Brian Gallagher

Brian Gallagher is an Irish author known for his historical fiction for young readers. His plays and short stories have been staged in Ireland, Britain, and Canada.

Brian Gallagher was born in Dublin. He began his career with extensive work in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries. Gallagher collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell on the musical Larkin, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, and on Winds of Change for RTE's Lyric FM.

Gallagher debuted with the book of historical fiction for young readers Across the Divide (2010), set during the 1913 Dublin Lockout. It was followed by Taking Sides, set against the backdrop of the Civil War, and Secrets and Shadows, a spy novel beginning with the North Strand bombings during World War II. His novel Stormclouds explores the turbulent summer of 1969 in Northern Ireland.

Friend or Foe depicts the Easter Rising through the perspectives of a boy and girl on opposing sides, while One Good Turn (the Irish entry for World Book Day 2016) addresses the aftermath of the Rising from the viewpoint of a young looter. Arrivals follows an Irish family emigrating to Canada in the 1920s, and Pawns and Spies explores the War of Independence through the eyes of three children with conflicting viewpoints.

Many of his novels are set during wartime. As an example, Resistance (2019) imagines life in Ireland under Nazi occupation in 1943. Winds of Change (2021) examines Irish life during the Land War in 1880 through the experiences of three young friends.

His picture book Millie and the Magical Moon allows readers to join Millie and Bunny on a magical moon dance above the Aran Islands.

Gallagher's latest book, The Case of the Vanishing Painting (2024), is the first novel in a new mystery series set in Ireland in 1911. The story revolves around a valuable painting that disappears from a guarded train carriage between Galway and Dublin.

Suspicion falls on Mr. Kavanagh, the train's guard. His twins, Deirdre and Tim, along with their friend Joe, are determined to prove their father's innocence. As they investigate, they face strong enemies and must clear Mr. Kavanagh's name while ensuring their own safety.

Gallagher has also authored four crime novels: Invincible, Flight, Payback, and Pursuit. His novel One Good Turn was the Irish entry for World Book Day in 2016. He has been a guest lecturer at the Writers' Academy, a creative writing project at St. Patrick's College.

Brian Gallagher lives with his family in Dublin.

Photo credit: briangallagherwriter.com