Ennis Book Club: The Art of the Short Story
- Venue : Glór
- Date : 7 March 2025, 18:00 - 19:00
Short stories have a distinctive place in the modern Irish literary tradition. Many of our best writers, both in English and Irish, have been practitioners of the form. The winner of our short story competition will read at this event. Then Olivia Fitzsimons will lead a discussion on what makes the short story so intriguing and perfect for readers to explore.
Olivia will be in conversation with Maggie Armstrong (Old Romantics), David Butler (The Witch & other stories) and Cathy Sweeney (Modern Times). Old Romantics is an audacious but controlled debut, a series of stories featuring the hapless Maggie and adventures of the heart. The title story of David Butler’s collection, Witch, won The Colm Tóibín International Short Story Award, and Modern Times by Cathy Sweeney presents a deftly surreal collection that will leave the reader stunned.
The Write Time
- Venue : Carnegie Free Library, Swords, Co. Dublin
- Date : Friday and Saturday 14 & 15 November 2024
The programme is curated by Kevin Curran, author of Youth (The Lilliput Press), and on Saturday you’ll find him in conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons, author of The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, and with short story virtuoso Wendy Erskine, whose debut novel The Benefactors comes out next year.
https://booksirelandmagazine.com/the-write-time-festival-of-creativity-writing/
KILDARE READERS' FESTIVAL: Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Exploring Short Stories with Jan Carson
- Venue : Riverbank Arts Centre
- Date : Friday 11th Octobe 2024, 8pm
Acclaimed author Jan Carson will discuss her work with writer Olivia Fitzsimons. Carson's new novel offers readers a powerful exploration of human connections in a fractured world. Known for her vivid characters and deeply affecting narratives, Carson weaves a story that captures the complexity of family dynamics, community, and the ties that bind us together in unexpected ways.
In conversation with Fitzsimons, Carson will chat inspiration, approaches to the storytelling, and the themes that permeate her latest novel. This event is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Northern Ireland's most distinctive voices in contemporary literature. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to her work, this discussion will provide fresh insights into the creative process and the stories that resonate in today's world. Come prepared for an evening of literary reflection and discovery as these two gifted writers engage in a thoughtful and compelling exchange.
https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873648904
Jan Carson in conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons
- Date : Sunday, June 16, 2024 12:30 PM 1:30 PM
- Venue : Heritage Centre Dalkey
Winner of the EU Prize for Literature in 2019 for her bestselling novel, The Raptures, Jan Carson is back in Dalkey with her latest publication, Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, a collection which introduces us to worlds and characters that feel real enough to touch. All of life is here: from the thrill of growing up to the grief when youth is over; first love, mature love, parenthood and loss – all shot through with profound compassion, warm wit, and boundless imagination. A distracted couple on a beach fail to notice their baby crawl perilously towards the sea, a rumour spreads at a public swimming pool and chaos ensues, a dishevelled father loses his two sons in an adventure park. Every so often, an irresistible suggestion of the other world will surprise and delight, reaffirming Carson as a thrillingly original and audacious talent.
The Stinging Fly – This So-Called Writing Life
- Date : Saturday 11th November @ 1:15 pm
- Venue : Chester Beatty
In this special panel event, novelist and commissioning editor Olivia Fitzsimons is joined by award-winning authors Sheila Armstrong, Jan Carson and Sheena Patel to talk about their contributions to This So-Called Writing Life, an online essay series published throughout the year on stingingfly.org. The writers will discuss the highs and lows they’ve experienced while developing their creative practice, exploring topics such as protecting mental health, advancing self-care, building friendships and accessing community support networks.
https://dublinbookfestival.com/event/the-stinging-fly-this-so-called-writing-life/
Dublin City Libraries Readers’ Morning
- Date : Saturday 11th November @ 10:00 am
- Venue : The Printworks, Dublin Castle
Anne Griffin and Una Mannion in conversation with Eoin McNamee. Kevin Curran, Olivia Fitzsimons and Michael Magee in conversation with Lisa McInerney. John Boyne and William Wall in conversation with Paula Shields
https://dublinbookfestival.com/event/dublin-city-libraries-readers-morning-2/
In conversation with Edel Coffey
- Date : Saturday 14th October 7 - 9pm
- Venue : Blessington Library
Join Irish journalist, broadcaster and award winning writer Edel Coffey for a reading from her debut novel Breaking Point followed by conversation moderated by local writer Olivia Fitzsimons.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/in-conversation-with-edel-coffey-tickets-722750144137?aff=oddtdtcreator
Fionola Meredith and Olivia Fitzsimons in conversation with Nuala McKeever
- Date : Thu 5 Oct 8:00 - 9:15pm
- Venue : North Down Museum
The Stamp of Beauty is Fionola Meredith’s debut novel. Fionola is a writer, broadcaster and commentator, based in Belfast. She is a long- established contributor to the Irish Times and to BBC Northern Ireland, and writes a weekly opinion column in the Belfast Telegraph.
Set in modern-day Ireland, The Stamp of Beauty is an unsettling novel that charts the course of an unlikely and deeply dysfunctional ‘age-gap’ relationship to its inevitable conclusion.
The Quiet Whispers Never Stop is Olivia Fitzsimons' debut novel and was shortlisted for the 2022 Butler Literary Award. The book an uncompromising, lyrical tour-de- force that marks the arrival of an extraordinary new voice in Irish fiction.
Olivia's writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Irish Times, The Stinging Fly, Banshee, and broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
FIILI - FESTIVAL OF ITALIAN AND IRISH LITERATURE IN IRELAND - 2023
- Date : FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2023 6-7.30 pm
- Venue : Istituto Italiano Di Cultura
Six Italian authors and six Irish authors will meet in Dublin for a literature festival dedicated to the points of contact between the two cultures.
The Festival will be launched on 7th September at the Istituto Italiano Di Cultura - Dublino on the occasion of the exhibition ''Irish in Italy'' about the publication of Irish literature in Italy in the first half of the 20th century. It will then continue on 29th and 30th September with a dense and interesting programme of literature encounters.
UL CREATIVE WRITING WINTER SCHOOL
Visiting Writer
- Date : November 27 to 30 2023
- Venue : Doolin
UL's Creative Writing winter school is a fully immersive writers retreat, designed to help participants make accelerated progress on a current writing project. It's ideal for mid-career writers who need a creative boost (don't we all?). The retreat provides a highly supported environment with facilitation, tuition, mentoring and masterclasses given by experienced, award-winning teachers and leading Irish writers.
The winter school focuses on helping you make real time progress on your own writing goals in a community of creative writers.
https://617b1c91637ae.site123.me/
Ennis - Northern Irish Writing Flourishing – Lucy Caldwell, Olivia Fitzsimons And Michelle Gallen In Conversation With Neil Hegarty
- Date : 04 Mar 2023
- Time : 06:00 pm
- Venue : Temple Gate Hotel
Northern Irish fiction is thriving in the variety of form and genre of work being published now: crime writing, speculative fiction, memoir, historical fiction and writing for young people. Of course, this is not new, many brilliant writers from here have been telling their stories for decades, Brian Moore, Marie Jones, Robert McLiam Wilson, Frances Molloy, Deirdre Madden and Eoin McNamee, to name but a few.
The Troubles have loomed large over many stories, but recent years have seen a change of the literature and its response to the conflict that has defined the entire country for so long. There has lately been a remarkable flourishing, particularly in those works of fiction with themes of intimacy, identity and questions of community and belonging at their core. The works are innovative and urgent and compelling. They deal with the sometimes messy and challenging lives of their protagonists in a nuanced and sympathetic way.
To engage with fiction like this is an invitation to explore personal identity and the politics of place in a new way and we are very pleased to bring this event to the festival.
https://ennisbookclubfestival.com/etn/northern-irish-writing-flourishing/
Berlin - Brigidsfest
1-3 february 2023
Presented by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany, in partnership with Literature Ireland, Exberliner Magazine, and The Curious Fox Bookshop, 'Brigidsfest - The Authors are Present' is a festival of female creativity, with a focus on the written and spoken word - Featuring: Audrey Magee, Elaine Feeney, Hilary Fannin, Louise Nealon, Olivia Fitzsimmons, Roisin Kiberd, and Wendy Erskine.
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/germany/news-and-events/news-archive/brigidsfest-2023.html
Brussels - Meet the Author
The Northern Ireland Executive Office and the Embassy of Ireland are delighted to invite you to our first joint author event of 2023, featuring Olivia Fitzsimons. The event will take place on 26 January at 18:30 at the Embassy of Ireland on Rue Froissart 50. Olivia will be reading from her debut novel, 'The Quiet Whispers Never Stop'. which was published in April 2022 to critical acclaim.
West Cork Literary Festival
Olivia Fitzsimons is from Northern Ireland now living in Wicklow. She started writing at the close of 2017. Her debut novel, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, was shortlisted for the 2022 Butler Literary Award. She is a 2023 recipient of the Centre Culturel Irlandais Paris/Literature Ireland Residency and a Dean Arts Studio Residency in Dublin for 2022/23. During the Irish Writers Centre Evolution Programme 2021 she was a teaching intern for a semester at National University Galway. Olivia has been awarded Literary grants from the Arts Council of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Irish Times, The Stinging Fly, The Cormorant and broadcast on BBC Radio 4. She holds a BA Hons in History from TCD and MA in Film from DIT. She reads for The Stinging Fly and is working on her second novel.
Olivia is reading an extract from The Quiet Whispers Never Stop which was published by John Murray Press in April 2022. Today’s video unlocked on 24th December 2022 and may be viewed below. Closed caption subtitles are available and may be turned on or off. Press the play button or click “Watch on Youtube” to watch it in full screen.
Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons in conversation, chaired by Mia Colleran
Daring Debuts: Kathleen Murray, Olivia Fitzsimons and Amanda Geard in conversation with Claire Hennessy
Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons in conversation, chaired by Mia Colleran
Date:
Saturday 19 November
3:00 pm
Location:
Díseart Institute of Irish Spirituality and Culture, Green Street,
Grief and love; identity; courage and female bonds are just some of the topics Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons will be talking about at their joint Dingle Literary Festival event. The women, both from Northe
Date:
Saturday 19 November
3:00 pm
Location:
Díseart Institute of Irish Spirituality and Culture, Green Street,
Grief and love; identity; courage and female bonds are just some of the topics Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons will be talking about at their joint Dingle Literary Festival event. The women, both from Northern Ireland, have both released novels this year featuring female protagonists struggling to reconcile big dreams with the confines of a small hometown set against the background of The Troubles.
The Wicklow Artists' Salon
Daring Debuts: Kathleen Murray, Olivia Fitzsimons and Amanda Geard in conversation with Claire Hennessy
Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons in conversation, chaired by Mia Colleran
Date:
Tuesday 18 October
7:30 pm
Location:
Mermaid Arts Centre,
Main Street,
Bray,
County Wicklow
Previously hosted by Outpost Studios, the salon is being relaunched with the support of Wicklow County Arts Office, and will take place in person four times a year. This year's programme will be curated and facilitated by artists Philip St John,
Date:
Tuesday 18 October
7:30 pm
Location:
Mermaid Arts Centre,
Main Street,
Bray,
County Wicklow
Previously hosted by Outpost Studios, the salon is being relaunched with the support of Wicklow County Arts Office, and will take place in person four times a year. This year's programme will be curated and facilitated by artists Philip St John, Joanna Kidney and Olivia Fitzsimons. Our first evening starts in the theatre in Mermaid Arts Centre on Tuesday 18th October at 7.30pm.
An opportunity for artists to meet their peers for an evening of discussion, the Salon will invite guest artists to explore important themes affecting cultural practitioners in Wicklow and beyond. Over the next 12 months, we will focus on ideas of Sustaining a Career: what do artists need, creatively, financially, emotionally and more?
https://www.mermaidartscentre.ie/whats-on/events/wicklow-artists-salon
Daring Debuts: Kathleen Murray, Olivia Fitzsimons and Amanda Geard in conversation with Claire Hennessy
Daring Debuts: Kathleen Murray, Olivia Fitzsimons and Amanda Geard in conversation with Claire Hennessy
Date:
Saturday October 15th
3:00 pm
Location:
Civic Theatre
Belgard Square East,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24
Hosted by Claire Hennessy, this event gathers three exciting debut novelists to share their journey of writing and releasing their debut novel to the world. Claire will talk to Kathleen Murray (The Deadwood Encore), Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quie
Date:
Saturday October 15th
3:00 pm
Location:
Civic Theatre
Belgard Square East,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24
Hosted by Claire Hennessy, this event gathers three exciting debut novelists to share their journey of writing and releasing their debut novel to the world. Claire will talk to Kathleen Murray (The Deadwood Encore), Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quiet Whispers Never Stop) and Amanda Geard (The Midnight House).
Kildare Readers Festival: Emerging Northern Irish Authors
Kildare Readers Festival: Emerging Northern Irish Authors
Date:
8th October
Location:
Riverbank Arts Centre,
Main St,
Piercetown,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare
Kildare Readers’ Festival is delighted to welcome Derry writer Kerri Ní Dochartaigh speaking with Michelle Gallen and Olivia Fitzsimons about their new books and the current thriving literature scene in Northern Ireland.
https://riverbank.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873629917
Danielle McLaughlin & Olivia Fitzsimons In Conversation
Kildare Readers Festival: Emerging Northern Irish Authors
Danielle McLaughlin & Olivia Fitzsimons In Conversation
Date:
30th September at 7pm
Location:
The Methodist Church
Kinsale
Cork,
Ireland
Danielle McLaughlin & Olivia Fitzsimons In Conversation With Shane Coleman.
Culture Night
Kildare Readers Festival: Emerging Northern Irish Authors
Danielle McLaughlin & Olivia Fitzsimons In Conversation
Date:
23rd September at 6pm
Location:
The Dean Arts Studio,
Chatham Row,
Dublin
Olivia will read from her acclaimed debut novel, The Quiet Whispers Never Stop, and welcomes informal chats afterwards with audience members in her studio space.
https://culturenight.ie/event/olivia-fitzsimons-the-quiet-whispers-never-stop/
Pacemaker Launch
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
May First Fridays
Date:
20 September at 6pm
Location:
Hodges Figgis
The release of Pacemaker by David Toms introduced by Olivia Fitzsimons.
May First Fridays
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
May First Fridays
Date:
6 May 2022 18:00
Location:
UCD Naughton Joyce Centre 86
St Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
Price:
Free
Join us on Friday, 6 May, from 6pm for First Fridays. We have free admission from 6pm until 9pm (last admission 8pm). This month promises to be an exciting one, with a reading by writer Olivia Fitzsimons, whose debut novel has been described
Date:
6 May 2022 18:00
Location:
UCD Naughton Joyce Centre 86
St Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
Price:
Free
Join us on Friday, 6 May, from 6pm for First Fridays. We have free admission from 6pm until 9pm (last admission 8pm). This month promises to be an exciting one, with a reading by writer Olivia Fitzsimons, whose debut novel has been described by the Irish Times as ‘powerful and uncompromising’, as well as a performance by internationally acclaimed Nigerian/Irish b-boy and hip-hop freestyle dancer Tobi Omoteso. Explore our exhibitions, including our brand new exhibition Literary Cities: Edinburgh. The Commons Café is also open late!
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
Date:
FRI 22 APR 2022
Location:
The Mermaid Theatre Bray
Price:
€16
Join Belfast-based writer Jan Carson (The Raptures) and Wicklow-based debut novelist Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quiet Whispers Never Stop) for an engaging evening of bookish talk. Jan and Olivia will read from and discuss their latest critically acclaimed books, exploring themes
Date:
FRI 22 APR 2022
Location:
The Mermaid Theatre Bray
Price:
€16
Join Belfast-based writer Jan Carson (The Raptures) and Wicklow-based debut novelist Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quiet Whispers Never Stop) for an engaging evening of bookish talk. Jan and Olivia will read from and discuss their latest critically acclaimed books, exploring themes such as rural life, growing up in the North, the role of women and community. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and find out a little more about the long journey from first inspiration to finally seeing a novel published. Both Jan and Olivia will share personal experiences and insights into their writing practice.
https://www.mermaidartscentre.ie/whats-on/events/olivia-fitzsimons-jan-carson-in-conversation
Brigidsfest 2022
Brigidsfest 2022
The Mermaid Theatre: In Conversation with Olivia Fitzsimons and Jan Carson
Date:
February 1st, 2022
Location:
Online
Price:
Free!
Following the success of Brigid Meets Berlin in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Embassy of Ireland in Germany and the Consulate General of Ireland in Frankfurt am Main, in cooperation with Literature Ireland, present a new showcase of female literary talent whose books are yet to be published i
Date:
February 1st, 2022
Location:
Online
Price:
Free!
Following the success of Brigid Meets Berlin in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Embassy of Ireland in Germany and the Consulate General of Ireland in Frankfurt am Main, in cooperation with Literature Ireland, present a new showcase of female literary talent whose books are yet to be published in the German language.
Irish literature is famous all over the world and female writers are currently being celebrated more than ever before. We now use this opportunity to share with German language publishers, translators, and literary fans alike, some fresh new Irish talent that has never before been enjoyed through the German language.
To celebrate St. Brigid’s day on February the 1st, a day that marks the first day of Spring in the ancient Irish calendar, the Embassy and the Consulate General have commissioned translations of the opening segments of seven exciting Irish writers whose works will be showcased during the online event along with an introduction and Q+A with and by the writers themselves.
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/germany/news-and-events/st-brigids-day/brigidsfest-2022.html
Brigidsfest 2022
Date:
January 6, 2022
Time:
7 pm to 8.30 pm
Location:
Online
Price:
€10/€7 Members
In Evolution, we’ll hear from writers who are involved in the latest IWC initiative aimed at mid-career writers, including Olivia Fitzsimons, Sree Sen will speak about her research on human trafficking in India and Alice Kinsella reads a bespoke
Date:
January 6, 2022
Time:
7 pm to 8.30 pm
Location:
Online
Price:
€10/€7 Members
In Evolution, we’ll hear from writers who are involved in the latest IWC initiative aimed at mid-career writers, including Olivia Fitzsimons, Sree Sen will speak about her research on human trafficking in India and Alice Kinsella reads a bespoke piece of creative writing on the evolution of the personal and collective relationship with nature and place within her writing.
https://irishwriterscentre.ie/whats-on/nollaig-na-mban-2022-emergence-empowerment-evolution/
Brigidsfest 2022
Literary Salon
Saturday 26th September 2020
5.30-6.30 pm
Bray Literary Festival - Bray Literary Festival YouTube Channel
New and exciting voices celebrated as part of Bray Literary Festival.
Writers Corner
Friday 18th September 2020
Culture Night Wicklow
Olivia Fitzsimons, Stephen Walsh and Cassia Gaden Gilmartin chat with Helen Meany about how
Literary Salon
Saturday 26th September 2020
5.30-6.30 pm
Bray Literary Festival - Bray Literary Festival YouTube Channel
New and exciting voices celebrated as part of Bray Literary Festival.
Writers Corner
Friday 18th September 2020
Culture Night Wicklow
Olivia Fitzsimons, Stephen Walsh and Cassia Gaden Gilmartin chat with Helen Meany about how they got through lockdown as emerging writers whilst juggling their different lifestyles/responsibilities, with writing. They will explore the highs and lows of recent times and read from their novels-in-progress.
Emerging Authors
3rd March 2020
8.00 - 9.00 pm Arklow Library
Way With Words Literary Festival Wicklow
Panel event chaired by Helen Meany. Olivia Fitzsimons, Louise Nealon, Stephen Walsh and Cassia Gaden Gilmartin discuss the business of writing before a book deal comes along and read from their work-in-progress.