When & Where

• Date: Friday 10 October 2025

• Time: 2.00pm (30 minutes)

• Venue: Twin Towns Library, The BASE, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal

ABOUT

Edited by Isla McGuckin, the collection brings together the voices of blind and vision-impaired writers from across Ireland, offering readers a rich tapestry of poetry, short stories, and reflections. The anthology not only revives the spirit of Frances Browne — herself a pioneering 19th-century author from Stranorlar who triumphed over the limitations of her age — but also shines a light on a new generation of storytellers whose words see far beyond the visible world.

About Isla

Isla McGuckin is a dreamer and a writer and the proud mother of daughters. Endlessly optimistic, Isla believes that words have the power to open hearts, change minds and make the world a better place. Born and raised in urban Yorkshire, Isla is now based in rural Donegal. Her children's book April's Garden was nominated for a 2024 YOTO Carnegie Medal, the UK's longest running and best-loved children’s book awards.

• Tea and refreshments provided

Acknowledgements

With thanks to funders Donegal County Library Service and Creative Ireland.
Festival sponsors: Donegal County Council and the Finn Valley Voice.

About the Frances Browne Literary Festival

The Frances Browne Literary Festival celebrates the life and legacy of Frances Browne (1816–1879), the “Blind Poetess of Ulster.” Rooted in her hometown of Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, the festival brings together poets, writers, musicians, and communities from Ireland and beyond to share in her spirit of creativity, inclusion, and multilingual expression.

📖 Explore the full programme and festival information at: www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com