Celebrating Contemporary Irish Women’s Voices at Seamus Heaney HomePlace
The evening in Bellaghy will examine how women writers in Ireland are contributing to some of today’s most important cultural and literary conversations
Award-winning writers Lucy Caldwell, Danielle McLaughlin and Molly Hennigan will come together at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy this summer for Devotions, Rituals and Sketches, a special event exploring the richness, influence and growing significance of contemporary Irish women’s writing.
Chaired by Dr Paul Delaney, the evening will examine how women writers in Ireland are contributing to some of today’s most important cultural and literary conversations. Through discussion, reflection and readings from their recent work, Caldwell, McLaughlin and Hennigan will explore themes of memory, identity, belonging and relationships and the complexities of contemporary life.
In recent years, Irish women writers have become some of the most influential voices in contemporary literature, reshaping discussions around gender, family, place and personal experience. From intimate portrayals of domestic life to bold explorations of social change, their work has challenged traditional narratives and brought new perspectives to Irish writing on an international stage.
Bringing together three distinctive voices, Devotions, Rituals and Sketches will explore both the craft of storytelling and the growing prominence of women’s perspectives within contemporary Irish writing. Together the writers reflect the depth, originality and creative energy defining Irish literature today.
Lucy Caldwell, one of the most acclaimed literary voices to emerge from Northern Ireland in recent decades, will discuss her newly published collection Devotions. Known for her luminous prose and psychologically rich storytelling, Caldwell’s work frequently explores family, belonging and female experience with remarkable sensitivity and insight.
Danielle McLaughlin, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest contemporary short story writers, has earned international praise for her nuanced portrayals of human relationships and everyday tensions. Her fiction captures the subtle emotional undercurrents of contemporary Irish life with clarity, wit and compassion.
Joining them is Molly Hennigan, an emerging voice in Irish literature whose work combines sharp observation with dark humour. Hennigan recently edited An Asylum for My Affections, a collection of essays by contemporary writers reflecting on the legacy of Maeve Brennan, highlighting the enduing influence of Irish women writers across generations.
Together, Caldwell, McLaughlin and Hennigan promise an engaging and thought-provoking evening for anyone interested in contemporary culture, storytelling and the evolving role of women’s voices in shaping modern Irish writing.
Devotions, Rituals and Sketches with Lucy Caldwell, Danielle McLaughlin and Molly Hennigan In Conversation with Dr. Paul Delaney will take place in Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy on Friday, May 22 at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £15 and booking in advance is essential as spaces are limited.
Tickets can be purchased at Seamus Heaney Home or by calling the box office on 028 7938 7444