"We are our stories.
We tell them to stay alive or
keep alive those who only live
now in the telling."
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Niall Williams
Credit Author's photos: John Kelly

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Welcome

Born in Dublin in 1958, studied English and French Literature at University College, Dublin. He moved to New York in 1980 where he married Christine Breen, whom he had met while she was also a student at UCD. His first job in New York was opening boxes of books in Fox & Sutherland’s Bookshop in Mount Kisco. In 1985, he and Chris left America to attempt to make lives as writers in Ireland. On April 1st they moved to the cottage in west Clare that Chris’s grandfather had left eighty years before. They have two adult children, a dog named Finn and a cat called Thanks. Niall’s first four books, published between 1987 and 1995, were co-written with Chris and tell of their life together in Co Clare.

NEWS

Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne and Helena Bonham Carter star in the film adaptation of Niall Williams’ novel, FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, directed by Polly Steele with screenplay by Niall. Currently in post-production and likely to be released 2024.

The film is based on Niall Williams’ 1997 debut and international best-selling novel, Four Letters of Love, which was published in 30 countries. Polly Steele (Let Me GoElton John: Tantrums & Tiaras) is directing. Described as a “lyrical and deeply romantic Irish story,” the film features Pierce Brosnan and Imelda May, and Gabriel Byrne and Helena Bonham Carter who play parents of two lovers, portrayed by rising stars Fionn O’Shea and Ann Skelly. The cast also includes Ferdia Walsh Poole and Donal Finn and Pat Short. Read more here and here.

Original television and feature film screenplays are available from Niall’s film agent, Cathy King. Niall and Christine have written the screen treatment for Christine’s novel, HER NAME IS ROSE.

IN KILTUMPER, A Year in an Irish Garden by Niall and Christine was published by Bloomsbury in Sept ’21 with paperback in April ’23. The chronicle of a gardening year and a glimpse of a lifetime of writing and gardening, and Niall and Christine’s first co-authored book in 25 years. Here’s what Claire Connolly of The Times Literary Supplement wrote:  ‘It is a record, both honest and beautiful, of a sustainable but precarious way of life.’ See reviews below….

Christine and Niall are delighted to announce that they will be participating in the inaugural Kalymnos Writers’ Festival on the Greek island of Kalymnos this September 2023. Contact  info@kalymnoswritersfestival.com

Latest Books By Niall Williams

Kiltumper Writing Workshop

We’ve worked with over 30 fiction writers from around the world during the past few years and hosted a wonderful workshop here in Kiltumper in July 2023. The next workshop in Ireland with Niall will likely be in Ennis, Co Clare. Check back if you’re interested. Use the contact page for further info. Or join us in Greece in September 2023 at the Kalymnos Writers’ Festival.

Articles

Niall Williams and Christine Breen at home in Kiltumper, Kilmihil, Co Clare. Picture by Eamon Ward

The Good Life: One couple’s success at writing their way back to nature

The Good Life: One couple’s success at writing their way back to nature. Article from Independent.ie

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In Kiltumper

A Garden Grows in Ireland

On a hillside in County Clare, a garden marks a near-lost function of the landscape. By Dominique Browning Sept. 17, 2021 11:00 am ET The …

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