Vona Groarke is new Ireland Professor of Poetry

Irish Times

11-07-2025

In The Irish Times tomorrow, Austin Taylor tells Edel Coffey about her debut novel, Notes on Infinity, and there is a Q&A with James Rebanks about his new book, The Place of Tides.
Reviews are Karlin Lillington on Empire of AI: Inside the Reckless Race for Total Domination by Karen Hao; Andrew Lynch on The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell & The Definite Article: Collected Writings of Michael McDowell; John Walshe on The Dandy: A People's History of Sartorial Splendour by Peter K Andersson; Declan Burke on the best new crime fiction; Gemma Tipton on David Gentleman's Lessons for Young Artists; Mei Chin on Electric Spark: The Enigma of Muriel Spark by Frances Wilson; Jessica Traynor on The Writings of Padraic Colum: 'That Queer Thing, Genius', edited by Pádraic Whyte and Keith O'Sullivan; John Boyne on Among Friends by Hal Ebbott; Ruby Eastwood on To Rest Our Minds and Bodies by Harriet Armstrong; Miriam Balanescu on Idle Grounds by Krystelle Bamford; Sara Keating on children's fiction; and Colm McKenna on Larry: a New Biography of Lawrence Durrell, 1912–1945 by Michael Haag.
This weekend's Irish Times Eason offer is Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, just €5.99, a €6 saving.
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Vona Groarke will be the 10th Ireland Professor of Poetry, taking over from Prof Paul Muldoon. The position will run from September to November 2028.
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Groarke said: 'It may seem strange for the newly minted Irish Professor of Poetry to find herself (almost!) at a loss for words to describe the delight and honour of having been selected for a role some of our finest poets have graced and amplified.
'But I want to express my deep gratitude to the trust for this opportunity. I hope that my tenure will continue the service of my predecessors in highlighting the work of those who've chosen to put the practice of the art and craft of poetry at the very centre of our lives.
'I would like my time as Ireland Professor of Poetry to honour all those individuals and organisations, from teachers to libraries, readers to Irish publishers, whose attentions and efforts help to sustain the work of Irish poets. Together, we contribute to a sense that Ireland, north and south, is a place where poetry happens and continues to matter. I also look forward to engaging with as many aspiring poets and readers of all ages as possible during my time in the role.'
Liam Hannaway, outgoing Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Chair of the Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust, said: 'I am delighted to witness Vona Groarke joining the great line of fantastic Irish poets who have held the position of Ireland Professor of Poetry. I wish her good fortune and I very much look forward to the freshness and energy which she will bring to the role. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the previous Ireland Professor of Poetry, Paul Muldoon, and thank him for his contribution over the past three years to the appreciation of poetry in Ireland and beyond. It has been a pleasure to have witnessed him at work in that time.'
Maura McGrath, chair of the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and incoming Chair of the Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust said: 'The appointment of Professor Vona Groarke as the next Ireland Professor of Poetry is a moment of celebration for poetry in Ireland. Vona's work, marked by precision, insight and emotional depth, has long been a cornerstone of contemporary Irish literature. Her appointment recognises not only her outstanding poetic achievements but also her ongoing contribution to the life of the arts in Ireland and beyond. The Arts Council is proud to support the Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust in this important role and looks forward to the ways in which Vona's tenure will inspire readers, students, and fellow poets alike.'
The Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust was established in 1998 following the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Seamus Heaney. It was felt that this honour should be marked by choosing, every three years, a poet of honour and distinction to hold the Ireland Chair of Poetry. It is supported by Queen's University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, as well as by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
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The Irish Writers Centre has launched its newly revamped International Debut Novel Competition (IDNC) – a global call-out for unpublished fiction writers ready to break through.
Formerly known as the Novel Fair, the competition has helped launch dozens of writing careers since 2011, with alumni securing big literary awards and publishing deals. Entrants are invited to submit 5,000 words of their manuscript and a 500-word synopsis between August 1st and September 14th for the chance to pitch directly to publishers and agents during a two-day hybrid event in November.
An expert panel will review submissions anonymously, with 12 winners notified on November 7th.
Writers such as Orla Mackey (Mouthing), Hesse Phillips (Lightborne), and Lauren Mackenzie (The Couples) all credit the competition with launching their careers.
Details and entry via
irishwriterscentre.ie
. Fee: €65 (€58.50 for members). Limited free entries available.
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The Irish Times columnist, author and investigative journalist Kathy Sheridan will be in conversation with author and Sunday Independent columnist Máiría Cahill in the Bailey Allen Hall on Saturday, July 19th at noon as part of the Galway International Arts Festival. The event, Speaking Truth to Power, will cover several topics, including Cahill's book Rough Beast, which dealt with her sexual abuse by a republican, an IRA internal 'investigation' and her subsequent struggle for justice. Tickets are €10 and available from
giaf.ie
.
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Echoes: the Maeve Binchy Literary Festival returns to Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre from October 3rd-5th with an exciting line-up of events and speakers.
On October 3rd, at 7.30pm, Binchy's award-winning play Deeply Regretted By ... directed by Conall Morrison will be performed.
On October 4th from 9.30am to 5.30pm there will be an exciting day of conversations, interviews and readings featuring: Marian Keyes, Claire Keegan, Donal Ryan, Patricia Scanlan, Lisa Harding, Conall Morrison, Anne-Marie Casey, Gerard Stembridge, Sinead Moriarty, Roisin Ingle, Niall McMonagle, Oliver Callan, Anna Carey, Michael Harding, Catherine Dunne, Caroline Erskine, Ian Robertson, Sophie White, Andrew Meehan, Lise-Ann McLaughlin, Jessica Dromgoole, Sarah Binchy and Gordon Snell.
On Sunday 5th at 11am, the Marvellously Maeve Guided Walk leaves from Dalkey Castle. At 3pm, there will also be a Rehearsed Reading of Tottenham Court Road, followed by a discussion with director Jim Culleton of Fishamble: The New Play Company and Gillian Binchy.
Full programme and booking at
echoes.ie
. & dalkeycastle.com
Half & full day tickets available for Saturday. Booking fees apply
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The Irish-American poet Fanny Howe has died in Boston, aged 84.
She was the daughter of Dublin-born writer and director Mary Manning. Her daughter, the writer Danzy Senna, is married to fellow author Percival Everett. She was professor emerita of Writing and Literature at theUniversity of California, San Diego and lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ireland was very important to her. Last year, although very frail, she flew over to see her mother's play Youth's the Season staged at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. She had long-standing friendships with Mark Patrick Hederman at Glenstal and Richard Kearney at Boston College.
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Galway-based author Maura McHugh, who writes prose, theatre, film/TV, video games, non-fiction and comic books, has been nominated for a World Fantasy Award in the category of Best Short Fiction, for her story Raptor, from the anthology Heartwood, edited by Dan Coxon, and published by PS Publishing in the UK. The anthology of twenty stories is a tribute to the innovative and lyrical Mythago Wood novels by award-winning author Robert Holdstock (1948 – 2009).
'I'm honoured to be one of five nominees from an international field by a jury of renowned writers and editors. My thanks to my editor and publisher for including me in this beautiful volume.'
The World Fantasy Awards are one of most prestigious annual honours in fantasy literature and this year's winners will be announced in November at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton, UK.
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Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann and Ukrainian Action Ireland is hosting an event to celebrate Victoria Amelina (1986-2023) and her posthumously published Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary, which recently won the Orwell Prize for Political Writing.
It will take place on Tuesday, July 29th at 6pm in Books Upstairs, 17 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Speakers will include Yaryna Grusha (Editor) and Pádraig Hanratty (Co-Chair, Irish PEN).
Admission is free but
booking
is required.
On Wednesday, July 30th, at 7pmthere will be another celebration of Amelina's life and work held as part of Irish PEN's Freedom to Write programme with the John Hewitt Summer School in the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh.
johnhewittsociety.org/summer-school/
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The 2025 Kennedy Summer School taking place in New Ross from August 28th-30th has unveiled its programme details. The festival spotlights Colm Tóibín, celebrated novelist, who is featured in The Noel Whelan Interview, bringing his sharp narrative sensibilities to a rich literary discussion. Alongside him are several distinguished journalists whose writing shaped the event. Seán O'Rourke, former RTÉ presenter and long‑form podcaster, is the guest at the Kennedy Tea Party. Also present are columnist Brenda Power, Cal Thomas, an American commentator, and Sarah Churchwell, historian and writer whose work bridges US and Irish cultural narratives. Tony Connelly and Jim Acosta, both veteran correspondents, lend their reporting expertise. The programme offers a compelling blend of literary and journalistic voices, all contributing to an engaging exploration of contemporary culture, politics, and storytelling.
KennedySummerSchool.ie
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Inspired by the curious interplay of Irish words when translated to English, Aileen Crossley (author / illustrator) reimagines a world where dogs live in trees, eat acorns instead of bones, and pigs roam the oceans. In her whimsical Irish language picture book, a foxglove fairy finds a young girl Mollaí, overwhelmed by technology, and takes her on a magical journey through the Irish countryside. An Áit a nEitlíonn na Madaí Crainn (Where the Tree Dogs Fly), a luxurious hard-backed book of fine art lithographic prints, will be launched at Hodges Figgis, Dawson St, Dulbin on Friday, July 18th, at 6pm. All are welcome.
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The Linen Hall has announced the launch of the Michael McLaverty Short Story Award 2025. McLaverty (1904 – 1992) was one of the foremost proponents of the Irish short story. The purpose of the award is to foster and encourage the short story. First prize is £2,000; with £250 each for two runners-up. The winning story will be published with the runners-up in a limited anthology. Renowned writer Neil Hegarty (The Jewel; Inch Levels; The Story of Ireland) and editor Emma Warnock, of No Alibis Press, are the judges.
Entry guidelines can be found on the
website
.
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Philip Casey was one of Ireland's most loved writers, evidenced by these
tribute
s published in The Irish Times when he died in 2018.
Last week, he would have turned 75. One of Philip's quiet but enduring passions was a website created and curated: irishwriters-online.com – a lovingly compiled directory of more than 700 Irish writers.
Although the original site is no longer live, you can still view an archived version on the Wayback Machine
here
.
Recently, his family recovered a backup of the site and restored most of the content to an unpublished version.
They would love to find someone in the Irish writing community who might be interested in taking up the mantle: to update, edit, and relaunch the site under a new domain they have secured: irishwriters.online.
Technical support is available if needed, but what's most important is a passion for Irish writing and a commitment to preserving and expanding this valuable resource.
If you or someone you know might be interested in continuing Philip's legacy, please feel free to get in touch with Éamonn McGuinness, Philip's cousin and close friend, at
[e-mail]
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Leila Aboulela has been awarded the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize.
Judges praised Aboulela for her 'nuanced and rich perspectives on themes that are vital in our contemporary world: faith, migration, and displacement', calling her writing 'a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration'.
Aboulela is an award-winning novelist celebrated for her distinctive exploration of identity, migration and Islamic spirituality. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Aboulela's novels include Bird Summons, Minaret, The Translator and The Kindness of Enemies, which have been translated to over 15 languages. Aboulela's most recent works include the novella A New Year, selected as a World Book Night title in 2025, and River Spirit, shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award.
The PEN Pinter Prize is awarded annually to a writer resident in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth or former Commonwealth who, in the words of Harold Pinter's Nobel speech, casts an 'unflinching, unswerving' gaze upon the world, and shows a 'fierce intellectual determination ... to define the real truth of our lives and our societies'.
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There will be an audience with Priscilla Presley on October 1st at 7.30pm at the National Concert Hall. In this deeply personal conversation drawing from her forthcoming memoir Softly, As I Leave You, Presley will reflect on what it took to leave her husband Elvis, what she lost in the process, and what she ultimately found: strength, purpose, and a life beyond the legend. Tickets can be purchased
here
.
Eason presents an evening with Sophie White at The Racketspace at The Bernard Shaw on August 26th at 8pm. Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, co-authors of the Aisling series, will launch White's new novel, Such a Good Couple. Tickets are €20.99 and include a copy of the book, which you will receive at the venue on the night.
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Iceapelago, the ice-covered islands that were once Ireland, is the creation of Peter Brennan who is the author of several reports on climate change. The Iceapelago books straddle the thin line between fact and fiction. Iceapelago 3, the final book in his climate fiction trilogy, is a parable, a war story and a deep reflection of the environmental collapse of a nation. As a temperate climate return, Iceapelago becomes the target of climate refugees seeking a new home. It is a thought-provoking story of hard truths, impossible choices, high stakes and moral dilemmas. This dystopian thriller ends with a twist that may give our planet some comfort.