FAQ

General enquiries

Is conference registration still open?

We are accepting bookings until 31st July 2026. After that, registration will close. To book, please use this link:

Book via RegFox

How do I get to Maynooth?

Please check Visiting Maynooth (tab at the top of this webpage) to learn more.

Can I park at Maynooth Campus?

Yes. Car parking on the campus will be free of charge during the conference as it is being held outside of university term time. Bicycle parking is available outside the TSI Building and at various points elsewhere on the campus.

Which meals are provided during the conference?

Tea, coffee, and sandwich lunch on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August are included in your conference registration. You have to book separately for the Welcome Buffet on Friday 21st August and the Gala Dinner on Saturday 22nd August.

Some conference excursions include lunch, and some do not - please check the individual tour description.

You will find a wide range of coffee shops, pubs and restaurants in Maynooth town centre which is a short walk from Maynooth Campus.

I have some mobility/access issues that I will need help with on campus

Please let us know as soon as possible using the Contact Form. We will do what we can to help. General accessibility information is covered on our Accessibility Page

Contact form

I registered using my real name but I want my conference badge to show my pen-name

No problem! Please let us know as soon as possible and by 30 June at the latest, using the Contact Form.

Contact form

Is there a student discount?

Unfortunately our finances do not allow us to offer any concessionary rates.

Is there a virtual conference?

Unfortunately we were unable to find an affordable virtual solution this year.

Can I sell my books at the conference?

We can only display speakers' books in the conference bookshop.

There will be a table in the foyer where delegates can leave bookmarks and postcards. If you bring these, then please use either a leaflet holder (see link for example) or an elastic band to keep the table tidy. You must take away any unused material when you leave.

Remember, it is best to regard HNS 2026 as an opportunity for networking and creative inspiration.

I registered for the conference but I'm not getting the monthly newsletter

You need to subscribe separately to the newsletter, using this link:

Subscribe

Can I cancel my registration/ excursion/ welcome buffet /gala dinner and receive a full refund?

The deadline for cancellation refund requests was 30th June 2026

Can I still book a one to one slot with an agent / publisher?

But be aware that Kate Nash, Justin Nash, Cate Hart and Jessica Bell and Amie McCracken are now fully booked and have no available slots. You could still send them a submission by the conventional route - we have provided links to their websites where you can find out more. You can see details of all our agents and publishers here:

Booking

If you haven’t booked a one to one 10 minute slot yet and would like to, you can request your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices here:

Details

I requested a one-to-one session with an agent using the booking link but I did’t get a confirmation email

The booking system is not automated so it may be a few days before you hear back.

I did not receive my First Chapters Competition Feedback yet

Feedbacks will be sent out before the end of June 2026.

I was asked if my personal data can be shared with Fáilte Ireland and would like to know more

The HNS 2026 conference is being sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the national tourist authority. The grant is per overseas delegate (i.e. those who do not reside on the island of Ireland). They have asked us to be ready to provide the names and addresses of our overseas delegates. This is only for verification purposes and will not be used for any other purpose.

I received an email offering to sell me the conference delegate list and I am concerned about my personal data

We are aware that there are scam emails circulating. The scammers have copied the conference title and date from our website; the remainder of the details are invented. Please block the sender and report phishing if your email provider has those settings.

I am a speaker and would like more details of display screens/AV equipment in the TSI building

The TSI building is a fully equipped University teaching facility.

We have agreed AV support with Meritec, the Maynooth Campus external provider. The technician can assist to set up on the day but can’t help us pre-organise our content. Laptops can be connected to display equipment by HDMI, but we will aim to have all presentations collated beforehand on the installed computers so that the transition between sessions is smooth.

Optimum aspect ratio for Powerpoint presentations is 16:10

Speakers who don't plan to give Powerpoint presentations can have a backdrop slide made for them featuring their book covers.

All speakers should by now have received detailed information about this; if you did not, then please get in touch via the contact form.

What is the conference dress code?

Casual / smart casual for conference sessions and Friday evening Welcome Buffet.

Our Saturday evening Gala Dinner is a special occasion with after dinner speakers (podcasters Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill), musical interlude, and presentation of the First Chapters Competition winner and category winners. So it's generally lounge suits and frocks.

For images of the HNS 2024 conference see: https://hns2024.com

We encourage everyone to save time and money and wear something they already have instead of buying a new outfit: https://hns2026.com/sustainability

The main thing is that you enjoy yourself and enjoy the company of other writers. HNS conferences are very sociable and people are always chatting away to complete strangers.

Excursions

Can I book an excursion?

There still some excursion places remaining. Newgrange is fully booked and we are maintaining a waiting list in case of cancellations (see below).

The Friday 21st morning walking tour of Maynooth Campus is also fully booked but we have recently arranged a second excursion on Friday 21st afternoon.

For excursion details:

To book an excursion:

Excursions

If you aren’t going on a full day excursion, you can book a 10 minute cover critique slot with Jessica Bell in the TSI Building, Maynooth Campus, on Friday afternoon. This might be on your last book cover or a draft of a future one. These slots can be booked here:

Booking
Cover critique

Will more excursion spots for Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange & Knowth become available?

Unfortunately these are much in demand, so we are limited to 30 places only, which were reserved back in March 2025. We are maintaining a waiting list in case anyone cancels. Each day, the Brú na Bóinne official website advertises any cancellation slots that are available that day, so you can book it privately, however we will not be able to arrange transportation for you.

I would like transportation to and from the Glenroyal Hotel for my excursion

All coach excursions will make a stop in the town to pick up and set down guests staying at the Glenroyal. Note that on your return from your excursion you may wish to get off at Maynooth Campus instead if you are joining the Welcome Buffet, for which the dress code is casual - no need to change.

I need to store luggage / personal belongings on the excursion coach

Please don't! We can't guarantee that the same coach will be used for the outward and return journey.

I booked an excursion and I have some mobility/access issues that I need help with

Please let us know as soon as possible using the Contact Form. We will do what we can to help. Please note however that some historic sites may have access issues that are beyond our control. Check the Tour Description - there is a link for each one on the Excursions page to know more.

Contact form