The Geneva Window, the exquisite but ill-fated final masterpiece by Ireland’s “strangest genius” Harry Clarke. I tell its emotional story in my novel. 2nd pic is the Nelly the dancer from Liam O’Flaherty’s ‘Mr Gilhooley’, made for the Geneva Window. It’s in the Hugh Lane Gallery.

Terrible news about the untimely death of Seán Rocks - I can hardly believe it... grateful to get to pay tribute to him for @thejournal.ie: www.thejournal.ie/tribute-to-s...

'There is a saying that you should ‘give someone their flowers’ before it is too late. I hope that Seán Rocks knew to some degree how respected he was, and how much his work on Arena has mattered to art-makers, journalists and art-lovers.' ❤️ It's important to tell people now what they mean to you✨️

📣 👀 She’s here! 👀 📣 Happy Publication Day Bella Donna I’m so excited to see the 3rd Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery in bookshops and online and available to purchase right now #BellaDonna #HellsBells #DevilsBreath #BookySky #publicationday @bwpublishing.bsky.social @bonnierbooksuk.bsky.social

'People who speak about the olden days with fondness often joke about the ice on the inside of the windows...' This is a great piece by Kit. There is no nostalgia in childhood poverty and never will be, not least because it is not in the past (where it belongs).

Cone along! Youd be very welcome. 19 June. Ulster Sports Club. BENEFACTORS launch. 7.30. Click for free ticket. www.ticketsource.co.uk/no-alibis-bo...

Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann is teaming up with @writersweek.bsky.social Writers Week to bring you @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social Cauvery Madhavan and Patrick Holloway, in conversation with @mariegethins.bsky.social Marie Gethins. Join us in Listowel! writersweek.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Am reading this now. And it reminds me of Tales of the City with its community, life in a new place, good-heartedness, family connections and secrets.

Looking forward to chatting with @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social and @hollowaywriter.bsky.social on their how their rich novels explore identity & searching for belonging 29 May in Listowel @writersweek.bsky.social writersweek.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

We've partnered with Writers Week to bring you Patrick Holloway and @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social Cauvery Madhavan, in conversation with @mariegethins.bsky.social Marie Gethins: superb writing and conversation. Join us in Kerry! @writersweek.bsky.social writersweek.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Purchased this morning from The Maynooth Bookshop and in good company on the shelf @ronanhession.bsky.social @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social

Art of Ageing, my article in today's Gloss Magazine @sophiegrenham.bsky.social @dublinbookfest.bsky.social @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social @irishexaminer.bsky.social

It’s lovely, @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social The Inheritance - the inheritee being Marlo, a quaint house on Ireland’s Beara peninsula. Starting alone he acquires a crow, a blind cow, befriends the numerous locals. There’s history and History and warmth and tears. A book to cuddle up and read.

Many thanks to Jenny and all the booksellers @waterstones Leeds The Accidental Immigrants by @jomcmillan.bsky.social Finalist in @orwellprize.bsky.social @waterstonesoxf.bsky.social @foylesforbooks.bsky.social

I’ve bought many Salt books over the years - got one on the way now - so check out their sale. Support #IndiePublishing (They have really nice short story books that are smaller than a typical paperback. Makes me happy anyway.)

Me in The New Statesman today on poverty. Please share :)

Marvellous endorsements received for SPIT by David Brennan ‘A lyrical and haunting read’ @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social ‘…an exquisite work of art…Brennan’s prose exalts poetry and beauty.’ Lester Walbrugh Published on 17th June and available now for pre-order: www.epoquepress.com/online-store...

Join us at the marvellous @bookwormthurles.bsky.social to celebrate the publication of SPIT by David Brennan - introduced by @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social Tues 17th June 6:30pm Thurles, Tipperary Free but register via the this link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-launc...

@irishpen.bsky.social appeals to Turkey to release journalist @JoakimMedin at a hearing tomorrow in Ankara. He travelled to Istanbul on 27th March to cover the nationwide protests. He has been charged with "insulting the president" @pensweden.bsky.social #journalismisnotacrime #freejoakim

A new life begins. Witnessing the birth of a bee is always a good moment. One of our native Irish black honeybees. #nativeirishhoneybees #irishhoney #irishbees #birth

For all #speirgorm. Here's a worthy follow for a new accpunt. Aoife from Galtee Honey, whose family were instrumental in reviving the native Irish honey bee from near extinction.

The unnecessary cushions in my room, with banana for scale.

If you're wondering where all the world's furniture is, it's in Irish hotel rooms.

Let’s keep words alive, for the love of poetry 🙏🏻 go.bsky.app/2F9FQDq

We hope this new batch of info is exactly what you need to help plan your weekend or decide whether to come. We cannot wait to meet all of you! If you’re not yet signed up for our newsletter, we highly recommend it (you can sign up at the Substack link above)✨

When you book, you’ll receive an email with even more info, including: -suggestions for accommodation (not included w/ ticket) -a slack channel to arrange accommodation with other attendees if you choose -online opportunities to meet attendees beforehand -invitation to propose a panel or workshop

Bursary tickets are available for those couldn’t otherwise afford it—no questions asked. Our last Brussels weekend was such a blast, and this one promises to be as well💛

✨Brussels Event Details✨ 📅 12-14 September If you're on the fence about joining our Annual Salon in Brussels, or are one of the 60+ people who’ve already signed up, our latest Substack is full of details for what to expect: ✨Guest speakers ✨Planned panels ✨Dining ✨Tours ✨Writing & workshops

It feels unbelievable to say this but only SEVEN full weekend places available for Brussels now! Lots of Sat/Sun places, but if you want to join the Friday salon too, please act fast! 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

There’s a city of 237,000 refugees on the Chadian/sudanese border in Adre. The Sudan war is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world right now. 150,000 dead and 12 million displaced. Chris Maddaloni and I spent a week in refugee camps in east Chad. www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...

🗣️ Listen to award-winning poet @jennymitchellgo.bsky.social's poem ‘The Caribbean Grip’. 💬 The poem was created in response to Senate House Library’s exhibition ‘In the Grip of Change: the Caribbean and its British diaspora’ 👉 Learn more: www.london.ac.uk/about/servic...

My latest poem s for anyone who's had toup sticks and move to a new place. Hope you get something from it. @adriancoyle.bsky.social @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social @indigodreamspub.bsky.social

From the 'Shared Sky' exhibition, 'Jupiter and Ten Moons' by Indigenous Australian artist Barbara Merritt #WomensArt

'A gritty collection of imaginative writing and devastating observation' Big thanks to Colette Sheridan for her review of IN THE MOVIE OF HER LIFE by @chennessybooks.bsky.social in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...

Latest YA reviews! 🖥 What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore 💻 Do You Ship It? by Beth Reekles 🚩 Red Flags by Sophie Jo 🎼 Solo by Grainne O'Brien ⚽️ The Girl With The Red Boots by Alex Wheatle 🥅 Matched Up by Jenny Ireland www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

2025 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards The English Association is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2025 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards for non-fiction. Established in 1995, the Awards are presented to the best children’s picture books of the year. Winner announced on 28th April.

My story ‘Afternoon Drinking’ is out today at Fictive Dream. It is also the title story of my new collection coming out in the Autumn from Floodgate Press.

"Something is very wrong at the heart of NatureScot." From Ireland, there is much to envy about Scotland, where rewilding has massively taken off. But even there, even within 'nature conservation', powerful forces continue to doggedly block positive change. www.thenational.scot/comment/2508...

Many disabled people live independently. Many disabled people work full-time. Many do both. Many do neither. And it can change over time. Disabled folk aren't a monolith, it is a huge spectrum of abilities, boundaries, symptoms, and qualities of life.

Acid Yellow. Dominic Piper. "Layers of mystery and dangerous characters, with things often not being what they seem. Piper’s writing style is smooth, yet he provides the detail a reader needs to feel like they are in the world he has built." - Claudia Oltean, author. mybook.to/AcidYellow

Murder at Mt. Fuji by Shizuko Natsuki TR: Robert B Rohmer tripfiction.com/murder-myste... "..a story that perhaps feels a little archaic for the current Zeitgeist" #japan

Apparently, 14 April is traditionally associated with hearing the first cuckoo of Spring! A lovely thought, but I doubt I’ll be hearing that evocative call here in London! How about you, dear early birds? Happy new week to you all anyway!

Really enjoyed this - clever & inventive (sorry), funny & moving & so convincingly of its dawning, enlightening time. Bravo @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social & actor James Anthony Pearson. 14 mins to get deliciously lost in. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Making an effort to repost (not just like) all the posts on goodness, kindness, beauty, optimism. Be the change you want to see in the world (or at least on BlueSky) 😊

The farm up the lane held its Lambing Weekend & there were carriage & tractor rides & the village was full of people having a really lovely time. All day, 2 tractors pulled trailers of families & friends up & over the hill & past our gate, & I think I waved at every one. Vintage style joyous.

Looking for a read that is gripping, relevant, beautiful & hopeful? Check out @climate-fiction.bsky.social's long or shortlist (or other brilliant books in this genre-not-genre.) It’s a huge privilege being a judge. Winner announced 14th May. More from me below: www.thebookseller.com/comment/clim...

Gate of family legend, honoured by Tansy dog doing her best sit-stay. Dad could drive a big Dennis fire engine through it to Winchester Cathedral. Practiced often, it just fit. We lived in a fire brigade tied house that had a bell. When it rang, he’d fly down to the station on a postman’s old bike.

Solicitor and playwright Mel Pennant draws on Afro-Caribbean traditions and the strength of community for her Birmingham-set cosy-crime debut. 👇 #BookSky

📕 No resting on my laurels (if I had any to rest on). Back to some more book promotion today as Nothing For Something: The Violet Charlesworth Story nears publication day. You can now order a copy of this truly amazing story direct from the fantastic Foyles Bookshop in London