Roddy Doyle

Booker Prize 2025 judge (Chair)

Prizes judged: The Booker Prize 2025

Roddy Doyle is a critically acclaimed writer and 1993 Booker Prize winner

Roddy Doyle’s works includeThe Commitments, The Snapper, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, for which he won the Booker Prize in 1993, The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, and, most recently, The Woman Behind the Door. He has also written three collections of short stories, eight books for children, the ‘Two Pints’ series, and a memoir of his parents, Rory and Ita. He co-wrote The Second Half with Roy Keane, and Kellie, with Kellie Harrington.

He also co-wrote the screenplay for The Commitments and wrote the scripts for The Snapper and The Van. His most recent screen work was the script for Rosie, released in 2018. His four-part TV series, Family, was produced by the BBC in 1994. He has also written for the stage, including the book of The Commitments musical.

He is a co-founder of Fighting Words, which was set up to help and encourage children and young people throughout Ireland to write creatively.

He was the Chair of judges for the Booker Prize 2025.

Since my mother taught me how to read, I’ve filled hours of every day with novels, examining the remarkable things that great writers can do

Roddy Doyle, Chair of Booker Prize 2025 judges, on the power of fiction

Get to know the Booker Prize 2025 judges

Booker Prize 2025 Chair of judges Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle interview: ‘When I’m really enjoying a book, I stop taking notes’

Roddy Doyle, Chair of the Booker Prize 2025 judges, shares his idea for a dream book club and reveals the fictional character he feels he has known his whole life

Watch Roddy Doyle’s Booker Prize-winning moment in 1993

The Booker Prize 1993 - Full Ceremony | The Booker Prizes

Watch the 1993 Booker Prize full ceremony, in which Roddy Doyle wins the prize with Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and Carol Shields is nominated with The Stone Diaries.