Roddy Doyle Non-Fiction

Essays, forewords and other non-fiction by Roddy Doyle published in books and magazines

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Invisible Cities: The New Dubliners a Journey through Unofficial Dublin (Raven Arts Press, Ireland 1988)

A collection of essays, poetry and photos on Dublin’s suburbs. Roddy Doyle’s contribution is “Dead Bones & Chickens” about Kilbarrack. Later published as Invisible Dublin (1991). Also published in Dublines (1996).

Invisible Dublin: A Journey Through Dublin’s Suburbs (Raven Arts Press, Ireland 1991 ISBN: 1-85186-089-4) 

A collection of essays on Dublin’s suburbs. Roddy Doyle’s contribution is “Dead Bones & Chickens” about Kilbarrack. Also published in Dublines (1996).

The Independent Magazine, UK – 21 March 1992

‘Heroes & Villains. Charlie Cooke’ by Roddy Doyle.

The Observer Magazine, UK – 7 November 1993

‘Jacko’s Army’, an article by Roddy Doyle on Ireland and the World Cup.

Dublines (Bloodaxe, Ireland 1996 ISBN: 1-85224-256-6)

A collection of essays on Dublin’s suburbs. Roddy Doyle’s contribution is “Dead Bones & Chickens” about Kilbarrack. Previously published in Invisible Dublin (1991).

The Big Issue, UK – 12 June 1996

‘Strange Days’, a report by Roddy Doyle on the Cannes Film Festival.

My Generation: Rock and Roll Remembered (Lilliput Press, Ireland 1996 ISBN: 1-874675-5-11)

A collection of essays by famous Irish people on their Top Ten Albums. Roddy Doyle’s are:

  • Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills;
  • Transformer by Lou Reed;
  • The Wild, The Innocent & The E-Street Shuffle by Bruce Springsteen;
  • Reunion 1972 by Dion & The Belmonts;
  • More Songs About Buildings & Food by Talking Heads;
  • The Undertones by The Undertones;
  • Life’s Rich Pageant by REM;
  • Poetic Champions Compose by Van Morrison;
  • Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello;
  • Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan.

Power, Corruption & Pies (Two Heads, UK 1997 ISBN: 1-897850-38-7)

A book for football fanatics with a foreword by Roddy Doyle.

Perfect Pitch: Home Ground (Headline, UK 1997 ISBN: 978-0-7472-7698-2)

A collection of articles for football fans. Includes “Year of the Bullock” by Roddy Doyle.

The State We’re Out (Privately Published, Ireland 1998)

A limited edition of linocuts by Brendon Deacy with a foreword by Roddy Doyle.

Mortification (4th Estate, UK 2003 ISBN: 0-00-717137-4)

Writer’s stories of their public shame. Includes ‘Let us stay at home’ by Roddy Doyle.

Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski (Rebel Inc., UK 2000 ISBN: 1-86241-993-X)

This edition has a 6 page introduction by Roddy Doyle.

Fish Anthology (Fish Publishing, Ireland 2004 ISBN: 0-9542586-2-2)

A collection of the winners in the 2003/4 Fish short stories prize which were selected by Roddy Doyle.

Synge: A Celebration (Carysfort Press, Ireland 2005 ISBN: 1-904505-14-7)

Includes “Wild & Perfect: Teaching The Playboy of the Western World” by Roddy Doyle.

Fighting Tuesdays (Stinging Fly Press, Ireland 2010 ISBN: 978-1-906539-13-9)

A collection of students’ stories with a foreword by Roddy Doyle.

Cigar Box Banjo (Greystone, Canada 2010 ISBN: 978-1-55365-438-4)

Autobiography of singer-songwriter Paul Quarrington with a foreword by Roddy Doyle.

Treasure Palaces (The Economist / Profile Books, UK 2016 ISBN: 978-1-61039-680-6)

“Great Writers Visit Great Museums”. Roddy Doyle writes about The Lower Eastside Tenement Museum in New York.

Just William by Richmal Crompton (Macmillan, UK 2017 ISBN: 0-978-1-4472-8101-6)

Foreword for this edition by Roddy Doyle.

The Danger and the Glory: Irish Authors on the Art of Writing (Arlen House, Ireland 2019 ISBN: 978-1-85132-206-0)

Sixty one Irish writers have contributed to this volume including John Banville, Kevin Barry, Sara Baume, Jan Carson, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, Clair Kilroy, Paul Lynch, Bernard Mac Laverty, Lisa McInerney, Paul Murray, Joseph O’Neill and David Park.

Next Year Will Be A Good One: Life with Sean O’Casey (Belcouver Press 2025 ISBN: 978-0-9935607-7-4)

A biography of the O’Casey family by Shivaun O’Casey with a foreword by Roddy Doyle.

An Asylum For My Affections (New Island, Ireland 2026 ISBN: 978-1-83594-012-9)

Includes an essay about Maeve Brennan by Roddy Doyle.