Beyond Borders Book Club

The Beyond Borders Book Club is a celebration of great literature from countries beyond Ireland, recommended by guests who have personal connections to the places featured in these works. Its aim is to introduce audiences in Ireland to the rich diversity of writing and literature from around the world.

The Book Club meetings are led by writer and community activist Sarah Clancy and we are delighted to announce our 2025-2026 schedule.

At each Book Club meeting, a presenter shares a book they love and feel connected to, and invites audience members join the discussion about it. The four presenters will come together on March 7 at 2pm for a final event.

Thursday December 4 2025, De Valera Library, Ennis at 6.15pm

Cecilia Bzizuela from Argentina has been living in Ennis since 2023, works in community development and is the Coordinator for Women’s Collective Ireland (WCI) Clare. Ceclia will discuss Las aventuras de la China Iron reimagines Martín Fierro, a classic gaucho epic, but through the eyes of a woman. This book speaks of migration, resilience, and the power of storytelling to imagine unknown places.

Thursday January 22 2026, De Valera Library, Ennis at 6.15pm

Anteta Stepien from Poland is a lecturer at Maynooth University and author Shame, Masculinity and Desire of Belonging. Reading Contemporary Male Authors (2017), a comparative study of the literary and gendered expressions of shame. Aneta will discuss Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, a subversive, entertaining noir novel set in a remote Polish village,

 Thursday February 12 2026, De Valera Library, Ennis at 6.15pm

Mercedes Varona Pereira from Habana, Cuba and now living in Galway will discuss The Man Who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura.  An ambitious and brilliantly executed novel, it is the story of revolutions fought and betrayed, how men’s political convictions are continually tested and manipulated, and a powerful critique of the role of fear in consolidating political power.

 All events are free

Ennis Book Club Festival is very grateful to Clare Libraries as our event venue.

Kindly Supported by the Integration Fund