The June Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Belind McKeon about her novel 'Solace'"In her compelling debut novel, Solace,’ Anna Fogarty wrote in The Irish Times in 2011, ‘Belinda McKeon succeeds in subtly reconfiguring and updating the archetypal story of a son’s quarrel with his fat…

The May Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Megan Nolan about her novel 'Ordinary Human Failings'."Megan Nolan’s novel tells the story of the Green family who move from Ireland to London in the early 1990s. 'Where Nolan really excels is in the delineation of complex, sometimes contrad…

The April Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Deirdre Madden about her novel ‘Molly Fox’s Birthday’.“It is the height of summer, and celebrated actor Molly Fox has loaned her house in Dublin to a friend while she is away performing in New York. Set over a single midsummer’s day, Molly…

The March Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Paul Murray about his novel ‘The Bee Sting’ “Paul Murray’s novel is narrated by four members of the Barnes family, Dickie who runs a car showroom, his wife Imelda, and their children Cassie and PJ. The Guardian has written that Murray ‘is …

The February Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Kevin Curran about his novel ‘Youth’ “Kevin Curran’s novel deals with the lives of four teenagers in Balbriggan, Ireland’s most diverse town. When the protagonists intersect, the connections they make will change the course of their liv…

The January Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Claire Kilroy about her novel ‘Soldier Sailor’ “Claire Kilroy’s first novel in more than a decade deals with the early days and nights of motherhood. ‘Soldier Sailor is a resonant and important book,’ Sarah Gilmartin has written in The I…

The December Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Mike McCormack about his novel 'This Plague of Souls'.“In the Irish Times preview of the best novels forthcoming in 2023, Martin Doyle writes: ‘The prospect of a new novel [by Mike McCormack] is one to savour. Part roman noir, part meta…

On 3 November at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace Bellaghy, Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín delivered his second annual lecture entitled A Dream on Wings: Poetry and the Underworld. It featured poetry readings by Cathy Belton and musical performance by Martin Hayes.Colm Tóibín’s lecture charts poetry written about the underworld and traces a line…

The November Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Aingeala Flannery about her book 'The Amusements'. “Aingeala Flannery’s first collection of linked stories is set in the seaside town of Tramore. ‘The people in this book are not real but the town of Tramore is,’ Flannery has written. ‘…

The October Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Joseph O’Connor about his novel ‘My Father’s House’“My Father’s House is set in Nazi occupied Rome in the middle of the Second World War. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who, using the Vatican as his headquarters, sets about smuggling thousand…

The September Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Wendy Erskine about her short story collection 'Dance Move'.“The Guardian writes of Wendy Erskine’s collection of stories: ‘She identifies what is most fruitful about her characters’ predicaments – the emotional core, the most resonant…

The August Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Kevin Power about his novel ‘White City’“Ben, the protagonist of White City, is, John Self writes in the Guardian, the ‘son of a disgraced Dublin banker, languishing in rehab and writing an account of his wrong turns as therapy.’ As Ben g…

The July Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Nicole Flattery about her short story collection ‘Nothing Special’“Nothing Special is set at a very particular New York moment. It is 1966. Mae, the protagonist, lands a job as typist for the artist Andy Warhol who is embarking on an unconv…

The April Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer John Banville about his novel ‘The Singularities’“In this brilliant and dreamy novel, John Banville gives life to the many characters who have peopled his fiction over fifty years. He allows them to meet each other, revisit old scenes not …

The June Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Luke Cassidy about his novel ‘Iron Annie. “Iron Annie is written with astonishing energy and verve. It is set in the criminal underworld of Dundalk, but more important, it is written in a tone that is intriguing and unforgettable. It uses a…

The May Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Emma Donoghue about her novel ‘Haven’“Haven, Emma Donoghue’s fourteenth novel, is set on Skellig Michael in the year 600 when three Irishmen decide to establish a monastery on this extraordinary piece of bare rock. The Chicago Review of Book…

The March Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Philip Ó Ceallaigh about his book 'Trouble'.“Philip Ó Ceallaigh is a brilliant, uncompromising and ambitious writer who has long been resident in Bucharest. Of his collection of stories ‘Trouble’, the Los Angeles Review of Books wrote: ‘Ó …

The February Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Louise Kennedy about her book 'Trespasses'. The unforgettable protagonist of Louise Kennedy’s ‘Trespasses’ is 24-year-old Cushla Lavery, a Catholic schoolteacher living in 1975 in a small town outside Belfast. The novel narrates the sto…

The January Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Eimear McBride about her novel 'A Girl is a Half-formed Thing'.“Eimear McBride’s groundbreaking first novel uses a style that matches the conscious mind’s darting processes. It tells the story of a young woman in an Irish town in a time …

The December Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Bernard MacLaverty about his short story collection 'Blank Pages and Other Stories'.“MacLaverty offers a masterclass in how to create character, how to build scenes by accretion of detail, how to work with implication and suggestion, ho…

Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín delivered his first annual lecture on 6th November 2022 in Town Hall Theatre Galway. For those unable to join us at the event, we are delighted to be able to share a recording of this extraordinary evening.By The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon

Eda Aguilar and James Costa, Clubhouse Archives founder, share their NFT journeys, their dream collaborations, their hot takes on how the Web3 space could be improved, and their vision for the future of the blockchain. ▶️ Eyes of Style with James Costa of Clubhouse Archives NFT [00:07:27] Eda’s and James’ introductions. [00:10:37] What brought Eda …

Eda Aguilar goes one-on-one with Fontini Kostouli, jewelry designer and founder of Aelia Selection, to talk about her sources of creativity, her brand, how she incorporates Greek culture in her designs, and her optimism in dipping her toes in Web3. ▶️ The Art of Jewelry Making with Fontini Kostouli, Accessory Designer from Greece [00:13:47] Fontini…

The November Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Tom McCarthy about Elizabeth Bowen’s novel 'The Last September'The Laureate says “This is another novel set during the Irish War of Independence. Just as Martina Devlin’s book is about solitude and introspection, this centres on a house…

Eda Aguilar and Talia Zoref welcome Michelle McCormack, the Founder and Creative Director of Fierce Studios, and go in-depth on the need for a decentralized platform for NFT holders, the potential of the metaverse in education and more immersive interactions, and the call for seamless wearables. ▶️ Community Platforms, Education, and the Future of …

Eda Aguilar gathers four of the biggest musicians who are spreading their gifts in Web3. Listen as Rae Isla, Violetta Zironi, Sammy Arriaga, and the Crypto Therapist share their experiences and how the blockchain opens brighter opportunities for aspiring singer-songwriters. ▶️ Eyes of Fashion Music Spaces with Rae Isla, Violetta Zironi, Sammy Arria…

Warning: This episode contains mild swearing.The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve …

The October Art of Reading book club features Colm in conversation with writer Martina Devlin about her book Edith.The Laureate says “Edith is an engrossing and sensitive portrait of the writer Edith Somerville during the War of Independence when her writing partner Violet Ross is dead and her own career as a writer not flourishing. It is a portrai…

With his unique expertise in history and art through the eyes of fashion, Joseph Da’Ponte stays inspired by his Puerto Rican roots and works to preserve and conserve the artistic talents and creative pieces of his people and the newer generations to come. ▶️ Eyes of Style with Joseph Da'Ponte [00:04:58] How Joseph discovered his love for fashion an…

Data shows that women open digital wallets 100% of the time when Web3 piques their interest. Heather Rae Doyle started out buying NFTs without any reliable sources to learn from, especially for women. With CoinQueens, she sets out to change the Web3 landscape to be more accessible, welcoming, and women-friendly. ▶️ Women in Web3 & Beyond with Heath…

The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve as they get curious about each other’s work, …

Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship with Estrat Karine Eve, Director and Founder, Amal Foundation Working in the slums of Dhaka completely changed Estrat Karine Eve’s life and motivated her to create the Amal Foundation, an organization that aims to protect and empower women through education and skill-building. Humanitarian work isn’t just a…

The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve as they get curious about each other’s work, …

The September Art of Reading book club features Colm in conversation with writer Una Mannion about The Ante-Room by Kate O'Brien.The Laureate says “This novel is written with great intensity, being set over a time period of three days in which the focus is on the entire life of a single family, all the secrets and treacheries coming into the open. …

Merging the Old & New in Art with Lisa Thon Fashion designer and teacher Lisa Thon knows too well the struggles that beginner artists experience as they work to master their craft and break out into the scene. This is why she works to educate young designers and help them discover their styles and passions. Listen in as she shares her advice and in…

Strategy & PR with Eda Aguilar & Jen Rosa Lopez Strategic marketing consultant Jen Rosa Lopez has taken every opportunity from different fields to get to where she is now. In this episode, she shares with us her advice and insights on the differences between marketing smaller brands vs. bigger companies, what to do for visibility, her dream designe…

The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve as they get curious about each other’s work, …

Eyes of Fashion Town Hall with Eda Aguilar A promising six months it has been for Eyes of Fashion – partnerships, events, collaborations, and new products galore! Eda Aguilar, joined by founder Talia Zoref, shares exciting news on what the Eyes of Fashion team have been up to and future plans for everyone in the community. ▶️ The First Eyes of Fash…

NFTs and Web3 with Eda Aguilar Welcome to Eyes of Fashion Podcast! This is a safe, creative, and welcoming space for artists, creators, and strong, empowered individuals looking to dip their toes into NFTs. This episode is a first of a series of educational videos that you and your friends can use to learn more about NFTs and fashion. So what are y…

The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve as they get curious about each other’s work, …

Missed this year’s Haute Couture Week? Itching to know the latest in fashion and NFTs? In this episode, Talia, Eda, and Nathan of the Twitter page, FashionweekNYC, give you everything you need to know. You are in for a treat, from the emerging trend of pink-laden “Barbie core” to metallic, sheer finishes reminiscent of a 3D metaverse to brands crea…

Creative mom, and NFT curator Nicole Yap started 8SIAN after seeing the lack of women and Asian representation in the amazing world of Web3. Now she pursues uplifting the minority and putting them on a pedestal for the metaverse to see. If you’re a woman looking to dip your toes in NFTs, all it takes is a curious mind and the courage to ask. ▶️ Why…

Transformation coach Elena Visionary guides women in their creativity, beauty, and power in our chaotic world. Demonstrating it through her practice, Elena believes how crucial it is for us to ground ourselves, reconnect with our truth and unique purpose, and discover what it actually feels to be in our highest vibrations. She imparts her tips and …

The August Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with Professor Frank Shovlin about The Barracks by John McGahern.“This bleak, unrelenting novel portrays a woman in the Irish midlands who has married a policeman and become a surrogate mother to his children in the time after his first wife’s death.…

Founder of EDALOU Paris, Eyes of Fashion Chief Fashion Officer, and NFT curator Eda Aguilar calls out to women all over the world to join the ever-growing community of artists, creators, and inspired individuals on the quest for innovation and team support in the NFT space. Staying true to her brand’s mantra “Rock, Dance & Love” and her advocacy fo…

The Curiosity Series is an Arts Council podcast commissioned as part of the Council’s 70th anniversary celebrations hosted by writer, comedian and podcaster Maeve Higgins.In each episode, you’ll hear artists involved in music, dance, poetry, literature, visual arts and theatre in conversation with Maeve as they get curious about each other’s work, …

The July Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Naoise Dolan about her novel Exciting Times.“This novel is a tour-de-force work about exile and the world of expats in Hong Kong. Seeking accommodation, looking for love, teaching English as a foreign language, dealing with foreigners, bein…

The June Art of Reading book club features Laureate for Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín in conversation with writer Sinéad Gleeson and writer and granddaughter of Mary Lavin, Alice Ryan, to discuss Lavin's short story, In the Middle of the Fields, from the collection of the same name. Read more about the Laureate for Irish Fiction programme here: https:/…

The May Art of Reading book club features Colm in conversation with Colin Barrett on his short story collection 'Homesickness'By The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon

This is an ingeniously told story, narrated by an actual book, a novel by the Austrian writer Joseph Roth, offering an account of its picaresque travels to America and back to Europe, while in the background we learn of the life of Joseph Roth himself and the dark times he lived in.” Colm Tóibín, Laureate for Irish Fiction 2022-2024…