Cónal Creedon is a novelist, playwright and documentary filmmaker.
Appointed Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at University College Cork (2016).
His published books include: Pancho and Lefty Ride Out (1995), Passion Play [‘Book of The Year’ BBC4 Saturday Review](1999), Second City Trilogy (2007), The Immortal Deed Of Michael O’Leary (2015), Cornerstone, an anthology of student writing. (ed.) UCC/Cork City Libraries (2017).
His prose has been translated into German, Bulgarian, Italian, Chinese with English extracts published in China.
Cónal’s stage plays include: The Trial Of Jesus (2000), Glory Be To The Father (2002), After Luke (2005), When I Was God (2005), The Cure (2005). His plays received critical acclaim in Shanghai, China, when they featured at World Expo Shanghai (2010) and The JUE International Arts Festival Shanghai (2011). The USA premieres were produced at The Irish Repertory Theatre, New York (2009) and the Green Room Theatre, New York (2013). The New York productions were critically acclaimed.
Awarded
– Two Irish National Business To Arts Awards (2000)
– Best Director 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York (2009)
– Best Actor at 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York (2013)
– Best Actor
– Best Supporting Actor
Nominated
– Irish Times Theatre Awards (2000)
– Best Playwright at 1st Irish Theatre Awards New York (2013)
Creedon has written over 60 hours of original radio drama — broadcast on RTÉ, Lyric FM, BBC, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. His work has achieved recognition in the One Voice Monologue Awards (BBC), The Francis McManus Awards (RTÉ), The PJ O’Connor Awards (RTÉ) and has represented Ireland in the BBC World Service World Play Radio Drama Competition. Critical reviews of Cónal’s radio work include commendations in the Irish Times radio critics list of Best Radio of the Year for 1994 and 1997.
Cónal has produced, written and directed a number of film documentaries: The Burning of Cork (2005), Why the Guns Remained Silent in Rebel Cork (2006), If it’s Spiced Beef (2007), The Boys of Fairhill (2009). His documentary, Flynnie: The Man Who Walked Like Shakespeare (2008) was shortlisted for Focal International Documentary Awards UK London. Creedon’s documentaries were broadcast by RTÉ TV – and had numerous public screenings including at the Irish Pavilion in Shanghai China, during World Expo 2010.
Public Readings/Lectures/Workshops
Don't be fretting now about the past gone glories of Irish literary genius since we're lucky to have walking among us Sprachsalz festival [Austria] but heard the man read his work. The brilliance was self-evident and undeniable. The audience were in raptures over the beauty of his sentences and rapier-like wit. He writes about the human condition in ways that find you deep down where you just have to laugh and weep. Read this author and your faith will be restored in both literature and life. Alan Kaufmann [2016] – Jew Boy, Drunken Angel, The Outlaw Bible Of American Poetry]
The members of the Merriman Summer School were utterly enthralled by Cónal Creedon’s presentation of a selection of his writings - a presentation that was warm, deeply insightful, and so humorous and entertaining about the human condition. He was by far one of the most able speakers at the school. William J Smyth, Emeritus Professor of Geography, UCC [2015]
Cónal Creedon gave a tour de force reading of his work as it applies to the theme of 'love and marriage' at the 2015 Merriman Summer School in Ennis, Co. Clare. The audience reacted to Conal's brilliant writing. Professor Linda Connolly, Director Merriman Summer School [2015]
Cónal Creedon was a massive hit. A festival highlight and I hope he will come back. Pat McCabe – Flat Lake Festival [2011]
Cónal Creedon brought the house down at this year’s Flat Lake Festival - any comic would envy the laughs he elicited from the audience. Eoin Butler-Kennedy – The Irish Times [July 2011]
Creedon is a skillful reader…managing to keep the crowd engaged is a challenging feat for many writers who are often able to captivate with the written word [but] less so with the spoken word. Creedon is able to capture the simple moments of people's lives with honesty and humour. Shanghai International Literary Festival - The Shanghai Daily – Shanghai City Weekend – Trista Marie [Lit. Review THAT’S Shanghai]
Conal Creedon’s reading at the Rock on The Fall’s Road – stole the show and the hearts of everyone who heard him that afternoon. A highlight of the West Belfast Feile. Danny Morrison – Director of West Belfast Festval Feile na Phobail.
Photo credit: John Minihan