The Laureate For Irish Fiction

24/10/2025

Laureate For Irish Fiction Craft Talk to MA students of Creative Writing at Trinity College today. Two hours of getting into the nuts and bolts of crafting a short story. Thanks to for hosting us and to the students for a wonderfully engaged session.

24/10/2025

For day 7 of our Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne shared one of the Irish books she's going to read next.

'Celia De Fréine’s short story collection, Even Still (Arlen House 2025) is next on my list.'

23/10/2025

For Day 6 of our Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne shared a book set in Northern Ireland.

'Jan Carson, Quickly While They Still Have Horses (Penguin 2024). The foibles and traits of ordinary people, mostly in the North, are satirically, accurately, and hilariously delineated. She has such a vivid imagination!'

22/10/2025

For Day 5 of our Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne shared an Irish book that she bought in an Irish book shop.

'Mary O’Donnell, Walking Ghosts (Mercier, 2025). Great collection of short stories, which I bought in the Maynooth bookshop.'

22/10/2025

Our Laureate for Irish Fiction, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, was joined by Niall MacMonagle in the National Library Ireland on September 16 for a wonderful conversation on her writing career to date and her role as Laureate. This was her first public event as the fourth Laureate for Irish Fiction 2025-2028.

You can watch back on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yvf0U7WYv8

Or listen back on Soundcloud here:

https://soundcloud.com/arts-council-ireland/laureate-for-irish-fiction-2025-2028-eilis-ni-dhuibhne-in-conversation-with-niall-macmonagle

In her first public event as the fourth Laureate for Irish Fiction 2025-2028, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne discussed her writing career to date and her role as Laureate with Niall MacMonagle. This event was rec

21/10/2025

For day 4 of our Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne shared one of her favourite Irish books she read recently:

'I’m reading Mícheál Ó Conghaile’s An Blaosc sa Bhois (CIC 2024). This is a highly original take on the Tuam babies scandal. It’s written in the richest of Irish, very evocative of place (Connemara), and quietly stunning.'

19/10/2025

For day 2 of our Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne shared one of her favourite Irish language books:

'I loved Darach Ó Scolaí’s novel, Bódléar (Leabhar Breac 2024). This is whimsical, clever and very readable. It is about rivalry and competition among poets in Gaelic Ireland, but reminded me of the contemporary culture of literary prizes.'

18/10/2025

This week is and we’re delighted to take part in celebrating and highlighting Irish books and bookshops.

We booklovers love a good browse in a bookshop and we are spoilt for choice with our many wonderful Irish bookshops.

We asked our Laureate for Irish Fiction about a few of her favourites.

‘Books Upstairs is one of my favourites in Dublin. I also like Chapters on Parnell Street, and The Di**le Bookshop and an Café Liteartha in Di**le.’

18/09/2025

President of Ireland / Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins, this afternoon presented Éilís Ní Dhuibhne with the Laureate for Irish Fiction medal to mark her appointment as the fourth Laureate.

During her three year term from 2025 – 2028 she will deliver an annual public lecture and craft talks to students of creative writing in third level colleges as well as a host of free events around the country for the general public and all those interested in Irish literary fiction and writing.

Keep following for details of all of her Laureate activities.

📸: Maxwells Photography

17/09/2025

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who attended Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s first event as Laureate for Irish Fiction. It was a wonderful evening in the National Library.

An extra special thanks to Niall MacMonagle, Brian O’Donnell + all the staff at the National Library of Ireland, and of course, our Laureate; Éilís Ní Dhuibhne.

📸: Barry Cronin https://www.barrycronin.com

16/09/2025

Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s first public event as Laureate for Irish Fiction kicked off tonight with a chat with Niall MacMonagle about her writing career and what she wants to do as Laureate during her three year tenure.

16/09/2025

Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's first public event as Laureate for Irish Fiction kicks off wirh a chat with Niall MacMonagle about her writing career and what she wants to do as Laureate during her three year tenure. The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon National Library of Ireland Libraries Ireland Éilís Ni Dhuibhne