Author: Shauna Gilligan

Writer and Educator based in Ireland.
Writing Life, Writing News, Writing Workshops

Brigid Celebrations 2025 – “Fire” news!

Exciting Announcement!

With thanks to our publisher Arlen House and Syracuse University Press Fire: Brigid and The Sacred Feminine is now available in USA.

Nearer to home, Women Spirit Ireland are hosting a Brigit Weekend at An Grianán in County Louth which focus on Brigit as Peace-Weaver and is curated by the wonderful Dr Mary Condren.

*NOTE: Due to Storm Éowyn, this event will now take place on the weekend of 1 February. All registrations for the original event are valid for the rescheduled event. However, if anyone is unable to attend the rescheduled event, please contact wsibrigit2025@gmail.com and they will arrange for your refund. See WomanSpiritIreland Website for more information.

With thanks again to Kildare County Council/ Brigid 1500 for awarding me a Brigid 1500 Grant in 2024 which allowed me to work with Niamh Boyce and Arlen House to curate Fire: Brigid and The Sacred Feminine which is also available for purchase from KENNYS (free postage in Ireland), BLACKWELLS (free worldwide postage) and to borrow from libraries across Ireland.

On Reading

January Reading

Some of my reading for the new year: a lovely mix of poetry and prose. The photograph shows books (from top to bottom) by: Celia de Fréine, Isabel Allende (my book swap from the Irish Writers Centre Nollaig na mBan event), Maeve O’Sullivan, Samantha Harvey, Susannah Dickey, Dawn Watson, fran lock, Anne Tannam, Patrick Chapman, Neil Hegarty, and Deborah Levy.

Collaboration, Writing Festival, Writing Life, Writing News

Nollaig na mBan Celebrations

I’m delighted to be representing Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann alongside fellow board member Celia de Fréine at this year’s Irish Writers Centre celebration of Nollaig na mBan. In these difficult times, it is even more important to defend the right to responsible Freedom of Expression which is at the core of the work of all PEN centres.

Poet Jessica Traynor will host the evening which will celebrate women, explore witchcraft, the tarot and scientific achievement. I very much look forward to hearing contributions from Marianne Lee, Nuala O’Connor, Sophie White, Chandrika Marayanan-Mohan, Anne Tannam and musician Zoé Basha.

Nollaig na mBan: Women of Magic and Science takes place on Monday 6th January in Pearse Street Library at 7pm.

Irish Times, Saturday 4th January 2025 – Summary of the event.