Welcome!
I’m Karen J. McDonnell – a writer living in the Banner County – County Clare – in the West of Ireland.
If you’d like to contact me about giving a workshop or reading – or to discuss other writing projects – please do so via this site.
My poetry, non-fiction, travel-writing, fiction, and photography have been published in newspapers, journals and anthologies in Ireland and abroad. My work has won awards and appeared on various long- and short-lists. My second poetry collection, TIDAL, was published by Doire Press in autumn 2025, and I continue to work on a project based on the magnificent collections held by the Chester Beatty museum and library in Dublin, as well as plotting one or two others!
Here you’ll find introductions to my work – written and aural – and my Writer’s CV. You can also keep up with any readings, festivals, or workshops I’m involved with.
I have been blogging about reading and writing for a few years. You can link in directly from this site to my old writer’s blog readwritehere.wordpress.com
I got a Diploma in Radio Production in 2015, so I’ve put up some podcasts of programmes, readings, and features, including from my days volunteering with Kinvara FM. The Western Skyline may be off-air for the moment – but I’m not done with radio yet.
Stick around. I’d offer you tea and biccies, but I don’t have a cyber-hospitality app yet!
But if you really need a cuppa: I don’t live too far from Father Ted’s place.
Karen J McDonnell 
Delighted to have found you here Karen. Lots to explore on the music and literary fronts! Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox (where you’ll find Paul Brady, the chieftains and a poem about all Ireland Sunday as well as lots of other sounds!)
Thanks, Thom!
Yep – Paul Brady is a great man. I tried to get the freebie tickets for his special launch gig at Vicar Street but no luck!
He’ll come round again! Thom
Hi karen just read your article about the royal welch fusiliers in limerick. Im currently studying the barracks of limerick in particular 1901to 1922. For an ma in local history in ul. I previously served with army for 32 years in limerick. I would love to hear more about the fusiliers and your grandmother. Particularily any photos etc
Kind regards Stephen
Hi Stephen,
I don’t have photos of her with the Fusiliers as such. The best thing to do is email me directly via the website, and we can discuss it further – if that’s ok?
Hi
I’d like to vote for you for the An Post Poem of the year but I don’t know where I can do that – please can you let me know ? Thanks.
I live in Ennis, a member of Harmony Ladies, thanks.
Rosaleen Doris
Hello Rosaleen. Thanks so much for contacting me. The best way is to vote is to go to the irishbookawards.ie website. There is a place on the front page where you click on to vote. That brings you in to all of the categories – you can vote in as many or as few categories as you choose. You can also click on ‘Shortlists’ on the website and that will bring you to the Poem of Year page and you can read each poem if you want to. I hope that’s of some help. You’re very good to vote for me. I really appreciate it. – Karen