David Peace is set to discuss his forthcoming novel, Munichs, in an interview with John Self in The Irish Times this Saturday. The work explores the significant impacts of the Munich air disaster on the Busby Babes. A snippet from Patsy McGarry’s autobiographical piece, Well, Holy God: My Life as an Irish, Catholic, Agnostic Correspondent, will also be featured. Furthermore, a conversation with Marianne Power will delve into the themes of her latest book, Love Me!
The paper will also showcase a variety of reviews including Mihir Bose’s thoughts on The New India: The Unmaking of the World’s Largest Democracy by Rahul Bhatia and Vona Groarke analysing the newest poetry. Furthermore, the writings of Sarah Moss, Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, Harriet Constable, and others will be examined by a variety of critics, including Niamh O’Reilly, Helen Cullen, Mei Chin, and Anthony Roche.
In other news, the Irish Writers Centre has revealed the recruitment of Mags McLoughlin as its new CEO. Prior to this, McLoughlin functioned as the temporary CEO at Charities Institute Ireland and was involved in project management for various companies, including Pieta House, Unicef, and LIFT Ireland. A creative writing aficionado, she is a winner of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair this year and holds an MA from Queen’s University Belfast. She also currently resides in Dublin alongside her son.
On her new role, McLoughlin expressed excitement, stating that she feels honoured to carry forward the writer upliftment and support initiative started three decades ago. She committed herself to facilitating all Irish writers in their creative pursuits and sharing their narratives.
Breda Brown, who is the chairperson of the board of managers, has announced with great satisfaction, after a comprehensive procedure, that Mags has been picked as the latest Chief Operating Officer. Mags displays considerable leadership prowess, abundant vigour and aspiration. She is committed to keeping the Irish Writers Centre on track with its strategic plans, while staying loyal to the establishment’s mission.
McLoughlin is joining the establishment less than a fortnight ahead of its open house day which is taking place on Saturday, August 31. She, along with the rest of the team, will be available to meet attendees. The day’s itinerary includes complementary workshops, informative meetings, panels directed by authors and other activities.
The Irish-Language Book of the Year Publishing Accolades declared its shortlists publicly on An tOireachtas, in association with the Foras na Gaeilge, on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. There are three categories of awards that include the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Adult Book of the Year), Gradam Réics Carló (Children’s Book of the Year), and Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Book of the Year for works translated into Irish literature).
There are twenty books shortlisted this year, with eight in the ‘Irish-Language Book of the Year for Adults’ category, six in the children’s category, and six for the category of translated works.
The 11 nominated publishing companies include An tSnáthaid Mhór; Barzaz; Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Coiscéim; Dalen Éireann; Dingle Publishing; Éabhlóid; Futa Fata; Gliadar; Leabhar Breac and LeabhairCOMHAR. More information on the works is available below.
“I would like to extend my commendations to all shortlisted Publishing Houses”, declared Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, the Chief Executive of An tOireachtas. “To witness the publishers of Irish-themed books excel amidst difficult circumstances is truly a victory. However, it is clear that without significant fiscal injections into the sector, on the advice of the Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community, this success is not sustainable. Their suggestion is outlined within the Report on Irish Language Writing, Publishing and Readership, first introduced at the Oireachtas na Samhna Festival in November 2023. Critical intervention to aid writers and publishers must be introduced to equip them in navigating the hugely competitive global publishing market and the uncertainties of functioning in a language minority setting. Half-hearted praise for industry survivors is not a long-term solution – the sector must be motivated to prosper.”
The awards recipients will be declared at a function towards the end of September. The total prize fund of €17,000 will be dispersed among the winners. A gamut of publications can be accessed at antoireachtas.ie.
Highlight for Youth at Culture Night: Children’s Books Ireland
Children’s Books Ireland planned to debut its annual reading guide for younger audiences at a specific Culture Night celebration at Grafton Street’s Dubray Books, at 5pm on the 20th of September. The complimentary evening shall showcase author readings and book signing, an illustrators-led interactive window drawing demonstration, and a book centre offering reading suggestions for children.
Featuring Irish authors, illustrators, and publishers, the Recommended Irish Reads guide shall incorporate over 200 book suggestions for a wide range of readers.
Children’s Laureate Patricia Forde, tasked with the guide’s unveiling, stated: “This dynamic, family-oriented event aims to celebrate the thrill of Irish children’s literature and the shared pleasure of reading. A host of esteemed authors and illustrators will occupy Dubray, poised to ignite a passion for storytelling and reading in successive generations.”
Translations in Greystones are Leaping off the Paper
The inaugural Jumping Off the Page festival, a comic book event featuring talent from Ireland and the UK, is scheduled for the 4th and 5th of October in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Among the confirmed speakers are Leona Forde and Karen Harte, creators of the popular Milly McCarthy series, and Neill Cameron, the UK-based, award-winning author of the Mega Robo Bros series. This festival is organised by Halfway Up the Stairs – a renowned children’s bookshop and recipient of the An Post Bookshop of the Year award, with financial backing from the Arts Council.
The festival events will unfold in both the Whale Theatre and the Halfway Up the Stairs bookshop. Attendees can look forward to a special comic books and zines afternoon for budding authors, family events, and those tailored specifically for schools. For more information and booking details, visit the festival’s website or reach out to Halfway Up the Stairs at 086-6086110 or via email at [email protected].
Elsewhere, an award-winning Irish authoress, Kate Thompson who resides in South Galway, has penned a new book dubbed Palestine A-Z. This publication seeks to uncomplicate the Israel/Palestine issue via a collection of succinct alphabetical entries on the main factions, entities, and debates being overlooked in headline news. Topics include an explanation of Hamas, an insight into the Balfour Declaration, details on the Palestinian Authority, and the Oslo Accords amongst others. This guide aims at clearing up the complexities around the happenings in Gaza.
Thompson, the celebrated writer, has over 20 published books to her name, with her work appealing to audiences of all ages. Some of her accolades include the Whitbread (Costa) Children’s Book of the Year Award and being a three-time recipient of the CBI Book of the Year. Palestine A-Z’s launch event is set for Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in Galway, on the eve of September 13th. The book is also up for sale on usual online platforms.
On a separate note, Dublin is set to host a spoken word celebration of its own.
BND Magazine, a publication championing Ireland’s lively spoken word landscape, is set to unveil its newest issue, Volume 2 Issue 2, at 7pm on Saturday, 28th of September, at Mind The Step in Dublin. Melissa Ridge and Ellen Murray, the magazine’s editors, will open the evening with introductory remarks, followed by performances from Adam Kelly, Caoimhe Weakliam, and Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan. The entry fee is €15, with additional service charges applicable. Tickets also come with a copy of the magazine, offering an exhaustive insight into the characters and narratives moulding Ireland’s vibrant spoken word domain.