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From:Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Pop-up library brings contemporary Irish literature to the European Parliament in Brussels

Súil Amach / An Outward Eye was officially opened in the EU Parliament Buildings, Brussels last night. Súil Amach is the third flagship project by Culture Ireland, as part ofCultúr 2026the Culture Programme to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

Taking inspiration from the Irish proverb “An té a bhíonn siúlach, bíonn scéalach” (those who travel have stories to tell), Literature Ireland and award-winning photographer Conor Horgan have brought together 24 portraits of contemporary Irish writers selected for their distinctive voices and international reach:John Banville, Kevin Barry, Sara Baume, Garrett Carr, Jan Carson, Mary Costello, Naoise Dolan, Anne Enright, Wendy Erskine, Seán Farrell, Elaine Feeney, Nicole Flattery, Vona Groarke, Louise Kennedy, Ferdia Lennon, Paul Lynch, Louise Nealon, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, Micheál Ó Conghaile, Darach Ó Scolaí, Elske Rahill and Colm Tóibín.

Each portrait places a writer in a setting that holds personal or creative significance, from homeplaces to landscapes to everyday urban spaces that reflect their imaginative world.

Selected for their distinctive voices and international reach, the writers featured are both rooted in Irish experience and widely read across different cultural contexts.

At its heart, the exhibition is a celebration of writing as connection – where stories are not fixed in one place, but continually carried, shared, and reimagined. The portraits are accompanied by a library of Irish books by the writers in European translations, which can be taken home to be read, enjoyed and passed on. These striking portraits offer a moment of insight into the faces of some of Ireland’s most ground-breaking and original literary artists.

Each writer’s work has been translated into at least one of the European Union’s 24 official languages – building bridges across our continent, enriching our shared culture, and bringing Europeans closer together through the universal power of language.

Speaking today, Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:

“Ireland is rightly celebrated for its incredible cultural heritage, with a long tradition of outstanding writers, musicians and artists that continue to inspire us today. However, it is equally important to acknowledge the immense talent of our contemporary literary voices - Cultúr 2026, represents this spirit and this exhibition exemplifies this."

“I wish to thank the team at Literature Ireland and Conor Horgan for their hard work on this fascinating exhibition. I would also like to extend my thanks to the team at the European Parliament for their support and, most importantly, to the writers who agreed to participate in this important project.”