Biography
Joseph O'Connor was born in Dublin in September 1963. He attended UCD from 1981 to 1986, gaining a first class honours B.A. in English and a first class honours M.A. in Anglo-Irish literature. Thereafter he attended Oxford University for a year. He also holds a Screenwriting M.A. from the Northern School of Film and Television, Leeds University. In 1988 he became a fulltime writer. He has published 7 highly acclaimed and award winning novels published in translations worldwide, and five non-fiction books, and has had 10 no. 1 bestsellers in Ireland. His novel STAR OF THE SEA became no.1 bestseller in the UK in February 2004, and went on to sell 900,000 copies in the UK. Film rights are under option to Parallel Films. It was one of the top ten bestselling books in Britain in 2004. He has adapted three of his novels and three of his short stories for the screen. Recent script-writing work includes THE VAMPYRE MAN, a film commission from BBC Northern Ireland about the relationship between the author of Dracula, Bram Stoker and the actor Henry Irving. Joe's stage adaption of Daphne du Maurier's MY COUSIN RACHEL had a sell-out run in a production at the Dublin Gate Theatre in Easter 2012, and will be revived for a second run in Christmas 2012. He is writing the book for a stage musical for John McColgan.
Scripts and plays in development/production:
2012
VAMPYRE MAN
A TV film about Bram Stoker and Henry Irving for BBC Northern Ireland. Producer Paul McGuigan.
2012
MY COUSIN RACHEL
Stage adaptation of the novel by Daphne du Maurier, performed at the Gate Theatre, Dublin Spring and Christmas 2012.
2012
DREAMDANCE
Book for the musical for John McColgan
2012
DEAD AS DOORNAILS
Feature film about Brendan Behan for Graphite Films Irish Film Board, now in pre-production with Fastnet Films
2006
THE SALESMAN
Feature film adaptation of his third novel for Treasure Films
2002
DEATH AND NIGHTINGALES
Adapted from the novel by Eamon McCabe for Little Bird
2001
DESPERADOES
Adapted from his novel of the same name for Little Bird
1999
COWBOYS AND INDIANS
Feature script adapted from his novel for Treasure Films, Dublin:
Winner: Miramax Best Irish Script Prize
1997
TRUE BELIEVERS
Feature script from his short story THE HILLS ARE ALIVE commissioned by Hart Sharp Entertainment, New York
2003
RED ROSES AND PETROL
A film of the play, starring Malcolm McDowell, produced by Tammy Hoff: Joe did not write this script, but it was adapted from the stage play of the same name
1999
TRUE BELIEVERS
Commissioned and staged by Fishamble at Andrew's Lane Theatre, Dublin, then on tour in Ireland, then at the Tricycle Theatre, London
1997
THE WEEPING OF ANGELS
Commissioned and staged by the Gate Theatre, Dublin
1995
RED ROSES AND PETROL
Commissioned by Pigsback Theatre, Dublin. Premiere 8 May 1995: Dublin: and 10 July 1995: Tricycle Theatre London: Further run in August 1995 at Tivoli Theatre, Dublin:
"A wonderful debut from one of our most talented writers." Evening Press
"Engages and entertains at every level... You'd be stupid to miss it." Irish Independent
"Connor's brilliantly outrageous entertainment has a disquieting power to disturb." Irish Times
"A triumph from start to finish.'" Evening Press
1994
THE LONG WAY HOME
Adapted from his own short story: Produced by Treasure Films, Dublin: Director: Paddy Breathnach
1994
AILSA
Feature length adaptation by Joseph O'Connor from his own short story: Produced by Treasure Films / Temple Films, Dublin 1994: Director: Paddy Breathnach:
Winner of 300,000 ecu Euscal Media Prize: San Sebastian Film Festival 1994
1992
A STONE OF THE HEART
Treasure Films, Dublin, 1992: Director: Paddy Breathnach:
Winner of Special Jury Prize: Cork Film Festival 1992
Radio:
THE COMEDIAN
THE CROSSING: HANDEL'S MESSIAH
RTE
THE SALESMAN
Icelandic Broadcasting: 196-minute adaptation
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