The life, work and enduring influence of J.P. Donleavy, one of Ireland’s most distinctive literary voices, will be celebrated at a special Mullingar Literary Festival event this July.

Writer Theresa Ryder, former personal assistant to the late J.P. Donleavy, will present a deeply personal account exploring Donleavy’s writing, archive, literary reputation and strong connections with the Mullingar area.

The event will take place on Friday 3rd July 2026 at 9.00pm in Caffrey’s, Mount Street, Mullingar, as part of Mullingar Literary Festival 2026. Admission is free, and audiences are advised to arrive early.

Best known internationally as the author of The Ginger Man, J.P. Donleavy remains one of the most original, provocative and recognisable voices in modern Irish literature. His work combined sharp wit, lyrical invention, social satire and unforgettable characterisation, securing his place as a major figure in Ireland’s literary story.

For Mullingar and the wider Westmeath area, Donleavy’s legacy carries particular significance. His life and work are woven into the cultural memory of the region, and this special festival session offers audiences a rare chance to hear about the man, the writer and the mythology from someone who knew him personally.

Theresa Ryder will draw on her years as gatehouse tenant and personal assistant to Donleavy, offering an intimate portrait of the author behind the public reputation. The evening will include selected readings from Donleavy’s work, extracts from Theresa’s forthcoming memoir, and stories from her time working with Donleavy’s archive, now held in the National Library of Ireland.

With rare editions, publication anecdotes and memories of Donleavy’s Mullingar connections, the event promises to be a lively, revealing and deeply personal celebration of a writer whose work continues to fascinate readers, scholars and lovers of Irish literature.

Theresa Ryder is an Irish writer of prose, poetry, memoir and plays. Her work is widely published and performed, and she is the recipient of the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award, Bealtaine Emerging Artist 2024, and an English Literature Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland. Her memoir about her years as gatehouse tenant and P.A. to J.P. Donleavy is due to be published early next year.

A spokesperson for Mullingar Literary Festival said:

“This is a very important event for anyone interested in the works of J.P. Donleavy, but also for anyone who values the wealth of Irish literature in general. Donleavy was a truly distinctive literary figure, and Theresa Ryder brings a rare and personal perspective on his life, his writing, his archive and his connection to this area.”

The event forms part of Mullingar Literary Festival 2026, which runs from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2026, bringing a weekend of books, writing, poetry, workshops, children’s events, readings, performances and literary celebration to Mullingar.