Sonya Gildea
LightNews LightNews
banner
sonyagildea.bsky.social
Sonya Gildea
@sonyagildea.bsky.social
910 followers 910 following 150 posts
John McGahern Literature Award | DLR Emerging Writer In Residence 2023-24 | Poetry Ireland Introductions | Cúirt New Writing Fiction Award | Art Council Literature Bursary Award |

sonyagildea dot com
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
sonyagildea.bsky.social
Sonya Gildea @sonyagildea.bsky.social · Nov 12

It is the greatest happiness to have a piece in this beautiful book and to be in such company.

Huge & heartfelt thanks to Olivia Smith & to Kevin Barry WinterPapers💙

Available in all the very best & finest bookshops✨
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
poetrysociety.org.uk
🕰️ With the year coming to an end, we asked a selection of Poetry Review contributors to give us their favourite poetry books and pamphlets of 2025.

Next is Chris Arning's pick: High Jump as Icarus Story by Gustav Parker Hibbett (Banshee Press). Thank you, Chris!
Chris Arning recommends High Jump as Icarus Story by Gustav Parker Hibbett and says: I just thought - what an audacious conceit to pattern a whole volume on the concept of the high jump. There is a lot of daring work in it.
December 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
stomaselli.bsky.social
Between March 2024 & May 2025 of group of writers & artists (myself included) participated in a set of workshops to jointly create the printed publication, State, in Relation, our response to the Irish Constitution. Launching 14th December at DABF:

www.templebargallery.com/whats-on/eve...
DABF25 Book Launch | State, in Relation | Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
A panel discussion and readings to mark the launch of State, in Relation, a collaborative publication exploring encounters with the state in an Irish context.
www.templebargallery.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
stomaselli.bsky.social
STATE, IN RELATION. My piece - Word Rain - is designed to be read multiple ways. Launching Sunday 14th at TBG+S, and available to buy at Dublin Art Book Fair.

📸: @sonyagildea.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
northseapoets.bsky.social
THIS SATURDAY!

The Art of Space: how to let a poem breathe – with @dharmabam.bsky.social 🌊

🗓️ Saturday 6th December
⏰ 11am-1pm GMT
🎟️ £35/£25

Book your spot: buff.ly/P04LhDZ

#NorthSeaPoets #PoetrySky
A page from a page a day calendar with the date 29 November and an AI-generated image of a forest inside of a barn with a skylight in the roof and animals grazing. The name of the event is underneath and the North Sea Poets logo is in the bottom right corner.
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
katiedpoet.bsky.social
I'm getting behind the The Complex Cultural & Arts space. Stop the eviction! Please sign & share my.uplift.ie/petitions/sa... @uplift.ie
Save The Complex in Dublin
I'm getting behind the The Complex Cultural & Arts space. Stop the eviction! Please sign & share
my.uplift.ie
December 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
jesstraynor.bsky.social
Big huge congrats to the brilliant @elainefeeney.bsky.social ❤️👑❤️
elainefeeney.bsky.social Elaine Feeney @elainefeeney.bsky.social · 11d
So delighted to win Author of the Year 2025 at Irish Book Awards

Thanks to Libraries Association of Ireland & An Post
November 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
jesstraynor.bsky.social
Come join us this Thursday @booksupstairs.bsky.social to celebrate 20 issues and 10 years of @bansheepress.bsky.social ✨️ There'll be chats, readings and 🍷
December 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
sonyagildea.bsky.social
@stingingfly.bsky.social Launch of ISSUE 53 The Climate Issue @ Digital Depot, introduced by Declan Meade & Editor Lisa McInerny, w/readings from @junec.bsky.social, Simon Costello & many others 💫
@eoieoin.bsky.social in the raffle hat w/writers Lianne O'Hara, Ella Gaynor & Kasandra Ferguson✨
November 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
bansheepress.bsky.social
Banshee celebrates ten years in print @booksupstairs.bsky.social next Thursday 4 December! Join us from 6pm to raise a glass to the publication of issue 20 and hear from our brilliant contributors. Hosted by guest editor @clarakiyoko.bsky.social 🎄

booksupstairs.ie/all-events/l...
LAUNCH: Banshee | Issue 20 | Books Upstairs
Celebrate ten years of Banshee at the Dublin launch of our speculative fiction-themed 20th issue. Join us at Books Upstairs on Thursday 4 December at 6pm to raise a glass and to hear prose and poetry ...
booksupstairs.ie
November 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
sonyagildea.bsky.social
The Pig's Back Dublin Launch ISSUE # 7 @booksupstairs.bsky.social last night
with @thepigsback.bsky.social co-editors Dean Fee & Emily Cooper. Hosted by Louisa of Books Upstairs, With celebratory readings from Issue #7 and # 6💫
November 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
northseapoets.bsky.social
THIS SATURDAY!

The Joy of Scansion: how to know the dancer from the dance – with @dharmabam.bsky.social 🌊

🗓️ Saturday 29th November
⏰ 11am-1pm GMT
🎟️ £35/£25
⭐ or book all three winter webinars for £90/£60

Book your spot: buff.ly/KBzjLx6

#NorthSeaPoets #PoetrySky
A page from a page a day calendar with the date 29 November and there's a graphic of a map of dance steps in red and black. The name of the event is underneath and the North Sea Poets logo is in the bottom right corner.
November 26, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
junec.bsky.social
Thirty five new courses @irishwriterscentre.bsky.social in early #2026 to mark 35 years in operation...including #WritingAShortStory with me and 'Autoportraits: Making Stories from Art with Susan Tomaselli', info below:

irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/writ...

irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/auto...
Autoportraits: Making Stories from Art with Susan Tomaselli - Irish Writers Centre
This 6-week course will explore the characteristics of autofiction, ekphrasis (written description of a visual work), and creative non-fiction with Susan Tomaselli. Starts Tuesday 3 February 2026, 6.3...
irishwriterscentre.ie
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
stomaselli.bsky.social
Very pleased to share an essay on the craft (& crafting) of essays in the Irish Writers Handbook 2026. Thank you to @ruthmckee.bsky.social for commissioning. @booksireland.bsky.social

wordwellbooks.com/index.php?ro...
November 12, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
eoieoin.bsky.social
We're launching next Thursday 27th November in the Digital Depot - come one, come all!!
stingingfly.bsky.social The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · Nov 7
THE CLIMATE ISSUE 🌊

Our Winter 2025-26 issue is out next week launching on Thursday 27th November in The Digital Depot, Dublin

🎨The Conversation by Limerick-based artist Robert Ryan, selected from the 195th RHA Annual Exhibition / Cover design Eimear Gavin.

More info stingingfly.org/newsletter/
November 19, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
junec.bsky.social
I'll be reading at The Stinging Fly launch on Thursday. A character's personal tempest inside literal one or lesbian road trip with supernatural fairies, damaged bogs, an upturned camper van, high jinx, creepy haunting and winks to The Wizard of Oz & an historic storm that battered Ireland in 1839.
stingingfly.bsky.social The Stinging Fly @stingingfly.bsky.social · 20d
THE CLIMATE ISSUE 🌊

Our Winter 2025-26 issue is out next week!

Join us as we celebrate the launch in The Digital Depot, Dublin 8 next Thursday 27th November from 7pm 🎉

This event is free but space is limited and booking essential - book your ticket here: stingingfly.org/product/wint...
November 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
stingingfly.bsky.social
THE CLIMATE ISSUE 🌊

Our Winter 2025-26 issue is out next week!

Join us as we celebrate the launch in The Digital Depot, Dublin 8 next Thursday 27th November from 7pm 🎉

This event is free but space is limited and booking essential - book your ticket here: stingingfly.org/product/wint...
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
sonyagildea.bsky.social
STATE, IN RELATION
Jointly created by @stomaselli.bsky.social Clare Bell, Nathan O'Donnell, Nithy Kasa @oeiny.bsky.social Annemarie Ní Churreáin & myself

Launch & readings 14 Dec 4pm DUBLIN ART BOOK FAIR @tbgands.bsky.social @artscouncilireland.bsky.social www.templebargallery.com/whats-on/eve...
DABF25 Book Launch | State, in Relation | Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
A panel discussion and readings to mark the launch of State, in Relation, a collaborative publication exploring encounters with the state in an Irish context.
www.templebargallery.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
tolkajournal.bsky.social
We're launching Issue 10 at @molimuseum.bsky.social First Fridays on the eve of 5 December 🎺

Featuring an editorial conversation, and readings from seven amazing contributors 🔥

Time tbc, and registration will open soon 👀
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
sonyagildea.bsky.social
Booked💫
northseapoets.bsky.social North Sea Poets @northseapoets.bsky.social · 26d
Join @dharmabam.bsky.social for webinars on Scansion, Space and Symbol – book the entire winter mini-series for a 3-in-1 reduced price.

🗓️ Saturdays, 29th November, 6th & 13th December
⏰ 11am-1pm BST
🎟️ £35/£25 each
⭐ 3-in-1 ticket for £90/£60

buff.ly/ZW1Qm6Y

#NorthSeaPoets #PoetrySky
The North Sea Poets logo is in the centre of the image. In the background is a photo of colourful boats in the harbour. The sky is cloudy and grey.
November 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
howlwriting.bsky.social
Save the date! Submissions open for HOWL New Irish Writing 26 in February 2026 🐺 🖤
November 16, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
wednesdayerskin.bsky.social
Yup it is.
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
byleaveswelive.bsky.social
Kathleen Jamie and Peter Mackay headline a special event at the Scottish Poetry Library to welcome the Poetry Jukebox to Scotland.

Date: 4 Dec
6.30pm-8pm

Details/Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 AM
sonyagildea.bsky.social
@abridgedmagazine.bsky.social NEVER A ROSE

Very happy to have a poem included here and to be in such fine company.

Huge thanks to Editors Gregory McCartney & Susanna Galbraith💫
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Sonya Gildea
bansheepress.bsky.social
A wonderful review for Filly by @rosamundtaylor.bsky.social in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk by James McNaney ✨

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/weekend...
Book review: Filly by Rosamund Taylor is an unsettling yet moving novel in verse
Rosamund Taylor’s new novel in verse, Filly, is both a moving and sensitive coming-of-age story about a young lesbian woman in 2000s Ireland, while also being a deeply unsettling account of an affair ...
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM