Since childhood, I have found joy in being surrounded by books.....to step into the role of writer-in-residence- not just anywhere, but at the Library of Africa & the African Diaspora (LOATAD)- is a dream come true.

I have long been intrigued by the Irish struggle. Drawn to its layered pain and poetry, I have asked Irish friends for film recommendations, searching for context. On a visit to Dublin, the sanitised, tourist-friendly gloss left me unsatisfied. I wanted the grit, the story beneath the souvenir shops

From the very beginning, UCC offered me an academic home away from home. It was a perfect match. Its proximity to key research sites, its academic depth, & the welcoming spirit of its community made it ideal. I came in search of connection & understanding. What I received was more than I imagined, especially since I hadn’t even known about it properly beforehand.