Beginner’s Pluck: Oisín McKenna

An addictive book and a name to watch

Oisin McKenna. Picture: Oisin McKenna.com/David Evans

Oisín has always adored books.

“I was shy as a child and lived in my head a lot. Before I could read, I carried books around asking my parents to read to me.”

Realising it wasn’t possible to live by his writing alone, Oisín moved to Dublin and worked in retail and pubs for a few years.

“I was writing word
performances and plays for fringe festivals.”

Eventually, his day job became more professional.

“I worked for NGOs and charities for seven or eight years doing copy writing in Dublin, and then, from 2017, in London, and after getting an award in 2019, I gained some funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, and then England.”

Completing the debut, Oisín gained agent, Liv Maidment, and within a month, book deals in England and the USA.

Evenings and Weekends won a 2022 London Writer’s Award.

Who is Oisín Mckenna?

Date/ place of birth: 1991/ Dublin. Moved to Drogheda aged eight.

Education: St Mary’s Drogheda. “I came out at 14; it was hard, but a lot of people were supportive.” 

Home: Hackney, London.

Family: Partner Michael. Parents Fiona and Ricky. “They’re brilliant.” A brother and a sister.

The day job: Full-time writer.

In another life: “I’d be a musician. I play the piano and guitar, and I secretly record songs.” 

Favourite writers: Virginia Woolf; Zadie Smith; Gabriel García Márquez; Eleanor Ferrante; Eileen Myles. 

Second book: “I’m at the early stages. The material is poetic.” 

Top tip: “Before you sit down to write, remember that it doesn’t matter too much. Don’t think you have to write amazing things. Stay loose and have fun with your writing. Play and see what happens.” 

Website: www.oisinmckenna.com 

Instagram: @ois_mck91 

The debut

Evenings and Weekends

4th Estate, €16.99/ Kindle, €11.59

It’s London in June 2019 and the heat has driven people to the parks and beer gardens. This eclectic novel centres on Maggie, who, pregnant and broke, is reluctantly moving from London; her boyfriend, Ed, who has a secret past with Maggie’s best friend Phil — who is now falling for his housemate. Meanwhile, Phil’s Mum, Rosaleen, is coming to terms with terminal cancer. Their lives are set for change.

The verdict: Brilliant! Fast-paced, clever and addictive. Oisín McKenna is a name to watch.

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