Mary Shine Thompson was formerly a lecturer in English at St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin City University, and edited Michael Kirby’s posthumously published book, Skelligs Sunset. She was awarded a doctorate in Anglo-Irish Literature and has been on the editorial boards of several academic journals. She has edited the plays of Austin Clarke (published by Colin Smythe), an edition of the Seamus Heaney Lectures and numerous collections of academic writings. She has chaired several national bodies, including Poetry Ireland, Imram, and Encountering the Arts Ireland.