Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin - Ordinary Saints
WithNiamh Ni Mhaoileoin
In conversation withSasha de Buyl
On:24th April 2025, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Attendance options:
We're excited that Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is coming to the bookshop to launch her debut novel, Ordinary Saints. It's an arresting, unmissable debut novel that was shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award. Ní Mhaoileoin will be in conversation with writer and programmer Sasha de Buyl.
This event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience, as well as a livestream for attendees watching from home. There will be a signing after the event.
In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of Ordinary Saints – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of Ordinary Saints.
About Ordinary Saints:
Can you imagine it?
Can you imagine me there in the front row in Saint Peter's Square?
The lesbian sister of a literal saint.
Brought up in a devout household in Ireland, Jay is now living in London with her girlfriend, determined to live day to day and not think too much about either the future or the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother, who died in a terrible accident, may be made into a Catholic saint, she realises she must at last confront her family, her childhood and herself . . .
Inspired by the author's own devout upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a brilliant debut novel from a fresh, exciting new voice which asks - who gets to decide how we are remembered - and who we will become?
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin Author
Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin was the winner of the inaugural PFD Queer Fiction Prize and was also shortlisted for the Women's Prize Trust Discoveries Prize in 2022. Her début literary novel is Ordinary Saints.
Sasha de Buyl Chair
Sasha de Buyl is a writer and programmer from Cork. Their writing has been published in The Stinging Fly, Belfield Literary Review and Gutter, among others. Most recently, they were Programme Director for International Literature Festival Dublin and in 2023 acted as Guest Curator for StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival. From 2019 - 2022, they were the Director of Cúirt International Festival of Literature in Galway, Ireland. They are currently undertaking a DFA in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.