“I’m immensely fond of Liam Horan’s skilful, vivid, nuanced writing, which moves from insight to humour to emotional truthfulness, often in the one crafted paragraph. He’s a storyteller of great gifts, and they are all to be admired in this deeply impressive debut novel.”

Joseph O’Connor, author of My Father’s House and The Ghosts of Rome:

“On the Way Out navigates the lives of ordinary people with tenderness, wit, and acuity. This debut novel captures the complicated and often sticky web of small-town life: overlapping conversations in community halls, wary bonds formed in half-heated meeting rooms, gossip that can be both kind and cruel. The town itself is a character—a bit ragged but full of possibility. Each chapter alternates between characters so that their lives echo and refract off each other. How will Louise’s struggle with her shop bump against Matt’s attempts at connection? How will Tríona’s breathing exercises help these residents catch their breath and continue on? The dialogue is sharp but not heartless, funny but also reveals the ache of loneliness and grief. On the Way Out offers heartbreak and heart mending, showing us that we are, indeed, bound together in community”.

Kerry Beth Neville, judge in the Gerald Griffin Competition for First Original Adult Fiction, 2025 - author of Momma May be Mad

“A deft coming together of the strands one expects in a novel: an engaging story, interesting characters, an ability to bounce the reader with its steady movement to a conclusion. Its wit and savvy of small-town politics and atmosphere will appeal to many readers. There are also the more subtle devices of the art of fiction, such as the writing style itself and the use of sub-themes such as pilgrimage and the Kenny Rodgers motifs of gambling and the need to fight for one’s rights. The importance of dialogue for the health of society, as well as the need to take chances, are deftly and wittily handled, but not without driving home the gravity of the situation with which small communities are threatened. We get a glimpse of self-interested power-play which threatens to wipe out a segment of the charm and livelihood of a small town, a street and its citizens, but the solution recommended is not violence, but wisdom and canniness. There’s decency in people once you don’t back them into corners, as Louise emails Matt. But occasionally it helps to talk quietly and carry a medium-sized stick.”

Ciaran O'Driscoll, poet and novelist, judge in the Gerald Griffin Competition for First Original Adult Fiction, 2025 - author of The Golden Ass

"If you're looking for a witty, laugh-out-loud novel, that has more Irishisms than BellX1's entire discography, then look no further than debut-novelist Liam Horan and his gem of a book 'On The Way Out'. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑜! 😉"

Louise Rooney

At the launch of *On The Way Out*, author Declan Varley delivered an affectionate, insightful appraisal of both the novel and its author, placing Liam Horan’s debut firmly within Ballinrobe’s long-standing literary tradition. He reminded the audience that creativity was woven through Liam’s upbringing — from a household where the “comings and goings of a town” were everyday conversation to the influence of his father Billy, whose district notes “pumped oxygen through the heart of this town.” Declan recalled their time together in school, crediting Billy with teaching him “the power of words” and shaping Liam’s instinct for observation, tone and the subtle hierarchies of local life. It was this deep-rooted understanding, he said, that gave Liam “a veritable PhD in knowing what is local and what matters and what makes towns breath.” Declan also spoke candidly about his long-standing admiration for Liam’s ability to portray small towns with accuracy and tenderness, joking that the “sin of envy” had accompanied him for decades. He praised Liam’s capacity to show how humanity collides with nature, geography, memory and community — a skill that comes fully into its own in *On The Way Out*. Turning to the novel itself, Declan described falling for its characters during early workshop sessions and seeing that connection deepen when reading the full manuscript. He highlighted Liam’s talent for creating “characters who breathe, who falter, who try again,” set within a town that “beats like a heart behind every page.” Small-town nuances — fear, love, attraction, survival — are rendered with precision, he said, and even the smallest detail, such as a laneway or a familiar shopkeeper, carries narrative weight. Above all, Declan praised the craftsmanship behind the book. “Every sentence is crafted and is dripping with meaning,” he said. “Every nuance maximised. Not a single word wasted.” Having witnessed Liam workshop paragraphs for hours, discarding whatever did not ring true, he described *On The Way Out* as the product of unmatched dedication to the craft. Calling it “a wonderful novel debut,” Declan concluded by encouraging readers to ensure the book is “on every bedside table and in every Christmas stocking,” and expressed his delight in formally launching a work he believes marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Liam Horan’s writing life.

Declan Varley, author of Kittyland and The Confession of Peadar Gibbons

Liam Horan, hiding in plain sight, has eavesdropped on the lives of the characters in Small-town Ireland and created a novel full of empathy and experience, warmth and hope. His writing provides a smile on every page and ‘On the Way out’ reminds us of the importance of community, friendship and a certain amount of stubbornness to navigate the turns and twists that life lays before us. A very enjoyable and uplifting read.

Frank Foley, Trim, Co. Meath

Reading this book is like having a beautiful funny conversation with someone. It has a subtle humour while revealing the life senior citizens go through, their fears, opportunities and jobs. Liam you did a good job on this piece.

Maureen Nalubega, Balla, Co. Mayo

I came across On The Way Out by accident but I'm so glad I did. I read it in one sitting (I couldn't put it down). I can't think of a better way to spend a winter's evening with a good fire. I loved the language, and the absence of bad language was so good to see. It really brings home how Ireland and towns in particular are changing. I highly recommend this book. Five stars all the way.

Sean Lowry, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

This guy can do that thing of very plain, simple language, not overtly trying to impress anyone - just telling the tale but with as economic prose as possible and hitting all the right notes.

Mike Maguire, Limerick