Person to Person: 'Seeing people reading my novel in public places was one of my proudest moments'

Tell us about yourself: I’m Patrick Holloway. I’m a prize-winning writer of fiction and poetry. My debut novel, The Language Of Remembering, was published in February, 2025 to critical acclaim. I edit a literary journal, The Four Faced Liar, alongside three brilliant writers. I lived abroad for 15 years and moved back to Cork in 2021. I’m also the Erasmus Coordinator at MTU, where I get to help others to experience the joys of living abroad and broadening their horizons. I’m currently one of the Irish Book Week Ambassadors, which is a huge honour.

Where were you born? Chichester, UK, but moved to Crosshaven, Cork, when I was 5.

Where do you live? I have lived in Carrigaline since 2021.

Family? My wife and two daughters, Aurora, 7, and Luna Faye, 5.

Best friend? Too many to choose just one - I’d be shot.

Earliest childhood memory? Climbing a pear tree with my imaginary friend, Artztek.

Person you most admire? So many, but I’d have to choose my dad.

Person who most irritates you? Can I say myself? My inner voice gets very annoying.

Where was your most memorable holiday? We went to Corfu earlier this year with loads of friends, and it was amazing.

Favourite TV programme? Buffy The Vampire Slayer will always be my favourite. In recent years, Succession.

Favourite radio show? I listen to more music and podcasts.

Your signature dish if cooking? I wish I could say I had one. When I cook it’s normally in a rush, so pasta dishes are my go-to.

Favourite restaurant? I loved The Glass Curtain in town, also the Black Pig in Kinsale. Our regulars are The Anchor (Crosshaven) and The Lodge (Myrtleville) .

Last book you read? Seascraper , by Benjamin Wood, which was on the longlist for The Booker Prize and should have been on the shortlist. It was a remarkable book.

Best book you read? So hard to choose so I’m going to cheat and choose an author whose books blow me away and that’s Anne Enright.

Last album/CD/download you bought? Listen to Apple Music and have been listening to Talos on repeat for a while now.

Favourite song? Lately, it’s been We Didn’t Know We Were Ready (Olafur Arnalds & Talos)

One person you would like to see in concert? Hozier.

Do you have a pet? A dog, Lyra, and a cat, Will (named after the characters from His Dark Materials trilogy).

Morning person or night owl? Night owl (which is hard now I have children!).

Your proudest moment? The birth of my two girls and seeing my debut novel, The Language Of Remembering in bookshops and libraries, and seeing people read it in public places.

Spendthrift or saver? I’ve spent it before it comes in.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? I think public transport can always be improved, especially to help cut down on traffic.

What makes you happy? Being with my wife and kids, laughing with friends, playing tennis, reading, writing, drinking nice wine, travelling, sea and sauna, and meeting new people.

How would you like to be remembered? As a bit of a laugh and someone who is there for others.

What else are you up to at the moment? I’ve finished my second novel and have accepted an offer, so really looking forward to the build-up to that, which will be out early 2027.

• Irish Book Week runs from Saturday, October 18 to Saturday, October 25. Now in its 8th year, it is a nationwide celebration of Irish bookshops, Irish books, publishers, writers, illustrators, and poets. The campaign aims to encourage people from across Ireland to shop local and shop Irish by visiting their local bookshops to discover and enjoy a range of exciting and interesting events, readings, parties, displays and more.