This is journalist, Furkan Karabay, 29 yrs old who has been held in pre-trial detention in Turkey since May 2025, charged with insulting his president in his news reports. His next trial is 2nd December & he faces 6-15 years in prison if sentenced. We call for his release. Please repost for Furkan.

We are deeply saddened that the broadcaster, writer, and Irish-language champion Manchán Magan has died. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

We at Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann are very glad to host this event:
Looking at Women Looking at War: a War and Justice Diary, by Victoria Amelina.
@booksupstairs.bsky.social Books Upstairs, Dublin, 29 July, 6pm.
booksupstairs.ie/events/

Congratulations to Kurdish poet & honorary member Ilhan Sami Çomak, who spent 30 years in prison in Türkiye. Ilhan has been named as the recipient of the 2025 Jack Hirschman Poetry Prize, an International award honouring writers whose work reflects ideals of justice, peace & human dignity.

Our Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann event at Listowel Writers' Week: @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social and Patrick Holloway, chaired by @mariegethins.bsky.social - and @neilhegarty.bsky.social Empty Chair citation honouring Gaza's Fatima Hassouna.

Thank you, Listowel.

Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann is teaming up with @writersweek.bsky.social Writers Week to bring you @cauverymadhavan.bsky.social Cauvery Madhavan and Patrick Holloway, in conversation with @mariegethins.bsky.social Marie Gethins.
Join us in Listowel!
writersweek.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann supports the position adopted by the Writers' Guild in favour of the introduction of a content levy on streamers: our letter to the Irish Times @irishtimes.com

Please share widely.

@writersguildirl.bsky.social

We at Irish PEN - PEN na hÉireann will soon be completing our migration from the Other Place.

We are delighted to be settling in here at Bluesky - and it's true: look! The sky is nicely blue!

We send our sincere condolences to the family of the esteemed Irish novelist Jennifer Johnston, who died on 25 February.

There will be a public commemoration ceremony this Saturday 1 March at 2pm in the Public Theatre, Trinity College Dublin.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Just published, Victoria Amelina's stories about the Ukraine invasion before she too became a war story; her life tragically lost in the terrible conflict. Described by Philippe Sands as "rare, powerful and affecting".

In her memory we stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Sadly, a hearing to review Pinar Selek's fifth prison sentence due to take place today was postponed until 25th April. We offer her our continued support and solidarity. Free Pinar Silek.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the esteemed poet Michael Longley's death last night in Belfast. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Edna and to his family, and to poets all over the world whose lives have been enriched by his poetry. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

We stand in solidarity with Iranian poet Mahvash Sabat, 71, serving a second 10-year jail sentence following her arrest in 2022. She recently underwent open-heart surgery and will be returned to prison very soon. #FreeMahvash
Please read & repost.
www.newarab.com/news/iranian...

George Szirtes is awarded the King's Gold Medal for Poetry. Congratulations to George for this recognition of his contribution to poetry throughout a long career. We're delighted that he was our guest at our 2023 Dublin Book Festival event alongside fellow Hungarian @csillatoldy.bsky.social 👏👏👏🍾

What a wonderful evening! Congratulations to Heaney Prize-winner @SusannahDickey & @picadorbooks and to our project partners: @englishpen, @seamusheaneyest & our hosts @QUBelfast 👏👏👏👏

We're super excited to be hosted by @QUBelfast tonight for the announcement of the inaugural PEN Heaney prize, when one of these amazing collections will be named the winner. Such an honour to work with @englishpen & @seamusheaneyest to harvest this award. Congratulations to all!

Photos coming in of @ilhan_comak, a free man after 30 years of imprisonment. It's a blurry shot but look at that smile. Welcome back Ilhan Sami - welcome, the world awaits your poetry. #FreeThePoet #ThePoetIsFree @TurkishPEN

Ilhan Sami Çomak is FREE! We are overjoyed that Ilhan Sami, Kurdish poet and our first honorary member, has been released after 30 years of imprisonment. We send him, his family, and his supporters our warmest wishes. We look forward to more poetry. He will no longer be separated from the sun.