The City Chapter is twenty-five years old this year and keen to celebrate in several ways. The first event is a celebration of World Book Day 2026 with a reading by the author Stuart Neville on Thursday 5 March 2026 at 7.30pm in Armagh Robinson Library.
Stuart supported the City Chapter on two previous occasions: once in 2009 when he gave a reading prior to the publication of his debut novel ‘The Twelve’. It is also known as ‘The Ghosts of Belfast’ which won the Mystery/Thriller category of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. It was also picked as one of the top crime novels of 2009 by both the New York Times and the LA Times. He gave a second reading on crime fiction in 2013 in the former Armagh Gaol building.
Shortlisted for various awards, including the MWA Edgar, CWA Dagger, Theakstons Old Peculier Novel of the Year, Barry, Macavity, Dilys awards, as well as the Irish Book Awards Crime Novel of the Year, Stuart has since published twelve more critically acclaimed books, two of which were under the pen name Haylen Beck, as well as a short story collection.
Speaking ahead of World Book Day, Stuart said,
It’s always a pleasure to do an event for the City Chapter. Libraries have played an important role throughout my life, from borrowing my first books as a child to providing a quiet place to work as an adult. I support libraries because they support me, and I would never have become a writer without them.
The City Chapter, which is the partnership of Armagh City Library, Armagh Robinson Library, the Cardinal O Fiaich Library and Archive and the Cultural Heritage Service Library, is delighted to welcome Stuart back, to hear him talk about and read from his work, to highlight twenty-five years of the collaboration of the Armagh libraries, and to celebrate the National Year of Reading. The partnership is also most grateful to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their support in making this event possible.
Admission is free with donations welcome to the City Chapter. To book a place, please contact Armagh Robinson Library by telephone 028 37523142 or e-mail admin@armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk
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