Amongst Women: Cillian Murphy: 'One of the greatest Irish writers’

Introduced by Sinéad Gleeson, John McGahern's Booker Prize-shortlisted Irish 'masterpiece' (Colm Tóibín) is essential reading for admirers of Claire Keegan. As he weakened, Moran became afraid of his daughters. Moran's life is defined by his days of glory as a guerrilla leader in the Irish War of Independence. Now, he is simply an ageing widower, eking out an existence on the small farm where he raises his two sons and three daughters. He keeps control by binding his family close - but as his children seek independence, and the passing years bring bewildering change, this tormented veteran must find a balance between love and tyranny. 'It almost finished me as an aspiring writer. How could a book be this good?' Donal Ryan 'Wise and compelling . . . Elegiac and graceful.' David Mitchell 'The preeminent Irish writer of his generation.' Anne Enright 'He blew me away.' Colin Barrett 'A great writer.' Sebastian Barry 'Extraordinary.' Colin Walsh 'A master.' Kevin Barry