Mythmaking in Modern Ireland – In Conversation with Ruth Ennis & Ellen Ryan

Bringing together two of Ireland's most exciting voices in myth and imagination, join us to learn how leaning into mythology can help. About the Event Bringing together two of Ireland's most exciting voices in myth and imagination, Ellen Ryan and Ruth Ennis, join The Lit Coorganisers for an exciting discussion about tall tales, phoney fables, and how leaning into mythology can help us cope with reality. About Ellen Ryan Ellen Ryan is a journalist and author who has contributed to the Irish Times and Irish Independent among other media. Her debut book, Girls Who Slay Monsters, won Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2022 and was shortlisted for overall Book of the Year. It went on to win the Book of the Year Award at KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2023, and the Junior Juries’ Award, as voted for by thousands of young readers. Girls Who Slay Monsters was the official inspiration for Ireland’s national 2023 St Patrick’s Day Parade. Ellen's second book, Gods Don’t Cry, was shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023 and was commended on The Late Late Toy Show 2023. Ryan's latest book, They Called Us Witch, was released last month. It tells the remarkable stories of ten women who embodied magic in their daily lives and boldly defied oppression. About Ruth Ennis Ruth Ennis is a writer from Kildare. Her work has been published in The Irish Writer’s Handbook (Books Ireland) and I Am The Wind (Little Island). Ruth’s debut novel Shorelines (Little Island) is a young adult verse novel retelling of The Little Mermaid, told through the lens of a fat protagonist. Ruth is usually working with books in some capacity. She was the Emerging Writer in Residence at the dlr LexIcon 2025-2026. She regularly reviews children’s and young adult books on various platforms. Her main reviews can be found on the Books Ireland Magazine website. She is also a Book Doctor (Professional Book-Recommender) for Children's Books Ireland.