International Women's Day celebrated in Banbridge

It will be just one of a number of free literary public events taking place across Northern Ireland.

Others include readings, bookshop appearances and library events held to inspire women everywhere to write, read, and champion the literary work of local women.

Organised by Women Aloud NI, events begin on March 7 and continue throughout International Women’s Day on March 8.

The celebrations resume on March 11 when 50 writers will travel to the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin to join a gathering of women there in a joint day-long readathon, supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

This will be complemented by an exciting in-train literary recital on the Translink Enterprise train as the writers make their journey.

Commenting on the planned events Jane Talbot, founder and project manager of Women Aloud NI said: “Building on the success of Women Aloud NI 2016, we’ll be running another ambitious series of literary events to celebrate International Women’s Day.

“Since last year, our community of 130 women writers has grown to an incredible 250. We’re still as diverse and as inclusive as ever, and it’s been wonderful for us to be able to network with each other and support each other over the last 12 months.”

She continued: “We’re equally delighted to be teaming up with the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin. While this is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise the profile of the writing scene for women in Northern Ireland, This collaboration is about meeting our fellow writers based in the Republic of Ireland and cementing relationships across genres and across borders.”

Damian Smyth, Head of Literature, Arts Council, added, “We are delighted to support the Centre in offering women writers an important platform for their work to be heard, to network and to build relationships across genres and across the island.

“Women Aloud has brought a new energy to showcasing women’s written creativity and, since Northern Ireland has produced more than its quota of distinguished women writers, this day of joint celebration in Dublin promises to be quite an experience for all participants.”

Women Aloud NI events are free and open to everyone. They event at Banbridge Library will run from 13.30 to 14.30.

Come along and listen to local writers read their work! Readers include: J.S. Comiskey, Doreen McBride and more.

For further details and to find out how to take part visit womenaloudni.com/women-aloud-ni-2017/#IWD2017 #ReadWomen #WomenAloudNI