The Arts Council Podcast

In this episode, Éilis talks to Caitríona Lally about her Rooney Prize-winning debut novel ‘Eggshells’ , second novel ‘Wunderland’ and her recently published memoir ‘Home Economics’ which charts her day job as a cleaner in Trinity College and how it lends itself to her writing career as an award-winning novelist. This event was recorded in Skerries Library in association with Fingal Libraries. Learn more about Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s Island of Imagination programme: https://artscouncil.ie/developing-the-arts/flagship-programmes/laureate-for-irish-fiction/

San eagrán seo, labhraíonn Éilis leis na húdair Anna Heussaff agus Réaltáin Ní Leannáin faoina gcleachtas scríbhneoireachta agus a bhforbairt mar scríbhneoirí. Rinneadh taifead ar an imeacht seo i Leabharlann Dhún Garbháin i gcomhar le Leabharlanna Phort Láirge. Foghlaim tuilleadh faoi chlár Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Oileán na Samhlaíochta: https://artscouncil.ie/ga/na-healaiona-a-fhorbairt/clair-shuaitheanta/laureate-i-gcomhair-ficsean-eireannach/ _______________________________________________________________________________________ In this episode, Éilis talks to novelists Anna Heussaff and Réaltáin Ní Leannáin about their writing practice and their development as writers. This event was recorded in Dungarvan Library in association with Waterford Libraries. Learn more about Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s Island of Imagination programme: artscouncil.ie/developing-the-arts/flagship-programmes/laureate-for-irish-fiction/

On 18 February 2026 at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin, Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne delivered her first annual Laureate Lecture entitled "The Tip of the Iceberg: Thoughts on the Relationship of Oral and Written Narrative, of Folktales and Literature." It featured storytelling performance by Nuala Hayes and musical performance by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh accompanied by Dónal O’Connor. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is the fourth Laureate for Irish Fiction and was awarded the honour by the Arts Council in May 2025. The Laureate for Irish Fiction promotes Irish literature nationally and internationally and encourages the public to engage with high quality Irish Fiction. The Laureate for Irish Fiction is an initiative of the Arts Council. More details about Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s public programme as Laureate can be found here: https://artscouncil.ie/developing-the-arts/flagship-programmes/laureate-for-irish-fiction/

In this episode, Éilis talks to novelist Sarah Gilmartin about novels 'Dinner Party' and 'Service' and her writing practice. This event was recorded in association with Limerick Literary Festival. Learn more about Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s Island of Imagination programme: artscouncil.ie/developing-the-arts/flagship-programmes/laureate-for-irish-fiction/

In this episode, Éilís talks to novelists Oisín Fagan and Roisín O’Donnell about their respective novels Eden’s Shore and Nesting. Described as ‘a striking new talent’ (The Times) and ‘a true original’ (Irish Examiner), Oisín’s latest novel Eden’s Shore, set in an era of global upheaval, is an epic and intricate tale of greed, revenge and love. Roisín O’Donnell has been described as a ‘novelist who has powerful news to tell, and an impressive range of narrative gifts with which to tell it (Irish Times). Her novel Nesting (An Post Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year 2025) is the story of one woman’s bid to start over. This event was recorded at Trim Library and Swift Cultural Centre, with thanks to Meath Libraries. Learn more about Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s Island of Imagination programme: https://artscouncil.ie/developing-the-arts/flagship-programmes/laureate-for-irish-fiction/