Follow Frank McNally’s writer’s instinct as we go for a run that might make it into his Irishman’s Diary.

For some authors, writing a novel is akin to running a marathon – the journey is as essential and as meaningful as the destination. Running and writing are, in their own contexts, deeply creative undertakings. How does the loneliness of the long distance runner affect the writer? Can running free up the creative mind in ways we haven’t previously considered? Along an inspiring run through the streets of Dublin, journalist, writer, and self-confessed runner Frank McNally will pause for breath at key points along the way to talk about the writer’s train – or track – of thought, and the ways in which running opens up the mind’s creative possibilities … if you can get yourself up and out the door!  

This will be a leisurely and thoughtful run but participants should be suitably fit for a 5km distance with stops along the way. 

Frank McNally is an Irish Times journalist and chief writer of An Irishman’s Diary. He describes himself variously as a runner, a Monaghan football supporter, a Flannorak (one can only presume he means Flann O’Brien), and a reluctant cat owner.