Yesterday the Arts Council and Westmeath County Council held a special event to commemorate the centenary of renowned author and Athlone native, John Broderick. With over 100 people in attendance, the celebration took place at the award-winning Luan Gallery in Athlone. The evening was a tribute to Broderick’s life, his influential work, and his enduring legacy in the Irish literary canon and LGBTQ+ fiction. The event saw author Eithne Shortall announced as this year’s recipient of the John Broderick writer’s residency. This was accompanied by the relaunch of John’s acclaimed novel, The Waking of Willie Ryan, in print and for the first time as an audio book.

John Broderick, born on 30 July 1924 in Athlone, was a distinguished author and literary critic. Throughout his lifetime, he authored 12 novels, with notable works including The Waking of Willie Ryan and the once-banned, The Pilgrimage. Broderick passed away in Bath, England, in 1989.

Following his death, Broderick bequeathed his estate to the Arts Council for "the benefit and advancement of the Arts in Athlone". This generous endowment has since established a writer’s residency in Athlone, benefiting writers Annemarie Ní Churreáin (2018), Martin Dyar (2019), and Keith Payne (2021), who have all deeply engaged with Broderick’s works during their residencies.

The 2024 recipient of the John Broderick writer’s residency, Eithne Shortall, is an esteemed author, columnist, and broadcaster. Eithne has penned five bestselling novels, including Love in Row 27 and Grace After Henry, the latter winning Best Page Turner at the UK’s Big Book Awards. She has also contributed significantly to journalism and broadcasting, working with RTÉ, BBC, and TG4. Eithne will begin her residency in September 2024.

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, said: 

"We are thrilled with the selection of Eithne Shortall as the John Broderick Writer In Residence 2024. John's work during the 1960s and 1970s inspired and challenged readers with its depth and honesty. He wrote about topics rarely expressed at the time and his generous legacy has profoundly impacted the arts in Athlone. The writer's residency established through his bequest has nurtured remarkable talent, allowing writers to delve deeply into Broderick’s works and create new, resonant literature. This centenary celebration, including Eithne's appointment is a testament to his enduring influence and the vital role the arts play in our community."

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Sinéad O’Reilly, Director of Combined Arts in the Arts Council, said: 

"With this centenary event and residency series we are shining a spotlight on his legacy and his rightful place alongside literary peers such as Brendan Behan and Flann O’Brien. His dedication to the arts and hometown of Athlone deserves this celebration of his life and works and the affirmation of his lasting impact on the literary world. As we move into the centenary programme, the new writer in residence Eithne Shortall will pay a vital role in bringing John Broderick's legacy to life."

Also in attendance was Cllr Frankie Keena, Mayor of Athlone Municipal District, who said: 

"Westmeath has produced some fine cultural figures, and among its best is John Broderick. The centenary of Broderick’s birth allows us the opportunity to celebrate Broderick’s significant contributions to Ireland’s literary culture and his cultural contributions to the town of Athlone. Wonderful opportunity to gather in Athlone’s stunning Luan Gallery on July 30 to celebrate Broderick’s life and legacy."

The centenary celebration honoured Broderick’s contributions to literature and his significant impact on LGBTQ+ fiction in Ireland. The event featured readings, discussions, and reflections on his work and its relevance today. 

In conjunction with the centenary, Broderick’s acclaimed novel, The Waking of Willie Ryan, will be republished by Lilliput Press. This new edition will be available in both print and audio book formats, narrated by actor Naoise Dunbar. The novel tells the story of Willie Ryan, a sixty-year-old gay man who returns to his hometown after twenty-five years in an insane asylum, where he was committed by his family. Naoise read extracts from this book at the event. 

The paperback will also be available via the libraries network and can also be purchased through Lilliput Press and bookstores across the country from week beginning the 29 July.

The audio book will be available for free through the Libraries network on the Borrow Box app and on the Lilliput website.

The event included poetry recitals by previous Writers In Residence, Keith Payne and Annemarie Ní Churreáin. Insights into John's writing was offered from Maynooth University lecturer Martin G. Cronin. Actor Naoise Dunbar performed a reading from the newly republished The Waking Of Willy Ryan, while music was provided on the night by Bream / Dylan O’Muineóg. 

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