PRESS RELEASE: Irish Writers Centre Announces their Nollaig na mBan Line-up

Nollaig na mBan 2025:

WOMEN OF MAGIC AND SCIENCE

Monday 6 January 2025 | 7.00pm–9.00pm

Pearse Street Library, Dublin

Tickets are now on sale via the Irish Writers Centre website.

The Irish Writers Centre will be kicking off the new year with their legendary annual celebration of Nollaig na mBan. Originally a day off for Ireland’s hard-working women immediately after Christmas, the Irish Writers Centre reimagines this tradition by showcasing extraordinary women writers in Ireland.

For this year’s theme, WOMEN OF MAGIC AND SCIENCE, expect explorations of witchcraft, tarot talk and scientific endeavour: from Ireland’s first female botanist, Ellen Hutchins to women working in the field of quantum physics. Award-winning poet Jessica Traynor will host the evening’s celebration which takes place for the first time at Pearse Street Library in Dublin. Look forward to an evening of phenomenal readings, spirited discussion and live music.

This year’s line-up includes:

Newly commissioned work from novelist Nuala O’Connor who will be writing on the legendary Irish herbalist and ‘wisewoman’ Biddy Early. Fresh from her artist residency at the Institute of Physics, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan will be reading a new piece on quantum physics and poetry.

Readings from novelist, essayist and podcaster Sophie White, poet Anne Tannam and novelist Marianne Lee.

Also featured is writer Shauna Gilligan, a representative of Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann, who will read from her publication Fire, a tribute to the sacred feminine, Brigid, and the heritage of Kildare.

Musical entertainment will be provided by musician and composer Zoé Basha. Her sound explores the crossovers between the sway of Appalachian mountain songs, the fervor and solemn ornamentation of Irish traditional songs, the polyphonic, pushing rhythm of French Occitan music and American ragtime.

This event is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. 

For more information and interview requests please contact: 

Jo Morton, Communications and Marketing Officer, Irish Writers Centre

t: (+353) 1 872 1302 | e: communications@irishwriterscentre.ie