We had a Fantastic Time Takin’ our Mic to International Literature Festival Dublin

Last night, the Irish Writers Centre’s Bilingual Takin’ the Mic went to the International Literature Festival Dublin for a fantastic evening of poetry and prose in English and Irish. Featuring guest MC Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh and special guest writer, Disha Bose, it was a magical occasion with a diverse assembly of writers, poets and musicians who took to the stage! A massive thank you to all writers who performed and to the audience for making the event so welcoming and joyful. Thank you to Foras na Gaeilge for supporting this event and to International Literature Festival Dublin for hosting us. Míle buíochas le gach duine a d’fhreastail ar an ócáid!

About our special guests

Photograph of Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh at the Irish Writers Centre’s Takin’ the Mic,

International Literature Festival Dublin 2023

Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh was our MC for the evening. Lisa is a writer, for the most part of flash fiction about the joys and the lows of the lives of LGBTQ+ people and women. She writes through both English and Irish agus ba í an tEagarthóir Gaeilge ar an ríomhiris splancfhicain Splonk ar feadh roinnt blianta. Lisa works in communications and is an activist and commentator for LGBTQ+ charities other causes. Over the years, she has won a number of awards in Ireland and the USA for her writing, most recently receiving a bursary for Irish Language Writers from the Irish Writers’ Centre. Her writing has been published in print an online, in Comhar, The Long River Review, Glórtha Aiteach, After Repeal, Meon Eile, GCN and others.

Is scríbhneoir splancfhicsin faoi bhuaiceanna agus dúshláin saolta daoine LADTA+ agus na mban í Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh. Scríobhann sí trí mheán an Bhéarla agus na Gaeilge and she was the Irish Language Editor of the flash fiction ezine Splonk for a number of years. Oibríonn sí i gcúrsaí cumarsáide agus is gníomhaí agus tráchtaire í ar son catharnachtaí LADTA+ agus grúpaí eile. Thar na blianta, tá duaiseanna buaite aici don scríbhneoireacht in Éirinn agus sna Stáit Aontaithe, an ceann is déanaí sparánacht ó Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann. Tá a cuid scríbhneoireachta foilsithe i leabhair agus foilseacháin agus ar líne, ig Comhar, The Long River Review, Glórtha Aiteach, After Repeal, Meon Eile, GCN agus eile.

Photograph of Disha Bose at the Irish Writers Centre’s Takin’ the Mic,

International Literature Festival Dublin 2023

Disha Bose was our special guest writer for the evening. Disha lives in Ireland but was born and raised in India. Her debut novel, Dirty Laundry, a domestic noir, exploring themes of motherhood, friendship and immigration was pre-empted by Katie Loftus at Viking UK in a six-figure deal. US rights were pre-empted by Andra Miller at Ballantine. Dirty Laundry was published in April 2023 and was selected as the ‘Good Morning America’ Book Club pick for April.

View a selection of photographs below, featuring some of the wonderful writers who took to the stage last night. Each performer was given a 5 minute slot. Reading in English and Irish, there was so much talent in the room!