-selling novel Butcher Boy (1992) was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, won the Irish Times/Aer Lingus Award for Literature (Fiction), and was made into a successful film by Neil Jordan. McCabe has an arresting style that offers vivid characters.

When he writes using first-person narration, as in Butcher Boy, his uncanny ability to create unique voices is startlingly original. Other works include Carn (1989), The Dead School (1995), Mondo Desperado (1999), and Call Me the Breeze (2003 ).

He was born in Clones, County Monaghan and educated at St Patrick's Teachers Training College in Dublin. His short story ‘The Call’ won the Irish Press Hennessy Award. He has also broadcast stories and plays on RTE and the BBC.