Creative Writing with WEB Women’s Writing Group

Following the success of the WEB anthology Tearing Stripes off Zebras (edited by Nessa O’Mahony and published by Arlen House), DLR and Ballyogan Libraries will host some members of the WEB Women’s Writing Group in an 8-week programme of creative writing workshops exploring memoir, the craft of writing, the Irish language, poetry, prose.

I’m delighted to be giving a workshop “The Domestic in Poetry and Prose” in Ballyogan Library on September 11th. All Welcome!

More information on the DLR County Council Website.

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.

Launch of FIRE – what a memorable evening!

Contributors and Editors at the launch of FIRE in Naas Library and Cultural Centre (Photo courtesy of Attracta Fahy)
Shauna Gilligan, Editor and Project Lead, Lucina Russell, Lecturer University of Limerick, who launched FIRE and Niamh Boyce, Editor at the launch 26/09/2024.
Image of Noreen Ramsay’s Brigid’s Mantle featured in Fire

Contributors travelled long distances to Kildare – from Cork, Clare, Galway to name a few – in terrible weather to celebrate the coming together of the work but also of the people who contributed, and (most) who were meeting the editors/ fellow artists/ contributors for the first time. Thank you to everyone who travelled to read, to listen, to support. It was – and still is – very much appreciated.

Thank you to my co-editor Niamh Boyce – and good luck to her on her residency in Paris! – and publisher Alan Hayes, Arlen House, a joy to work with.

Thank you to Evelyn and Kevin at Naas Library and Cultural Centre, and to KRF 2024 for the beautiful venue and warm welcome. It was truly a wonderful evening!

Purchasing Details: KENNYS in Ireland (free postage in Ireland) and BLACKWELLS (free worldwide postage)

THANK YOU again to funders, Brigid 1500 and Kildare County Council