'Maria Auxiliadora Perez Vides and Jose Carregal Romero, along with their outstandingly devoted team of volunteers, organised a seamless, insightful and wonderfully sociable AEDEI Conference in Huelva University this year. The papers were varied, encompassing aspects of philosophy, contemporary fiction - including children's fiction, a most welcome addition, as children are the next generation of readers - memoir, sociology, history and literary criticism. So many conversations were begun, and are still continuing, and so many aspects of Irishness were explored: I am still processing all that we discussed, formally and informally. Thank you so much, to the organisers, to the Irish Itinerary and to Culture Ireland, for inviting me to be part of this transformational experience.'

Catherine Dunne

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'Being at AEDEI Conference was like meeting with old friends and family, everyone was very kind and open to embrace newcomers. One of the highlights was meeting Catherine Dunne. I enjoyed a lot the way she shared with us insights on her writing methods, her inspiration, and her experience as a writer with the editorial world. She also shared personal memories of her beginnings as a teacher and read a truly amazing excerpt from her last work, A Good Enough Mother. Afterwards I was able to speak with her, and she displayed such a sensibility that inspired me greatly; it was a privilege to be able to meet her personally.'

Sandra Pinasco Espinosa

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'The 23rd AEDEI Conference: The Uses and Abuses of Irishness took place at the University of Huelva from 28th to 30th May. This conference was filled with insightful talks that highlighted the wide diversity encompassed by the field of Irish studies today. Furthermore, the conference included the participation of Irish writer Catherine Dunne as part of the EFACIS Irish Itinerary. In conversation with Prof. Auxiliadora Pérez Vides, and addressing questions from the public, Dunne discussed the impact of Ireland’s past in contemporary Irish writing, issues of translation, and personal influences on her work. She finished by reading an excerpt from her 2024 novel A Good Enough Mother, a meaningful experience that offered a more engaging approach to her writing. Thank you to the organisers for putting such a wonderful and enriching conference together.'  

Iria Seija Pérez, University of Vigo

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