Patrick McCabe, born in 1955 in Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland, is a contemporary Irish author known for his darkly comic and often surreal novels. McCabe's work is distinguished by its unique blend of macabre humor, vivid characterization, and exploration of the darker aspects of Irish rural life.

McCabe's novels often delve into the minds of his characters, exposing the undercurrents of madness and despair that lurk beneath the surface of ordinary life. His writing style is characterized by a blend of stream-of-consciousness narration, Gothic elements, and a distinctly Irish sensibility, all of which contribute to his reputation as one of Ireland's most innovative and provocative contemporary writers.

McCabe's work is often categorized within the genre of Bog Gothic, a term used to describe a certain strand of Irish literature that combines traditional Gothic elements with the peculiarities of the Irish setting. His novels are praised for their ability to balance the grotesque with the humorous, the surreal with the painfully real, making him a distinctive voice in modern Irish literature.