Literature

Walk the line: Caelainn Hogan on motivation, perspectives and illuminating dark corners

The writer and journalist’s first book, Republic of Shame, explores the ongoing legacy of the religious-run institutions in Ireland and the treatment of the ‘fallen women’ who were incarcerated there

Caelainn Hogan: “What motivates me in my writing, and what I think is meaningful about writing nonfiction, is understanding more about people's lived experiences and perspectives.”

There is an importance as a writer of bearing witness. I learned that from journalists I worked with in Kashmir while I was still a student, covering civilian protests during a military crackdown and attending the funerals of young people who were killed.

I wrote my first article for a national newspaper after going to South Sudan as a freelancer, to report on the birth of the world’s newest nation. From there, I went on ...