Organising Team

OrganisingTeam

WHO WE ARE

Organising Team

The Organising Team for the Festival is made up of a group of volunteers, supported by a professional artistic director. Our wish is to create a Festival that we ourselves would like to go to, where we can combine our passion for reading with a great weekend away. The Organising Committee is ably assisted each year by many Festival helpers, without whom the Festival would not happen.

Ennis Book Club Festival Committee

Niamh O'Donovan | Chairperson

Niamh has been a public librarian for over 20 years and is the current Children’s Librarian and Right to Read Coordinator with Clare Libraries. Niamh joined the voluntary organising committee in 2022 and in addition to her Chairperson role is responsible for the Beyond Borders Book Club. Her work in libraries focuses on literacy interventions for children and adults, community engagement, and of course promoting reading for pleasure. Niamh’s passion for literature and her ability to handle complex tasks with ease makes her an invaluable member of the team. .

Martina Durac | Artistic Director

Martina has been the Artistic Director of EBCF since 2022 curating an exceptional lineup of authors and writers. With a profound passion for literature and a keen eye for emerging talent, Martina is dedicated to bringing diverse and inspiring voices to the Festival. A documentary filmmaker, curator, designer, and lecturer for over 25 years, Martina was the originator and series producer on a long-running weekly books programme on RTÉ called Imprint which featured many memorable interviews with writers such as Eavan Boland, Brendan Kenneally, Joe O’Connor, Gore Vidal, Maeve Binchy and many more. Her creative vision and strategic planning ensure that our Festival programme is engaging, thought-provoking, and reflective of the literary world’s rich tapestry.

Angela Connaughton | Treasurer

Working at glór, Angela watched and admired the Festival growing from strength to strength since its inception in 2007 and was delighted to join the voluntary organising committee in September 2020, taking on the role of Treasurer. Angela loves the excitement, camaraderie and pleasure of working with a group of like-minded, committed individuals to bring the Book Club Festival to Ennis. With 20 years as a book club member and previous lives in Accountancy and Law, Angela brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her roles on the organising committee.

Bríd Hayes | Festival Administrator

Bríd is EBCF Administrator and works tirelessly to create a seamless experience for contributors and attendees alike, managing everything from budgets to funding, sponsorship, and Festival logistics. Having formerly worked in Magazine Publishing and Advertising, Bríd brings a keen understanding and unflappable calm to proceedings and hugely enjoys working with the Festival. Her attention to detail and excellent organisational skills are crucial to the success of the Festival.

Emer Bowen | Production

Emer, a public librarian with Clare County Library service, is an avid reader and especially loves introducing children to books and the library experience. As a huge fan of book clubs, she jumped at the chance to volunteer with the EBCF organising committee in 2022 and is enjoying the challenges and fun of being part of the team. Emer works on all aspects of coordinating the Festival weekend, from production schedules to sourcing of event props, ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. Her enthusiasm and expertise are integral to the success of the Festival.

Priscilla Dinan | Sponsorship

Priscilla joined the committee in 2024 and is hugely passionate about all things arts and culture. Her proactive approach to involvement, particularly in the area of sponsorship matches her enthusiasm for the literary arts.

As well as her HR and people profession experience, Priscilla has produced content in a review capacity for digital publications covering everything from live performance to literature. She has also written extensively for local Clare newspapers as a columnist and profile interviewer. When not reading or writing, Priscilla can usually be found at a music or comedy gig.
We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla to the organising committee and look forward to the creativity and dedication she will undoubtedly bring to the Festival planning and execution.

Louise Eccles | Social Media & Marketing

Louise is from Ennis and is currently a student of English Literature and History at the University of Limerick, after which she plans to complete a Master’s degree in English Literature and Publishing at NUI Galway.

She has always loved reading and getting lost in a world of books and poetry, which is what drew her to volunteer at EBCF2024 and subsequently to join the voluntary organising committee. Louise’s genuine love of literature as well as her natural aptitude for social media make her an invaluable addition to the team. We look forward to the fresh ideas and enthusiastic spirit she will bring to the Festival.

Louise Eccles | Social Media & Marketing

Louise is from Ennis and is currently a student of English Literature and History at the University of Limerick, after which she plans to complete a Master’s degree in English Literature and Publishing at NUI Galway.

She has always loved reading and getting lost in a world of books and poetry, which is what drew her to volunteer at EBCF2024 and subsequently to join the voluntary organising committee. Louise’s genuine love of literature as well as her natural aptitude for social media make her an invaluable addition to the team. We look forward to the fresh ideas and enthusiastic spirit she will bring to the Festival.

Board Members

Ciana Campbell, Bridget Ginnity, Cora Gunter, Michael Conneely, Dani Gill & Angela Connaughton.

Former Committee Members

The reputation of the Ennis Book Club Festival has been built up over a long number of years by a range of different people who have given freely of their time and dedication to ensure the success of the Festival. Former Organising Committee members include:
> Emily O’Dwyer >> Patricia Callaly > Ciana Campbell > Michael Connelly > Aidan Courtney > Fíona De Buitléir > Mary Donnelly > Bridget Ginnity > Cora Gunter > Mary Henchy > Mary Kenneally > Ann Knox > Ita Lawton > Nollag MacNamara > Cathy McDermott > Ruth McDonnell > Catherine O’Brien > Emer O’Connell > Frances O’Gorman > Catherine O’Hara > Paula Sheils > Helen Walsh