Nollaig na mBan: Irish Writers Centre

This event has ended

Irish Writers Centre, Friday 6th January

Join us for a night of readings, music and fun in celebration of women writers worldwide at our annual Nollaig na mBan event.

The theme for the night is Home, in all its many facets and manifestations.

Traditionally, Nollaig na mBan, aka Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas, was a day off for the hard-working woman in the home, relieving her of the household chores and leaving the work up to the men for the day. Our Nollaig na mBan programme will turn this quaint custom on its head with its 21st century interpretation of the meaning of “home,” taking inspiration from the words of Maeve Brennan:

“Home is a place in the mind.”

Award-winning writer, editor, broadcaster and Nollaig na mBan MC since 2015 Sinéad Gleeson will be our host for the evening, introducing a schedule of readings that celebrate the very best of Irish women’s writing.

Louise Nealon, Suad Aldarra, Claire Kilroy and Nithy Kasa will offer a series of fast-paced commissioned Soapbox performances, sharing personal narratives on their views of home. Further stirring additions to the programme will come from Irish PEN / Freedom to Write campaign member Catherine Dunne and Dr Roja Fazaeli, Chair of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at TCD.

Publisher Arlen House will join in the proceedings with a showcase of contributors to Look! It’s a Woman Writer! a feminist anthology celebrating women born in mid-twentieth-century Ireland, whose literary lives have spanned half a century and whose works are still relevant and read widely today. This segment will feature writers Liz McManus, Anne Devlin, Mary Rose Callaghan and Phyl Herbert.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the wonderful ESSIRAY.


Date:
Friday 6th January
Time:
7.00pm
Price:
€22
Address:
Irish Writers Centre, Parnell Square North, Rotunda, Dublin 1, Ireland

Google Map of Irish Writers Centre, Parnell Square North, Rotunda, Dublin 1, Ireland

You might also like...

What's on

The Lark After Dark

The Lark Concert Hall

The Lark After Dark: Home of Halloween film series runs at The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan, Fingal, Dublin on Saturday October 31st featuring classic horror screenings on the big screen. Tickets cost €10 including fees per screening. Schedule: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) Date & Time: Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 5:00 pm Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde stars John Barrymore as the respectable doctor whose experiments to separate the good and evil within himself unleash the sinister Mr. Hyde. Nosferatu (1922) Date & Time: Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 7:00 pm With its ee

What's on

Hooks & Reels – Samhain at Howth Castle

Howth Castle

Get ready for an evening of reremembering the traditions and rituals of Samhain with six great stories told by writers from Howth Writing Workshop and guests. Special Guest author/national broadcaster Clare McKenna. MC author/documentary-maker Dearbhail MC Donald. Hooks & Reels Samhain at the Castle will celebrate the season with rising musical star Martello and friends. This night promises to be unforgettable. Don't miss out on the ultimate Samhain gathering! There will be fire breathing to add to the atmosphere, laughs and gentle remembering of our ancestors.

What's on

Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote

Pavilion Theatre

The cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder, She Wrote returns to Dún Laoghaire for Halloween with an interactive screening of the spooky Murder, She Wrote episode "A Witch’s Curse". A newcomer to Cabot Cove is suspected of witchcraft, but soon there’s a murder only Jessica (or you!) can solve! Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote returns following riotous presentations in 2025 of Sing a Song of Murder. The show is a unique and hilarious night featuring games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television. Hosted by super-fan Tim Benzie, Solve-Al