Latest News
I’m teaching an online fiction writing class, Sundays, 6pm-8pm GMT (Ireland)/ 1pm-3pm EST (New York)
March 24th to May 19th, 2024. I’m also delivering a free course on Dialogue Mechanics on Sunday, February 25th 6-7pm GMT/1-2pm EST, and a free course on Writing Action on Sunday, March 10th, 2024 6-7pm GMT/1-2pm EST. Click here for more details.
Reviews
The Irish Times, March 13th, 2021, Becky Long
“Replete with symbolism and imagery, this is a demanding debut, dense and dark, but ultimately rewarding in its strange beauty.”
Books Ireland, March 16th, 2021, Eoghan Smith
“A beautifully-wrought, lyrical voice.”
Bandit Fiction, March 15th, 2021, Zoe Wells
“This is a book that should be savoured, with stunning lines every other page that will ring long after you’ve put it down.”
Bunny’s Pause, March 13th, 2021
“I enjoyed the vivid imagery Dennis used as it sent chills down my spine.”
The Bobosphere, March 11th, 2021, Robert Pisani
“The Beasts They Turned Away is a powerful book.”
In Common Book Reviews, March 10th, 2021, Chris Richards
” This is not a pulpy, easy read but rewarding, complex and engrossing.”
Never Imitate, March 10th, 2021, Jackie Law
“The tale is in many ways tenebrous and sorrowful, reminiscent of eulogy. Remarkable and beguiling, it proved a rewarding read.”
Don Jimmy Reviews, March 8th, 2021, Don Jimmy
“The Beasts They Turned Away is a book that is unlike any I have read in recent memory.”
Interviews
May 21st, 2022
Agridirect interviewed me about Voices from the Land, an anthology of writing by Irish farmers that I edited and published. Read the interview.
January 10th, 2022
I was interviewed by Canadian poet rob mclennan. Read the interview.
July 9th, 2021
Creative Places and Faces, hosted by Jackie De Burca, interviewed me on their podcast. You can find it here.
April 19th, 2021
Agridirect published an interview titled “Can we save the Irish family farm? We talk to author Ryan Dennis.” Read and watch the interview.
March 22nd, 2021
Bandit Fiction published an interview regarding The Beasts They Turned Away. Read the interview.
In the News
December 9th, 2023
I had the chance to read my poetry as part of Poetry Visits Langton Green, an initiative to support Langton Green and their work with the intellectually disabled.
October 29th, 2023
Joined by musicians Sarah and Hannah Lyons, I gave a reading of The Beasts They Turned Away at Tertulia Bookshop in Westport, Ireland.
On October 8th, 2022 I held a writing workshop titled “Purple Doesn’t Look Good on Anyone: How to Write Emotion” as part of the Kildare Readers Literary Festival. It was a great day with engaged, thoughtful participants.
On May 18th, 2022 we launched Voices from the Land, an anthology of stories, essays and poems by Irish farmers that I edited and published as part of my Writer-in-Residency at Maynooth University. Find out more about the anthology here.
August 24th, 2021
The Irish Times published my article “Why the Death of the Farm Novel Matters.” Read the article.
July 2nd, 2021
That’s Farming published an article on The Beasts They Turned Away and the concerns about Irish agriculture it comes from. Read the article.
March 14th, 2021
Agriland published an article titled “I Fear for the Future of Irish Agriculture,” in which I give my motivation behind the reasons why I wanted to write The Beasts They Turned Away. Read the article.
March 11th, 2021
The Galway Advertiser has coverage of the release of The Beasts They Turned Away. Read the article.
February 24th, 2021
Galway Daily announce the launch of the The Beasts They Turned Away. Read the article.
February 13th, 2021
That’s Farming published an article on my background and experience in writing about Irish agriculture. Read the article.
November 28th, 2020
Agriland publishes a piece that features my website, The Milk House, and explains its purpose of showcasing rural writing. Read the article.