Cristín Leach
LightNews LightNews
banner
cristinleach.bsky.social
Cristín Leach
@cristinleach.bsky.social
3.4K followers 1.6K following 950 posts
Irish Writer. Art Critic. Author, art/divorce memoir Negative Space; RHA From Ten Till Dusk. Fiction, non-fiction, journalism: RTÉ Culture, Irish Arts Review, Winter Papers. Hybrid texts, collaborations. 20yrs ✍🏻 Sunday Times. https://linktr.ee/cristinleach
Posts Replies Media Videos
cristinleach.bsky.social
Thanks so much to competition judge & brilliant Irish author Roisín O’Donnell (read her debut novel Nesting if you have not yet), for these gorgeous words about my short story, This Time Baby. Very proud of this one. Can’t wait to see it in print in @the4facedliar.bsky.social soon. Congrats to all🥈💚
Text on a green background, which reads: Short Story Competition Runner-Up This Time Baby by Cristín Leach I loved this story, which takes brave risks with form to make a familiar story feel utterly new. The voice is original and powerful, sweeping the reader along. This story is immersive and breathlessly emotional, and keeps the reader guessing right until the end. Confident, compelling and beautifully written. Judge Roisín O 'Donnell Text on dark green background which reads: Short Story Competition First The First Electrical Measurement of Starlight by Aoife Esmonde Runner-Up This Time Baby by Cristín Leach Highly Commended The Shandon Clock Tower Strikes a New Hour by Lorna Mulvany Puce by Christine Maguire Middle Floor by Ben Tufnell Court by Emer O'Hara
October 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
✨ Highly Commended for On The Couch in the 2025 Katherine Mansfield Sparkling Prose Competition ✨

Congrats to all 👏

I was in Birr in the middle of my residency when the Zoom awards were held. 7pm in Aotearoa New Zealand is 7am in Ireland. Worth getting up for 😄 ☕️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW3w...
Invitation to the zoom Photo of my laptop screen during the Zoom, glowing in a dark room. Me staring at laptop screen by lamplight during the Zoom Text of caption for the prize announcement from Instagram. Reads: flashfrontiernz + And the winners of the 2025 Katherine Mansfield Sparkling Prose competition are.... First - The Nawken by Lorraine Carmody Second - A Cigarette at Taurua Stream by Anna Scaife @annajeang Third - Janus-faced Survival Mode by Sharni Wilson @sharniwilsonova Highly Commended - Father figures by Jemma Richardson, One Week to Live by Michael Botur @michaelboturwriter, On the Couch by Cristín Leach @cristinleach , The Drowning by Jessica Le Bas @jessicalebasnz & Untethered by Tania Norfolk @tanianorfolk • The prizes were announced last night in an awards presentation with judges Lynn Jenner and Gina Cole, and in conversation with Fiona Farrell and Michelle Elvy, with readings from the top three place winners. 00 Watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=DW3wcJEMm5g / see Flash Frontier YT link in bio The winners lists have been published today, with judges' notes: https://atthebay.org/sparkling-prose-katherine-mansfield-story-competition/ see link in bio. + Coming soon - shortlisted, highly commended and winning stories #shortstory #writing #katherinemansfield
October 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
What a remarkable time I had as a 2025 Writer in Residence at Brendan House in Birr, County Offaly last week! My time coincided with the brilliant Sadhbh Moriarty. With thanks to Offaly Arts Office and to Rosalind Fanning, a host as utterly unique as her home. ✍🏻
Me looking at myself in a mirror My bed in the house. A bed enclosed in drapes and piled with cushions. The corridor to the writers’ rooms, which is full of things and has a painted ceiling that looks a bit like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Me and Sadhbh smiling for a selfie by the fire in the drawing room with candles lighting.
October 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Second place! Thanks to judge Roisín O’Donnell and congrats to everyone. The stories will all be published in Issue 4 of The Four Faced Liar.
Text graphic with competition results: Short Story Competition First The First Electrical Measurement of Starlight by Aoife Esmonde Runner-Up This Time Baby by Cristín Leach Highly Commended The Shandon Clock Tower Strikes a New Hour by Lorna Mulvany Puce by Christine Maguire Middle Floor by Ben Tufnell Court by Emer O'Hara
October 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Delighted to have a short story anonymously on the longlist for the Four Faced Liar Short Story Competition, judged by Roisín O’Donnell. Shortlist and results in October. 🤞(Wondering about the name of this journal? See alt text on the third/logo image.)
List of short story names page 1/2 List of short story names page 2/2 Image of the logo for the Four Faced Liar, a print lit & art journal edited by Patrick Holloway, Stephen Brophy, Sinéad Griffin & Jennifer Matthews, based in Cork, Ireland. The logo is four clock faces with hands pointing to different times, arranged like cogs in yellow on dark green. The phrase is a nickname for the clock tower at St. Anne's Church in Shandon in Cork city (the Shandon Bells). Depending on the angle you’re viewing them from, wind and various other factors, the time displayed on each of the tower’s four clocks tends to vary… since 1847. It was made by James Mangan, who had a clock shop on St. Patrick’s St. in Cork until the 1980s. Apparently it was the first four-faced clock until the construction of London’s Big Ben. Is that true?
September 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
I’ll be in conversation with Ciara O’Connor about her remarkable exhibition, Grief’s Current Shape, at Garter Lane Arts Centre in Waterford on the 9th of October at 11.30am. Join us! Free but link to book: garterlane.ie/events/c-p-d...
Poster image with time and date for the event and photo of some people looking at and through one of Ciara O’Connor’s stitched group portraits hanging in the gallery
September 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Culture Night Ireland 2025. I’ll be in Kerry with Dorota Borowa at Grilse Gallery.
Event invitation with detail of Dorota’s watercolour and charcoal drawing and the words: Dorota Borowa In Search of Presence 19 September - 12 October 2025 Opening view and a conversation with Cristín Leach on Culture Night Friday 19 September at 6pm. Free entry, all welcome GRILSE GALLERY The Fishery at the Bridge Killorglin, Co. Kerry V93 A2TY Wed-Sun 12-5pm or by appointment 087 604 7559 www.grilse.ie Image of Dorota’s black and white abstract work with event details
September 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
This book will now launch on 3rd Oct at Dunamaise Arts Centre 🤍
Invitation to book launch with close up image of Bridget’s textile work and words that read Seanchas; Lore Book Launch Jen Donnery and Jackie Carter have the pleasure of inviting you to celebrate a new publication commemorating the exhibition Seanchas; Lore. Featuring an essay by Cristín Leach, the writer, broadcaster and art critic, the book is a tribute to the legacy of the late Bridget Flannery. Guest speaker Geraldine McNulty is a writer, curator, chairperson and director of the Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival, and a close friend of Bridget's. Music by Molly Donnery Light refreshments will be served Friday 3d October, 18.30 - 19.30 Dunamaise Arts Centre Church Street Portlaoise Co. Laois R32 W93P www.dunamaiselle With thanks to Laois County Council Arts Office Damer House Office of the Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Enrico Ferrarini and The Academia del Arti del Desegno
September 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
"The place where the edge of the water meets the start of the land is a departure point. It's an invitation to step from gravity-filled air into the buoyancy of liquid, from one form of wisdom towards a different kind of knowledge, maybe even from one version of yourself into another way of being.”
Artworks on a white gallery wall: a painting of a woman floating on the surface of the sea, arms spread wide open: Angie Shanahan, Girl Afloat; and two tufty looking gatherings of found beach materials, mostly fishing net perhaps, looking like two cheerleader pom-poms mounted side by side on the wall: Bridget Flannery, Maroc 1 + 2
August 24, 2025 at 6:32 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Some images of the book, which Jen posted to me, beautifully wrapped 🤍
Cover, with textile art by Flannery Inside page with words from the artists: “Bringing together the work of three artists is not an easy task. Often, finding a common thread can be difficult for the viewer, or pieces jar and make little sense.” Opening page of my essay.
August 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
So lovely to receive a copy of this book marking the Seanchas; Lore exhibition by Bridget Flannery (1959-2024), Jen Donnery and Jackie Carter held at Damer House Gallery, Roscrea Co. Tipperary in April/May of last year. The show travelled to Atelier Enrico Ferrarini in Florence, Italy in Oct 2024.
August 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
New edition of Irish Arts Review is out, with Ailbhe Ní Bhriain on the cover and my piece on Catherine Barron’s retrospective - now extended until 20 September at Waterford Gallery of Art - inside. #art #irishart #artwriting
Opening page of article with headline Record of Change Second page of article with images of two paintings by Barron Cover of IAR with image of work by Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
August 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Just finished and thoroughly enjoyed Miranda July’s All Fours.
Copy of All Fours by Miranda July, a book with handwritten title and author name in white capital letters over (a detail of) an 1866 painting by Albert Bierstadt of a glowing yellow sunset sky by a melodramatic cliff.
August 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Had to double check this, but yes Catherine Barron show at Waterford Gallery of Art has been extended until 20 Sept.
Post from Instagram by Waterford Gallery of Art with a strap line to say the exhibition has been extended until 20 Sept 2025.
August 16, 2025 at 6:26 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Busy being blown away by this proof copy of Lily Dunn’s Into Being, The Radical Craft of Memoir and its Power to Transform. Due out in October. @manchesterup.bsky.social @lilydunn.bsky.social
Proof copy of Lily Dunn’s Into Being, The Radical Craft of Memoir and its Power to Transform, splayed open cover sides up on a crumpled bed cover caught in sunlight. With some neon yellow posits sticking out.
August 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Final week to see Mary Fahy’s Brigid's Well paintings, Portumna Castle until 31 July. My essay on her work is in gallery and at www.rte.ie/culture/2025... A % of painting sales to Palestine Children's Relief Fund and The Sameer Project. Price list via Mary on Insta: www.instagram.com/reel/DMerLMZ...
Close up detail of one of Mary Fahy’s paintings showing a child of Prague statue draped in layers of rosary beads and offerings at Brigid’s well in Liscannor, Ireland
July 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Realised I’m a McBride completist after I was asked to do this interview and my prep involved going to the bookshelves and finding I already owned all of these (the festival sent me the new one) #eimearmcbride 📚
Pile of books by Eimear McBride on a leopard patterned bedcover
July 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
A real treat to interview Eimear McBride for @wcorklitfest.bsky.social A brilliant, direct and insightful communicator about her own practice and writing itself. AND she did two room-silencing readings from The City Changes Its Face. #irishwriter #bookfestival
Eimear McBride and Cristín Leach sitting next to each other in dark green upholstered armchairs, each holding a hardback copy of Eimear’s new novel, The City Changes Its Face. On stage with Eimear McBride mid chat at West Cork Lit Festival
July 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
#birrwritersresidency
Text that reads: Offaly County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce the four writers and poets selected for the Birr Writers Residency 2025, a flagship opportunity that supports time, space and community engagement for established and emerging literary voices. Hosted in the beautiful surroundings of Brendan House in Birr, the residency provides artists with the ideal setting to immerse themselves in creative practice while connecting meaningfully with the region's people, landscape and culture. Text that reads: Cristin Leach, a leading Irish art critic, author and broadcaster whose critically acclaimed memoir Negative Space was published in 2022. Her hybrid and experimental writing has appeared widely in print, on radio, and in gallery commissions. Her recent collaborative work explores the intersections of visual art, memory, voice and identity. Cristín brings to Birr a distinctive voice that bridges literary and visual culture with critical insight and emotional resonance.
July 20, 2025 at 7:04 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
The Singularity is a beautiful book. So lucky to have had the opportunity to interview @balsamkaram.bsky.social together with her translator Saskia Vogel @wcorklitfest.bsky.social

@fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social
Saskia Vogel, Balsam Karam and Cristín Leach standing in front of a Stories from Sweden banner in Marino Church in Bantry, at the West Cork Literary Festival. Blue cover book. The Singularity by Balsam Karam.
July 15, 2025 at 10:42 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Reading prep DONE for @wcorklitfest.bsky.social 📚 I’ll be talking to Neil Jordan about his brilliant memoir Amnesiac Mon 8.30pm, Eimear McBride about her stunning follow up to The Lesser Bohemians Wed 8.30pm, but first with Balsam Karam about her unforgettable second book The Singularity Mon 2.30pm.
Dark bedroom. POV in bed with Amnesiac book on bedcover and a classic New York buildings view caught in morning sun seen between the slatted blinds of the window at foot of bed. Eimear McBride book in my hand in a bougie New York hotel guest lounge. Text overlaid with details of event: wed 830pm maritime hotel Bantry. Photo of balsam Karam’s book The singularity with some small postits sticking out
July 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Article No.4 in my series on non-fiction writing up there now on @rte.ie Culture #craftofnonfiction #writing www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
Screenshot of headlines and images on RTÉ website: Get Creative: The craft of non-fiction - writing audio essays Get Creative • 14 Hrs Get Creative: The craft of non-fiction - on self-editing Get Creative • 20 May Get Creative: The craft of non-fiction - writing first sentences Get Creative • 11 May Get Creative: The craft of non-fiction - writing personal essays Get Creative • 04 May
May 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Launched beautiful publication with Catherine Barron to mark 15-year retrospective at Waterford Gallery of Art. Published by Molesworth Gallery, photography by Hannah Bloom, and a new essay by me.

🙏 Maddison Harris for capturing in conversation pic.

#irishart #irishartist #artwriting #painting
Collage of images including Catherine Barron and Cristín Leach seated with mics on conversation in the gallery (photo by Maddison Harris) and shots of the book cover and interior pages. Cover of book Inner first page with one painting and the words CATHERINE BARRON YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP WATERFORD GALLERY OF ART APRIL 17h - AUGUST 16th 2025
May 25, 2025 at 8:02 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
Some paintings from Catherine Barron’s Waterford Gallery of Art show.
Painting on metal plate based on only family photos, by Catherine Barron. Selection of Catherine Barron book cover paintings - images painted on vintage hardback linen covered book covers. These are displayed in table top vitrines in the gallery. This is a shot taken through the vitrine glass looking down, showing some painted covers. Sky, lake, a woman sitting on a sun lounger. Small painting. Catherine Barron self portrait. A woman seen reflected in glass with rolls of what looks like fabric/paper/wallpaper in front. Neon yellow acrylic frame.
May 16, 2025 at 9:01 AM
cristinleach.bsky.social
We’ll be launching Catherine Barron's You Couldn't Make It Up publication to go with her mid-career retrospective at Waterford Gallery of Art with an in-conversation at 2pm 24 May (WaterfordGallery@waterfordcouncil.ie to guarantee a seat). Show runs until 16 Aug. Copies for purchase on the evening.
Square image with text in yellow - You Couldn’t Make It Up Catherine Barron - obscuring the background image of a painting with a retro feel featuring a family posing for the camera on a doorstep in the sun.
May 16, 2025 at 8:48 AM