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

Dublin Festival of History

Various Locations

The Dublin Festival of History will run from 26 September to 11 October 2026. The Dublin Festival of History is an annual free festival, brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has built a reputation for shining a fresh perspective on history and its importance in our everyday lives, attracting best-selling Irish and international historians to Dublin for a high-profile programme of history talks and debate each Autumn. Admission is FREE to all e

What's on

Fingal Festival of History

Various Locations

Explore Fingal’s History Through Talks, Heritage Tours, Family Stories and Fascinating Insights Across the County. Fingal’s tenth annual Festival of History, which will run from Saturday, 26th September to Sunday, 11th October 2026. History at the Library Day takes place on Saturday, 3rd October in The Carnegie on North Street, Swords, with talks about our links with Europe and the EU. The programme includes 19 events, running throughout  our library branches, covering such diverse topics the disappearance of Agatha Christie, Ireland’s involvement in the American Revolution, the K

What's on

Red Line Book Festival

Various Locations

Uniquely curated by librarians, the Red Line Book Festival brings readers, writers and communities together for seven days of conversations, performances, workshops and shared experiences. Events take place in libraries, theatres and cultural spaces across South Dublin County. What to Expect: Author Talks & Panels: Conversations featuring local, national, and international writers across various genres. Workshops: Practical sessions covering writing, creativity, and new perspectives. Performances & Poetry: Live performances, dramatic readings, and dedicated poetry even