Renowned writer visits local school in Tipperary and promises to return
St Ailbe’s Secondary School was privileged to welcome the renowned writer Donal Ryan (author of The Spinning Heart) to the school recently.
He spoke to the Second and Third Year students on the different elements of storytelling and creative writing.
Born outside Nenagh, Donal holds a degree in Law from the University of Limerick where he now lectures in Creative Writing.
He has published six novels and one short story collection.
In 2016, novelist and playwright Sebastian Barry described Ryan in The Guardian newspaper as “the king of the new wave of Irish writers.”
All of his novels have been No. 1 bestsellers in Ireland. His debut novel, The Spinning Heart, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2013, and his fourth novel, From A Low And Quiet Sea, was longlisted in 2018.
The Spinning Heart was voted Irish Book of the Decade in 2016 in a nationwide poll run by Dublin Book Festival.
He holds the record, at four, for most nominations for the International Dublin Literary Award.
His very humble and informative talk to the St Ailbe’s students was thoroughly enjoyed by both students and staff.
The highly successful writer spoke about the influences various writers and people close to him, have had on him pursuing a writing career.
The event, organised by English teacher, Ms Breen, was part of the JCSP programme, which allows schools to welcome accomplished writers, like Donal, as part of the Author in Residence initiative.
The Tipperary born writer was well impressed at the high standard of questioning and also the knowledge of literature amongst the student body. Donal promised to return soon to St Ailbe’s to assist students with a writing workshop.
This is something to look forward to in the near future for all the budding novelists in the school.