Emma Dabiri and Christina Collins

Emma Dabiri is an Irish author, academic, and broadcaster. Her groundbreaking debut book, Don’t Touch My Hair, first published in 2019, formed from the frustrations of growing up as a person of colour in a very white Ireland. Born to a Trinidadian mother and black Nigerian father, her tight curly hair was a “constant source of deep, deep shame”, and a constant battle of straightening until she realised this fight against its nature didn’t sit well with her politics. Don’t Touch My Hair, a book is about why black hair matters and how it can be viewed as a blueprint for decolonisation, established Emma Dabiri as a voice to be listened to and a force to be reckoned with.

In her latest book, What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition, Emma Dabiri outlines how the idea of race was constructed to bolster capitalism. She draws on years of research and personal experience to explain how, in a divided world, unity and coalition are needed to create a future that works for everyone and challenges us to create meaningful, lasting change.

Christina Collins is a UCC graduate with a BA in Language and Cultural Studies and a Higher Diploma in Advanced Languages and Global Communications, specialising in French, English and Portuguese studies. She is a Communications professional, working with organisations in the Arts, Culture and Tourism sectors. Christina has a particular interest in international politics, social and cultural issues as well as Irish feminist history. Christina has twice appeared on Dublin Digital Radio presenting “Songs of Protest and Revolution” which offers listeners an exploration of historical moments through the cultural artifact of music. She is also a singer-songwriter who self-produces her own music.

The Dingle Literary Festival was established in 2019 to create an annual book festival to bring readers and authors together in West Kerry. It’s a literary festival that celebrates living writers as well as honouring the literary heritage of the area. Festival events happen in both Irish and English and range across all genres and age groups. We present both author events and writers’ workshops.

Our vision is of a festival where literature, language and landscape converge to create moments to share stories, to connect minds and allow magic to blossom. It’s a place that sparks discussion, fosters innovation and collaboration in the arts and creates a multigenerational community of readers and writers.

The Dingle Literary Festival is a book festival that elevates and celebrates the richness of Irish language and literature in contemporary life. We encourage a vibrant, relevant literary community to support both established and emerging writers.

Follow this link for news of this year’s festival