Collaboration, Exhibitions, Writing Festival, Writing Life, Writing Workshops

John Hewitt International Summer School 2026: Words and Heart

It was wonderful to be able to do two firsts this year: attend some of the John Hewitt International Summer School and visit beautiful Armagh.

View of Armagh from the Armagh City Hotel showing trees and on a hill in the distance city spires including those of the Cathedral.

I attended various readings which were, without exception, moderated beautifully, and provided moving explorations of our human experience. Sarah Gilmartin interviewed Éilís Ní Dhuibhne; Paul Maddern introduced readings by Moyra Donaldson and Connie Voisine, Jessica Traynor and Abeer Ameer; Wendy Erskine interviewed Jan Carson. Everyone was generous with their words and time.

The Freedom to Write Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann event on Wednesday 29th featured an incredible presentation from International Human Rights Lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC followed by an in-depth interview with Irish PEN’s Lia Mills. The audience was invited to write postcards of support for imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli – represented on stage by an empty chair – who has been imprisoned in Georgia since January 2025. How powerful are words and heart when we come together.

Photograph of two black-and-white images from Brigid O’Brien’s exhibition “Home” showing people at home, talking and smiling and in the second image in their garden

I also attended a beautiful exhibition “Home” by Brigid O’Brien – a taste above. And lastly, how could anyone visit a literary festival without coming home with a book haul of signed books? In the photograph below, just some of the books:

  • Connie Voisine “And God Created Women”
  • Wendy Erskine “The Benefactors”
  • Abeer Ameer “Inhale/Exile”
  • Moyra Donaldson “the thirteenth moon”
  • Susannah Dickey “Into the wreck”
  • Sinéad Morrissey “Among Communists”
  • Jan Carson “Few and Far Between”

Congratulations to Niamh McNally and all the John Hewitt International Summer School for a brilliant and friendly festival. I look forward to returning, and hopefully attending the whole Summer School. Brava!

Collaboration, Exhibitions, Writing Festival, Writing Life, Writing News

Swift and Vanessa Festival 2026

I’m delighted to be taking part in two events in the Swift and Vanessa Festival in Celbridge, County Kildare.

On Thursday evening, July 16th, join me for a Literary Evening where I will interview Mary O’Donnell about her latest novel – which is brilliant, by the way – Sweep the Cobwebs off the Sky (époque press, 2026). Geraldine O’Brien will interview Martina Murphy about her DS Lucy Golden series. The event takes place in the Hunting Room in the gorgeous Castletown House. Book your tickets here.

On Saturday afternoon, July 18th, I’m interviewing Dearbhla Mescal about her debut publication, Finding Joy – in itself a joy – in the lovely Church of Ireland Christchurch. Book your tickets here.

The festival runs until 19th July and has an astonishing array of events for all ages and tastes. I look forward to participating and attending many of the events.

Writing News

Glorious Annaghmakerrig Lake

I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to decamp from real life and spend a week in residence at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annamakerrig in Monaghan. What can I say that I, and others, have not said before? It is a truly magical place in which the creative spirit is given time and space to flourish – surrounded by like-minded-souls and facilitated by the most wonderful team guided by the calm, kind Director Anna Walsh.

I stayed in the Butler Room:

Photograph of a writing desk and lamp in front of a bay window with white shutters overlooking a green well-kept lawn and Annamakerrig Lake, Co. Monaghan. Photograph by Shauna Gilligan.

Not having to worry about shopping for food, cooking food, or indeed anything involving looking after a household for a week meant that I could immerse myself in the world of my fiction, walk in the countryside, and not having to hurry my thoughts or processes.

Close up of white flower against a green leaf. Photograph by Shauna Gilligan.

Walking included moments by the beautiful Annamakerrig Lake, watching the water for movement, following the clouds and searching for patterns (something I used to do as a child!).

Photograph of Annamakerrig Lake showing the boat house to the left and the lake to the front with silhouettes of trees. Photograph by Shauna Gilligan.

Now begins the next piece of the work – reviewing what I wrote, and edited, and deciding what to do with those words written in the luxury of peace.