When I was growing up, the exam system didn't allow you to write fiction, so you never did.

Doyle was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 1993 for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. In addition to writing Doyle along with Seán Love establiRoddy Doyled a creative writing centre "Fighting Words" which opened in Dublin in January 2009. He has also engaged in local causes including signing a petition supporting journalist Suzanne Breen who faced gaol for refusing to divulge her sources in court and joining a protest against an attempt by Dublin City Council to construct 9 ft-high barriers which would interfere with one of his favourite views.

Several of his books have been made into successful films beginning with The Commitments in 1991. Doyle was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 1993 for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. Doyle's work is set primarily in Ireland especially working-class Dublin and is notable for its heavy use of dialogue written in slang and Irish English dialect.