Michael Harding


Michael Harding is an Irish writer.

Biography

Harding was born and raised in Cavan, Ireland. He went to St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, initially graduating as a lay graduate. He then taught for two years in St. Patrick's College in Cavan Town, then worked as a social worker in a prison. He returned to Maynooth as a seminarian and was ordained in 1980, after which he went to work in a parish in Fermanagh. He left the priesthood in 1985, then spent seventeen years practising Buddhism.
He is married to the sculptor Cathy Carman and they have a daughter Sophia and a son, Simon. He lives in Tarmon, County Leitrim.

Work

He is an active writer of novels and poetry. He is a regular columnist with The Irish Times. He was Writer in Association with The Abbey Theatre in 1993 and was Writer in Residence at Trinity College Dublin, in 1999.

Publications

Novels

Priest The Trouble With Sarah Gullion
  • ''Bird in the Snow''

Plays

Strawboys, Peacock Abbey Theatre, 1987Una Pooka, Peacock Abbey Theatre, 1989Misogynist, Abbey Theatre, 1990Burying Brian Boru, Theatre Omnibus, 1990Where the Heart is, Project Arts Centre, 1993Hubert Murray's Widow, Peacock Abbey Theatre, 1993The Kiss, Project Arts Centre, 1994Ceacht Houdini, Amharclann de hIde, 1994Backsides to the Wind, Red Kettle, 1995Sour Grapes, Peacock Abbey Theatre, 1997Amazing Grace, Peacock Abbey Theatre, 1998Bog Dances, Steve Wickham and Shake the Spear Theatre @ Dunamaise Arts Centre, 2000Sleeping a Lovesong, Project Arts Centre, 2002Talking Through His Hat, Dublin Fringe Festival @ The Focus, 2002Swallow, Gare St Lazare Players @ Dublin Fringe Festival, 2003Birdie Birdie, for Blue Raincoat Theatre, 2004Tearmann for Siamsa Tire, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, 2006The Tinker's Curse, Livin' Dred Theatre Company, 2007.Is There Balm in Gilead? Pavilion Theatre Dublin, 2007

Other

Staring at Lakes
  • ''Chest Pain, A man, a stent and camper van''

Awards