MAY
2013

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins launched a new stamp issued by An Post which honours Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. Fighting Words, which provides free tutoring in creative writing for students of all ages in Ireland, was asked by An Post to invite primary and secondary school students to write a story which would capture the essence of Dublin city - in precisely 224 words! That story forms the design of the new stamp. The winner is Eoin Moore from Marino in Dublin and the stamp is available from major post offices.

Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian and Chair of the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature management Group said 'I am delighted that the literary city are being honoured in this way and I would like to congratulate both Eoin on his beautifully written story and An Post on this imaginative way of bringing Dublin's literary credentials to worldwide attention in this way.'

MAY
2013

Getting Non-Fiction Published: Fergal Tobin,

author and commissioning editor at Gill & MacMillan.

Thursday 9th May 8pm United Arts Club, Dublin 2.

Fergal will discuss how to submit, what to submit and how to get published: What are the key ingredients needed to write and sell non-fiction? In a market where non-fiction will always have a healthy share, how do you take your first step?

Fergal Tobin has been publishing director of Gill & Macmillan since 1994. Among the books he has published are the monumental Encyclopaedia of Ireland; David McWilliams' The Pope's Children; Frank McDonald's ground-breaking manifesto The Destruction of Dublin, a book that one reviewer said was "the best book published in Ireland since the Book of Kells"; Fintan O'Toole's Irish Times Book of the Century; and, last autumn, Mary O'Rourke's best-selling memoir Just Mary, which will appear in paperback later this month. In the course of his career, he has published almost 2,000 books. As an author, he writes popular history most often under the pseudonym Richard Killeen. The pseudonym is now being retired and his next book, The Irish Revolution 1912-25: an illustrated history, will appear next October under his own name, as will all future books.

Fergal was President of CLE/Publishing Ireland from 2002 to 2004 and was President of the Federation of European Publishers, based in Brussels, from 2010 to 2012.

Tickets are €3/€5 and booking is advisable. You can book your ticket at http://IrishPENFergalTobin.eventbrite.ie

APRIL
2013 The University of Iowa's International Writing Program presents The Virtual Poetry Seminars this May. These online poetry seminars run over 7 weeks and are available to writers witha an active commitment to reading poetry and refining their craft although previous experience is not a requirement. International writers are encouraged to apply. For more information see http://iwp.uiowa.edu/calendar/2013-05-08/applications-due-for-virtual-poetry-seminars-advanced-poetry-seminar-poetry-mast

APRIL
2013

The Contemporary Music Centre in association with The Royal Irish Academy of Music presents Musical Tales 2013, two concerts in Dublin City Libraries as part of Dublin: One City, One Book celebration of Strumpet City with music from Irish composers inspired by the city of Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature. Event programme available here

The concerts will take place on

Wednesday 24th April in the Central Library from 1-2pm. Admission free. Booking essential, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it tel: 01 8434333

Thursday 25th April in Rathmines Library from 1-2pm. Admission free. Booking essential, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it tel: 01 4973539

APRIL
2013 Liam Carson's Call mother a lonely field has been shortlisted for The Royal Society of Literature's Ondaatje Prize. The £10,000 RSL Ondaatje Prize is awarded annually to a book of the highest literary merit – fiction, non-fiction or poetry – evoking the spirit of a place.

APRIL
2013

For those who missed Bread and Roses: Strumpet City Revisited in Dublin Castle on 3rd April, you can hear the event on RTÉ 1's Arena this evening at 7pm

APRIL
2013

APRIL
2013 Strumpet City the choice for Dublin: One City, One Book 2013 has reached number one on the Irish bestsellers' list http://www.rte.ie/ten/2013/0409/strumpetcity.html

APRIL
2013

Ten novels have been shortlisted for the 2013 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award.

The list includes City of Bohane by Irish author, Kevin Barry, five novels in translation (from Japan, Iceland, Norway, The Netherlands and France); one British and three American novels.

The shortlisted titles, announced by The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí, Patron of the Award, in Dublin today are:

City of Bohane by Kevin Barry (Irish) (First novel) Published by Johathan Cape

The Map and the Territory by Michel Houellebecq (French) Translated from the original French by Gavin Bowd. Published by William Heineman

Pure by Andrew Miller  (British) Published by Sceptre

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (Japanese) Translated from the original Japanese by Jay Rubin and Philip Gabriel. Published by Harvill Secker and Alfred A. Knopf

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (Japanese American) Published by Alfred A. Knopf

The Tragedy of Arthur by Arthur Phillips (American) Published by Random House Inc.

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (American) Published by Alfred A. Knopf

From the Mouth of the Whale by Sjón (Icelandic) Translated from the original Icelandic by Victoria Cribb. Published by Telegram Books.

The Faster I Walk, The Smaller I Am by Kjersti Skomsvold (Norwegian) (First novel) Translated from the original Norwegian by Kerri A. Pierce. Published by Dalkey Archive Press

Caesarion by Tommy Wieringa (Dutch) Translated from the original Dutch by Sam Garrett. Published by Portobello Books

 

The winner will be announced on Thursday 6th June.

For full details on the shortlisted books go to http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/

 

APRIL
2013 Exciting news about a new City Library for Dublin City Centre was released this morning. View the Brochure

MARCH
2013

Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, The Irish Times and Penguin Books are delighted to present Mohsin Hamid bestselling author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, in conversation about his new book How To Get Filthy Rich In Rising Asia with Dr. Sharae Deckard, School of English,University College Dublin, on Tuesday 2nd April at 6:30pm in the Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8. This event is free, but booking is essential. To reserve your tickets email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MARCH
2013 The shortlist for the 23rd CBI Book of the Year Awards was revealed on Tuesday 29th March. Each of the ten titles will compete for six awards, which includes the innovative ‘Children’s Choice Award’ voted for by ten junior juries located across the country. The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 8th May.

The shortlisted titles are:

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

Hóng by Anna Heussaff

Na Laochra is Lú by Laoise Ní Cléirigh and illustrated by Steve Simpson

Spellbound by Siobhán Parkinson and illustrated by Olwyn Whelan

Mise agus an Dragún by Patricia Forde and illustrated by Steve Simpson

Dark Warning by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers

Grounded by Sheena Wilkinson

For more details go to http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/blog/cbi-awards-shortlist-revealed/

MARCH
2013 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council invites applications for a writer in residence for the Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival for the period May to October 2013. The residency seeks to support a writer in any genre. The residency is envisaged as a part-time position which will allow time primarily for engagement and interaction with the general public and more specifically with those who have an interest in writing. Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival is the focus for this engagement. In addition the residency will also allow time to develop the writer’s own work. Collaborative proposals are also welcomed.

Closing date: 12pm Thursday 4th April 2013 

Full brief available on www.dlrcoco.ie/arts or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Tel: 01 271 9531

MARCH
2013

Experience Dublin Literature is a charity event in aid of a secondary student who has recently suffered a spinal chord injury.  Two Dublin based emerging authors, Janet E. Cameron and Irene Lawlor, have volunteered to deliver reading from their recently published book, entertain an audience questions and answers session, and a book signing.  The event is being held on 4th April 2013 at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.  Tickets will be sold on the door for €10 with proceeds being provided to the family of the student in order to purchase the assistive technology required to help him succeed in his educational career.  

For more details go to @Dublin_LitExp  or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Experience-Dublin-Literature/167598586727126

MARCH
2013

A new project for LGBT young people in Dublin, May-June 2013

 

Writing is a singularly powerful way to process difficult or new emotions, to communicate our sense of ourselves to the world and in so doing to make sense of who we are.  

Inverse is a new project for LGBT young people, which will take place in the Spring of 2013: a 6-week programme of creative writing workshops, during which participants will explore ideas of narrative, identity, creativity and form.

A group of LGBT young people will take part in workshops, theatre trips, and tours in Dublin City Centre, create original pieces of creative writing, and have the opportunity to present them as part of a public spoken word event in June 2013.  The workshops will be fun, welcoming spaces, where participants will be encouraged to use creative writing to explore, challenge and express themselves.

Inverse is an initiative which aims to provide young people, facing new and sometimes challenging realities, with tools to negotiate them.  It aims to generate positive narratives for LGBT young people, and to empower and strengthen LGBT identities. 

The word ‘inverse’ was coined in an early attempt to label sexualities in late 19^th-century Europe.  This project aims to reclaim the word, using it to celebrate opposition, difference and creative inquiry. 

Inverse has been devised by two writers, Nicole Rourke and Nathan O’Donnell, in conjunction with the Dublin arts organisation, Big Smoke Writing Factory.  The organisers are currently calling all LGBT young people, interested in reading, writing, and creativity, to get in touch and sign up for this free pilot programme. 

 

WHEN: Saturdays, 4 May – 8 June (6 weeks)

WHERE: Big Smoke Writing Factory, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2

ADMISSION: Free

AGE RANGE: 16 – 19

 

For further information please contact:

Nathan O’Donnell

Tel: 086 6622671

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: inverseproject.blogspot.ie

Twitter: twitter.com/nathanodonnell 

MARCH
2013

Join the Bloomsday Survival Kit team during the month of March for readings from Ulysses

Tuesday 5th March 

Meet at 7pm: The Twisted Pepper, Middle Abbey Street (opposite Arnotts)

Bring: a copy of Ulysses if you have it and your Bloomsday Survival Kit if you're lucky enough to possess one.

We'll read: Chapter 8 from Ulysses, Lestrygonians: The One with the Arseholes

Cost: There'll be a bowler hat at the end for donations.

Call Jessica on 086 818 5537 for information

Tuesday 12th March

Meet at 7pm: Seminar Room, National Library, Kildare street

Bring: a copy of Ulysses if you have it and your Bloomsday Survival Kit if you're lucky enough to possess one.

We'll read: Chapter 9 from Ulysses, Scylla and Charybdis: The One with Shakespeare

Cost: There'll be a bowler hat at the end for donations.

Call Jessica on 086 818 5537 for information

Saturday 23rd March

Meet at 2pm: Arc de Triomphe, Stephen's Green main entrance.

Bring: a copy of Ulysses if you have it and your Bloomsday Survival Kit if you're lucky enough to possess one.

We'll read: Chapter 10 from Ulysses, Wandering Rocks: The One with Everybody in It

Cost: There'll be a bowler hat at the end for donations.

Call Jessica on 086 818 5537 for information

 

FEBRUARY
2013

Wednesdays 

Garrett Fagan

This course is designed to tie in with events in the Dublin: One City, One Book festival 2013 culminating in an extended engagement with the 2013 selected title. Students will also read the books previously chosen for the Dublin: One City, One Book festival: Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Bram Stoker ’s Dracula, Sebastian Barry’s A Long Long Way, Flann O’Brien’s At Swim Two Birds, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Joseph O’Connor’s Ghost Light.

The focus of the course will be to situate these books as Dublin books, showing different aspects and histories of the city. The course will consider the changing place of Dublin in literature and examine different ways the city has been represented by writers. The course will build up to a sustained consideration of the Dublin: One City, One Book choice for 2013, Strumpet City by James Plunkett, making full use of events staged by Dublin City Libraries and project partners.

For more information go to http://www.ucd.ie/adulted/coursesbycode/ln248/

FEBRUARY
2013

To celebrate International Ear and Sound Day on Sunday 3 March there will be three unique live performances in the Boys School at Smock Alley Theatre, each performace features a collaboration by a poet and a sound artist. Scheduled as part of the Collaborations Festival 2013, this show will include experimental sound performances by poets Kit Fryatt, Annemarie Ni Churreáin, Christodoulos Makris, and sound artists Elizabeth Hilliard, Ed Devane, Keith Lindsay.

Venue and Time: Smock Alley Theatre at 8pm
Entrance: €5 (Tickets available on the door)
Duration: 40 mins
More information: http://3xdistilled.tumblr.com/ http://www.facebook.com/events/427916617284437/

FEBRUARY
2013

The National Gallery of Ireland will hold a study morning entitled Modernist Images and Portrait Painting on Saturday, 23^rd February.Speakers include the singer Veronica Dunne and the artist Colin Davidson. Colin will be discussing his new portrait of the poet Michael Longley, which is one of the latest additions to the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.

 Michael Longley himself will also be present, and will give a reading of some of his poetry at 1.30pm (this portion of the day is free to all, and no booking is required).

 Tickets (€25, €5 students) for the study morning may be booked in advance from the Gallery Shop on 01 663 3518. Ticket holders can avail of a 10% discount in the gallery shop and café on the day. Full details are available on http://www.nationalgallery.ie/en/whatson/ConferencesStudyMornings/Modernist_Images_and_Portraits.aspx

FEBRUARY
2013

Hotel Doolin in association with the Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce the launch of DOOLIN SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2013! Prize fund: €1,000 for first place and second/third of €600/€400. Entries can be on any theme and should be no longer than 3,000 words. The entry fee is €7 and closing date for entries is 5pm on Monday 8th April. This year's judge is John MacKenna. Winners will be announced at the inaugural Doolin Writer's Weekend on 24th - 26th May 2013.  Doolin Writers weekend will consist of workshops, lectures and readings by some of Ireland's leading writers, as well as some great local traditional music. All three winning entries will feature on the Irish Writers’ website and the story placed first will also appear in print in The Clare People. To download a copy of the application form go to www.writerscentre.ie

FEBRUARY
2013

The award winning and international based company beActive is looking to recruit new Ghostwriters and screen writers to work with their development team on upcoming projects.

 

beActive’s previous TV and film projects include the award winning Irish interactive TV series Aisling’s Diary, feature film Beat girl and upcoming sci fi project Collider in addition to the Emmy nominated Brazilin series Final Punishment.

 

This year they have several new and exciting projects coming up covering a range of genres from young adult and women's contemporary fiction to autobiography and science-fiction and they’re looking for motivated creative ghost-writers to work with them on these projects and for new and emerging screen writing talent to attach to other works.

 

If you are interested please email Triona ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and send her a one-page CV along with a short sample of your work.

 

For more information on the company see www.beactivemedia.com

JANUARY
2013

The Mitchelstown Literary Society has announced the launch of the third William Trevor / Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition.

The Society was founded to celebrate the lives and works of two of Ireland’s literary greats with Mitchelstown connections. The short story competition evolved as an adjunct to the annual literary festival and aims to provide a competitive outlet for new and emerging writers in the short story genre.

First prize is €3000, second prize is €500 and there are five runner up prizes of €200.00 each.
There is an entry fee of €20.00 per entry and each entry must have an official entry form attached. Go to www.mitchelstownlit.com for more details, rules and entry forms.

JANUARY
2013

Will take place from 11am - 5pm on Sunday 27th January at Tara Towers Hotel, Merrion Road (just past Vincents Hospital). Admission is €2.00

Free parking permits are available for collection at the admissions desk.

                   

JANUARY
2013

On Saturday 26th January marking the 144th anniversary of the death of the 19thC Irish author William Carleton, two short talks will take place in Sandford Church, Ranelagh, Dublin at 12:30pm

Admission free. Membership of the William Carleton Society will be available for €5.

JANUARY
2013

The Pollard Collection of Children’s Books, a generous bequest to the Trinity Library from  Mary ('Paul') Pollard (1922-2005), is a collection of over 10,000 books covering the period from late 17thC to early 20thC. Extensive holdings of works by Maria Edgeworth, Barbara Hofland and Mary Sherwood feature in the collection. It contains many books of Irish interest, and includes moral tales and tracts, learner readers, chapbooks, nineteenth-century annuals and magazines. One of the most significant of its kind, the Pollard Collection offers enormous opportunities for research and scholarship.

During this lecture, Dr Pádraic Whyte will provide an overview of the collection, research underway, its significance nationally and internationally, and also conduct a close analysis of certain texts within the collection. More specifically, he will discuss his current research and his use of the collection in constructing a history of Irish Children's Literature.

Venue: Neill/Hoey Lecture Theatre, Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute

Date and Time: Monday 11 February 2013 at 7pm

Admission is free and all are welcome http://www.tcd.ie/longroomhub/events/forthcoming/

     

DECEMBER
2012

Have you always wanted to write a book but don’t know how to start? The National Emerging Writers Programme, aims to encourage new writing talent from all parts of the country by providing expert advice on DVD and online from some of Ireland’s best known and internationally successful writers.

Hear Carlo Gébler discuss Starting to Write, Sinéad Moriarty talk about Telling the Story and Declan Hughes giving tips on Revising, Rewriting and Overcoming Obstacles.

 The DVDs are available to borrow from libraries nationwide or access the content online at www.dublincityofliterature.ie, www.writing.ie or on YouTube. The DVD is also available to purchase from Amazon.  

The National Emerging Writers Programme is a Dublin UNESCO City of Literature project which has been developed in association with Writing.ie and is funded by Dept. Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.

Each of the programmes has been edited into easy view sections for web-viewers and is available to see on www.writing.ie and on You Tube from 1^st January 2013.

View the trailer here: http://youtu.be/Q3fB6xjrysk

DECEMBER
2012

DECEMBER
2012

The first public reading of John Milton's Paradise Lost in aid of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland will take place on Friday 14th December from 10am until 10pm.

 10am–2pm in the Graduate Memorial Building (GMB), Trinity College Dublin

2pm–10pm in the Gallery Chapel, Trinity College Dublin

All welcome - please go along and show your support

Readers include: Harry Clifton, Gerald Dawe, Seamus Heaney, Dave Lordan, Thomas Luxon, Iggy McGovern, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, David Norris, Michael O’Loughlin, Nessa O’Mahony, Eve Patten, Patrick Prendergast, Gerard Smyth, Joseph Woods, Macdara Woods, members of Trinity Players, students and staff of the School of English, Trinity College Dublin, and many more.

NOVEMBER
2012

The Fantastic: Tribute to Bram Stoker

                                         

Wednesday 28th November: 6.30pm, Instituto Cervantes Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Free Admission

Instituto Cervantes Dublin is pleased to invite Luis Alberto de Cuenca and Alicia Marino, who will pay homage to the Dublin writer Bram Stoker. The talk will be chaired by Dr. Jarlath Killeen, Lecturer in Victorian Literature at Trinity College Dublin.This event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bram Stoker's death (1847-1912) and remember the author who has been idolized and remembered by the creation of one of the most influential horror stories in history: Dracula

 

In Spanish and English, with simultaneous interpreting

Free Admission

Instituto Cervantes Dublin, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2

NOVEMBER
2012

Congratulations to all of the winners at last night's Irish Book Awards. The winners were

Just Mary by Mary O'Rourke - RTÉ 1's John Murray Show Listeners' Choice Award

A Week In Winter by Maeve Binchy - Eason Popular Fiction Award

Broken Harbour by Tana French - Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award

The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan- Sunday Independent Newcomer Of The Year Award

Ancient Light by John Banville - Eason Novel Of The Year Award

Artemis Fowl And The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer - Specsavers Children's Book Of The Year Senior

This Moose Belongs To Me by Oliver Jeffers - Specsavers Children's Book Of The Year Junior

Atlas Of The Great Irish Famine by Crowley, Smyth & Murphy's - International Education Services Best Irish - Published Book Of The Year

Country Girl by Edna O'Brien - Argosy Nonfiction Book Of The Year

My Olympic Dream by Katie Taylor - Life Style Sports  Sports Book Of The Year Award

Eat Like An Italian by Catherine Fulvio - Avonmore Cookbook Of The Year Award

 

The 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award was won by Jennifer Johnston

 

 

 

 

 

NOVEMBER
2012

Visualising the Gothic: Ways of seeing the Unseen with guest speaker Sir Christopher Frayling and introduction by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí will take place on Thursday 29th December at 6:30pm at The National Gallery of Ireland.

Admission is free.

This lecture is supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

NOVEMBER
2012

Thursday, November 15th, 2012 : International Day of the Imprisoned Writer

Day of the Imprisoned Writer

15 November 2012

The New Theatre

43 East Essex St., Temple Bar @ 5.30pm

NOVEMBER
2012 The long list for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2013 was announced on Monday 12th November in Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse St. Dublin 2. With 154 books, nominated by libraries in 120 cities, in 44 countries, in 19 languages, it's the most International of Awards. Eight Irish authors were nominated for the 2013 award. For a list of all the nominated books go to www.impacdublinaward.ie

OCTOBER
2012

OCTOBER
2012

On 2nd November at 8pm experience an evening of haunting performance and chilling music exploring Dublin city’s Gothic Writing Spook yourself on All Soul’s Night with samples of Dublin’s darker writing – with Eerie music, chant and candles in the ancient and atmospheric St Werburgh’s Church.
DARKER DUBLIN includes: A Talk on Gothic Writing and music from The Crux Vocal Ensemble with Natalia Astramowicz-McGough, saxophone and David O'Shea, organ. Performances from local Gothic Writing including; W.B. Yeats and Sheridan Le Fanu

Tickets €15

To Book: www.entertainment.ie/darkerdublin
WORDS @WERBURGH’S OPENS A NEW SERIES OF LITERARY EVENTS AT THIS HISTORIC CHURCH IN THE CENTRE OF DUBLIN
Presented by Temple Bar Traders and The Flying Book Club

OCTOBER
2012 Congratulations to journalist Gene Kerrigan who has won the Gold Dagger for the best crime novel of the year for The Rage.

OCTOBER
2012

As part of the Tercentenary celebrations of the Old Library in Trinity College and in conjunction with Library week, on Library Day Wednesday 14^th November 2012 – Trinity College Library is inviting members of the public to enjoy free admission to the Old Library to view the Book of Kells: ‘Turning Darkness into Light’ exhibition, the magnificent Long Room and the current exhibition from its rich collections - Drawn to the Page: Irish Artists and Illustration ca 1830-1930  from 9.30am to 5pm. See http://www.bookofkells.ie/ for details.

OCTOBER
2012

"Richard Ford has written a great American novel, another masterpiece, and he most emphatically has. Canada is his finest work to date."

(Eileen Battersby)

 

A rare opportunity to hear acclaimed American author

Richard Ford read from his latest novel Canada in the unique surroundings of the

Exam Hall, Front Square in Trinity College on

Wednesday 17^th October at 7:30pm

 

To book: Tel: 01 6744877 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Bloomsbury Publishers in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and School of English, Trinity College

 

"Canada is a superlatively good book, richly imagined and beautifully fashioned. Although it is too early to do so, one is tempted to acclaim it a masterpiece". (John Banville)

OCTOBER
2012 Congratulations to Shaun Dunne, writer of Death of the Tradesmen, who won the Fishamble New Writing Award 2012 at Dublin Fringe Festival. Shaun receives a stipend and dramaturgical support towards his next play, as well as a place on a Fishamble playwriting course and residency in the Artists’ Retreat on Inis Oírr. The other short-listed nominees were Stefanie Preissner for Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Demian Fox, Shane O’Brien and James Walmsley for Clowns, Ross Dungan for The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle.

OCTOBER
2012 As part of this series author T.C. Boyle will give a reading at the County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on Tuesday 9th October at 7:30pm. Tickets are €8/€5 and are available for purchase from the Pavilion Theatre Box Office at  www.paviliontheatre.ie or tel: 01 2312929

OCTOBER
2012 Congratulations to Martina Devlin on winning the Royal Society of Literature's 2012 VS Pritchett Memorial Prize. This prize is awarded for the best unpublished short story of the year in the UK.

OCTOBER
2012

ARTS ACT 2003

Dublin City Council invites applications for funding towards arts projects and programmes in the city which are complementary to the following objectives:

• Achieving quality provision of the arts and cultural services
• Supporting the established and emerging artist
• Ensuring equality of public access to and participation in the arts, particularly through the city neighbourhoods
• Encouraging awareness, education and research in the arts
• Supporting the sustainable and strategic development of arts initiatives

Application forms, guidelines and criteria may be obtained from:

 

City Arts Office, Dublin City Council, The LAB, Foley St., Dublin 1

Tel: 222 7843 or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OR DOWNLOAD CRITERIA & APPLICATION FORM HERE:

Arts Grant 2013 - Application Form
Arts Grant 2013 - Criteria & Guidelines

Closing date for receipt of Applications is Friday 26th October 2012 at 5pm. Please note there are important changes to the scheme this year. 

Tá leaganacha Gaeilge de na foirmeacha seo ar fáil  

OCTOBER
2012

A masterclass on 19 October 2012 

at Marsh's Library, Dublin

Organised by National University of Ireland Maynooth & Marsh’s Library, Dublin 

This study day is funded by The Heritage Council of Ireland, the French Embassy in Ireland, and Marsh’s Library, Dublin

 

The Man, his archive, and its importance

 Élie Bouhéreau was a Huguenot refugee who came to Ireland in 1697 from La Rochelle. In 1701, he became the first librarian of Marsh’s Library, Dublin, to which he donated his extensive private library and some of his personal papers. The Library holds a unique set of letters, some 1,200 manuscripts, written in French and occasionally in Latin, which were sent to Élie Bouhéreau between 1662 and 1690 by his friends, family, colleagues and associates in the French Reformed Church and the medical profession. The correspondence provides unique insights into family life, student life at the Protestant Academy of Saumur, the troubled existence of French Protestants and their churches under Louis XIV, and the practice of medicine in early-modern France. The masterclass will situate the correspondence in its French context, provide participants with some of the tools for reading it, and offer a unique and exciting opportunity to view hand-written letters from the 1660s to the 1690s. Academics, librarians, archivists, students and interested members of the public are welcome to participate.

Numbers are limited; early registration is advised, by 15 October. Send name and contact details to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A contribution of €5 to the cost of catering is requested on the day

SEPTEMBER
2012

Next Door Neighbours event as part of Dublin Theatre Festival…

18 years ago, Conor McPherson and Jez Butterworth met briefly in a pub on their respective journeys as playwrights of international stature. This Saturday 29th September, 4pm at Project Arts Centre, the pair will resume that conversation. Amongst the discussion will be the vexed question of national identity. Both Conor and Jez are widely attributed as speaking for, or about, Ireland and England respectively. Is that their intention? How differently are their plays interpreted throughout the world?

Free tickets on the door.

This is the final Next Door Neighbours event of the 2012 festival season. Next Door Neighbours is a programme of UK arts at seven Irish festivals in parallel with the London 2012 Olympic Games and Cultural Olympiad. It is a partnership programme run by the British Council and The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion in association with the Department for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with support from Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

SEPTEMBER
2012

The Merriman Short Story Competition is dedicated to the memory of the late Maeve Binchy, who was a life-long supporter of Cumann Merriman and a regular visitor to the Merriman Summer School. In 2005 Maeve wrote a special short story for the Brian Merriman bicentenary celebrations. The story, entitled A Week in Summer, was read by the author at that year’s Summer School in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare and was recorded live. A limited edition of the story was subsequently published in CD and booklet form. Maeve generously donated the royalties from the US edition to Cumann Merriman, and she agreed that her donation be used to award a short story prize. A prize of €1000 will be awarded to the winning short story, which must be original, unpublished and unbroadcast. Entries should be not more than 2,500 words in length and set in Ireland. Stories may be written in Irish or English. The competition is confined to writers born or living on the island of Ireland. The closing date for entries is October 31st 2012. The Merriman Short Story Competition is being run in association with Cumann Merriman, the Ennis Book Club Festival, Clare County Library and the Irish Times. The winning story will be read at the 2013 Ennis Book Club Festival and will be published in the Irish Times.

Please click here for competition guidelines

SEPTEMBER
2012

To celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, the National Library of Ireland and Poetry Ireland are delighted to announce the POETRY ALOUD Poetry Speaking Competition 2012 for post-primary school students.

 

Participants will be expected to speak the poems from memory. This year’s prescribed poems include poems from William Butler Yeats to coincide with the award winning exhibition Yeats: the life and times of William Butler Yeats which is running in the National Library. Also included are poems by the War Poets to mark the library’s involvement in the Europeana 1914 - 1918 project and poems by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney in acknowledgement of his support for the Poetry Aloud competition.

 

The competition is open to all students attending a second-level school on the island of Ireland. The list of prescribed poems and entry requirements are on the entry form.

 

Entries are now being sought for the 2012 competition.

 

• Entry forms may be downloaded from the National Library’s website: http://www.nli.ie/, or from the Poetry Ireland website: www.poetryireland.ie

 

• Entry forms should reach the National Library of Ireland no later than Wednesday 26^th September.

 

 

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Note: Regional heats will take place from the 15^th October and depending on the number of entries received it is planned to host regional heats in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, Laois, Monaghan, Mullingar, Sligo, Tipperary and Waterford.

SEPTEMBER
2012

PERCOLATE presents the Premiere of Green Street Sep 14-22 at ABSOLUT Fringe 2012.

“Though you my Lord, sit there as a judge, and I stand here a culprit, yet you are but a man – and I am a man also.”

The historic doors of Green Street Courthouse will be swung open to ABSOLUT Fringe audiences over 10 nights in an original and new production by Percolate.

When Robert Emmet was sentenced to death for treason in 1803 he made a speech that went viral. It outraged the Government, inspired the nation and still resonates today.

Come to Green Street Courthouse and take an unprecedented opportunity to see inside the hidden spaces of this beautiful, atmospheric building – annexes, cells, the judges’ room, as well as the courtroom itself. You will encounter a contemporary, kaleidoscopic piece of theatre inspired by some of the trials that have unfolded within Green Street’s walls, from 1803 to the present day.

The courthouse, in Smithfield, is a Dublin landmark with a weight of legal history. Just six years after it first opened, one of Ireland’s most famous ‘show trials’ took place there. In 1803, on the eve of his execution for his part in a shambolic rebellion, Robert Emmet delivered a mesmerising and immortal speech from its dock.

Throughout the 19th century, the court served as a crucible of Irish history, politics and revolutionary struggle. Among the many Dubliners who enjoyed watching proceedings at Green Street from the public gallery was James Joyce. He wrote about the comic tragedy of the case of Myles Joyce, a native Irish speaker accused of the Maamtrasna Murders and tried and sentenced to death in a language he did not understand -- a case that features in the current play.      

In 1972, the building became the high security, non-jury Special Criminal Court. It heard a series of IRA trials over the years, was bombed in 1976, and more recently began to hear the trials of drug gang members. In 2009 Green Street Courthouse was closed as a court, but still serves as an administrative building for the Courts Service. 

 

BOOKING AND LISTING INFORMATION

PERCOLATE presents
Green Street
at ABSOLUT FRINGE 2012
Green Street Courthouse, Smithfield, Dublin 7

Preview Thursday 13 September | Opens Friday 14 September  | Runs until Saturday 22 September
Thursday 13 September | Preview at 7pm and 9pm| €11
Friday 14 September toSunday 22 September  7pm and 8pm | €14/12
Regrettably this show is not wheelchair accessible
Tickets from  http://www.fringefest.com/programme/green-street

SEPTEMBER
2012

Underground Cinema Film Festival 2012 will take place from 13th-16th September in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.

In celebration of Bram Stoker's centenary Dacre Stoker will be joining them on Saturday 15th. From 5pm onwards The Dracula Experience will begin with a live Skype Q and A session with Jim Hart, screenwriter (Dracula 1992) hosted by Dacre; an exhibition of Stoker effects along with film memorabilia by John Moore, a presentation by Dacre Stoker and introduction to the 20th anniversary screening of Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 feature Dracula. Dacre will be available to chat throughout the day and in a day dedicated to horror there will be short and feature films screening all day.

For further information and to book tickets please go to website: http://www.undergroundcinema-filmfestival.com/

SEPTEMBER
2012

Multi-award winning Emma Donoghue, author of the worldwide bestseller Room, returns to the theatre with The Talk Of The Town inspired by the life and work of a pioneering writer and remarkable woman.

Ireland and America collide. From the red-brick suburbs of Ranelagh to the giddy heights of 1950s Manhattan, one woman - the iconic Maeve Brennan - made the leap.

Daughter of a famous revolutionary father, she threw herself into the glamour of New York literary circles while writing heartbreaking stories of a very different wordl back in Dublin. Beautiful, mercurial and devastatingly truthful in her work, she fascinated the world, including the brilliant and volatile men in her life at The New Yorker.

 

The Talk Of The Town is running from 27th September to 14th October at the Project Arts Centre

To book tickets go to www.dublintheatrefestival.com or tel: 01 677 8899

There are great discounts for groups, get every 11th ticket free!

 

SEPTEMBER
2012

In Dubliners, James Joyce offers an astonishing and enduring portrayal of the city – a mirror in which the people of Dublin, as Joyce once wrote, could take “one good look at themselves.” Nearly a hundred years since its publication, Dublin Theatre Festival and multi-award winning company The Corn Exchange present an extraordinary opportunity to experience a collection of Joyce's stories staged on a large scale for the first time in the city of their origin. 

This adaptation by award winning team Michael West and Annie Ryan will run for seven performances only at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre. 

 

Directed by Irish Times award winning director Annie Ryan the company deftly captures the rich humour, the small cruelties and the celebrated epiphanies of Joyce's iconic stories in their ground-breaking transformational style. The sterling cast will include Barbara Bergin, Janice Byrne, Derbhle Crotty, Jack Hickey, Stephen Jones, Mark Lambert, Nick Lee, Mark O’Halloran, Gus McDonagh and Ruth McGill.  

 

The 2012 Dublin Theatre Festival runs from 27 Sept - 14 Oct at various venues around the city,  The Festival presents new work from many of the leading and new Irish Theatre companies and writers as well as some of the best of International theatre and special events / talks complimenting the onstage work.   Full programme details can be found at www.dublintheatrefestival.com 

 

Booking details:    Dublin Theatre Festival, 44 East Essex Street, Dublin 2 

Tel: 01 6778899 of go to www.dublintheatrefestival.com

SEPTEMBER
2012 Congratulations to Michael Longley on winning the Poetry Now Award for his collection A Hundred Doors. The prize was presented yesterday at the County Hall, Dún Laoghaire as part of the Poetry Now strand at the Mountains to Sea Festival.

SEPTEMBER
2012

Congratulations to Mary Costello following the nomination of her book The China Factory for The Guardian First Book Award. The short story collection, published in May of this year, is one of only six fiction titles amongst the longlist of eleven books that have been selected.

The Guardian first book award is an annual award – established in 1999 and now in its 14th year – is open to all first-time authors writing in English, or translated into English, across all genres, and aims to recognise and reward the finest new writing talent. The winner will be at announced at a ceremony later this year and will receive a £10,000 prize plus an advertising package in the Guardian and the Observer.

SEPTEMBER
2012

Friday 28^th September 9.15am – 5.30pm

One-day immersion course

This course will introduce, contextualize and explore Joyce’s Ulysses, one of the most important novels in the English language. Beginning with an overview of Joyce’s life and times, the course will discuss the Modernist period before introducing Joyce’s famous novel and then examining in detail several passages from the text. The course will be delivered as an extended lecture and will be illustrated by a number of clips from the main film adaptations of the novel. Participants will be encouraged to share their own opinions whenever possible during the day.

This course will appeal to those who have read the novel, as well as those who are simply curious about its contents and it will be designed to suit those who attended Dr Dineen’s immersion course on Joyce earlier this summer, as well as those approaching Joyce for the first time.

 

Booking and payment:

To book a place tel: (01) 603 0259 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cost: €30. Places are limited, so booking is essential.

Payment can be made by cash at the Library at 2 – 3 Kildare Street (entrance at the Particles of the Past exhibition beside the Alliance Francaise) or by cheque paid payable to the National Library of Ireland.

SEPTEMBER
2012

Dubliners Comes Alive At Dublin Airport

 Dubliners @DublinAirport during September

 

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is bringing Dubliners to Dublin Airport passengers throughout the month of September to celebrate its sponsorship of a new theatrical adaptation of James Joyce’s famous collection of short stories in next month’s Dublin Theatre Festival.

 

Every day during September, five free copies of Dubliners will be left at Dublin Airport  with a Post It style note encouraging passengers to “take  me, I’m free”. Each copy contains a bookmark celebrating DAA’s sponsorship of the world première of Dubliners by James Joyce, produced by The Corn Exchange and Dublin Theatre Festival at this year’s theatre festival, which runs from September 27 – October 14.

 

For a chance of winning further prizes such as theatre tickets to Dubliners, sets of Penguin English Library classics and The Loop airport shopping vouchers, passengers who find a free copy of Dubliners will be asked to tweet a picture of their book on its travels to Dublin Airport’s Twitter account. These images will be re-tweeted by Dublin Airport and published on its Pinterest site and other social media channels.

 

Dublin Airport will also tweet a link to a Dubliners Daily – a short excerpt from The Corn Exchange production read by cast members Stephen Jones and Ruth McGill, with music composed by Conor Linehan – every day during September. These clips will build over the month to form an audio archive of the show. (http://soundcloud.com/dublin-airport/sets/dubliners-daily-1)

 

The WH Smith bookshops at Dublin Airport will also run a Dubliners promotion to coincide with the opening of the play and there will be competitions to win tickets and copies of Dubliners on Dublin Airport’s social various media sites. Dublin Airport will be using its Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Soundcloud accounts to promote the Dubliners @DublinAirport event throughout September.

 

Further details of Dubliners @DublinAirport can be found on http://www.dublinairport.com/ and the airport’s Twitter account https://twitter.com/dublinairport

 

 

SEPTEMBER
2012

A unique poetry show exploring emigration - featuring the work of Dónall Mac Amhlaigh read by Alan Titley; Mícheál Ó hAodha’s stunning debut Slán le hÉirinn; Rita Ann Higgins and a ‘rhyme essay’ that touches on themes of emigration and language; and Nessa O’Mahony’s acclaimed verse novel In Sight of Home.

Thousands are Sailing features beautiful onscreen projections by Margaret Lonergan, and music by Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames.

Produced by Liam Carson, IMRAM Féile Litríochta Gaeilge. 

Thursday September 6th @ 8.30pm 

Maritime Museum, Dún Laoghaire

Ticket Prices: €12 & €10 (Concession)

www.mountainstosea.ie

AUGUST
2012

Where Have All The Summers Gone?

2012 Great Writing Great Places

 

Dublin UNESCO City of Literature has great pleasure in launching the 2012 Great Writing Great Places series, bringing writers into unusual venues but with venues connected with their writing. Due to the huge interest in last year’s series this exciting programme of literature events will take place again this Autumn.

 

The first in the series of seven, Where have all the Summers Gone? takes place on Wednesday, 12^th September in Ireland’s oldest public library, Marsh’s Library, which dates from 1701. The cience of weather is a question which meteorologist Evelyn Cusack may be able to answer on the night !

 

“Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Writing.ie are yet again joining great writing with great places. Many of these locations are closed to the general public but will be open for the event and fit so well with the writing. Crime writing in Green Street Court House- where is more appropriate? We are delighted to be showcasing so many great writers” said Jane Alger, Director, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

 

Other events in the series include Parnell Without the Split: what if history had been different? with Myles Dungan in the House of Lords and A Literary Salon, which takes place in Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin’s Georgian House Museum.

Admission is free to all events but due to the high demand for tickets last year booking is essential. This project is supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, writing.ie and Ireland Funds.

 

A list of the first three events including booking information is available at www.dublincityofliterature.ie/great-writing-great-places.html with details of later events available in the next few days.

AUGUST
2012 Congratulations to Bob Johnson and all the staff at The Gutter Bookshop for being voted into the top twelve best shops in Ireland following a summer long survey by the Irish Times!

AUGUST
2012

 

“It is not my fault that the odour of ashpits and old weeds and offal

hangs about my stories. ... I seriously believe that you will retard

the course of civilisation in Ireland by preventing the Irish people

from having one good look at themselves in my nicely polished looking-glass.”  

 

As part of National Heritage Week and as a continued celebration of both the Dublin: One City, One Book initiative and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, The Liberties Heritage Association and St. Nicholas of Myra Heritage Project presents "Dubliner's Dubliners; from Araby to A Painful Case", an exhibition capturing in words and pictures the Dublin of James Joyce's Dubliners.

The exhibition  will be opened at the St Nicholas of Myra Parish Centre by the Director of the Abbey Theatre Fiach Mac Conghail on Monday 20th August at 7pm.

For full details click on the following link Dubliner's Dubliners Exhibition

AUGUST
2012

I gcaitheamh na 1950í chuaigh lucht tógála ón tír seo go dtí na hionaid tógála thall i Sasana. Léigh tú faoi sin sna leabhair Dialann Deoraí, cuimhní cinn, agus Deoraithe, úrscéal le Dónall Mac Amhlaigh. Léifidh Alan Titley sleachta as an dá leabhar. Inár dteannta beidh Mícheál Ó hAodha, agus a chnuasach filíochta á chur i láthair aige, Slán le hÉirinn. Is é atá san úrscéal véarsaíochta de chuid Nessa O’Mahony, In Sight of Home ná leabhar atá spreagtha ag cartlann de chomhfhreagras neamhfhoilsithe mar gheall ar na heachtraí a bhain do Bhuitléaraigh Chill Chainnigh san Astráil dóibh. Léifidh Rita Ann Higgins ‘aiste ríme’ a bhaineann le cúrsaí teanga is imirce i gConamara.

A unique poetry show exploring emigration - featuring the work of Dónall Mac Amhlaigh read by Alan Titley; Mícheál Ó hAodha’s stunning debut Slán le hÉirinn; Rita Ann Higgins and a ‘rhyme essay’ that touches on themes of emigration and language; and Nessa O’Mahony’s acclaimed verse novel In Sight of Home.

Thousands are Sailing features beautiful onscreen projections by Margaret Lonergan, and music by Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames.

Thursday September 6th from 8:30 - 10.30pm 
Maritime Museum
€12 & €10 (Concession)

To book go to www.mountainstosea.ie

AUGUST
2012

Writers of the City: the Literary Heritage of Inner Dublin

Peter Costello will speak about the literary heritage of inner city Dublin on Monday 20th August at 1pm in the Central Library, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1.

Admission free. Booking required.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 01 873 4333 Open Learning Centre

 

James Joyce and Other Scribes of the Township: Literary Figures in the Neighbourhood of Terenure

Peter Costello will give a talk on the literary figures of Terenure on Monday 20th August at 7pm in Terenure Library, Templeogue Road, Dublin 6W

Admission free. Booking required.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 01 490 7035

JULY
2012 The Office of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature is greatly saddened to hear of the death of Maeve Binchy. Maeve sold over 40 million books worldwide and her books were translated into 42 different languages. She has been accuratley described as one of the world's greatest storytellers. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.

JULY
2012 Dundalk Institute of Technology are currently inviting applications for a Writer in Residence who will engage with the Dundalk Insitute of Technology staff and students, and with the local community including the local schools. For full details please click on the following link Writer in Residence

JULY
2012

 

TICKETS 

JULY
2012 Congratulations to playwright and novelist Sebastian Barry following his conferring of an Honorary Degree in Literature by NUI Galway last week.

JULY
2012

The Irish Writer's Centre is hosting an information day on Publishing on 7 July. The day will start at 11.00am and run until 4.30pm. Tickets are €60 (€50 for members) . The day will feature talks from industry experts and will offer the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers. The event will feature talks with:

 

• Novelist, Arlene Hunt
• Editorial Director with Hachette Ireland, Ciara Doorley
• Publicity Director of Penguin Ireland, Cliona Lewis
• Literary Agent with Walsh Communications, Emma Walsh
• CEO of ePub Direct, Gareth Cuddy

 

For more information or to book a place go to www.writerscentre.ie or Tel: 01 8721302

JULY
2012 Congratulations to Anne Enright following her success at the first-ever Andrew Carnegie Awards for Excellence in Literature. Ann won in the fiction category for her novel The Forgotten Waltz.

JULY
2012

Dublin City Council invites tenders from suitably qualified individuals for Contract for Services for Dublin Writers Festival 2013 – Programme Director.

Full details are contained in the following documents Tender for Director and Services Terms and Conditions

JUNE
2012

Congratulations to Sebastian Barry on winning the Walter Scott Prize for his historical fiction novel On Canaan's Side. Sebastian was presented with the prize at the Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland on Sunday.

JUNE
2012

Café Literario, Instituto Cervantes

Lincoln Place, Dublin 2

Thursday, 21st June 2012, 6.00 pm

In Spanish

Bookings: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Instituto Cervantes celebrates Bloomsday and the 90th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses with a writing workshop. High point of the workshop will be a competition to write a choral text in Spanish inspired by James Joyces´s novel. The structure, characters and scenery will enable to design a narrative collage that will be published on the workshop´s blog. The workshop will be run by Sara Canto and she will work with some of the literary resources of the original text, such as the stream of consciousness and the interior monologue, in order to hear all participants voices. The author of the best Joycean paragraphs will be awarded the Molly Bloom prize.

Spanish level: Intermediate/Advanced

JUNE
2012 Jon McGregor has just been announced as the winner of the 2012 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award for his novel Even The Dogs. Congratulations Jon.

MAY
2012

This year the Bloomsday festival will run from the 10th to 16th June with numerous activities organised across the city.

 

The James Joyce Centre will have activites taking place over the five days in various locations to celebrate Leopold Bloom's journey around Dublin City on 16th June 1904. Click on the following link to download a copy of the 2012 programme.

 

Bewleys Café Theatre presents Molly Bloom from  Monday 11 – Thursday 14 June at 8pm

Eilin O’Dea reprises her acclaimed performance of Molly Bloom’s soliloquy which closes out Joyce’s seminal novel Ulysses.

Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, Grafton St.

Tickets: €12/€15. Contact: Bewley’s Cafe Theatre +353 (0)86 8784001 or go to website www.bewleyscafetheatre.com

 

Dún Laoghaire - Several events will take place in at the Pavillion Theatre in Dún Laoghiare to celebrate the Bloomsday festival. Tickets for all these events are €5. Click on the following link for dull details of all of the events Bloomsday in Dún Laoghaire

 

Bloomsday at Glasnevin Museum - amongst the countless Joycean characters buried in Glasnevin is the writer's father John Stanislaus. This year to celebrate this historic date Glasnevin Museum will run a series of events including a Joycean breakfast in the Tower cafe, a reading of Chapter six Hades by the Dublin  Shakespeare Society and a Joycean tour of the cemetery with Shane Mac Thomais.

10.00am - 4.00pm: Joycean breakfast and lunch in Glasnevin Museum's Tower Café.

12.00pm: Dublin Shakespeare Society presents a rehearsed reading from the ' Hades' chapter of Ulysses. Featuring Ian Blackmore, Terry Byrne, Joe Jordan, Val O'Donnell, Jim O'Keeffe and Blasie Reid. Duration 30 minutes (approx). Admission free.

1.30pm: Joycean Tour of Glasnevin Cemetery with Shane Mac Thomais. Tour tickets are €6. Booking is advised to avoid disappointment. To book tel: 01 8826550 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Bloomsday at the Irish Writers' Centre - 

The Irish Writers’ Centre will attempt to make history this Bloomsday by claiming the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Authors Reading Consecutively From Their Own Books’.

Senator David Norris will open proceedings in the Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin, at 10am on Friday, June 15th and the first reader will be best-selling novelist, John Boyne. The readings, of 15 minutes each will run for 28 hours, all through the night, culminating at 2pm on Bloomsday. The current record of 75 is held by the Berlin International Literature Festival.

The readings will be open to the public and the worldwide audience can join in too, as the whole event will be streamed live on the Irish Writers’ Centre website. There will be a broad range of texts and tastes, and audience members are invited to stay all night and cheer on the writers reading into the small hours.

For a full list of the readers taking part click here

 

Bloomsday at the National Library of Ireland

Joyce in Bloom - A talk for Bloomsday by Senator David Norris, Seminar Room at 2pm

The Music of Joyce's World - Denise Kelly-McDonnell harp, Ellen Cranitch flute, Jane Hughes cello Main Hall, National Library 1.30 pm – 7.00 pm with intermissions

A Taste of Ulysses: short extracts read by actors Mark Lambert and Barbara Brennan in the Reading Room at 1.30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm

All events are free and admission is on a first-come first-served basis.

For more information tel: 01 603 0259 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

JUST A SONG.  Bloomsday Readings  by Miriam Gallagher with Music by Ciaran Tourish (Altan)

Ranelagh Arts Centre (location: Village Market next door ) Tel: 085 7437212 

Sat. 16th June at 2.p.m. This is a free event. All welcome. 

As part of Bloomsday events organised by Ranelagh Arts Centre, local playwright, novelist and screenwriter, Miriam Gallagher will read from 'Dubliners'. Music will be played by Ciaran Tourish (Altan). Miriam is an award winning playwright whose work is produced worldwide. She has published four books of plays, a novel, a collection of short stories and non-fiction. For more information on the author visit www.miriamgallagher.ie.

 

Rough Magic Theatre present Travesties by Tom Stoppard, directed by Lynne Parker from the 7-23 June at 8pm in the Pavillion Theatre Dún Laoghaire.

Zurich 1917: artists and exiles take refuge from the Great War in neutral Switzerland. Joyce is writing Ulysess and Lenin is planning a revolution. Humorous complications and mistaken identities arise when Joyce decides to stage Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

Tickets are €18-€25. To book tel: 01 2312929 or log on to: www.paviliontheatre.ie

  

Bloomday at UCD - JoyceSong  - Irish songs from the works of James Joyce.
Lunchtime recitals by John Feeley and Fran O'Rourke with Joyce's recently restored guitar which dates from c. 1830. 

Newman House, 86 St Stephen's Green, Monday 11 - Friday 15, 1.05 - 1.55 pm. €10 www.joycesong.info
It is widely known from a famous photograph taken in 1915 by Joyce’s friend Ottacaro Weiss in Zurich (https://joycefoundation.osu.edu/people/joyce-5). Joyce gave the instrument to his friend Paul Ruggiero in the late '30s. Ruggiero donated it to the Joyce Museum in Sandycove in 1966. It was restored in March 2012 by renowned luthier Gary Southwell courtesy of facilities provided by the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. The guitar is on loan from the Joyce Tower courtesy of the James Joyce Museum; it will be returned to Sandycove in time for the Bloomsday celebrations.

Images of the restored guitar may be viewed at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gkvef259cbb2xvv/sciSpGvwzf

 

HOTELS

To honour Boomsday some of our Literary Ambassador Hotels are offering discounted rates click on the following link for details http://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/literary-world/dublin-literary-ambassador-hotels-and-restaurants.html

MAY
2012

Café Literario, Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2

Tuesday, 29th May 2012, 6.00 pm

Admission free

In Spanish with simultaneous translation

Instituto Cervantes pays tribute to the figure of a Spanish writer Félix Romeo (1968-2011) by organising a round table discussion and inviting five guests to talk about their relationships with this prolific author. Félix Romeo, born in Zaragoza, was a novelist, columnist, literary critic and translator. He is a key figure in the world of Spanish literature and he stood out for his work in the promotion of culture. He published work in various newspapers and cultural supplements and was director of the Spanish cultural television programme 'La Mandrágora'. His most recognised works are: Dibujos Animados, Amarillo and Discothèque.

The following guests will take part in the discussion:

Miguel Aguilar

Luis Alegre

Ignacio Martínez de Pisón

Malcom Barrall

David Trueba

MAY
2012

Northside Community Radio Station Near FM have produced a five part radio series to highlight and celebrate north Dublin’s contribution to UNESCO’s endorsement of Dublin as one of five World Cities of Literature. These programmes feature interviews with local authors from the north side of the city discussing their life and work. In the case of Bram Stoker they speak with local historian Denis McIntyre. Each programme also features panel discussions on one featured work from the author. This series focuses and highlights the unique contribution of north Dublin authors to Dublins status of a UNECSO city of Literature. This series is made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Irelands Sound & Vision fund.

Below are the links to the 5 podcasts

Paula Meehan - http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6555

Peter Sheridan - http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6661

Bram Stoker - http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6649

Marita Conlon McKenna - http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6656

Collette Caddle - http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6652

MAY
2012 Due to unforeseen circumstances there is a change of reader for The Gutter Bookshop for Words on the Street. Actor Barry McGovern will now read there instead of Donal McIntyre.

MAY
2012 IMRAM in association with the Dublin Writers Festival will host a gala evening of song, poetry and prose on Surday 9th June in the Dublin Unitarian Church. 

The acclaimed singer Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin will sing work from her album Songs of the Scribe, inspired by ancient lyrics from scribes and hermit poets of early Ireland set to music in the traditional style. Pádraigín will be joined by Dónal O’Connor on fiddle and vocals; and Macdara Ó Graham on fiddle, vocals and Jew’s Harp.

 

Four writers will read specially commissioned work in Irish and English on the theme of ‘writing’. They include Éilís Ní Anluain, whose début novel Fillean Saoirse has just been published; novelist, playwright and publisher Darach Ó Scolaí, who bestselling novel An Cléireach won the 2007 Oireachtas Award for Literature and the 2008 Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin for Book of the Year; Kevin Power, author of Bad Day at Blackrock, acclaimed by Frank McGuinness as ‘the defining story of his generation’, and winner of the 2009 Rooney Prize; and poet Leontia Flynn, praised by the Guardian as’ one of the most original and accomplished poets of her generation: her voice is distinctive, and her technique as lightly and deftly carried as her learning’.

 

Time: 6pm

Ticket Prices: €10/€8

Tickets are available from www.dublinwritersfestival.com

MAY
2012

On Wednesday 6th June in The Workman's Club IMRAM and the Dublin Writers Festival are hosting The Night Town Project - A Celebration Of Dublin In Darkness. 

The NIGHT TOWN PROJECT is a special bi-lingual multi-media project that celebrates the landscapes of Dublin at night. Four poets will read new work responding to images from photographers Jim Berkeley and Mark Granier; the resulting fusion will be transformed into beautiful on- screen projections by designer Margaret Lonergan, and performed to new music by acclaimed composer and musician Seán Mac Erlaine.

 

The poets:

Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh’s poetry has been described by Livia Brennan as ‘reveling in urban life in all its crowded energy and cacophony’. 

Colm Keegan was the 2011 All-Ireland Poetry Slam Champion; a potent new voice, his first collection Don’t Go There has just been published. 

Peter Sirr’s poetry explores how the contemporary and the historical meld in Dublin, and how ‘the buried city shows itself’. 

Gabriel Rosenstock is one of Ireland’s foremost poets, whose work Gwyneth Lewis has praised for its ‘beauty, humour and precision’.

 

Time: 8.30pm

Ticket Prices: €10/€8 and are available from www.dublinwritersfestival.com

MAY
2012

On Wednesday 23rd May the Central Library presents poetry readings with two established Australian Poets, Paul Hetherington and Petra White.

Paul Hetherington currently lectures at the University of Canberra and is held in high esteem in Australian poetry circles. He holds a PhD in literature and has published eight collections. Paul is a former director of publishing at the National Library of Australia. He was one of the founders and is a former Chair of the ACT Writers’ Centre and currently publishes the online poetry journal, Axon.

Petra White lives in Melbourne, where she works as a public servant. Her first published collection of poetry The Incoming Tide was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards and the ACT Poetry Prize. Petra is a well-respected poet nationally and co-edits So Long Bulletin.

 

The readings will take place from 1pm-2pm. Admission is free, however booking is advised. To book tel: 01 8734333 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MAY
2012 Congratulations to Norwich on becoming the sixth UNESCO City of Literature. They join Edinburgh, Iowa, Melbourne, Dublin and Reykjavik as Cities of Literature in the creative cities network. Author John Boyne said 'Having been a student in Norwich, having taught in Norwich, and having written a novel set in Norwich, I'm delighted that a place I love has been awarded the honour of becoming a UNESCO City of Literature. An extraordinary number of writers have begun their careers in the city. This award will ensure that many more do in the future.'

MAY
2012 Congratulations to Niamh Sharkey on her appointmentment as laureate na-nóg. Niamh is an award‐winning author and illustrator of children’s picture books. Her books have won numerous awards including the prestigious Mother Goose Award for the Best New Illustrator and The Bisto Book of the Year for her first two Picture Books; Tales of Wisdom and Wonder and The Gigantic Turnip. Her most recent picture book, On the Road with Mavis and Marge won the 2010 Junior Book of the Year award at The Irish Book Awards and was shortlisted for the Bisto Book of the Year Awards.

Niamh’s books have been translated into over twenty languages. Tales from Old Ireland was included in the International Board of Books for Young People Honour Book List in 2002. She has exhibited her artwork many times both in Ireland and abroad, including at The Illustration Cupboard (London), The Dylan Thomas Centre (Swansea), Seven Stories (Newcastle) and The Museum of American Illustration (New York). She is an active member of Illustrators Ireland and twice she has created the image for the National Children’s Books Festival.

Niamh is the Creator and Co‐Producer of The Happy Hugglemonsters ‐ a 52 episode pre‐school series, based on her book I’m a Happy Hugglewug developed in association with the Irish Film Board and currently in production with Oscar nominated Brown Bag Films, for Disney Worldwide. It will air in over 150 countries in 2013. Niamh has worked on the development, pitch, series bible, concept art, character design, scripts, and all original content across this project.

MAY
2012

As part of the Bealtaine Festival programme at Dublin City Libraries local playwright, novelist and screenwriter, Miriam Gallagher will read from her fiction and drama at Rathmines Library. Miriam is an award winning playwright whose work is produced worldwide. She has published four books of plays, a novel, a collection of short stories and non-fiction. She has worked in professional, prison & community theatre. Recently Nasturtiums & Cherry Buns premiered in Chicago, and Green Rain at Enniskillen Arts Festival. Lessons with Chopin premiered at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and a performance of A Wasteland Harvest as a Staged Reading took place in New York. A new book Green Rain - Irish Composers on Stage was recently published. For more information on the author visit www.miriamgallagher.ie.

Date and Time: Wednesday 30th May at 3pm

Admission to this event is free, booking is advised. To book email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or tel: 01 4973539

MAY
2012

IMRAM Irish Language Literature Festival is delighted to announce a second series of special club nights, featuring the very best in song, music and poetry from award-winning writers, musicians and singers - including fiddler Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames, guitar ace Steve Cooney, acclaimed poets Biddy Jenkinson and Stiofán Ó Cadhla; and Séamas Barra Ó Suilleabháin, winner of the 2011 All-Ireland Poetry Slam.

Friday 11 May 8:30PM - Gearóid Mac Lochlainn & Caoimhín Mac Giolla Catháin, Biddy Jenkinson and Máire Ní Choilm (free admission)

Friday 18 May 8:30PM - Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Stiofán Ó Cadhla, Séamas Barra Ó Suilleabháin and Tony MacMahon & Steve Cooney  (free admission)

Friday 25 May 8.30PM - Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Míchéal Ó hUanacháin, Antaine Ó Donnaile and Doireann Ní Ghríofa (free admission)

For more details go to www.imram.ie

 

 

APRIL
2012

Northside Community Radio Station Near FM have produced a five part radio series to highlight and celebrate north Dublin’s contribution to UNESCO’s endorsement of Dublin as one of five World Cities of Literature. These programmes feature interviews with local authors from the north side of the city discussing their life and work. Each programme also features panel discussions on one featured work from the author. This series focuses and highlights the unique contribution of north Dublin authors to Dublins status of a UNECSO city of Literature.

Programme one features the work of Paula Meehan. Go to http://nearpodcast.org/pcast/?p=6555 to listen to the podcast.

For more on Near FM visit www.near.ie

APRIL
2012 Congratulations to Dublin writer John Boyne on being inducted into the Henenssy Liteary Awards hall of fame. John's novels include The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and he recently wrote the foreword to a new edition of James Joyce's Dubliners which was the choice for Dublin: One City, One Book 2012.

APRIL
2012

The National Gallery of Ireland are hosting a series of reading events in May and June

 

15 May Tuesday 10.30am

Bram Stoker author of Dracula

Paul Murray, author of From the Shadow of Dracula: A Life of Bram Stoker 

 

29 May Tuesday 10.30am George Bernard Shaw and the National Gallery of Ireland

Dr. Marie Bourke, National Gallery of Ireland

 

13 June 1.00pm Wednesday Celebrating W.B. Yeats

Professor Morris Harmon and Kathleen Watkins

In association with Poetry Ireland

 

For full details go to www.nationalgallery.ie

APRIL
2012 Celebrating Dubliners on Friday 13th April at 8pm in the National Concert Hall will be dedicated to the memory of the late Barney McKenna. Barney's former bandmates will lead the tributes on Friday night. To book tickets for this tribute event go to www.nch.ie or tel: 01 417 0000.

APRIL
2012

Dublin City Public Libraries wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Barney McKenna of The Dubliners folk group.

At the moment Celebrating Dubliners that is scheduled for Friday 13th in the National Concert Hall is still proceeding. Please refer back to this website for up to date news.

APRIL
2012

DLR Library Voices Series presents

PAUL DURCAN

reading from his new collection of poetry

Praise in Which I Live and Breathe and Have my Being

Sunday April 22nd at 7.30pm in Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire

&

IRVINE WELSH

In Conversation with Olaf Tyaransen

Tuesday April 24th at 8.00pm in Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire

For ticket information call Box Office at (01) 231 2929

                                                                                    or visit www.paviliontheatre.ie

APRIL
2012 The Abbey Theatre offers a programme of talks to complement, interrogate and explore the work on and off the stage.  Go to www.abbeytheatre.ie for full details on the talks, keep an eye out for a special talk by Christine Dwyer Hickey on the 26th April on the influence of Joyce and Dublin on her work.

APRIL
2012 Gerard Smyth former managing editor of The Irish Times is this year's recipient of the Lawrence O'Shaughnessy Award for Poetry from the University of St. Thomas's Centre for Irish Studies in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gerard will read from his work on campus on the 20th April following a week of classroom visits and public appearances. Congratulations Gerard.

MARCH
2012

The 20th annual SHARP conference

The Battle for Books

26-29 June 2012

Trinity College Dublin

Registration for the much-anticipated conference of the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing (SHARP) has now opened at http://sharp2012.org/. This international conference will bring leading practitioners in the field from across the world to Ireland. The conference is limited to an absolute maximum of 400 delegates. Please do register early in order to avoid disappointment. 

 The Theme: In a city like Dublin, which has been home to Swift, Wilde and Joyce one naturally thinks of ‘The Battle for Books’ in terms of censorship, constraint and restraint. While these will be significant topics at the conference, scholars have been invited to examine the theme as broadly as possible.There is plenty of scope to develop ‘The Battle for Books’ in a historical context, but speakers will also examine the future for books, the book-trade and the printing industry in the context of current and future technological innovations.
 
Registration is now open at http://sharp2012.org/  The full conference programme will be available next week.

MARCH
2012

The National Library of Ireland in conjunction with Oxford University and Europeana (Europe’s digital library, museum and archive) is building the first ever online European archive of private stories and documents from World War One in time for the 100^th anniversary of the outbreak of the war in 1914 – and it is looking for your help in order to achieve this.

 

On Wednesday 21 March, the Library will be holding a World War One Family History Roadshow in Kildare Street, Dublin. On that day, between 10am and 7pm, people across Ireland will be invited to bring in photographs, letters, postcards, medals, coins, keepsakes, diaries, sketches, army discharge papers, diaries, rosary beads, recordings and other memorabilia  belonging to family and friends who took part in World War One, and to tell their stories.  Can’t make it on the day? It’s still very easy to get your material into the archive. Just scan or digitally photograph your items, and upload them to www.europeana1914-1918.eu, where you’ll also find a step-by-step guide to the process.

 

At the 21 March Roadshow, the National Library will have historians and experts on hand to talk to visitors about the significance of their finds. The material will be scanned on the spot by Library staff and people will then be free to take their precious memorabilia home with them. Once scanned, the material will be uploaded to the Europeana 1914-1918 website.

MARCH
2012

Congratulations to Aifric Campbell, Emma Donoghue and Anne Enright on being included in the long list for the Orange Prize for Fiction. The Orange Prize for Fiction, the UK's only annual book award for fiction written by a woman. Now in its seventeenth year, the Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in women's writing throughout the world. The announcement coincides with International Women's Day 2012.

Aifric Campbell was nominated for her novel On the Floor , Emma Donoghue was nominated for novel The Sealed Letter and Anne Enright was nominated for her novel The Forgotten Waltz.

The Short List will be announced on the 17th April.

MARCH
2012

A dramatized reading in costume of excerpts from Bram Stoker’s vampire horror story, Dracula. Based closely on Irish author Stoker’s original text, this solo piece is devised and performed by experienced performer Paul O’Hanrahan. Included are scenes of sensational drama such as Dracula’s encounters at his Transylvanian castle with Jonathan Harker and vampiric assaults in England on Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker. Gothic horror prevails: the climax, based on the pursuit and hunting down of Dracula, involves the destruction by Dr Van Helsing of the graves of the undead.

Date: Friday 20th April at 1:10pm (60 minutes duration)

Admission fee: €8/€6 for performance only or €13/€11 for combined museum entry and show

MARCH
2012

is a joyous surreal satire that lifts the lid on Ireland’s beloved neutrality and cuts to the heart of the tempestuous affair with its nearest neighbour – Britain!

Winner of three Irish Times Theatre Awards including Best Production and Best Director Arthur Riordan’s “linguistically dazzling” (Time Out) comedy follows the exploits of a young British crossword enthusiast sent to Dublin to investigate suspicious radio messages. Improbable encounters with English poet John Betjeman, Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, satirist Myles naGopaleen, the mysterious Agent Green and the innocent (or is she?) Philomena O’Shea, lead to plot twists, double crossings and, inevitably, to the Palace Bar.

This is a must-see for all book lovers and literature enthusiasts

Improbable Frequency - Gaiety Theatre 13 -24 March

For tickets go to http://www.gaietytheatre.ie/   or tel: 0818 719388
Ticket Prices: €15 - €49.50

 

Ticket Deals:

Previews (13 and 14 March): all tickets €25
Bank Holiday Monday 19 March: all tickets €30

No booking fee when booking in person.

MARCH
2012

 It’s not all about computer games and TV for Irish children as reading continues to be one of their favourite pastimes. Figures released by the Library Council show that children’s authors dominated the ‘most-borrowed-from-the-library’ lists in Ireland’s 350 public libraries in 2011.

 However Joseph O’Connor’s Ghost Light, Dublin City’s ‘One City One Book’ for 2011, was the nation’s most borrowed book last year. Reacting to the news, Mr O’Connor said:

‘I'm deeply honoured that Ghost Light is the most borrowed book of 2011, and I offer a heartfelt thanks to my readers for making it so. All my life since childhood I have been a lover of our libraries. My novels have been researched in them, and I have many times been the beneficiary of the exceptional professionalism and helpfulness of our librarians. Now more than ever, I am proud to support the libraries and the wonderful work they do for their communities up and down the land.’

MARCH
2012 To celebrate the variety of voices and the creativity sparked by Fishamble’s call for submissions for Tiny Plays for Ireland, Fishamble: The New Play Company is programming a series of free pre-show, post-show discussions and readings right through the run.
Post show discussions, featuring a varied panel of speakers from all  walks of life, looking at where we are now and where we will go across the range of issues investigated by the playwriting public. March 21, 28 and 30, starting at 9.40pm.
To reflect the amazing interest in the call for submissions by young people, Fishambe offers you a chance to hear Young People’s Tiny Plays for Ireland, a reading of selected plays by under 18's on Saturday March 24, 5.30-6.30pm.
Meet the playwrights – pre-show meetings with Fishamble’s Literary Manager Gavin Kostick and playwrights of Tiny Plays for Ireland. An opportunity to meet some of the writers to gain insights as to the process and pleasures in the production to come. March 16 and 19, 6.30pm-7.30pm.
Please book your free tickets through the Project Arts Centre box office: 01 881 9613.

FEBRUARY
2012

Dermot Bolger and Michael O'Loughlin will read together in their native place for the first time in a quater of a century.

In 1979 two young Finglas writers came together to launch the Raven Arts Press, a publishing house that – while publishing a generation of writers who rose to national and international prominence – always remained informed by their shared Finglas roots. Although the location of their work has ranged across Europe and European history, their Finglas childhoods have remained central to their vision of the world.

This special event will take place in Finglas Library on Monday 12th March at 7pm

Admission is free but booking is essential.

To book tel: 01 834 4906 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

This reading is presented by Poetry Ireland in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature

FEBRUARY
2012 Hugh Leonard's DA is currently being performed at the Gate Theatre. To celebrate the show, the Gate are offering a reduced price of €20 per ticket for groups of 8 or more people subject to availability. To book your tickets tel: Group Bookings on 01 874 4045

FEBRUARY
2012

Following the sell-out success of this show at IMRAM 2011, on Thursday 8th March a specially expanded show will present many more songs by Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel rendered into exquisite Irish by poet Liam Ó Muirthile. They will be performed by singers Hilary Bow and Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde. Accompanying them will be Peter Roycroft on piano; Geoff Kirk on drums; and Neville Lloyd on double-bass. 

Designer Margaret Lonergan has created special on-screen projections of the lyrics accompanied by images inspired by the songs. Liam Ó Muirthile will also read new versions in Irish of poems by Jacques Prévert (1900 -1977) and Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) to musical accompaniment. 

Date/Time: Thursday 8 March 2012 at 8pm

Venue: The Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire

Booking: 01-2312929 www.paviliontheatre.ie

Tickets: €21/19

FEBRUARY
2012 Joe O'Connor's latest novel Ghost Light has been shortlisted in the Fiction category for the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize, 2012. Best of luck Joe!

FEBRUARY
2012

Nominations are currently being accepted for the next Laureate na nÓg. A blog post at the following link - http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/blog/nominate-your-next-laureate-na-nog/ - provides all the information needed to make a nomination, along with a downloadable nomination form and a link to the Laureate na nÓg website.

Laureate na nÓg is an initiative of the Arts Council with the support of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland.

This important project:

1. Introduces high quality children’s literature to a new audience of adults, children and young people.
2. Raises the profile of children’s literature in Ireland.
3. Increases media attention for children’s literature in Ireland and internationally.
4. Brings children’s literature into the mainstream conversation about books and literature in Ireland.
5. Builds partnership and cooperation among various players in the children’s literature sector.

Laureate na nÓg 2012 – 2014 will be chosen by the selection committee which will include representatives from the Arts Council, Children’s Books Ireland, OMCYA and Poetry Ireland as well as experts from a range of relevant fields. The new Laureate na nÓg will be announced in May 2012.

FEBRUARY
2012

A celebration of music and words in aid of the Irish Penal Reform Trust will take place in the Abbey Theatre on Sunday 26th February at 8pm. Artists taking part on the night include Shaz Oye, Tony Curtis, Noel Shine, Mary Greene, Ellie Shine, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Eddie Cahill artist and Brian Maguire, Karan Casey and Niall Vallely, Peter Sheridan, Leanne O'Sullivan, Christy Moore, Jimmy Kelly, Tom Crean and Brian McCarthy. The event is hosted by Paula Meehan and Theo Dorgan. This event is supported by Poetry Ireland.

Tickets cost €20 and are available from the Abbey Theatre Box Office on 01 8787 222 or www.abbeytheatre.ie

FEBRUARY
2012

Members of the Irish writing and publishing community gathered in the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on Friday 10^th February for the annual Irish PEN Award dinner. Joseph O’Connor received the 2012 Irish PEN Award for a lifetime contribution to Irish literature, sponsored this year by www.writing.ie. Joe was joined by his family and his proud agent Carole Blake as he listened to words of the highest praise for his work delivered by An Uachtarán (President of Ireland) Dr. Michael D. Higgins. Congratulations Joe.

 

FEBRUARY
2012

After a hugely popular debut at the Abbey Theatre in 2010, Bernard Farrell’s hit play Bookworms is back. Set in a book club this is a ‘brilliant, fun, entertaining comedy’ - (ARENA - RTÉ Radio 1) that lovers of literature are sure to enjoy.

 

Tonight is Ann’s debut as host of her book club and she is determined to deliver a perfect evening of literary classics in her model home. But her best laid plans come undone as the usually all-female group has invited their husbands to join the club. Soon the nibbles and small talk give way to accusations and revelations to rival the most outrageous fiction.

 

 

- Competition to find Ireland’s best book club -

 

To celebrate the return of Bookworms, The Abbey Theatre are on the hunt for Ireland’s best book club. Earn some brownie points with your club by winning them a fabulous night out at Ireland’s national theatre to see the play. To enter the competition - Tell them in 200 words or less why your book club deserves the title of Ireland’s best.

 

Email your entry to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Post your entry to: Book Club Competition, Abbey Theatre, 26 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

The closing date is Friday 24 February, 5pm.

 

Best of luck and we look forward to welcoming you to the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre soon.

 

P.S. Bookworms is on the Abbey Stage from Tuesday 7 February – Saturday 17 March and we have a special discounted rate for 6 or more for the perfect book club night out. For tickets go to www.abbeytheatre.ie or tel: 01 8787222

FEBRUARY
2012

 The Coombe Hospital, in association with Poetry Ireland, The Irish Copyright Licensing Agency and Dublin Unesco City of Literature are delighted to launch Poetry in The Coombe Hospital, March 8^th, 7.30pm (International Women's Day).

Poets Dermot Bolger, Katie Donovan, Paul Durcan, Paula Meehan, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Enda Wyley and writer Colm Toibín have kindly donated a poem/writing for display in The Coombe Hospital and to be read on the night.

 The event will be launched by Michael D. Higgins, The President of Ireland.

 Music performed by Colm Mac Con Iomaire.

 This event is part of Dublin Unesco City of Literature’s series Bringing it All Back Home.

FEBRUARY
2012

 

Tickets for Celebrating Dubliners in the National Concert Hall on the 13th April are now on sale. Join us for a magical evening celebrating James Joyce's Dubliners, the choice for Dublin: One City, One Book April 2012. Delight in the music of Dubliners and be inspired as well know personalities The Dubliners folk group, Peter Sheridan, Noel O'Grady, David McSavage, Shannon Colleens and many more, bring this iconic collection of short stories to life.

Booking Essential. Tickets €25 and €20 (Conc. available). Tel: 01 4170000 or go to www.nch.ie

FEBRUARY
2012

To celebrate International Womens Day on the 8th March Sweny's Pharmacy are hosting a public reading from Dubliners at 1pm in The National Library of Ireland.

The three stories that will be read all feature women A Mother, Eveline and Clay. Members of the audience will be encouraged to read.  Admission is free, tea and cake will be provided.    

FEBRUARY
2012

Mitchelstown Literary Society is pleased to announce the launch of the second William Trevor / Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition. 

FIRST PRIZE: €3,000 (SPONSORED BY WILLIAM TREVOR)  2nd prize: €500    5 runners up prizes of €200 each

Details of rules, official entry form(s), payment methods etc. obtained by tel: 025 84969, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visiting www.mitchelstownlit.com

There is an entry fee of €20 per entry and the Closing Date for receipt of entries is last post on Friday, 30th March 2012.

The winner and runners up will be notified personally as well as results being posted to the competition website as they become available.

 Entries, by post only, to:

Trevor/Bowen International Short Story Competition,         

37 Upper Cork Street,

Mitchelstown,

Co. Cork,

Ireland.

 

FEBRUARY
2012

FEBRUARY
2012

A series of lunchtime talks will take place each Thursday in March at 1pm in the Central Library, ILAC Centre. The series addresses questions around the Irish Economy.  Contributors include noted economists, journalists and historians.

For full details on this talks go to http://bit.ly/Aoelkz

Admission is free. Booking is Essential

To Book Tel: 01 873 4333 or email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FEBRUARY
2012 This is a six day programme for emerging and mid career writers in which five different acclaimed writers will illuminate the skills and processes involved in adapting and translating for the stage.
The workshop will be framed by Conor Mc Pherson and will also feature Nick Dear, Alan Stanford, Tanya Ronder and Thomas Kilroy.

Venue: Gate Theatre Lab
Date: February 13th-18th, 10am-5pm (Saturday 18th 10am-2pm)
Cost: €250
Application: please send a C.V. and expression of interest to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Deadline for application: Friday, February 3rd 2012.
*Please note places are extremely limited.

www.gate-theatre.ie

FEBRUARY
2012

Today, Thursday, 2nd February, is the 130th anniversary of the birth of James Joyce!

Arguably Ireland’s greatest literary genius and a leading proponent of modernism in fiction, James Joyce was born at 41 Brighton Square to John Stanislaus Joyce and Mary Jane Murray, and spent his earliest years there and in Castlewood Avenue. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College and at Belvedere College before going on to University College Dublin (on St Stephen’s Green), where he studied modern languages.

Joyce left Ireland with Nora Barnacle in 1904, and was to spend the rest of his life in Italy and France, paying his last visit to Ireland in 1912. Joyce died in Zurich on the 13th January, 1941, and is buried in Zurich's Fluntern Cemetery.

Joyce's collection of short stories, Dubliners, and the choice for Dublin: One City, One Book 2012, was first published in 1914 by Grant Richards Ltd., London.

JANUARY
2012

On Saturday 18th February from 10am-1pm playwright and director Peter Sheridan will give a workshop on his insight into living life.

The workshop costs €45 (concessions €30).

For more details go to www.sanctuary.ie or Tel: 01 6705419/ 01 6727545 

JANUARY
2012

RANELAGHFEST, in association with Sandford Park School  presents 'I Know that I have broken every heart' Decoding the Secret Messages of Finnegans Wake.  

Diarmuid is a teacher at Sandford Park School and a scholar of literature in several languages. He has chosen to disclose his discoveries of the secret messages of  Finnegans Wake  at this very special event in Ranelagh.

Date: Thursday 9th February 2012 at 8pm

Venue: Sandford Park School

Tickets: €8/€5 available at the door

For more information go to www.ranelaghfest.com

JANUARY
2012

The National Library of Ireland is hosting a lecture series in conjunction with our photographic exhibition Small Lives – Photographs of Irish Childhood 1880 – 1970

 The first lecture is in February and focuses on Irish history as portrayed in children’s fiction.

 Wednesday 15 February at 7pm

'It's not the past that matters, it's the way you see it': Childhood, Ireland, and Children's Fiction. Lecturer: Dr Pádraic Whyte, Assistant Professor of English, Trinity College Dublin.

 

Dr Pádraic Whyte will discuss the representation of Irish history and childhood as portrayed in children’s fiction. Dr Pádraic Whyte is Assistant Professor of English at Trinity College Dublin and author of Irish Childhoods: Children’s Fiction and Irish History

 

Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2

This event is free and no booking is required. Futher details from www.nli.ie

 This lecture is organised in conjunction with the photographic exhibition Small Lives- Photographs of Irish Childhood 1880 – 1970.  

 

Exhibition

Small Lives – Photographs of Irish Childhood 1880 – 1970

 The National Photographic Archive’s current exhibition explores photographs of Irish children from 1880 to 1970. The photographs are from the National Library of Ireland’s photographic collection and show a wide range of photographs from formal studio shots, images of school children and photographs of city life in the 1960s. The exhibition will run until June 2012 and takes place in the National Library’s Photographic Archive, Meeting House Sq, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

JANUARY
2012 Were you one of those lucky enough to get tickets to the Music of Ghost Light that took place as part of Dublin: One City, One Book in the Abbey Theatre last April? Or perhaps you were one of the disapointed fans who were unable to attend. Well you can now listen to excerpts of music from the evening and to the playet, a chapter from Ghost Light that was performed by Pauline McGlynn, Peter Hanly, Marion O'Dwyer, Kathy Rose O'Brien and Peter Daly and was directed by Jim Culleton of Fishamble: The New Play Company. Click on the following link and you relive part of that amazing night http://www.josephoconnorauthor.com/media.html#LiveRecordings 

JANUARY
2012 During the month of November CNN International recorded a programme showing how literary Dublin is boosting the city's morale as part of their CNN Future Cities series. To view this programme simply click on the following link www.cnn.com/futurecities

JANUARY
2012

Joanna Trollope In Conversation with Sinead Gleeson
 
Joanna Trollope is one of the most popular and successful authors in the world and DLR Libraries are delighted to welcome her to Dun Laoghaire for the first time. She is the author of sixteen bestselling novels, the latest of which, The Soldier’s Wife, deals with the difficulties facing a military wife awaiting her husband’s return from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.   Sinead Gleeson is a wonderfully perceptive interviewer and this promises to be a great night.

Tuesday February 7th at 8.00pm in Pavilion Theatre

Tickets €10 & €8 concessions. Call (01) 231 2929

or online at www.paviliontheatre.ie

 Also look out for readings by Irvine Welsh, Peter Carey and Paul Durcan in April

 

JANUARY
2012

To celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the birth of the world’s greatest novelist, Laurence Foster  has re-created  Charles Dickens’ first  public performance in Ireland

CHARLES DICKENS was born on February 7th in 1812 in  Portsmouth. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to London. At 19, having had little formal education, Charles became a reporter and recorded the parliamentary speeches of Daniel O’Connell, the Irish Liberator. They retained a lifelong mutual admiration. In August, 1858 Dickens paid the first of three lengthy visits to Dublin and was hailed with delight everywhere he went. He often found it difficult to make his way from Morrison’s Hotel (on the corner of Dawson St. and Nassau St.) and through the crowds who were queuing to see his performance. Dickens in Dublin is a recreation of that dramatic evening in Ireland’s capital city.             

Stage Director:  Colm Maher

 

Rathmines Library      Tuesday 7th February at 6.30pm Tel: 01 497 3539 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Central Library            Wednesday 8th  February at 1pm Tel: 01 873 4333 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Raheny Library           Thursday 9th February at 6.30pm Tel: 01 831 5521 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Special thanks to Historian Jim Cooke for access to his book, Charles Dickens's Ireland

JANUARY
2012

The National Wax Museum Plus will mark the 71^st anniversary of the celebrated writer’s death this weekend
 
The Museum will come alive from this Friday 13^th of January and continue all weekend with Joycean Character on hand to entertain and inform visitors of the life and works of the legendary James Joyce. Take a tour of the National Wax Museum Plus this weekend and you never know what characters from another time you will come face to face with they may be real or they may be Wax. This weekend it will be the characters from Joyces Ulysses and Finnegan’s wake that will lurk in the corners of the attraction as well as Joyce himself in the flesh and in wax.  

Adults :   €10
Children: €7
Family: €30 2 Adults 2 Children under 12
Further discounts for groups apply , School Tours €6.50 per pupil, plus teachers go free

DECEMBER
2011

The staff of the office of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature were saddened to hear of the passing of Caroline Walsh, literary editor of The Irish Times.

As described by The Irish Times editor Kevin O'Sullivan 'She had a passionate commitment to outstanding journalism and good writing. She ensured The Irish Times celebrated new literary talent and introduced readers to important voices from outside the English-speaking world....'.

We send our condolences to her husband James Ryan, who is a member of the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Steering Group and to her son and daughter at this difficult time.

DECEMBER
2011 This morning Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney donated his archives to the National Library of Ireland. The donation from Mr Heaney was accepted by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on behalf of the state.

DECEMBER
2011

Visit Accents Coffee & Tea Lounge to hear the story “Santa comes to Dublin” each Saturday in the lead up to Christmas. The enchanting Irish reading begins at 10.30am. It truely is a magical festive storybook which all children (and adults!) will love. All are welcome to this free event!

23 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2
T: 01 416 0040

accentslounge.wordpress.com

DECEMBER
2011 Come along to the United Arts Club Thursday, Upper Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 on December 8th. Leading authors Abigail Rieley, Sandra Mara and Arlene Hunt will form our panel at this event. Booking is essential.  You can make your advance booking conveniently at this link:  http://irishpencrimewriting.eventbrite.com/.  For the rest of 2011, PEN's monthly events will still be competitively priced at €3 for members, and €5 for non-members, and everyone is welcome to attend. 

DECEMBER
2011

Congratulations to Joseph O’Connor, Andrea Camilleri and Mary Gordon who were conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature from UCD. Journalist and broadcaster Olivia O’Leary was also awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature from UCD on 5th December 2011.

DECEMBER
2011

Winners of the International Playwriting Competition 2010 organised by  the International Playwrights´ Forum, a committee of the International Theatre Institute ITI / UNESCO were announced:
1st prize: „The Diamond Stars“ by Maya van den Heuvel-Arad (Netherlands)
2nd prize: “Maxine” by Philip St John (IDublin)
3rd prize: “Unravelling Myths” by Kathleen Desmond (Dublin)

For more information, visit http://www.playwrightsforum.com/

NOVEMBER
2011

The restored tomb of Oscar Wilde will be unveiled later today at the famous Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris. The date was chosen to coincide with the 111th anniversary of Wilde's death. The project was coordinated by his grandson Merlin Holland, and supported by both the French and Irish governments. When Oscar Wilde died on this date in 1900, he was a penniless exile. Friends of the writer could only afford a sixth-class grave outside Paris. Wilde was later reinterred in Père-Lachaise, the final resting place of writers, artists and composers. His new tomb was unveiled in 1914 - an angel in flight, by sculptor Jacob Epstein. It became a magnet for tourists and admirers, who by the mid 1980s had covered the monument with lipstick kisses. French conservationists have carefully cleaned the Art Deco tomb and encased it in glass. For more information on the project, visit http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1130/oscarwilde.html

NOVEMBER
2011

Author and broadcaster Joseph O’Connor is to receive the 2012 Irish PEN Award for outstanding contribution to Irish Literature. The award will be presented at a dinner on Friday, 10 February, 2012, at the Royal St George Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Booking in advance is essential, and patrons are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Dinner tickets cost €60 and can be purchased online here: www.irishpendinner.eventbrite.com

NOVEMBER
2011

NOVEMBER
2011

Winners of Irish Book Awards 2011 were announced last night, some highlights include:

• Irish Novel of the Year : Mistaken by Neil Jordan (John Murray)
• Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year : All For You by Sheila O’Flanagan (Headline)
• Irish Sports Book of the Year: Inside the Peloton by Nicolas Roche (Transworld Ireland)
• Best Irish Newcomer of the Year: Solace by Belinda McKeon (Picador)
• Best Irish Published Book of the Year: Connemara: A Little Gaelic Kingdom by Tim Robinson (Penguin Ireland)
• Irish Children’s Book of the Year: Junior: The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge (Andersen Press)

                                                                        Senior: The Real Rebecca by Anna Carey (O’Brien)

For more information, visit http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1118/1224307765902.html

NOVEMBER
2011

Congratulations to Irish writer Kevin Barry who has been shortlisted for his book City of Bohane on the Costa First Novel Award shortlist http://www.costabookawards.com/

NOVEMBER
2011

For €40 (€45 overseas) you can introduce a friend to The Stinging Fly.  The  intro pack contains two back issues of The Stinging Fly, two Stinging Fly Press books, and the latest issue of the magazine.  You can hand pick the titles or just let Stinging Fly choose – either way, it’s a lovely gift for fans of new writing. More information on http://www.stingingfly.org/

NOVEMBER
2011 Ainm.ie is a new website which features over 1,500 biographies of writers. This resource allows writers to be searched alphabetically. The website was created by Fiontar, DCU, Cló Iar-Chonnacht, Diarmuid Breathnach and Máire Ní Mhurchú and  The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

NOVEMBER
2011

 

Wood Quay Venue

***Booked Out*** Thursday 24^th November at 6pm - ***Booked Out ***

Hear from some of Ireland’s most memorable radio interviews including Michael O Leary, Nuala O’Faolain, Seán FitzPatrick and Roy Keane. To book This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01 674 4862/4873. Admission free.

 

NOVEMBER
2011 The Looking Glass is a new creative writing magazine exclusively for children's literature. They are currently accepting submissions for our first issue. We accept short stories, novel extracts, poems, illustrations and comic strips. Short stories and novel extracts should be between 500 and 2000 words approximately.Closing date for submissions is the 9th of December 2011 by 5 p.m. All pieces for submission should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it For more information check out our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/210302592375814/#!/pages/The-Looking-Glass-Magazine/120504311392360

NOVEMBER
2011 It's now time to enter the annual Book Club of the Year Award which will be presented at Ennis Book Club Festival taking place 2-4 March 2012. More information on how to enter, see www.ennisbookclubfestival.com The closing date is 13th January 2012.

NOVEMBER
2011 On 08/12/2011 @6pm, join Yolanda Castano and Andrea Costas who will discuss their book,  “Cociñando ao pé da letra” . The book aims to go beyond the borders of traditional art by showing the similarities between disciplines, such as, literature, cooking and photography.Yolanda Castaño (Galician painter, literary critic and poet in Galician language) and Andrea Costas (professor of photography and artist) intend to illustrate with their book not only the strong social and cultural impact of the Galician cuisine, but also the fusion of the three different disciplines: literature, cooking and photography. The talk will take place at Instituto Cervantes - Café Literario,Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2. For more information, visit http://dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha77393_16_2.htm

NOVEMBER
2011 On 29/11/2011 @ 6pm Javier Barreiro, writer and literature professor, will discuss the influence of alcohol on literature and writers including Herodotus, Bukovsky, Poe, Rubén Darío, Alfred Jarry, Neruda, Hemingway, Lowry, Onetti, Dylan Thomas, Chandler and Cendrars. For more information, check http://dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha69292_16_2.htm The talk will take place at Instituto Cervantes - Café Literario, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.

NOVEMBER
2011

On 09/11/2011 @6pm, journalist and writer,Jesús Ruiz Mantilla, will guide you on a delightful journey along the history of literature on gastronomy. The talk will take place Instituto Cervantes - Café Literario,Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2. More information at http://dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha77391_16_2.htm

OCTOBER
2011

Journalist Gene Kerrigan, Winner of The Ireland AM Irish Crime Fiction Book of the Year 2010 talks about his work to RTE’s John Murray and how the crime novel is one of the best mirrors on contemporary society on Thursday 10th November at 8.00pm at National Library of Ireland. Tickets €5. Log onto www.nli.ie to book.

OCTOBER
2011

Melbourne and Dublin are both UNESCO Cities of Literature. Hear Melbourne poet Chris Wallace-Crabbe and Dublin poet Enda Wyley in Irish Writers' Centre, 19 Parnell Sq., Dublin 1 on Thursday 27th October 7pm. It's free and booking is not necessary.Chris is an important figure in Australian poetry, as a poet, a critic and as an advocate for poetry. The 'sometimes comic, sometimes irreverent streak in Wallace-Crabbe is one of the great spurs to his imagination' . Enda has twice been a winner in the British National Poetry Competition and has been widely anthologised, including in the Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing, Irish Women's Writing and Tradition. In association with Poetry Ireland, Irish Writers Centre and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

OCTOBER
2011

Claire Tomalin will be talking about her new Charles Dickens biography - Dickens: A Life - on Tuesday 25th October, at 7pm in the Synge Theatre, Trinity College Dublin.

 Admission is free. Booking is essential. Please contact the Penguin Ireland office: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01 661 7695 to reserve a seat.

OCTOBER
2011

Fishamble: The New Play Company is looking for submissions of tiny plays (600 words) which explore contemporary life in Ireland, to create a discussion, through theatre, about our country. We are inviting new, emerging and established writers of any age to submit plays which capture moments and offer glimpses of Irish life. Writers of chosen plays will receive a fee, development of the commissioned plays and production by Fishamble in Project Arts Centre in March 2012. A selection will be published in the Irish Times leading up to the production.
Click here for competition rules and below for tips and advice from Jim Culleton and Gavin Kostick.

OCTOBER
2011

Rathmines Public Library will be officially re-opened today. The library has been fully refurbished and many new features have been added. The library will offer access to a collection of 50,000 items including books, audio and MP3 books, large print, DVDs and reference material for all ages. While books continue to be at the heart of services offered at Rathmines Library, as is befitting of a 21st century library service clients can avail of free Internet access (including wi-fi), computers, study and research facilities. The library has on display the many writers and playwrights connected to the area. To find out more about these inspiring people, visit the library's blog here http://www.dublincitypubliclibraries.com/literary-heritage-rathmines-and-environs

OCTOBER
2011

Experience an evening of food and food writing as writers Ross Golden Bannon, Georgina Campbell, Catherine Cleary and Catherine Fulvio discuss the art of food writing.  Enjoy food specially created by executive head chef Tom Meenaghan. Just email your name and telephone number to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before 12noon Friday 14^th October. To book the event, call 01 222 2222 Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm before 12noon Mon 17th October.

OCTOBER
2011 Congratulations to Enda Wyley who read to staff and new parents in Coombe Hospital in All Ireland Poetry Day. To watch her reading on RTE news, visit http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2011/1006/media-3073229.html#

OCTOBER
2011

The Stinging Fly is coming to New York this October for three events on three consecutive nights as part of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's season of Irish arts in America during 2011. The events celebrate the launch of a special New York-themed issue of Ireland’s leading literary magazine.

7pm Tuesday, October 25, at The Center for Fiction, E 47^th Street

8pm Wednesday, October 26, at Columbia University, 116^th and Broadway

7pm Thursday, October 27, at Swifts Hibernian Lounge, E 4^th Street

Be sure to tell your friends in New York to come along!

OCTOBER
2011 Benefit Night for Sweny's Pharmacy on Friday October 21st at the United Artist's Club, 3 Fitzwilliam Street. Enjoy a dinner with a concert afterwards from the Shannon Colleens. Tickets cost €40 and dress is to be Joycean. To buy tickets or find out more, e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call into the Sweny's Pharmacy, 1 Lincoln Place, Dublin 2 http://www.sweny.ie/ Sweny's Pharmacy was made famous by James Joyce in Ulysses and host weekly Joycean readings to the public.

OCTOBER
2011

Keep an eye out for poet Enda Wyley on RTE News Six One today as she reads in the Coombe Hospital, as part of the project Bringing it all back home where writers revisit places of significance from their past. All Ireland Poetry Day sees events taking place all over the country http://www.poetryireland.ie/poetryday/#Dublin

OCTOBER
2011

Dublin City Council invites tenders from suitably qualified individuals for Contract for Services for Dublin Writers Festival 2012 – Programme Director.

Tender documents and further information are available from

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/

 

Closing date for receipt of tenders is 12noon on Thursday 20^th October 2011.

OCTOBER
2011

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, will formally unveil the faces of four Irish writers on plaques set into the pavement outside the Palace Bar, Fleet Street. The four bronze plaques are Flann O'Brien,Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh and Con Houlihan. The plaques commemorate the centenary of the birth of Flann O'Brien and acknowledge Dublin as a UNESCO City of Literature.The plaques are by artist Jarlath Daly.

SEPTEMBER
2011

Congratulations to Tom Duddy on being shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Centre Prize for Poetry for his recently published debut poetry collection, The Hiding Place.

Tom Duddy is the only Irish author to make the shortlist this year.The Prize is awarded annually to the writer of the best first collection published in the UK or Ireland in the preceding year.

SEPTEMBER
2011

IMRAM Irish Language Festival has just announced its 2011 Programme. This year's festival which runs from the 14 to 22 October will feature music, poetry, film, drama, flash fiction, lectures, a pub quiz and events in schools.

Highlights of the festival include Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel in Irish, a multi-media show inspired by Myles na gCopaleen to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Brian O'Nolan, a fun-filled night with Cabaret Craiceáilte and Scottish gaelic event.

For the full programme of event please go to www.imram.ie

 

SEPTEMBER
2011

Dublin UNESCO City of Literature is pleased to announce funding for an online author development project. Please download the following documents and email your proposal to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Closing date 14th October 2011. Download Project Criteria Document. Download Project Application Form.

To download the Irish version of these forms please click on the following links Critéir Tionscadal ar Line Foirm Iarratais ar Mhaoiniú Tionscadail.

SEPTEMBER
2011

On Culture Night, the National Library of Ireland will launch ‘Write in the City’, a new series of Saturday creative writing workshops and writing classes aimed at would-be authors, poets and members of the public given by well-known creative writing teacher Yvonne Cullen.

To launch these classes (which will start on 22 October)  ‘taster readings’ by some of Dublin’s finest new writers (‘graduates’ of her Writing Train Writing Workshops) will take place in Cafe Joly on Culture Night. Further information at www.nli.ie

SEPTEMBER
2011

Dublin writer John Curran has won the Macavity Award for Best Mystery-Related Nonfiction and the Anthony award for Best Critical/Non-Fiction for his book Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks.

John Curran’s painstaking detective work in deciphering Agatha Christie’s 73 notebooks, which span the early 1900s to the 1970s, bore fruit when he was commissioned by HarperCollins and the Agatha Christie Archive Trust to write a book about Christie’s notes and how they shine new light on her creative process. Published in the UK in 2009 and the US in 2010, the book is now regarded as a seminal work by Christie aficionados. Its commercial and critical success has led to the publication of a second book by Curran, Agatha Christie’s Murder in the Making, which was published by HarperCollins on 1 September this year in time for the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay.

 In May this year, John Curran won the non-fiction Agatha, another major independent crime-writing award. However, the announcement that John has also won both the Anthony and the Macavity makes it a hat-trick of three of the world’s most famous crime-writing awards.

 

 

SEPTEMBER
2011

To celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, the National Library in association with Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce the POETRY ALOUD Poetry Speaking Competition for post-primary school students.Participants will be expected to speak the poems from memory. To coincide with the award winning exhibition Yeats: the life and times of William Butler Yeats which is running in the National Library, selected poems by Yeats will feature in the first round of the competition. View the exhibition online: http://www.nli.ie/yeats  The competition is open to all students attending a second-level school on the island of Ireland. Entries are now being sought for the 2011 competition.Full information on the entry requirements are on the application form. Entry forms and further information may be downloaded from the National Library’s website: www.nli.ie, or from the Poetry Ireland website: www.poetryireland.ie

SEPTEMBER
2011

Balloonatics Theatre Company presentsThe Flann O’Brien Ink Quest at the Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 on Wednesday, October 5th 2011 at 1 o’clock. To mark the occassion of Flann O’Brien’s centenary birthday, Paul O’Hanrahan, an experienced Joyce interpreter and performer, presents a lunchtime reading which goes in search of the elusive essence of Flann O’Brien (1911-1966). Based on a series of excerpts from the author’s novels and journalism, this entertaining midday interlude celebrates O’Brien’s whimsical imagination and captivating sense of humour. Admission Fee: €4 per person

SEPTEMBER
2011 Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan launched Muriel Bolger's book Dublin City of Literature in City Hall on Tuesday 13th September. An O'Brien Press publication, it encapsulates all aspects of the literary city including writers, places of interest, statues and interesting facts. Beautifully illlustrated throughout the book includes literary walks and events - an ideal accompanient to any visit to the city. For more information, visit http://www.obrien.ie/book927.cfm

SEPTEMBER
2011 Follow link below to see new video http://youtu.be/5dUa7yJkkUc on Dublin UNECO City of Literature

SEPTEMBER
2011 Friday October 7th at Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street speakers including Gerald Dawe, Frank McGuinness, Sinéad Morrissey, Carlo Gébler and Mary Morrissy will debate questions such as can creative writing be taught? To register for this day long event, visit www.ria.ie

SEPTEMBER
2011 You are been given the chance to vote for your favourite bookshop, to make your selection visit www.bordgaisenergybookclub.ie The winning bookshop will get €5,000 worth of free electricity. Two voters will get €1,000 free electricity!

SEPTEMBER
2011

 

Join Irene Graham for this lively discussion on how to start writing your memoir and meet other people who also want to share their memories on Wednesday 14 September 2-4pm at the National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2 Registration 1.45 pm. Admission free. To book a place: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Tel: 01 6030 259/346 Further info: http://www.thememoirwritingclub.com

SEPTEMBER
2011

Venue: Twisted Pepper Cafe, Middle Abbey Street, D1. T: 0872798361 seventowers.ie

SEPTEMBER
2011

This Thursday lunchtime sees the second installment of the Crime and The City: Crime and Drugs series of lunchtime (1pm)  readings, talks and discussions, taking place every Thursday in September. Johnny Connolly is a criminologist in the Alcohol and Drugs Research Unit of the Health Research Board. He has researched and written widely on drugs and crime, the impact on local communities, community policing and alternatives to imprisonment. Johnny will give a talk on recent research on the broad areas of drugs and crime in Dublin. This will be followed by a question and answer session.Free admission, booking advised. 01 8734333

SEPTEMBER
2011

This course will explore the work of some of Ireland’s best known authors in the surroundings of the National Library of Ireland. To book a place on the course, please contact UCD Adult Education Centre: www.ucd.ie/adulted 

Eight Tuesdays: 27 Sept/4 Oct/11 Oct/25 Oct/1 Nov/8 Nov/15 Nov/22 Nov 10.00am to 12.30pm €175

 

 

SEPTEMBER
2011 From 23 - 25 September, Inchirourke Country House will be home to a packed programme tailored to get you writing. You will learn the craft of novel- writing in a small, supportive group, hosted by Yasmin O’Grady and mentored by novelist Denyse Woods, director of the West Cork Literary Festival. Author Kevin Barry will entertain you with extracts from his witty new novel and short stories, while literary agent Faith O'Grady is on hand with her insight into how to get your work published. For more information, visit http://www.writersweekend.net/index.htm

AUGUST
2011

The Irish Cancer Society and Let's Try Writing want you to help write a book! The initial chapters of four books have been uploaded to http://www.letstrywriting.com/ , you can submit the next chapter and the chapters will be uploaded for public vote. Good luck!

AUGUST
2011

Award winning author Chris Binchy has been chosen as Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Writer in Residence. Chris will be joined by John Boyne and Claire Kilroy at the Novel Seminar at Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Mountains to Sea Festival. For more information, visit www.mountainstosea.ie  Chris will also be giving a short course on life writing at Deansgrange Library, those interested in attending should submit a sample (up to five pages) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUGUST
2011

Did you know that James Joyce had an extreme fear of dogs (cynophobia) or that Marilyn Monroe  kept a copy of “Ulysses” in her car, read it frequently and “loved the sounds of it”? Or that the youngest contributor to the (now defunct) Irish Press was Brendan Behan, with a poem entitled  “Reply of Young Boy to Pro English verses”? Or that George Bernard Shaw wrote more plays than Shakespeare? These and many more golden nuggets of literary anecdote can be mined from a special exhibition launching next Monday 22^nd August, 7.30pm in the Nicholas of Myra Parish Centre, Francis Street/Carmans Hall in the heart of the Liberties. The exhibition, entitled “Dublin Writers, born here, lived here, wished we were here” is the work of the Liberties Heritage Association (LHA) and represents their contribution to Dublin as UNESCO City of Literature. The exhibition is on from 22/08/2011 - 17/09/2011 9am to 5pm, Mon - Fri at Nicholas of Myra Parish Centre, Fancis/Carmens Hall, Dublin 8

AUGUST
2011

A program which offers a variety of patronage incentives to publishing companies. These incentives include financial support for the translation of Brazilian literary works from all genre, as well as support for the launching of reissues of books that were previously published abroad. Applications for the program will be accepted continuously until the year 2020. Companies that have acquired publishing rights of Brazilian authors can apply. For more information, visit http://www.bn.br/portal/index.jsp?nu_pagina=110

 

AUGUST
2011

Search National Print Musuem's catalogue http://www.librarything.com/catalog/NationalPrintMuseum . The National Print Museum collects, documents, preserves, exhibits, interprets and makes accessible the material evidence of printing craft and fosters associated skills of the craft in Ireland. 

AUGUST
2011

The British Council, the University of East Anglia and the Charles Pick Fellowship, we are delighted to announce the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia Prize, which will be chaired by Amit Chaudhuri. The winner will be announced in Delhi on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012. For more information, please visi  http://tiborjones.com/prizes/the-pageturner-prize/ The prize is open to all writers from South Asia who have an unpublished novel. First prize is representation by Tibor Jones & Associates and Rs 1 lakh (£1,400).  

AUGUST
2011

Penguin Ireland, Transworld, O’Brien Press, Lilliput Press, Hachette Books, Liberties Press, Little Island and Arlen House will be on hand at the inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair for first-time novelists on March 10th 2012. The fair will introduce emerging novelists to those in the publishing world and help them place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of publishers and agents.Literary agents Marianne Gunn O’Connor, Yvonne Kinsella, Emma Walsh, Ger Nichol and Paul Feldstein will be present. Entry to the fair is based on competition, manuscripts submitted will be presented to a judging panel who will select a shortlist of writers. There’s no limit on style, genre, or target market, but the writer must not have published a novel before. The deadline for submissions is November 11th. See writerscentre.ie/novelfair.html

AUGUST
2011

Inisbofin Jaunt invites all those interested in creative writing to visit Inishbofin Island  in the first two weekends in September, for Writing Train, a workshop programme run by writer and teacher Yvonne Cullen. On the first weekend ( 2-5 Sept,)the course will focus on poetry and the personal essay and on the second weekend (9-12 Sept) writer Anthony Glavin, will take in short fiction as well as the personal essay. Cullen will teach on both courses. Budding scribes are billeted near Bofin’s East End beach and, circumstances permitting, there may be a boat trip to the even smaller island of Inishark or along the Bofin coast. Details from 086-1701418 and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUGUST
2011 Congratulations to Reykjavik which has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature joining Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa City and Dublin.The city of Reykjavik boasts foremost an outstanding literary history with its invaluable heritage of ancient medieval literature, the Sagas, the Edda and the Íslendingabók, Libellus Islandorum (Book of Icelanders). This longstanding tradition has naturally cultivated the city’s strength in literature education, preservation, dissemination and promotion. Several Reykjavík writers have received international and Nordic awards. Halldór Laxness was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955 and several have won the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize, including Thor Vilhjálmsson, Einar Már Gudmundsson and Sjón. For more information, visit http://www.literature.is/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4271/7228_read-23051/ 

AUGUST
2011

Thursday Tales and Trails is a series of afternoon workshops inspired by NLI’s exhibition Tall Tales and Deadly Drawings. Every Thursday afternoon during August, there will be story telling with Tom McCaughren, bookmaking and a shadow puppet theatre.To book places on the workshops: call 01 6030 346 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

AUGUST
2011

Booking for creative writing workshops at Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival will close on 12th August. More information, www.mountainstosea.ie

AUGUST
2011 Entries for Over the Edge New Writer of the Year Competition are being accepted until August 3rd. The 2011 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year will be a Featured Reader at a reading to be scheduled in Galway City Library in Winter 2011/12. Salmon Poetry will read, with no commitment to publish, a manuscript submitted to them by the winner in the poetry category. For more information, visit http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/

AUGUST
2011 UCD Adult Education Centre is now taking bookings for its One City One Book Course. This course is designed to tie in with events in the Dublin: One City, One Book festival 2012 culminating in an extended engagement with the 2012 selected title. Students will also read the books previously chosen for the Dublin: One City, One Book festival: Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Bram Stoker ’s Dracula, Sebastian Barry’s A Long Long Way, Flann O’Brien’s At Swim Two Birds, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Joseph O’Connor’s Ghost Light. For more information, http://www.ucd.ie/adulted/interestcourses/ln248/

AUGUST
2011 UCD is looking for a writer in residence for the period January - June 2012. The job will concentrate on teaching fiction writing. Applications to Hilary Gow by post or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by August 26th.

AUGUST
2011 Dublin resident, Miriam Gallagher's  play will premiere at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Miriam's play "Lessons with Chopin" celebrates the composer's life and music. The Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world takes place in Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature from 5-29 August http://www.edfringe.com/

JULY
2011 The world's oldest specialist theatre festival, first opening in 1957, will provide an exciting array of plays and performances from Sept 29th - Oct 16th. Booking for events will open on Aug 16th. For further information, visit www.dublintheatrefestival.com Venues include The James Joyce House where Joyce wrote The Dead.

JULY
2011 Colum McCann won this year's International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award with "Let the Great World Spin".  The award is given to works of high literary merit. Libraries from around the world nominate works they feel deserve this special commendation. Click on link below to listen to Colum's acceptance speech: http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/media/index.html

JULY
2011

You can now download the Patrick Kavanagh App from the App Store, for more information follow the link http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/id450226634

JULY
2011 Congratulations to Sebastian Barry who has been nominated for this years Man Booker Prize. Barry had been nominated for his latest work, On Canaan's Side. The winner will be announced on October 18th.

JULY
2011

The Philip Lynott Exhibition has returned to the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin for a second run, ending August 31st.The exhibition is home to the biggest ever collection of memorabilia, song lyrics, exhibits, paintings, tributes and photographs of the late rock legend.

 

The highly acclaimed exhibition, which brought visitors to Dublin from all over the world since it opened in March, will now return to Dublin for the months of July and August, with a programme of events being lined up to bring additional fun and entertainment to the run. 

 

JULY
2011

A graduate conference entitled Samuel Beckett and the 'State' of Ireland will take place at UCD on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July. There will be a keynote address from Professor Seán Kennedy and Dr Mark Nixon along with an illustrated talk from Professor Eoin O'Brien on his highly influential book 'The Beckett Country'.

There is no prior booking needed and the conference is free of charge.

For more details go to http://beckettucd2011.wordpress.com

JULY
2011

Poetry Ireland in association with the National Gallery of Ireland are hosting a series of lunchtime readings for the month of July. The readings will take place at 1.05pm each Wednesday and will commence on the 6th July with a reading by Noel Monahan. Readings by Mary O'Donnell, Jean O'Brien and Iggy McGovern will take place over the following three Wednesdays. These events are free and unticketed.

For more information please go to www.poetryireland.ie, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 01-4789974

JULY
2011 In conjunction with Dubray Books Allan Hollinghurst, the winner of the 2004 Man Booker Prize for The Line of Beauty, will perform a reading and sign copies of his new novel, The Stranger's Child, at 6:30pm on Wednesday 13th July at Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane. Tickets for the event are €3, redeemable against the cost of the book on the night. To reserve a ticket, please call Susan on 01-2760059 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JUNE
2011  Bookings are now open for this fun family event celebrating the imaginative world of children’s picture books! With authors, illustrators and some surprises along the way we will be sharing the magic that great children’s stories can inspire. Please feel free to bring along a blanket and a picnic hamper to join in with the spirit of this event - teddy bears are also very welcome to attend! The event is free, but booking is advised - get your tickets at The Gutter Bookshop, Cow's Lane, Temple Bar. The picnic will take place on 16th July, 1pm-2:30pm at Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8. In association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Childrens Books Ireland.

 

JUNE
2011 Congratulations to all those who received Honorary Doctor of Literature at UCD today including John Montague, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Paul Durcan, Michael Longley, Harry Clifton and Ciaran Carson. Seamus Heaney was given the UCD Ulysses Medal, the highest honour which UDC can bestow. John Montague attended UCD and worked at university in Iowa UNESCO City of Literature, Paul Durcan and Harry Clifton also attended UCD.

JUNE
2011

'Missing the Light' a reading  and question and answer session with author Evelyn Conlon will take place on Friday July 1st at 1pm in the Central Library, Ilac Centre. Admission free booking recommended through the Open Learning Centre, 01 8734333 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JUNE
2011 Congratulations to Dubliner, Colum McCann, whose book "Let the Great World Spin" has won International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award 2011, the literary award is given to works of high literary merit. Nominations are provided by libraries all over the world. You can access more information from www.impacdublinaward.ie This is the first award since Dublin was designated Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, for more information on literary Dublin, go to http://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/dublinliterary.html?d6f9900c6abf5559408ec51f5523a7ea=3be32a1ba8cc5186371bef925c70215a

JUNE
2011 Congratulations to Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature poet Chris Wallace-Crabbe who receivesd an Order of Australia medal for services to the arts as a leading poet, critic and educator. Keep an eye on www.dublincityofliterature.ie for details of upcoming event featuring Chris Wallace-Crabbe

JUNE
2011 Irish Writers' Center will host a lunchtime jaunt though Irish literature, beginning Friday 17th June at 1pm. For further details www.writerscentre.ie

JUNE
2011

Trevor/Bowen Literary Summer School 2011 will take place in Michelstown, Cork 15th - 17th July. It will feature lectures, workshops, films and readings. For further details see www.mitchelstownlit.com

JUNE
2011 In February 2011, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature held two writers' engagement events to capture the views of some of our citys' writers, to read the report, please click on the link writers' engagement events report

JUNE
2011 In celebration of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, The Contemporary Music Centre has launched a new literary music trail which uncovers the connections between Irish writers and composers, the parade will lead you along the literary parade in St Patrick's Park, participants can venture on to the extended trail acorss South Georgian Dublin. More information can be obtained at www.cmc.ie/musictrail

JUNE
2011

A cultural evening of music, theatre, poetry and stand up performance supported by leading Irish talent including Pat Boran, Mary Coughlan, John Lonergan, Paula Meehan, Kevin McAleer, Colm Ó Snodaigh (Kila), Silver Stars (Brokentalkers Production).  The evening will be presented by Theo Dorgan and Caitriona Crowe.This unique event promises to be entertaining, poignant and thought provoking.  It will be held in the intimate surroundings of the Pepper Canister, Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2 (off Merrion Square) from 8pm-10pm on Sunday evening June 26^th 2011.Tickets are €25 each.  For more information, please check http://www.oneinfour.ie/help-us/raise-money/