Irish Writers Centre and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Launch Second Episode of Dublin: One City, Many Stories
Episode Two – Writers’ Roundtable features Victoria Kennefick, Kevin Curran, Emmet Kirwan and Olivia Fitzsimons in conversation with Aoife Barry.
The Irish Writers Centre, in partnership with Dublin City Council’s UNESCO City of Literature designation, has released the second episode of its landmark video series Dublin: One City, Many Stories — a celebration of Dublin’s 15th year as a UNESCO City of Literature.
This episode, Writers’ Roundtable, chaired by journalist and author Aoife Barry, brings together acclaimed writers Victoria Kennefick, Kevin Curran, Emmet Kirwan and Olivia Fitzsimons for a candid conversation on what it means to be a writer today, the challenges and joys of claiming that title, the importance of community, and the enduring influence of Dublin on their work.
From reflections on working-class representation to finding time to write in the chaos of daily life, the discussion shines a light on the diverse routes that lead to a writing life.
Aoife Barry said; “What struck me most during this conversation was the honesty — each writer shared not just their triumphs but their struggles, the doubt as well as the drive. This episode is about pulling back the curtain and showing that writing is not a closed world; it’s one that grows stronger when it’s shared.”
Victoria Kennefick commented; “Poetry has always been my way of making sense of the world, but also of connecting to others. Dublin — its people, its language, its wildness — has a way of seeping into my work no matter where I am. That sense of place is something to treasure and to protect.”
Kevin Curran reflected; “For me, the heart of writing is telling the truth as you see it, especially when it comes to representing your own community. If a young person from Balbriggan sees themselves in a book or hears their own rhythms in a piece of dialogue, that’s powerful — and that’s why I write.”
Emmet Kirwan said; “I’m interested in the vernacular, the music in the way people speak, and in telling stories that centre working-class lives without turning them into caricatures. Dublin is a city of contradictions, and in those tensions you find the drama worth putting on stage.”
Olivia Fitzsimons shared; “I came to writing through community — women sharing their stories, finding the time in stolen moments, and being encouraged to believe my voice mattered. Dublin gave me the safety and the distance to write about where I’m from, and that’s been transformative.”
Dublin: One City, Many Stories is a six-part monthly series featuring writers including Joseph O’Connor (episode one), John Banville, Marian Keyes, Neil Jordan, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Melatu Uche Okorie, Nuala O’Connor, Amy Abdullah Barry, and more. Each episode explores literature, legacy, and the lived experience of being a writer in Dublin.
Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, added; “The Writers’ Roundtable episode embodies the spirit of this entire series — writers from different backgrounds coming together to talk openly about the experiences and challenges of being a writer today but also to celebrate the many ways Dublin inspires their creativity. The series is a reminder of why the city’s UNESCO designation matters : it’s also a reminder of why writing matters and how it’s our job here in the Irish Writers Centre to support those writers at every stage of their journey.’
The second episode is now available to watch on the Irish Writers Centre website and YouTube channel.
Available from 27 August 2025 at www.irishwriterscentre.ie