12 April,
Fiction / In Conversation / Panel /
Shirley-Anne McMillan and Clara Kumagai in conversation with Patricia Forde
Saturday, 12 April 2025, 1:00pm
Town Hall Theatre / €12.00 | €10.00
Book NowJoin our 2025 Cúirt Labs Writers in Residence for a discussion about their latest books, tackling issues of identity, cultural belonging, and the complexities of modern life.
Shirley Anne McMillan, Children’s Writing Fellow for NI, has published four novels, most recently Grapefruit Moon, offering an authentic portrayal of teenagers navigating personal and societal challenges.
Clara Kumagai is a Japanese-Canadian-Irish writer whose most recent novel Songs for Ghost brings fresh perspectives on belonging, family, and heritage, encouraging readers to reflect on the complexities of shaping one’s identity.
Shirley and Clara will be in conversation with Patricia Forde, our current Laureate na nÓg. This event will take place after our Writers in Residence have spent the week of Cúirt visiting schools and hosting events for the young readers and writers of Galway city. So come and join them, whatever your age, to hear more about their work.
Shirley-Anne McMillan is the author of four contemporary YA novels, including Grapefruit Moon, published by Little Island in 2023. She is the current Children’s Writing Fellow based at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University. Shirley-Anne lives in South Down and teaches writing at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.
Clara Kumagai is from Ireland, Japan and Canada. Catfish Rolling, her debut novel, was a 2024 YOTO Carnegie Medal nominee, shortlisted for the 2023 Great Reads Award, and winner of the 2024 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year. Songs for Ghosts is her second novel. She lives and writes in Ireland.
Event Location
Town Hall Theatre
1 Courthouse Square, Galway, H91 VF21
Book Now Back to What's OnAccess Statements Cúirt
The main auditorium is step free with accessible seating and
accessible toilet facilities. Please let the box office know of any
requirements so that they can assist with seating. There are two
accessible parking spaces on Waterside immediately by the
venue and a further two spaces on Corrib Terrace. There is a
Loop System in every auditorium. There is a Fresh Air Distribution
System. All events at the Town Hall Theatre will be captioned.
