Michael McDonnell

Writer: Mial Pagan

Northern Ireland born playwright and novelist Mial Pagan read Drama and English Literature at Manchester University.

Novels:

Under the pen-name Michael McDonnell, he writes the popular Dermot O’Hara Series of detective novels set in Southern Ireland and under his own name he wrote The Agency, a sharply observed satire on life in London's adland. The Agency is also available on Amazon.

Playwriting:

His stage plays Dancehall Sweethearts (2017) and National Trust (longlisted for the 2022 Bruntwood Prize) were produced in London for the Camden Fringe Festival. National Trust was hailed as: “Theatrically original and vibrant.”

After a successful run at London’s Little Angel Theatre 2024, the Islington Gazette said this about Mial Pagan’s latest play for stage, 'Thin Places'.

'The quality of the script and acting make Thin Places one of the brightest stars in the firmament of the 2024 Camden Fringe.

A new production of Thin Places, directed by Chris Bramwell (Manchester Royal Exchange) will open at the Abbey Theatre in St. Albans in their 2026-2027 season.