Author interview: Eimear Ryan

Conducted by Caitlin Kelly

Eimear Ryan is a prolific writer with a high standing in many different areas of the publishing industry. She has done everything from short stories to memoirs to being co-founder of Banshee Press (O’Connell). Ryan is a passionate camogie player who writes on her experiences taking part in this female Irish sport. Her memoir The Grass Ceiling is a brilliant analysis taken from her personal experience of the conflicts between gender and sport (Ryan). Ryan is an inspiring author to any young Irish writer looking to take their first steps into the world of literary publishing. I had the pleasure of being able to interview this wonderful author and will share with you her genuine character and more.

Eimear Ryan cannot be discussed without mentioning her co-founding of the award-winning Banshee Press. Banshee Press was founded in 2014 by Ryan and two other writers. Twice a year they publish a literary journal called Banshee as well as a list of books (Banshee Press). When asking Ryan about her experience in the Irish publishing industry and her thoughts about the community, she responded with great enthusiasm. She feels there is a “really strong ecosystem of literary journals and small presses in Ireland, with a lot of solidarity and communication between them”. She tells me about how helpful editors from other Irish publishers were for her when she was starting out with Banshee Press. It is clear from the way she talks about the people within the Irish publishing industry that she is incredibly grateful to be a part of it. It should be assuring to those that want to start dipping their toes into this industry that Ryan's impression of it has been that of great support and welcoming.

"When it comes to publishing and teaching, it's thrilling to discover interesting new voices, and to be in a position to mentor and support them; it feels like a repayment of the mentorship and support that I received from teachers, editors and peers as a young writer."

When asking Ryan what her favourite aspect of her work is, she responded that she enjoys mentoring and supporting others. It is refreshing to speak to someone filled with so much gratitude and who feels so strongly about giving back. Ryan’s work is definitely inspiring to aspiring authors and hearing about her experience also has the same effect. Personally, I found her works broadened my literary interests and opened my eyes to the misogyny in the world of Irish sports. It is so important for those who have a voice to speak about our Irish culture and I am supportive of those who choose to be honest about some of the negative sides to that. Ryan explores some of these negatives in her book The Grass Ceiling.

I could not miss the opportunity to ask this inspiring author what advice she would give to young aspiring writers. As expected, her response was encouraging and informative. She really advises people to just maintain faith in themselves.

"Read widely and be open to everything as a potential influence. I always feel that influence is to be embraced rather than avoided – after all, once it's filtered through your perspective and experience, it will come out looking different anyway. Also, lean into your obsessions and fascinations, the things that excite and bother you – that's where the good material is. Don't worry that it's too weird or that readers won't get it – if you're enthralled by something, it stands to reason that other people will be as well."

On the topic of influences, I asked Ryan what her own inspirations are. She mentioned authors she is interested in at the moment like Hanya Yanagihara and Emily St John Mandel, as well as Irish inspirations like Anne Enright and Kevin Barry. Most interestingly though, Ryan tells me about her original inspiration in her grandfather Seamus, who was “a prolific writer of local history”. She talks about him writing in his living room and, without intentionally doing, so showing her “what it was to have a writing practice”.

It was truly a pleasure to be able to interview Eimear Ryan and learn about her experiences in the industry, her passion for helping others, her advice to those who look up to her, and who she herself looks up to. It is important that we have such inspirational local authors who add to our Irish culture. Ryan writes about the culture of this country from the perspective of someone living in it and her novels spread knowledge of what it is like in Ireland today, beyond the borders of her home country. I implore anyone who has not already read any of Ryan's works to definitely give her a chance so she can inspire you like she has so many others.

WORKS CITED

O’Connor, Christy. “Book Interview: Eimear Ryan Talks about What It Is to Be a Woman in the GAA.” Irish Examiner, 2 June 2023, www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41153836.html. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.‌

O'Connell, Jennifer. "Eimear Ryan: ‘I Thought That There Was Some Trick to Writing a Novel’." The Irish Times, 19 Jun. 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/eimear-ryan-i-thought-that-there-was-some-trick-to-writing-a-novel-1.4596137

Ryan, Eimear. The Grass Ceiling. Penguin, 2024.

"About." Banshee Press, bansheepress.org/about. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.