Join Leon Diop and Sue Divin as they discuss Irish identity, belonging and their new books for young readers. 

In his groundbreaking memoir, Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging, Leon tells his story of growing up mixed race in Dublin and learning to embrace his identity. 

Sue’s novel Runaway Road is an adrenaline-fuelled journey across the Irish border, where two young siblings, raised in care, go on the run in the wake of a crime. 

This event will appeal equally to adults and children aged 12 and up. 

Meet the writers

Leon Diop is a mixed race man from Tallaght, Dublin. He graduated from Maynooth with a degree in psychology before going on to be Maynooth Students’ Union President for two terms. In June of 2020 he founded Black and Irish, an organisation working on the behalf of Black and mixed race people in Ireland. He is the co-author of the award-winning book, Black and Irish: Legends, Trailblazers and Everyday Heroes and a host of the Black and Irish podcast. He currently serves on the board of the Childhood Development Initiative, Tallaght and Work Equal. In September 2024, Leon was named as a European Leader for the Obama Foundation. In November 2025, Leon published his second book, Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging, to help young people become more comfortable in their identity. Leon is currently the head of equality, diversity and inclusion at the Arts Council of Ireland. 

Sue Divin is a Derry-based writer but, hailing originally from Armagh, can’t quite classify herself a ‘Derry Girl.’ With a Masters in Peace and Conflict studies and a ‘day job’ in Community Relations/Peace building for over fifteen years, Sue’s writing often touches on diversity and reconciliation in today’s Northern Ireland.