Roddy Doyle set to visit
Acclaimed Irish writer Roddy Doyle comes to Montreal on Friday, October 7, as part of a collaboration between Writers Read at Concordia and the School of Canadian Irish Studies.
Writers Read is a literary series, held throughout the academic year, that features invitees who run the gamut from renowned, iconic writers to emerging authors from Canada and around the world. They read from their works and engage audiences in discussion.
Michael Kenneally, principal of Concordia’s School of Canadian Irish Studies, says he’s pleased to welcome “one of Ireland’s most gifted and accomplished contemporary writers. We’ve been trying to get him to come to Concordia for the past three years. There is a great awareness of his accomplishments, both within and outside the Irish Studies community.”
Doyle is the author of nine novels, including The Commitments, The Van, A Star Called Henry, and The Woman Who Walked into Doors. He has also written five children’s books, a collection of short stories, and a memoir. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Metro Eireann and several anthologies. In 1993, he won the Booker Prize for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.
The versatile author also writes and adapts works for stage and screen, notably the screenplay for The Commitments, which garnered a slew of nominations and awards, including a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award in 1992.
In recent years, he has created a workshop in Dublin’s inner city for poor children, “both to foster literacy and to increase children’s interest in writing,” Kenneally says. “It has been an impressive success and continues to be a great passion of his.”
When: Friday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: BMO Amphitheatre, Room MB 1.210, John Molson School of Business Building (1450 Guy St., Montreal)
During his visit, Doyle will also conduct a master class for Concordia creative writing students. On Saturday afternoon at the DeSève Cinema, CineGael Montreal will screen The Commitments and Roddy Doyle will speak.
In addition to readings, Writers Read at Concordia presents professional development activities, some of which are open to the public.
Writers Read at Concordia is supported by the Department of English, the Creative Writing Program and Concordia University. The series, which receives funding assistance from the Faculty of Arts and Science, benefits from collaborations with Concordia’s School of Canadian Irish Studies and other organizations, including The Pilot, the Atwater Poetry Project, Bishop’s University, and the Department of English at the Université de Montreal. Books featured at Writers Read are available at the Concordia Bookstore.
Related links:
• Writers Read
• Concordia School of Canadian Irish Studies
• Department of English
• Concordia Bookstore