Conor O'Clery

Conor O'Clery is an Irish journalist and award-winning author who has written extensively about Ireland, the Irish peace process, and the United States. He was born in Dublin in 1949 and studied journalism at the National University of Ireland. He began his career as a reporter for the Irish Press and later worked for The New York Times and The Washington Post. O’Clery’s career has included stints as editor-in-chief of The Irish Times and chief foreign correspondent for The Economist.

O’Clery has written numerous books about the Irish peace process and his travels to the United States and other countries. He has received significant recognition for his work, including a number of awards. In 2005, he was the recipient of the Order of the Knight of the Spanish Government of Madrid, and in 2008 he was named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

Perhaps his most acclaimed book to date is The Shankill Butchers: A Story of Mass Murder in Belfast (2011). The book is a gripping account of the brutal and horrifying crimes committed in Belfast in the 1970s by the Shankill Butchers gang. The book has been acclaimed as one of the most important works on the Troubles in Northern Ireland and O’Clery has been described as “one of Ireland’s most prolific and insightful chroniclers”.

In addition to his books about the Troubles in Northern Ireland, O’Clery has written extensively about the United States and the Middle East. His books include America in Peace and War (1997), The Gold and the Dross (2002), and In Search of the Ireland of Old (2006). All explore the history and culture of the countries he visits.

O’Clery’s most recent book is The River of Lost Footsteps: Histories of Burma (2008). It examines the culture, politics, and history of Burma, which has experienced many conflicts over the years. The book is described as a surefooted, highly informative, and spellbinding work of history. It was shortlisted for the prestigious Duff Cooper Prize, and was also named a New York Times Notable Book.

With the diverse range of books he has written, Conor O’Clery has become a renowned author. His works have not only been acclaimed in Ireland and the United States, but also around the world. He continues to write, and his latest book, East Wind Rising: Conflict and Transformation in East Asia since 1945 (2018), provides an in-depth look at East Asia’s history.

Conor O’Clery’s books are essential reading for those interested in any of his chosen subjects. His passion for learning, and his dedication to telling the stories of the past, has made him one of the foremost writers on Irish and international history. Through his work, O’Clery has illuminated many of the significant events and developments of the last century, and will be remembered as one of the most important chroniclers of Irish, American, and world history.