What are Science Fiction Books?

Science fiction books explore imaginative concepts based on science and technology, such as space travel, time travel, artificial intelligence, and futuristic societies. They often reflect real-world concerns through speculative storytelling and are popular for their blend of creativity and scientific possibility.

Who Are Some Notable Irish Science Fiction Authors?

Ireland has produced many respected science fiction authors who have made significant contributions to the genre, often blending futuristic ideas with Irish cultural themes. 

Below are some of the most notable Irish science fiction writers to explore:

• C.S. Lewis: Born in Belfast, best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, and his Space Trilogy, which explores space travel, morality, and theology.
  
  
• Ian McDonald: A leading contemporary voice in science fiction, known for River of Gods, Luna, and Brasyl, featuring rich, global settings.
  
  
• Fitz-James O’Brien: Born in Cork, considered one of the earliest science fiction writers; known for stories like The Diamond Lens and What Was It?, exploring invisibility and speculative science in 19th-century settings.
  
  
• Flann O’Brien: A major Irish literary figure, whose novel The Third Policeman is often read as a surreal, metaphysical science fiction work.
  
  
• Sarah Maria Griffin: Contemporary Dublin author of Spare and Found Parts, a dystopian YA novel blending post-apocalyptic themes with questions of identity.
  
  
• Jo Zebedee: Antrim-based writer of Inish Carraig and The Abendau Chronicles, combining alien invasions with political and personal struggles.
  
  
• Mike McCormack: Author of Solar Bones, which incorporates speculative narrative techniques to reflect on life and time in modern Ireland.
  
  
• Máire Brophy: Writes post-apocalyptic fiction, including the After the World series, with philosophical and futuristic themes.
  
  
• Julian Gough: Known for satirical and speculative fiction, and for writing the narrative ending to Minecraft.
  
  

Discover more celebrated writers in our Irish Authors collection.

What Are Irish Fantasy and Horror Books?

Fantasy and horror books are genres of fiction that immerse the reader in imaginative, supernatural, or unsettling worlds.

• Fantasy books feature magical elements, mythical creatures, and invented worlds. They often explore themes of good vs evil, heroism, and destiny, as seen in works by authors like C.S. Lewis.
  
  
• Horror books are written to evoke fear, suspense, or unease. They explore the darker side of human nature or the supernatural, from gothic horror to psychological thrillers, as seen in works by Bram Stoker and Sheridan Le Fanu.
  
  

These genres have deep roots in Irish and British literary traditions. Browse our collection to explore rare and classic horror and fantasy titles.

What Characterises the Irish Gothic Genre?

The Irish Gothic genre blends horror, folklore, and the supernatural with Ireland’s complex history, landscapes, and colonial legacy. It explores themes of identity, repression, and cultural tension, often set in haunted or decaying spaces. Key characteristics include:

• Colonial tension: Themes of invasion, loss, and identity shaped by Ireland’s history of colonisation
  
  
• Haunted spaces: Crumbling houses, castles, and rural ruins that reflect decay and psychological unrest
  
  
• The supernatural: Ghosts, vampires, and mythical figures rooted in Irish folklore
  
  
• Madness and doubt: Unreliable narrators, inner torment, and blurred realities
  
  
• Catholic guilt: Moral conflict, repression, and religious symbolism
  
  
• Isolation and entrapment: Characters trapped by place, circumstance, or emotion
  
  
• Uncanny doubles: Split identities, doppelgängers, and the return of the repressed

Irish Gothic and Fantasy Authors 

Some notable Irish writers known for Gothic fiction include:

• Sheridan Le Fanu: Master of ghost stories and psychological horror, including Uncle Silas and Carmilla.
  
  
• Bram Stoker: Dublin-born author of Dracula, a cornerstone of Gothic fiction.
  
  
• Lord Dunsany: Known for his fantasy and horror tales, blending myth with eerie, dreamlike settings.
  
  
• Oscar Wilde: Blended Gothic and psychological elements in classics such as The Picture of Dorian Gray.
  
  
• Elizabeth Bowen: A World of Love (1954) offers a Gothic wartime tale that confronts national trauma and hidden legacies.
  
  

If you have any questions about our science fiction, fantasy, or horror collection, or are looking to sell rare books in these genres, please contact us today.