15 January, 2025

Nollaig na mBan 2025: Women of Magic and Science

Last Monday we kicked off the new year with one of our favourite dates in the Irish calendar, Nollaig na mBan. Originally a day off for Ireland’s hard-working women immediately after Christmas, each year we reimagine this tradition by showcasing extraordinary women writers in Ireland. In this blog, scroll through a series of photos which were taken on the night. 

“Women practiced magic until they were able to forge the tools and win the education to rename that magic science.”

– Jessica Traynor

We had a great time conjuring writers and artists for this year’s theme: Women of Magic and Science. We would like to thank award-winning poet, Jessica Traynor, who hosted the evening’s celebration which took place for the first time at Pearse Street Library, Dublin. We were also delighted to hear a wee preview from Jessica’s upcoming poetry collection New Arcana (coming out in 2025).

Thank you to our commissioned writers Nuala O’Connor and Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan who read beautiful tributes to two incredible historical women: the legendary herbalist and ‘wise woman’ Biddy Early and the unflappable German mathematician Emmy Noether.

We also had incredible readings from novelist, essayist and podcaster Sophie White, poet Anne Tannam and novelist Marianne Lee. Two representatives from the Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann were also in attendence. Thank you Shauna Gilligan and Celia de Fréine for sharing your beautiful writing with us.

Musical entertainment was provided by the wonderful musician and composer Zoé Basha.

This event was supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. We would like to thank Dublin Liberties Distillery who provided us with a fabulous selection of whiskey on the night!

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who attended this sold-out event! It was a magical night. See you next year!

Jessica Traynor, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Annual book swap, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Audience, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Shauna Gilligan, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Nuala O’Connor, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Nollaig na mBan 2025

Anne Tannam, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Marianne Lee, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Nollaig na mBan 2025

Sophie White, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Marianne Lee, Nuala O’Connor, Anne Tannam, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Sophie White and Jessica Traynor, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Zoé Basha, Nollaig na mBan 2025

Zoé Basha, Nollaig na mBan 2025

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