Tales of Resilience: Cork World Book Fest 2025

Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin and Katriona O’Sullivan, in conversation with Elmarie Mawe.

A reading and conversation from two formidable women and authors, whose experience of resistance, fortitude and eventually of well-being will help guide us all through the patchwork of life.

Tales of a Patchwork Life by Irish journalist and storyteller Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin is a memoir of resilience in the face of uncharted grief, finding solace in art, cooking and storytelling. This work celebrates the unconventional people and passions that sustained her.

Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan, is the extraordinary story – moving, funny, brave, and sometimes startling – of how Katriona turned her life around. How the seeds of self-belief planted by teachers in childhood stayed with her. How she found mentors whose encouragement revitalised those seeds in adulthood, leading her to become an award-winning academic whose work challenges barriers to education.

Poor is not only Katriona’s story but is also her impassioned argument for the importance of looking out for our kids’ futures. Of giving them hope, practical support and meaningful opportunities.

Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin is an award-winning Irish journalist known for her captivating storytelling. The late John B. Keane once remarked, ‘Biddy has been a storyteller all her life. In drawings, words and painting, she has captured the tales of common and not-so-common folk caught up in the maelstrom of life.’

Professor Katriona O’Sullivan is a professor in the faculty of science in Maynooth University, a psychologist and memoirist. Her first book, Poor, debuted at #1 on the Irish Non-Fiction bestseller list. As one of five children in a home shaped by her parents’ heroin addiction, Katriona’s story chronicles her journey from poverty, teenage pregnancy, homelessness to graduating with a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and becoming an award-winning lecturer whose work challenges barriers to education.

Elmarie Mawe is a broadcaster, presenter and MC. Her Sunday morning show “The Arts House” on Cork’s 96FM & C103 celebrates and promotes as much of the arts scene in Cork as she and her husband Conor Tallon can pack in 2 hours! An avid reader, she is delighted to moderate at this year’s Festival.