Literary Agents in and around Ireland

I have posted about Irish agents before. It is consistently my most popular post. So I thought I'd do it again. I'm updating it with some names you may not have heard, agents not necessarily based in Ireland but who are or have been looking in Ireland for Irish-based writers, including one who asked to be included so she's actively looking. It's worth doing your homework and seeing who else they represent to see if you fit in with their interests.

The Lisa Richards Agency
108 Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4
e-mail: info@lisarichards.ie
Contact: Faith O’Grady
Website here

For fiction, looking for exciting new writing – distinctive voices, original, strong storylines, and intriguing characters. For quality non-fiction, memoir, history, narrative, biography, lifestyle, sports, self-help, quirky humour and pop culture. 

If sending fiction, please limit your submission to the first three or four chapters, and include a covering letter and an SAE. If sending non-fiction, please send a detailed proposal about your book, a sample chapter and a cover letter. Every effort will be made to respond to submissions within 3 months of receipt.

Authors include June Considine, Roisin Meaney, Laura Cassidy, Martin Malone, Pauline McLynn, David Maybury, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Denise Deegan, Paul Howard (Ross O’Carroll-Kelly,) Roisin Ingle and Hector.
Faith participated at the Novel Fair 2015.

The most high profile one (but Jonathan is a bit grumpy when I've met him.)
Jonathan Williams Literary Agency
Rosney Mews, Upper Glenageary Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin

Literary Agency, evaluating, editing, rewriting, proof reading, consultancy; General fiction and non-fiction, preferably by Irish authors (home 10%) Will suggest revision;
Jonathan participated at the Novel Fair 2015.

The Book Bureau
7 Duncairn Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow
email: thebookbureau@oceanfree.net
Contact: Geraldine Nichol

Preferences are commercial womens fiction, crime/thrillers and literary fiction. Full-length MSS (home 10%, USA 15%,translation 20%) Fiction preferred -thrillers, Irish novels, Literary fiction, women’s and general commercial fiction. No horror, science fiction, children’s or Poetry. Strong editorial support. Send a preliminary letter, synopsis and 3 sample chapters.
The Book Bureau participated at the Novel Fair 2015.

Marianne Gunne-O’Connor Literary Agency
Suite 17 Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
email: mgoclitagency@eircom.net

Commercial and literary fiction, non-fiction, biography, children's fiction (UK 15%, overseas 20%, film/TV 20%). Send preliminary letter plus half-page synopsis and first 50pp.
Authors: Cecelia Ahern, Chris Binchy, Ken Bruen, Claudia Carroll, Julie Dam, Noelle Harrison, Patrick McCabe, Mike McCormack, Paddy McMahon, Morag Prunty, Niall Williams. Founded 1996.
Mariane Gunne-O'Connor participated at the Novel Fair 2015.

The Feldstein Agency
54 Abbey Street Bangor BT20 4JB N. Ireland
General enquiries: paul@thefeldsteinagency.co.uk

Email a 1-2 page synopsis of your work and a brief biography. They are currently only accepting submissions of adult fiction (excluding romance, science fiction and fantasy) and adult non-fiction, so no children's or young adult books, poetry or short stories.
Website here 
The Feldstein Agency participated at the Novel Fair 2015.

Sally Anne Sweeney wrote to me so they are definitely looking. She's moved to

Mulcahy Associates
First Floor 7 Meard Street London
After a career with Reuters, the Dubliner, Ivan Mulcahy set up his own literary agency in London. Interesting article in the Irish Times here. Recently the agency had three bestsellers in the UK book charts at the same time: Vivienne Westwood’s own story written with historian Ian Kelly, comic David Mitchell’s collection of essays and broadcaster Clare Balding’s second volume of memoir.

They accept email submissions only. Send a covering letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters to: submissions@ma-agency.com

Curtis Brown
5th Floor, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4SP
Website here.
Literary Agent Sheila Crowley began her career in publishing at Poolbeg in Dublin before moving to the UK in 1991, and went on to hold several key positions and most recently at Curtis Brown.
She focuses primarily on women’s commercial fiction, thrillers, mind, body, spirit, sport and celebrity books, young adult and children's fiction and general mass-market non-fiction.

Most of Sheila's authors have moved with her. They include: Tasmina Perry, Jojo Moyes, Santa Montefiore, Melissa Hill, Rachel Hore, Alison Kervin, Shari Low, Kitty Sewell

Gregory & Company
3 Barb Mews, Hammersmith, London W6 7PA
tel: +44 (0) 20 7610 4676
website here
Jane Gregory specialises in crime fiction and up-market commercial fiction. Among the many authors Jane represents are: Adele Geras, Mo Hayder, Val McDermid, Chris Simms, Martyn Waites and Minette Walters. At the moment the agency is particularly looking for burgeoning new talent in the fields of excellent crime fiction, epic family sagas, historical novels and upmarket commercial fiction. No children’s books, young adult fiction, SF/fantasy/horror/paranormal, poetry, short stories or plays/screenplays. At the moment we are not actively looking for any non-fiction titles, and we are especially not interested in spiritual or New Age philosophy, or business books.

Interview here at Mslexia. Send a one-page synopsis (not a glorified jacket blurb) that gives a full explanation of the plot, and the first ten pages (double spaced for ease of reading). Please include a brief letter telling us about yourself, why you have written this book, and about your past work and future writing plans.