Tommy Frank O'Connor

Tommy Frank O'Connor lives in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

A novelist, poet, dramatist and story writer, his published works include a novel The Poacher's Apprentice (Marino Books, 1997); a novel for children Kee Kee, Cup & Tok (Wynkin de Worde, 2004); a collection of stories Loose Head (Doghouse, 2004), his award wining poetry collection Attic Warpipes (Bradshaw Books, 2005); his pholosophical work Pulse (Doghouse, 2006); and his latest Poetry collection Meeting Mona Lisa, (Doghouse, 2011).

He is regularly published in literary presses and anthologies worldwide.  His work has been performed on RTE Radio and on BBC Radio 4.

He conducts Creative Writing Residencies in Schools, Libraries, Community Centres, Prisons and Colleges.  He has had terms as Writer in Residence for Co. Kerry, 2007 and 2008 and is retained as writer for special assignments, 2010 and 2011.

 He is Clan File of the O'Connor Kerry Clan.

Prize winner in many literary competitions, including: The Francis MacManus, RTE: The Kerry International Summer School; The Jonathan Swift; The Cecil Day Lewis, Crann 2003, Tavistock and Atlone, Shortlisted for others including The Hennessey, Sunday Tribune Literary Awards and The Scottish International Poetry Competition.

His work for the stage includes the pageant Bréanainn, at Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland and the play Changing Patrick, which premiered at St. John's, Listowel Square in 1997.  He is a member of the Irish Writers Union and of the Society of Irish Playwrights, and is on the Poetry Ireland panel of Writers in Schools.

He is an accomplished debater and public speaker and an adjudicator in both disciplines including the National finals of Concern Debates for seven years.

He is an adjudicator of children's storytelling in the oral tradition. 

He won a gold medal for Ireland at the Celtic Nations Championships in Edinburg in 1979.