AUSTIN, Tex., March 17, 2025 – During the SXSW Conference over the last week, executive director and founder of Torch Literary Arts, Amanda Johnston, welcomed Prime Minister of Ireland Micheál Martin to Austin, Texas for Ireland House. Torch was recognized as a local cultural partner by Robert Hull, Consul General of Ireland for their hospitality during the inaugural Writers Across the Diaspora programming.

During the SXSW programming, Amanda represented Torch Literary Arts as a cultural partner, proudly welcoming Prime Minister of Ireland Micheál Martin along with Mayor Kirk Watson. She read some of her own work as well as work from Nithy Kasa, a visiting Congolese-Irish poet who visited Austin last year.

Torch’s relationship with Ireland is years in the making, starting with funding from Culture Ireland to start the inaugural Writers Across the Diaspora program with Texas State University. The program officially launched on October 9 with visiting poets Nithy Kasa and FELISPEAKS. The two poets spent a week reading and hosting workshops in Central Texas.

The Ireland House activation took place during SXSW in the heart of Downtown Austin at Marlowe from March 9-11 and included nearly 20 events, panels, film events and more. Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s visit to Austin is part of his St. Patrick’s Day program in the United States. You can learn more about Ireland House at SXSW here.

For more information about Torch’s Writers Across the Diaspora program, you can watch readings from our visiting Irish poets here. You can keep up with Torch programming by visiting torchliteraryarts.org/events. 

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About Torch Literary Arts

Torch Literary Arts (TORCH) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. Torch has featured work by Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, and others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, writing workshops, and retreats. Help Torch support Black women writers by donating today.

About Culture Ireland 

​​Culture Ireland, a division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide through specific grant programmes. We also create and support opportunities for Irish artists and art organisations to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. We develop platforms to present the richness and quality of Irish creativity to international audiences through showcase events in key arts markets including the Edinburgh Festivals and Venice Biennale, as well as various special initiatives.