Jimmy O’Connell was born in Dublin. He is a graduate of UCD and a PhD from DCU, Dublin. He has been writing and performing his work for many years and in many venues.

His poetry has appeared in The Baltimore Review, Poetry Ireland Review, Stepaway Magazine, Flare 7 & 10, Poetry for a New Ulster, The Wexford Bohemian, The Ken Saro-Wiwa inspired Collection, Voices from the Land, Books Beyond Borders Anthology, among others. A collection of his poetry Although it is Night was published by Wordonthestreet in 2013, and The Geography of Feeling in 2023

He has self-published his first novel, Batter the Heart. His latest novel Death in Garrydangan set in a small village in Midland Ireland was published in April 2023.