Literature Research Guide: Short Stories

This guide highlights resources available from the McClelland Library to anyone who has interest in short stories. The McClelland Library owns many short stories titles which can be found by searching our catalog. This list below is not all encompassing, so please search our catalog for additional titles.

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Fiction

Collected Short Stories by Michael McLaverty

Call Number: FIC McLaverty, M Publication Date: 2002

Stories about social life and customs in Northern Ireland.

Happiness and Other Stories by Mary Lavin

Call Number: FIC Lavin, M Publication Date: 2011

From one of the greatest short story writers of the twentieth century in the English language comes a collection that explores the relationships and emotions of the characters who are from a vanished Ireland. 

The History of Magpies by Desmond Hogan

Call Number: FIC Hogan, D Publication Date: 2017

Twelve poetically styled fresh tales document what few have dared to tread about Ireland.

Jobs for a Wet Day by Ger Reidy

Call Number: FIC Reidy, G Publication Date: 2015

A series of powerful tales can be found in this author’s debut collection. 

Long Lankin: Stories by John Banville

Call Number: FIC Banville, J Publication Date: 2013

An early short story collection by the Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea explores the depths of family dysfunction. 

Saints and Sinners: Stories by Edna O’Brien

Call Number: O’Brien, E Publication Date: 2011

Edna O’Brien introduces readers to a new cast of restless people who remind us of ourselves.

Secrets Never Told: Stories by Dermot Bolger

Call Number: Bolger, D Publication Date: 2020

In Dermot Bolger’s first collection of short stories, he explores the secrets that bind families together, or tear them apart. 

Short Stories of Padraic Pearse selected and adapted by Desmond Maguire

Call Number: FIC Pearse, P Irish Publication Date: 1968

This dual-language book (Irish with English translations on facing pages) includes ten stories with a sympathetic portrayal of life in Connemara and were first published between 1905 and 1916 with translations by Joseph Campbell  following the aftermath of the 1916 Rising.

*This book is shelved in our Irish language collection. See a librarian for assistance.*

The Stories of Liam O’Flaherty introduction by Vivian Mercier

Call Number: FIC O’Flaherty, L Publication Date: 1956

Short stories include: Spring sowing; His First Flight; A Shilling; The Wild Goat’s Kid; Birth; Two Lovely Beasts; The Wedding; The Wild Swan and many more.

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Anthologies

44 Irish Short Stories: An Anthology of Irish short fiction from Yeats to Frank O’Connor edited by Devin A Garrity

Call Number: 823.01089 F779 Publication Date: 1955

Additional writers include G.B. Shaw, James Joyce, Sean O’Faolain, Maurice Walsh, Oscar Wilde, Mary Lavin, John Collier, Lord Dunsany, James Stephens, St. John Ervine, and others.

Classic Irish Stories edited by Michael P Quinlin

Call Number: REF 823.0108 C5693 Publication Date: 2005

This uncommon collection highlights twenty hidden gems about Ireland’s history from home and abroad. Also included are some of Ireland’s famous legends translated from ancient texts. 

Classic Irish Stories selected and introduced by Frank O’Connor

Call Number: 823.01089 M72c Publication Date: 1985

This anthology traces the development of the Irish short story from the end of 1800s to the 1950s. From George Moore’s masterpiece, Homesickness, and the warmth and humor of James Stephens, to the romantic eloquence of Bryan MacMahon, these stories capture the Irish people, their way of life, mythology, and history. 

The Faber Book of Best New Irish Short Stories, 2006-7 edited by David Marcus

Call Number: 823.01089 F1121 Publication Date: 2007

A new collection of the new generation of Irish writers featuring John Banville, Emma Donoghue, Patrick McCabe, Anne Enright, Desmond Hogan, Bridget O’Toole, Sebastian Barry and more. 

Forgiveness: Ireland’s Best Contemporary Short Stories edited by Augustine Martin

Call Number: 823.01089 F763 Publication Date: 1989

Collection of 25 stories by several generations of Irish writers that explore Ireland in the aftermath of The Troubles. 

Great Irish Short Stories edited with an introduction by Vivian Mercier

Call Number: 823.0109 G7988 Publication Date: 1964

The stories in this collection are by a variety of Irish writers from J.M. Synge and W.B. Yeats to James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and James Plunkett.

The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories edited by William Trevor

Call Number: 823.0108 Ox2 Publication Date: 1989

William Trevor, who has been described as the finest short-story writer in the English language, has collected forty-five stories representing the best of Irish short fiction with contributions from Oliver Goldsmith, Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, Sheridan Le Fanu, Sean O’Faolain, Frank O’Connor, and Elizabeth Bowen among others. 

The Penguin Book of Irish Short Stories edited by Benedict Kiely

Call Number: 823.0108 P3766 Publication Date: 2011

This collection of thirty-eight short stories covers many generations and moods of Irish writing ranging from Lady Gregory to William Trevor.

Silver Threads of Hope: Short Stories in Aid of Console edited by Sinéad Gleeson

Call Number: REF 823.0108 Si394 Publication Date: 2012

A new collection of short stories from Irish writers including Kevin Barry, Dermot Bolger, Mary Costello, Roddy Doyle, Nuala Ni Chonchuir and many more.