Sinéad Gleeson: What We Talk About When We Talk About Irish Literature

On Monday the 13th of May, Tūranga will play host to one of the top minds in contemporary literature - Irish editor, essayist and now novelist Sinéad Gleeson. This event is brought to you by WORD Christchurch, in partnership with Auckland Writers Festival, Verb Wellington, and HarperCollins New Zealand.

It is safe to say that for the last decade Irish writers have been excelling on the world stage. Sally Rooney almost single-handedly made reading cool again. Literary prize lists are full of Irish writers including last year's Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch. But, in my opinion none of this success would have happened without the work of Sinéad Gleeson. 

I am lucky enough to have spent time working in Ireland during this golden age of literature and have witnessed firsthand what a champion Sinéad Gleeson has been for so many emerging Irish writers. 

Among many accolades, Sinéad has:

• edited two brilliant collections of Irish female short story writers (The Glass Shore and The Long Gaze back)
• Written a collection of personal essays Constellations that I have read and re-read many times over
• And now, has just published her first novel, Hagstone. It's available also as an eBook and eAudiobook (narrated by Tara Flynn) on Libby

Hagstone

Constellations

This Woman's Work

I can guarantee this will be an event not to be missed and a highlight of this year's literary calendar. 

Sinéad Gleeson: Islands, Art & Identity
Monday 13 May 6pm to 7pm at Tautoru / TSB Space, Tūranga
Book now!

Bestselling Irish author Sinéad Gleeson’s new novel Hagstone is a beautifully written and hauntingly atmospheric look at human nature, the mysteries of faith and the magic of the natural world. On a wild and remote island, artist Nell takes her inspiration from the rugged landscape and folklore. The mysterious Inions are a commune of women who have established themselves on the island for a sense of safety and solace in nature. The sea is steady for now. The land readies itself. What can be done with the women on the cliff?

Gleeson is also the author of the stunning essay collection Constellations: Reflections of Life, the editor of The Art of the Glimpse: 100 Irish Short Stories, and co-edited This Woman’s Work: Essays on Music with Kim Gordon. She joins WORD Christchurch’s Programme Director Kiran Dass in conversation.