DABF26 Reading: Brendan Mac Evilly, 'A Personal History of Pyromania'

In this intimate, darkly comic essay-performance, writer Brendan Mac Evilly reflects on the meanings and functions of fire in life and art. Moving between childhood experiments with homemade fireworks, family and national history and his novel 'Deep Burn', Mac Evilly traces his lifelong fascination with flame, asking why we’re drawn to fire and what it can transform. Combining live reading, ceramics, projected media and sound, 'A Personal History of Pyromania' considers fire as a force of attraction, creation, remembrance and release.

Credits:

Writer and performer: Brendan Mac Evilly
Director and media designer: David McGovern
Music and sound designer: Kevin Cleary
Recorded readings: Aisling Flynn

Event location information: This event will take place in a room with theatre style seating, dimly lit for the performance. Candles and sparklers will be lit during the performance. The space is accessible by lift and stairs and there is a semi-accessible bathroom on the ground floor. Please check-in at the cash desk in Dublin Art Book Fair, where you will be directed to the event room. For further accessibility information please contact Learning + Public Engagement Curator Órla Goodwin.

Dublin Art Book Fair (3–13 December 2026) is a centre for contemporary artist books offering a wide selection of artist publications and titles from creative, small and independent publishers, both Irish or international, to browse or buy. In conjunction with the Fair, DABF presents an programme of book launches, publishers talks, and workshops, offering ways to engage and gain insight into contemporary independent and arts publishing.

The event is supported by Arts Council Literature and Tolka Journal. DABF26 is proudly sponsored by Henry J Lyons and supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.