Readers' Day- A writer who lived in literature: the life and work of Jennifer Johnston

The Studio, dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire
Saturday 6 September 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm

Join us for our Readers’ Day to commemorate the life and work of internationally acclaimed local writer Jennifer Johnston. Programmed by writer Martina Devlin on behalf of dlr Libraries, the day will feature conversations with Frank McGuinness, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Carlo Gébler, Dermot Bolger, Christine Dwyer Hickey and many more.

There are two ticket types available for this event: a morning session ticket (10am-1pm) and afternoon session ticket (2pm-4pm). You can book both if you would like to attend for the full day.

To purchase a ticket for the morning session please click here.

To purchase a ticket for the afternoon session please click here

Morning Session (10.00am – 1.00pm)

• 10.00am: Why Jennifer Johnston’s Work Matters

Dermot Bolger, Frank McGuinness and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne. 
Writers and academics discuss Jennifer’s work and where she sits in the literary world, and share personal anecdotes about the writer they knew
Chair: Martina Devlin

• 11.00am: The Jennifer Johnston Archive

Jennifer’s son Patrick Smyth talks about important items donated to dlr Libraries and hosted in dlr LexIcon

Chair: Carlo Gébler

• 12.00pm: Favourite Jennifer Johnston Books

Novelists Christine Dwyer Hickey, Sinéad Gleeson and Claire Kilroy discuss the Jennifer books they admire and re-read

Chair: Cauvery Madhavan

Afternoon Session (2.00pm – 4.00pm)

• 2.00pm: Jennifer Johnston on Stage and Screen

Carlo Gébler and actor Lise-Ann McLaughlin on Jennifer’s theatrical tradition, as daughter of playwright Denis Johnston and Abbey actor and producer Shelagh Richards.
Chair: Dermot Bolger

• 3.00pm: Performance of Waiting, a Jennifer Johnston monologue

Starring actor Geraldine Plunkett (Glenroe, Fair City, The Clinic) directed by Caroline FitzGerald. Before the performance Martina Devlin speaks to Jennifer’s cousin, Caroline FitzGerald about the many Jennifer Johnston plays she has staged.

Note: Dubray Books will be onsite on the day for book sales, with time for signings over lunch and at the end of the day.