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

Halftone

The Library Project

The 11th Edition of HALFTONE Print Fair will be hosted for its longest run period to date 28 November 2025–25 January 2026 at The Library Project. The fair brings together a large selection of works by established and emerging artists, showcasing Ireland’s exciting art scene. HALFTONE is an initiative by PhotoIreland, hosted every year at The Library Project. Every edition, the fair brings together a large selection of works by established and emerging artists, showcasing Ireland’s exciting art scene. Come and enjoy a great selection of artworks from many disciplines and practic

What's on

Celebrating Irish Women Writers – The Three Laureates

Pearse Street Library

Ireland’s three Literature Laureates Patricia Forde (Laureate na nÓg), Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (Laureate for Irish Fiction) and Vona Groarke (Chair of Poetry) will come together to celebrate Irish women writers with musical responses from Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation, chaired by arts journalist Paula Shields. This event is free, but booking is essential. This event is brought to you by the Arts Council and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. This event is part of Brigit Festival 2026: Dublin Celebrating Women

What's on

Art-Inspired Creative Writing Workshop celebrating St Brigit

Online

Join us for a 1-hour workshop inspired by poetry and stories about St. Brigid. Learn about her life and what she represents, exploring her feminine side as goddess and saint, scholar, environmentalist, and activist. Using selected images as prompts, participants will write a poem, story, memory piece, or any form of creative expression inspired by St. Brigid. This workshop focuses on creating and sharing, not criticism, and is open to adults over 18. Facilitators: Diarmuid Fitzgerald – Poet and writer with three published books, experienced in leading creative writing workshops at t