NLI to celebrate contemporary Irish literature by bringing together Ireland’s Booker Prize-winning authors for unique series

Entitled ‘Celebrating Ireland's Booker Winners’, the series will commence on 23rd April, with current Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch in conversation with fellow novelist Belinda McKeon. The event will open with Mr Lynch reading from his 2023 international bestselling novel ‘Prophet Song’; followed by in an in-depth discussion of this book amid his wider career, ending with engagement from audience participants on ‘Prophet Song’. The series will continue over May and June, with Booker Prize winners John Banville, Anne Enright, and Roddy Doyle.

The full ‘Celebrating Ireland’s Booker Winners’ series comprises:

Tuesday, 23rd April

2023 Booker winner Paul Lynch in conversation with Belinda McKeon on ‘Prophet Song’.

Tuesday, 7th May

2005 Booker winner John Banville in conversation with Claire Kilroy on ‘The Sea’.

Tuesday, 14th May

2007 Booker winner Anne Enright in conversation with Nuala O'Connor on ‘The Gathering’.

Tuesday, 11th June

1993 Booker winner Roddy Doyle in conversation with Rob Doyle on ‘Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha'.

The series is curated by literary programmer Alan Hayes.

The events will take place at the National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, and each will commence at 6.30pm.

Commenting, Director of the National Library of Ireland, Dr Audrey Whitty said: “The National Library of Ireland is the library of record for Ireland and is one of the country’s legal deposit libraries. As such, the NLI holds a copy of every single book published in Ireland, by an Irish author, and all books containing subject matter of Irish interest. This includes all of the books by Ireland’s Booker Prize-winning authors.

“Ireland has a very rich literary culture and history, and it is a great honour to bring together these contemporary literary greats as part of this ‘Celebrating Ireland’s Booker Winners’ series.I am looking forward to hearing the conversations unfold as these Booker winners discuss their novels with a series of fellow writers.

“Celebrating contemporary Irish writing is integral to telling the story of Ireland and we are delighted to play our part in this. The events are free and are open to all, but tickets are limited, so we encourage anyone with an interest in attending to book early.”

Head of Exhibitions, Learning and Programming at the National Library, Dr Sinéad McCoole added: 

“We are delighted to have this inaugural series focusing on contemporary Irish literature, celebrating those who have international acclaim by winning the Booker Prize. To listen to peer-to-peer, with writers interviewing writers, is especially important, in a place where so many of the past literary giants found their inspiration in the books and papers of those who had gone before them.”

Series curator, Alan Hayes added: “Literature is rightfully regarded internationally as Ireland’s greatest artform, and it is no surprise that Ireland continues to punch above its weight. The National Library of Ireland is the living repository of Irish writing in both languages, it is the bedrock of our culture and is at the heart of our society. Thus, it is a pleasure to work with Dr Audrey Whitty and her dynamic team, as we celebrate these groundbreaking books and authors that have such pride of place, not only in Ireland but internationally.”

Tickets for the ‘Celebrating Ireland’s Booker Winners series can be booked through the NLI website. Tickets for the events are free, but places are limited, so interested parties are encouraged to book early.

ENDS