Events

Setting up at the Pig's Back Cafe, Co. Cork. Mel O'Dea.On the Pig's Back Cafe Exhibition, Mel O'Dea.Reading at On the Pig's Back cafe, Cork. Mel O'Dea.

Exhibition 2026

From the 28th January 2026 onward 🎨 I’m running a solo exhibition at:
On the Pig’s Back Cafe
Unit 26
St Patrick’s Woolen Mills
Cork City
Come down and visit the paintings and check out the delicious menu at the cafe & deli! 🧀 Hope to see you there!

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On the Pig's Back cafe Cork. Mel O'Dea paintings.

Book Launch Event

On 17 December, 2024, great fun was had by all when Ripples on the Lake was launched at the West End Arts Studios in Mallow, Co. Cork. There were poetry readings from the Mallow Scribes, and music from Mick Ferguson and Sean Barret. And, of course, a reading from Ripples on the Lake with a Q&A.

Mel O'Dea book reading Ripples on the Lake in Mallow Arts CentreRipples on the Lake bookPoetry reading at the Ripples on the Lake book launchRipples on the Lake book launch readings
Book Launch RipplesMel O'Dea Book SigningMusic at the Ripples on the Lake book launch in MallowPoetry reading at the Ripples on the Lake book launch Mallow writersMel O'Dea signing copies of Ripples of the Lake at Mallow book launch
Mel O'Dea Ripples on the Lake book signingBook signing Ripples on the LakeMusic at the book launch MallowPoetry reading at Ripples on the Lake
Irish National Poetry Day 2025

Mallow

World Poetry Day 2025

Mallow Library, 1 May 2025

Me reading for Irish National Poetry Day! 🙂 

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World Poetry Day 2025

Mallow Library, Friday 21 March 2025

A wonderful afternoon of poetry and music was had by all,
courtesy of Mallow Library – thank you!

World Poetry Day poster
Mel reading at World Poetry Day, 2025
Mel O'Dea World Poetry Day 2026

Mallow Library, Co. Cork

World Poetry Day 2026

Mallow Library, 21 March 2026

Reading for World Poetry Day 2026! 🌿

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Mallow Arts Festival 2025

I was very proud to exhibit 3 artworks in this year’s Mallow Arts Festival! 

See my paintings here. 

And I was lucky also to get the chance to read from my latest poetry collection 🙂 

Mallow Arts Festival 2025

Readings

To book Mel for readings or other speaking events, please email either:

Mel ODea at quetzcoatl.deo@gmail.com
or
The publisher at hello@theforestpress.co.uk