Michael Harding was born and raised in Cavan. Having worked as a teacher and as a prison social worker, he returned to Maynooth as a seminarian and was ordained in 1980. He left the priesthood in 1985. A poet, novelist, actor, and columnist, he lives in Leitrim with his family.

Declan O’Rourke is an Irish singer-songwriter and author. Declan released his debut novel, The Pawnbroker’s Reward, in 2021. He released his debut album, Since Kyabram, in 2004 and has been crafting songs, poetry, and fiction ever since. His latest musical work, Arrivals, was produced by Paul Weller.

Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe is a poet, pacifist and fabulist. Auguries of a Minor God, her first collection, was published with Faber & Faber in 2021, and has been shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize. Born in India, Nidhi grew up across the Middle East, Europe and North America, before calling Ireland home.

Hugh Cooney is a Dublin-based artist, comedian, and folklore enthusiast. Host of the Folklord podcast, he’s interested in the traditional Irish art of storytelling.

Æ MAK, a creation, experiments on the border lines of pop, continuing to build and inhabit her other world. Once you visit, you’ll probably want to move there. She has supported Django Django, Warpaint and the mighty tune-yards; performed sold-out Irish headliners; and played at major festivals across Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Iceland.