Raising Voices Showcase Amelia Etherton, Caoimhe Hennessy, Clara Laherty, Coireall Kent, Eve Magahran and Laura Ambrose
Raising Voices is a programme run by Children’s Books Ireland, Dublin Book Festival, Publishing Ireland, Illustrators Ireland, and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. It aims to develop and support aspiring artists, making work for children and young adults, whose voices have been underrepresented in literature; breaking down barriers to publication, progression and inclusion, and increasing diversity and representation in the Irish literature sector. Join us for a showcase evening of new work by the 2025 Fellows, Amelia Etherton, Caoimhe Hennessy, Clara Laherty, Coireall Kent, Eve Magahran and Laura Ambrose.
In Partnership with Children’s Books Ireland, Publishing Ireland, Illustrators Ireland & the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig.
Please note this is an 18+ event.
The Raising Voices Fellowship (Programme) is supported by The Arts Council, The Ireland Funds, Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council.
Amelia Etherton was born in the UK but has lived in rural Kerry for the last 25 years, working as a freelance editor. When her first child left home, she studied for an online MA in Creative Writing for Children, earning a distinction. She applied to the Raising Voices Fellowship for the incredible opportunity to receive mentorship and collaborate with other creatives, as, while the internet has its uses, you also need humans! Having looked after troubled family members as a teen, she’s passionate about giving a voice to young carers, as well as people with brain differences – she writes from an ADHD perspective.
Caoimhe Hennessy is a freelance illustrator with a passion for storytelling through her vibrant, engaging artwork. Since graduating with a Higher National Diploma in Illustration from Ballyfermot College of Further Education, she has worked on a variety of projects, including children’s books, theatre sets, merchandise design, and promotional materials for Irish businesses. Caoimhe applied for the Raising Voices Fellowship because she believes every child deserves to see themselves represented in books, and that stories featuring LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent characters should celebrate their individuality beyond their identities. She is excited to use the Fellowship’s mentorship to develop her own children’s books, expand her portfolio, and connect with industry professionals.
Clara Laherty is a writer and trans woman from Kilkenny, living in Limerick City. Her hope for her work is that it will ease the reader’s passage through life and make them feel less alone. She has been published in Oestrogeneration, Strange Horizons, Poetry Ireland’s Trumpet, and others. In association with Trans Limerick Community, she was the editor of the zine CAMP CRASH FILTH, which assembled a cross-section of trans writers and artists from across the West of Ireland. In 2023, she was selected for the Irish Writers Centre’s National Mentoring Programme. She is currently working on a Young Adult fantasy novel.
Coireall Kent is a non-binary cartoonist and animation filmmaker from just outside Fermoy, Co. Cork. They graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design in 2023 and live between Ireland and Finland (where they are studying for a master’s degree at Aalto University). They got their start in the Irish indie comics community at seventeen, but were obsessed with storytelling long before that. They enjoy exploring the nuances of queer and cultural identity with humour and an element of fantasy, and often use their own life as inspiration. They can’t wait to connect with like-minded creatives, and they see the Raising Voices Fellowship as unmissable chance to begin creating for younger readers.
Eve Magahran is an illustrator from Belfast. Eve is experimental and open-minded with their approach to illustration, often using both traditional and digital mediums to see their work fully realised. With a strong focus on narrative and story-telling, Eve hopes to use their work to bridge the gap between the down to Earth and the fantastical. They applied for the Raising Voices Fellowship to create connections with other creatives and receive guidance on navigating the world of children’s literature. Eve looks forward to the Fellowship being a chance to learn from both their peers and mentors alike. Their goal for the Fellowship is to create a strong portfolio and to work on finalising a manuscript to send to publishers.
Laura Ambrose lives in Clare with her husband and children. A lifelong lover of stories, Laura’s desire to write is inspired by her work as an educational psychologist, in which she has seen the ways in which literature can generate hope, wonder, and resilience, especially for children and teens experiencing challenges. She aspires to create work for teen readers, and is currently working on a Young Adult novel. She is delighted to be part of the Raising Voices Fellowship, and looks forward to having professional support to develop her writing while finding a new community of authors and illustrators.
