Introduction to Séamas O'Reilly's Writing Journey
Séamas O'Reilly is contemplating whether to stop while he is ahead. His fiction debut, Prestige Drama, was released just a week ago, and the experience has been hectic, surreal, and overwhelmingly positive—so much so that he is anticipating a downturn.
This anxiety, he explains, is part of the "mortal flaw of a writer's mentality."
"You're arrogant enough to think the world wants to hear your precious, beautiful opinion. But you're also so insecure that you, at all times, think someone's going to say this is the worst thing ever written."
Fortunately, no one has taken away the Irish writer's pens and laptop. Critical acclaim from prestigious outlets such as the New York Times and Literary Review has been complemented by unexpected endorsements, including one from British acting icon Kathy Burke, who expressed her admiration for the book on social media.
For a comedy enthusiast who grew up near Londonderry on the Irish border in the 1990s, and whose childhood memoir Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? was an award-winning bestseller, this recognition is significant.
However, O'Reilly admits that these reviews are not what keep him awake at night. What matters most to him is maintaining the approval of the people from his hometown.
"Obviously the book is so specific to Derry. The plot of the book is all Derry. It's all Derry people,"
he says, emphasizing that accurately representing the city was as crucial as developing the characters and plot.
To ensure accuracy, he enlisted help.
"I got my sister Caoimhe to go through the book with a fine toothcomb for any mistakes and errors that will get me absolutely killed,"
he shares.
So, between spreadsheets, praise, and Kathy Burke, O'Reilly describes the experience as "pretty weird."
This is typical for a writer whose career has been anything but conventional.
Séamas O'Reilly's Diverse Career
Even if you are unfamiliar with Séamas O'Reilly's name, there is a strong chance you have encountered his work.
His memoir, Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?, vividly and humorously recounts his upbringing following his mother's death and his father's efforts in raising eleven children.
There is also the memorable television moment when former Irish international rugby player Tommy Bowe reacted with disbelief to O'Reilly's large family size, exclaiming, "10 siblings!"
Over the years, O'Reilly has contributed national newspaper columns on topics such as internet culture and parenting, served as an editor for the quarterly magazine The Fence, and penned viral reviews of football manager Steve Bruce's trilogy of crime novels.
His online comedy work includes the fake series Rush Hour Crushes, the Selfridge Nutella pranks, and a notably clever pun tweet involving a cast member from The Mighty Ducks.
If none of these ring a bell, you may recall a story involving an Irish barman, drugs, and Irish president Mary McAleese—that was also his creation.
This particular story was pivotal in launching O'Reilly's career, securing the book deal that led to his memoir and now Prestige Drama.
"For about two days I was the main character of the internet,"
he recalls, describing the story's viral impact.
At every book event for Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?, the presenter would awkwardly mention the story, prompting about 40% of the audience to react with surprise upon realizing it was about him.
The story was even adapted into an animated short film, Me, Myself and Mary, featuring Chris O'Dowd and Aisling Bea, which was selected for New York's Tribeca Film Festival.
O'Reilly laughs as he recounts how his "old university pal" and animator John Michell approached him to option the rights of a Twitter thread. He adds,
"I didn't do any of it, I feel like I'm a total fan."
The Creation of Prestige Drama
Returning to the acclaim for Prestige Drama, the story evolved from a BBC radio series and centers on a Hollywood production arriving in Derry to film a Troubles trauma drama, only for the lead actress to disappear.
Considering the pressure to portray the setting authentically, O'Reilly was asked if it would have been easier to set the story in a fictional location.
"That was a thought I had, because I'd be able to have a bit more fun with being completely untethered,"
he admits.
"But I was writing a funny book as well and I had the kind of thought that if I'm setting a funny book in a fictional place does it remove some of that bite?"
O'Reilly also chose to narrate the story through more than a dozen characters, with chapters alternating between them.
Getting into the minds of these characters presented its own challenges. Some, like Dymphna—a well-meaning amalgam of "like every mammy I've ever met"—came easily.
Others required him to immerse himself deeply, hoping the result would be usable, though often it was not.
He recalls wishing he could fabricate details when writing his memoir.
"And as soon as I started writing fiction, I was like oh, no, no, no, no – writing memoirs and all that stuff, that's stealing a living. I was just remembering things and adding jokes."
One could say that O'Reilly's approach involves addressing serious themes—such as the loss of a parent or the Troubles—while incorporating humor.
He cites several key inspirations, including Paul Murray ("I loved the Bee Sting"), Marian Keyes ("criminally underrated"), and Arthur Matthews, known for TV successes like Father Ted and Toast of London.
Additionally, Flann O'Brien, born Brian O'Nolan in Strabane, County Tyrone, just down the River Foyle from O'Reilly's hometown, is a significant influence.
O'Brien's novels The Three Policeman and At Swim-Two-Birds, along with his writings under the pen name Myles na gCopaleen, have established him as one of Ireland's foremost absurdist writers and satirists.
Considering what O'Brien might think of O'Reilly, who has used his own absurd stories to forge a distinctly 21st-century writing career, O'Reilly suggests that O'Brien would likely agree with his belief that comedy writing does not always need to serve a higher purpose—it can simply be funny.
O'Brien might also appreciate the unusual, internet-driven path O'Reilly has taken to novel writing—the "lightning in a bottle" moment sparked by the Mary McAleese Twitter story, which, despite its improbability, has helped keep O'Reilly grounded.
"I'm extraordinarily grateful for some of the very silly things that have happened."
