Our Committee

Chair - Catherine Daly

Originally a pharmacist, Catherine has had three novels – All Shook Up, Charlotte's Way and A French Affair – published since 2004. She has also written short stories and the occasional free-lance article and is working on her next novel. Find out more about Catherine on her website www.catherinedaly.com
 
 

Treasurer - Marita Conlon McKenna

Formerly chairperson, Marita continues on the comittee as treasurer. An award winning author of adult and children's fiction, her books have been widely translated. Winner of The International Reading Association Award (U.S.) she does much to promote the joys of reading and writing for all ages. Her new book, 'The Matchmaker', was published in 2007.
 

Secretary - Eilis Ni Dhuibhne

Éilis Ní Dhuibhne is an award-winning writer of many novels and short story collections. She writes in both Irish and English, and her works include The Bray House, The Dancers Dancing, and Dunmharú sa Daingean. Under the pseudonym Elizabeth O’Hara she has written several books for young people, among them the popular Hiring Fair trilogy. Her novel Fox, Swallow, Scarecrow, was published in 2007. She lives in Dublin. More information at www.eilisnidhuibhne.net
 

Secretary - Anne Le Marquand Hartigan

Anne has published five collections of Poetry and a personal meditation on the "Why of Writing". She has had several plays performed professionally, and in 1995 won the Irish section of the Mobil International Playwrights competition. Her play La Corbiere is published in the collection Seen and Heard (Carysfort Press). She has had short stories and poems published in many anthologies in America, Britain and Ireland, and has given poetry readings and workshops in the States, UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Romania and Ireland

 
 

PRO - Marion Hancock

Marion Hancock worked in magazine publishing in London, as editor of Design ( a monthly magazine for designers) and then with Emap on a range of business titles. Her non-fiction book How to Buy Design was published by the Design Council. She then became head of corporate publications for the Health Education Authority. She is an award-winning corporate communications editor, and since coming to Ireland with her husband David she has freelanced in editing and copywriting. In her spare time she paints, and wonders whether she will ever write a line of fiction.

 


Minutes Secretary - Jenny Purcell

Jenny assists secretary in representing associate members of Irish PEN. She has written for film company in Entertainment and Sales divisions. Also writes scripts for personnel training videos, and feature articles for newspapers and radio.

 

Fr. J. Anthony Gaughan

J Anthony Gaughan, PhD, D.Litt, is a parish priest, writer and historian. He has published 24 books on a wide range of subjects. Scouting in Ireland is to be launched at Writers' Week, Listowel in 2006

 

Sarah Webb

Sarah is a full time writer who lives in Dublin with her partner, Ben and three children. She also works as children's book consultant, writes for Woman's Way magazine, organises readers' days, and reviews children's books for the Irish Independent. Her seventh novel, When the Boys are Away will be published in early 2007. Sarah is currently working on her eight novel.
Find out more about Sarah on her website www.sarahwebb.info
 

Des Traynor

Desmond Traynor is a graduate of UCD and Trinity, and a Hennessy Literary Award winner, whose debut novel The Myth of Exile and Return was nominated for the 2005 Irish Novel of the Year Award. A frequent contributor to many Irish and international publications, writing on literature, music, film and visual art, he has taught literature and creative writing at Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland, Dublin Business School and UCD.