What the Walls Remember

In the city of Cork lies the former Victorian mental asylum known as Our Lady’s, now transformed into modern apartments. The building and its stories are a haunting presence in both Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s Said the Dead and Noelle McCarthy’s Stakes.

Blending fiction, fact and archival discovery, Said the Dead uncovers the stories of the women who knew this asylum best, moving between past and present as Ní Ghríofa delves into the hospital’s casebooks. McCarthy’s darkly funny memoir, about Dracula, desire, and self-acceptance, returns repeatedly to Our Lady’s in its many incarnations, where her mother Carol worked as a nurse.

In conversation with Claire Mabey, these Irish authors discuss the building’s hold on their lives, its violence and legacy, and how the dead continue to speak through archives, memory and storytelling.

Doireann Ní Ghríofa will join digitally for this event; Noelle McCarthy will appear in person.

Verb's official Festival Bookseller, Unity Books will be on-site bookselling, and Noelle McCarthy will be book signing after the event.

This event is part of the 2026 Verb Readers & Writers Festival. Please see verbwellington.nz for more information.

Festival Passes are a great way to save money and enjoy the full festival experience: just $80 for a 4-event pass. They are available until midday Thursday 24 September.

Many thanks to our generous funders, sponsors and members of Verb Community in supporting Verb Readers & Writers Festival 2026.