Evelyn Conlon is one of Ireland’s most important writers. She was born in County Monaghan and lives in Dublin. She is a novelist, short story writer and essayist. Her radio essays are heard frequently on national radio. She is the author of four novels and four collections of short stories, including her most recent 'Moving about the Place', published in June 2021 by The Black Staff Press.
Reviews for 'Moving about the Place':
- 'She is one of Ireland's major truly creative writers.' - Books Ireland
- 'Her characters are articulate, passionate and frequently funny. Her prose is a delight.' - Sunday Times
- 'If we were betting on the story Joyce would have liked most, my money would be on Evelyn Conlon's reply to [his] "Two Gallants".' - Chris Power, Guardian
Her work, often situated in far-flung places, has been widely anthologised and translated. She is currently an adjunct professor at Carlow University, Pittsburgh, and is a member of Aosdána.
You can enjoy listening to Evelyn’s 14-minute chat with the PGIL on the eve of publication of her new Collection of Short Stories, Moving About the Place, published by The Black Staff Press in 2021.
Award-winning author Evelyn Conlon returned to complete her residency as recipient of The Ireland Funds Monaco Residential Bursary in September 2021.
Evelyn gave a talk to Friends of the PGIL: A discourse on the value of literature and libraries.
A parting gift from Evelyn was to read her story Up at the Library, which was inspired by her time at the Princess Grace Irish Library in 2020 - it was very fitting that she read in the beautiful room where she wrote it and created her characters, inspired by walks around the streets of Monaco, en route to and from the PGIL.
Listen to the reading in two parts (total time around 30 minutes).
(Note: This is a recording of the talk by Evelyn in March 2020 - the duration is 49 minutes followed by a Q&A).