Irish Writers' Exchange

November 30th 2010
Launch Party of DUBLIN: TEN JOURNEYS, ONE DESTINATION

Left to Right: Oran Ryan, Roslyn Fuller, J.B. Rehnstrom, Kay Inckle, Isabel Roleff, Ifedinma Dimbo
(Photograph Courtesy of David Maury)

About the Book

DUBLIN: TEN JOURNEYS, ONE DESTINATION is a collection of short stories centred around one place: the atmospheric, irreplaceable chaos of Dublin, a city which has attracted writers from across the island and around the world.

This collection - which coincides with UNESCO naming Dublin a City of Literature this year - captures the vibrancy the 'new Irish' have brought to this country from places as diverse as the Igbo-speaking region of Nigeria and the icy plains of rural Canada, and mixes it easily with sparkling new work from established Irish authors such as Galway-based Nuala Ni Chonchuir (recently shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize), Dublin's own Oran Ryan (recent recipient of an Arts Council Bursary), and prolific Derry-based author and award-winning journalist Garbhan Downey.

From personal freedom and personal tragedy to everyday life in Dublin's streets, each story is a reflection of the importance Dublin has for each writer, whether it's trawling along Grafton Street with Ifedinma Dimbo's cheerful African narrator candidly sharing her own hilarious perspective on all things Irish, or sailing into Dublin with Isabel Roleff's inspiring story of an elderly woman making her own peace with clerical abuse.

While the authors may be diverse, many of the book's basic themes are universal: being far from home and family in a new adopted country - a familiar situation for emigrating Irish over the centuries - but one so far unexplored for those arriving on these shores.

While preserving these unique perspectives, this upbeat, one-of-a-kind contemporary collection conveys a distinct sense of place that evokes Dublin's history, well-known city pubs and streets and, of course, its people - be it through JB Rehnstrom's evocative, emotional journey through place, belonging and hope, MetroEireann Writing Award winner Melatu Okorie's tale of a Nigerian asylum seeker forced to deal with a loan shark, or Roslyn Fuller's offbeat cast of sarcastic misfits, who have an attempted murder on their hands.

DUBLIN: TEN JOURNEYS, ONE DESTINATION not only features world-class writing; many of the authors are notable figures in the academics and arts spheres (the collection features no less than three PhDs). From the playful to the serious, from the vicious to the sublime, DUBLIN: TEN JOURNEYS, ONE DESTINATION is smart writing from some very different people.

"Clear, imaginative, exciting,
well written and captivating"

Chinedu Onyejelem
Editor of Metro Eireann
Author of News in Black and White

Who says you can't have a party in the snow?

Despite the snow and icy road conditions, it was full-house at the Centre for Creative Practices for our launch of Dublin: Ten Journeys, One Destination. Now available for sale online and in stores, the book was very much at the centre of the festivities with three of our authors reading excerpts from their stories and our very own Roslyn Fuller providing the MCing - and much of the laughter - for the night.
The book was formally launched by Des Geraghty and his speech explored the rich tapestry of Irish writing and how the New Irish are woven into it. Music on the night was provided by Bailer and judging by the feedback, fun was truly had by all.

Meet the Authors

Roslyn Fuller Author of ISAK Originally from Ontario, Canada	Better known as the face (and, of course, the body) of bodypainting in Ireland, Argentine/Irish Canadian Roslyn Fuller is completing a PhD on Democracy and International Law at Trinity College Dublin, having obtained her first bar exams in Germany. A long-time Mensan, she is the author of political thriller ISAK and has previously worked alongside her studies as an academic copy-editor, translator, visa officer, lecturer and model.
Ifedinma Dimbo Author of forthcoming novel She was Foolish? Originally from the Igbo Region, Nigeria	Having studied Sociology and Anthropology in Nigeria, Ifedinma obtained an MA in Sociology of Development from University College Cork. After forays into the worlds of fashion and banking she returned to Ireland in 2005. During a protracted legal battle with immigration, in which she experienced first-hand the Irish asylum system and facilities, she discovered her talent for writing. One of her stories was featured in the 2008 publication Takinga the Wise Man.
J. B. Rehnstrom Author of forthcoming novel At Cross Originally from Sweden	J.B.'s writing life began with her grandmother's gift of a beautiful round-keyed typewriter. Having lived in her native Sweden, London, Los Angeles and New York, she moved to Dublin in 2004. A regular contributor to GCN magazine since 2005 on immigration and rural isolation issues, she is working on her novel At Cross due out this coming winter.
Nuala Ní Chonchúir Author of critically acclaimed novel You From Galway	Galway writer Nuala Ní Chonchúir holds a BA in Irish from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Translation Studies from Dublin City University. Having worked as an arts administrator, translator and bookseller, she currently teaches creative writing. She has been shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize for her short story collection Nude, but is best known for her critically acclaimed novel You.
Oran Ryan Author of The Death of Finn From Dublin	A former member of the Order of Friars Minor, Oran Ryan is a novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter from Dublin. He has been writing full time for 10 years and has completed a number of novels, of which The Death of Finn was the first to be published. Educated at Synge Street Christian Brothers School, as well as Carlow, Milltown Institute and UCD, he was awarded an Arts Council Bursary in 2008.
Isabel Roleff Regular contributor of book reviews to Metro Éireann Originally from Germany	Having settled in Dublin in 2001 with a Masters in Literature and Languages in her pocket, Isabel has worked in journalism, event management and banking. After exploring writing in her native German and French, she has chosen English as her literary 'home'. A relentless optimist and mental explorer, she enjoys a broad horizon with a perspective that meanders off the beaten track.
Melatu Okorie Recipient of the 2009 Metro Éireann Writing Award Originally from Nigeria	Originally from Nigeria, Melatu now lives in Ireland. The recent winner of the Metro Éireann Writing Award spends her days in front of her computer and looking after her four year old daughter.
Garbhan Downey Author of Private Diary of a Suspended MLA Derry, Northern Ireland	Derry-based writer Garbhan Downey graduated from University College Galway in 1987 and has worked as a journalist, broadcaster, newspaper editor and literary editor. His debut novel Private Diary of a Suspended MLA was described in the Sunday Times as "the best Northern Ireland political novel of the century", while a second novel, Yours Confidentially: Letters of a Would-be MP, was listed as one of the Philadelphia Inquirer's top seven International Crime Reads of the Year.
Kay Inckle Author of Writing on the Body? Thinking Through Gendered Embodiment and Marked Flesh Originally from Derbyshire, UK	Kay Inckle was born and raised in Derbyshire in the English midlands, but has been resident in Ireland and an honorary Dub for the last fourteen years. Kay lectures in Trinity College and also runs her own research, training and consultancy company specialising in the area of self-injury and a harm-reduction approach. She has published widely academically where she brings the use of creative practices to her research.
Joan Arbery Art and theatre critic for RenegadeBus, Dallas From Texas, USA	Based physically in Dallas, Texas, Joan Arbery still lives with her head and heart in Dublin, where she lived between 2007 and 2008. Having received her PhD in Literature (French and Irish Studies) from the University of Notre Dame, she currently teaches Rhetoric Courses at Southern Methodist University.

Image Gallery (Images courtesy of David Maury):